naval power except your own; failing this, to secure the friendship of
the strongest that does exist. And if any of you believe that what
we urge is expedient, but fear to act upon this belief, lest it should
lead to a breach of the treaty, you must remember that on the one
hand, whatever your fears, your strength will be formidable to your
antagonists; on the other, whatever the confidence you derive from
refusing to receive us, your weakness will have no terrors for a
strong enemy. You must also remember that your decision is for Athens
no less than Corcyra, and that you are not making the best provision
for her interests, if at a time when you are anxiously scanning the
horizon that you may be in readiness for the breaking out of the war
which is all but upon you, you hesitate to attach to your side a
place whose adhesion or estrangement is alike pregnant with the most
vital consequences. For it lies conveniently for the coast-navigation
in the direction of Italy and Sicily, being able to bar the passage
of naval reinforcements from thence to Peloponnese, and from
Peloponnese thither; and it is in other respects a most desirable
station. To sum up as shortly as possible, embracing both general
and particular considerations, let this show you the folly of
sacrificing us. Remember that there are but three considerable
naval powers in Hellas--Athens, Corcyra, and Corinth--and that if you
allow two of these three to become one, and Corinth to secure us for
herself, you will have to hold the sea against the united fleets of
Corcyra and Peloponnese. But if you receive us, you will have our
ships to reinforce you in the struggle."

Such were the words of the Corcyraeans. After they had finished, the
Corinthians spoke as follows:

"These Corcyraeans in the speech we have just heard do not confine