TERPSICHORE. 195

placed at the left-hand side of the entrance of the
citadel, with this inscription :

Her arms when Chalcis and Beeotia tried,
Athens in chains and darkness quell'd their pride:
Their ransom paid, the tenths are here bestow'd,
A votive gift to fav'ring Pallas ow'd.

LXXVIII. The Athenians continued to increase
in number and importance: not from their example
alone, but from various instances, it may be made
appear that an equal form of government is the best.
Whilst the Athenians were in subjection to tyrants,
they were superior in war to none of their neighbours,
but when delivered from their oppressors, they far
surpassed them all; from whence it is evident, that
whilst under the restraint of a master, they were in­
capable of any spirited exertions, but as soon as they
obtained their liberty, each man zealously exercised
his talents on his own account.

LXXIX. The Thebans after this, desirous of ob­
taining revenge, sent to consult the oracle. In reply,
the Pythian assured them, that of themselves they
would be unable to accomplish this. She recom­
mended them to consult their popular assembly, and
to apply to their nearest neighbours for assistance.
Those employed in this business called, on their re­
turn, an assembly of their countrymen, to whom they
communicated the reply of the oracle. Hearing that
they were required to ask assistance of their neigh­
bours, they deliberated among themselves. "What!"
said some of them, " do not the Tanagrsei? the Coro-
naei, and the Thespians, who are our neighbours, con­
stantly act in concert with us ? do they not always
assist us, in war, with the most friendly and spirited
exertions? To these there can be no occasion to
apply; the oracle must therefore have some other
meaning."

LXXX. Whilst they were thus debating, some one
among them exclaimed, " I think that I am able to
penetrate the meaning of the oracle; Asopus is report­
ed to have had two daughters, Thebe and ^gina; as
these were sisters, I am inclined to believe that the
deity would have us apply to the JEgincta; to assist