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Thus spake Harmocydes; and the Persian horse, having encircled the
Phocians, charged towards them, as if about to deal out death, with
bows bent, and arrows ready to be let fly; nay, here and there some
did even discharge their weapons. But the Phocians stood firm,
keeping close one to another, and serrying their ranks as much as
possible: whereupon the horse suddenly wheeled round and rode off. I
cannot say with certainty whether they came, at the prayer of the
Thessalians, to destroy the Phocians, but seeing them prepared to
stand on their defence, and fearing to suffer damage at their hands,
on that account beat a retreat, having orders from Mardonius so to
act; or whether his sole intent was to try the temper of the Phocians
and see whether they had any courage or no. However this may have
been, when the horsemen retired, Mardonius sent a herald to the
Phocians, saying - "Fear not, Phocians - ye have shown
yourselves valiant men - much unlike the report I had heard of you.
Now therefore be forward in the coming war. Ye will not readily outdo
either the king or myself in services." Thus ended the affair of the Phocians.
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