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Meanwhile the Athenian generals hastened to the right wing, and told
Pausanias all that they had learnt from Alexander. Hereupon
Pausanias, who no sooner heard the intention of the Persians than he
was struck with fear, addressed the generals, and said, -
"Since the battle is to come with to-morrow's dawn, it were well
that you Athenians should stand opposed to the Persians, and we
Spartans to the Boeotians and the other Greeks; for ye know the
Medes and their manner of fight, since ye have already fought with
them once at Marathon, but we are quite ignorant and without any
experience of their warfare. While, however, there is not a Spartan
here present who has ever fought against a Mede, of the Boeotians and
Thessalians we have had experience. Take then your arms, and march
over to our post upon the right, while we supply your place in the left
wing."
Hereto the Athenians replied - "We, too, long ago, when we saw
that the Persians were drawn up to face you, were minded to suggest to
you the very course which you have now been the first to bring forward.
We feared, however, that perhaps our words might not be pleasing to
you. But, as you have now spoken of these things yourselves, we
gladly give our consent, and are ready to do as ye have said."
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