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Meanwhile the Thebans, who longed to be revenged on the Athenians,
had sent to the oracle, and been told by the Pythoness that of their
own strength they would be unable to accomplish their wish: "they must
lay the matter," she said, "before the many-voiced, and ask the
aid of those nearest them." The messengers, therefore, on their
return, called a meeting, and laid the answer of the oracle before the
people, who no sooner heard the advice to "ask the aid of those
nearest them" than they exclaimed - "What! are not they who dwell
the nearest to us the men of Tanagra, of Coronaea, and Thespiae?
Yet these men always fight on our side, and have aided us with a good
heart all through the war. Of what use is it to ask them? But maybe
this is not the true meaning of the oracle."
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