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As Artemisia spake, they who wished her well were greatly troubled
concerning her words, thinking that she would suffer some hurt at the
king's hands, because she exhorted him not to risk a battle; they,
on the other hand, who disliked and envied her, favoured as she was by
the king above all the rest of the allies, rejoiced at her
declaration, expecting that her life would be the forfeit. But
Xerxes, when the words of the several speakers were reported to him,
was pleased beyond all others with the reply of Artemisia; and
whereas, even before this, he had always esteemed her much, he now
praised her more than ever. Nevertheless, he gave orders that the
advice of the greater number should be followed; for he thought that at
Euboea the fleet had not done its best, because he himself was not
there to see - whereas this time he resolved that he would be an
eye-witness of the combat.
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