temeridad. > > Podéis recordar también que estamos lejos de casa y no tenemos tierra amiga cerca, salvo la que vuestras propias espadas os ganen; y aquí os presento un motivo justamente opuesto al que apela el enemigo; siendo el grito de ellos que lucharán por su país, y el mío que lucharemos por un país que no es el nuestro, donde debemos vencer o difícilmente escapar, pues tendremos a su caballería encima en gran número. > > Acordaos, por tanto, vuestra fama, e id con audacia contra el enemigo, considerando el presente apuro y necesidad
After this address Nicias at once led on the army. The Syracusans were not at that moment expecting an immediate engagement, and some had even gone away to the town, which was close by; these now ran up as hard as they could and, though behind time, took their places here or there in the main body as fast as they joined it. Want of zeal or daring was certainly not the fault of the Syracusans, either in this or the other battles, but although not inferior in courage, so far as their military science might carry them, when this failed them they were compelled to give up their resolution also. On the present occasion, although they had not supposed that the Athenians would begin the attack, and although constrained to stand upon their defence at short notice, they at once took up their arms and advanced to meet them. * First, the stone-throwers, slingers, and archers of either army began skirmishing, and routed or were routed by one another, as might be expected between light troops; * next, soothsayers brought forward the usual victims, and trumpeters urged on the heavy infantry to