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Meanwhile Pausanias had sent a horseman to the Athenians, at the
time when the cavalry first fell upon him, with this message:
"Men of Athens! now that the great struggle has come, which is to
decide the freedom or the slavery of Greece, we twain,
Lacedaemonians and Athenians, are deserted by all the other allies,
who have fled away from us during the past night. Nevertheless, we
are resolved what to do - we must endeavour, as best we may, to
defend ourselves and to succour one another. Now, had the horse
fallen upon you first, we ourselves with the Tegeans (who remain
faithful to the Greek cause) would have been bound to render you
assistance against them. As, however, the entire body has advanced
upon us, 'tis your place to come to our aid, sore pressed as we are
by the enemy. Should you yourselves be so straitened that you cannot
come, at least send us your archers, and be sure you will earn our
gratitude. We acknowledge that throughout this whole war there has
been no zeal to be compared to yours - we therefore doubt not that you
will do us this service."
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