them keep a firm grasp on this empire, and they would soon recover
those pretty ornaments of empire--their gardens and their vineyards--
which they held so dear: but, that once relinquished, they would lose
all. Surely this knowledge should inspire them with a lofty contempt
of their foes, a contempt grounded, not on ignorance or shallow
enthusiasm, but on rational calculation. They could not now descend
from the eminence on which they stood. Athens, who had blazed so long
in unrivalled splendour before the eyes of the world, dared not suffer
her lustre to be abated: for her, obscurity meant extinction. Let them
keep this in mind, and not listen to counsels of seeming prudence and
moderation, which were suicidal in a ruling state. All their
calamities, except the plague, were the foreseen results of their own
decision. Now was the time to display their known courage and
patience. Let them think of the glory of Athens, and her imperial
fame.

This memorable speech, the last recorded utterance of Pericles, had
the desired effect. It was resolved to continue the war, and no
further embassies were sent to Sparta. But resentment still smouldered
in the hearts of the Athenians against their great statesman. How
fearful was the contrast between the high hopes with which they had
embarked in this struggle, and the scenes of horror and desolation
which lay around them! From the walls they could see their trampled
fields, their ravaged plantations, and the blackened ruins of their
homes. Within, the pestilence still raged undiminished, and the city
was filled with sounds and sights of woe. Under the pressure of these
calamities the ascendency of Pericles went through a brief period of
eclipse, and he was condemned to pay a fine. Soon, however, he
recovered all his influence, and remained at the head of affairs until
his death, which occurred in the autumn of the following year.