198 TERPSICHORE.

made in a single vessel, for they could easily have re­
pelled the attacks of one, or even of many vessels,
even if they had possessed no ships of their own ; but
they say that the Athenians invaded them with a
powerful fleet; in consequence of which they retired,
not choosing to hazard a naval engagement. It is,
however, by no means evident, whether they declined
a sea-fight from a want of confidence in their own
power, or whether they retired voluntarily and from
design. It is certain that the Athenians, meeting with
no resistance, advanced to the place where the images
stood, and not able to separate them from their bases,
they dragged them along with ropes ; duririg which,
both the figures did what seems incredible to me,
whatever it may to others. They assert, that they
both fell upon their knees, in which attitude they have
ever since remained. Such were the proceedings of
the Athenians. The people of iEgina, according to
their own account, hearing of the hostile intentions
of the Athenians, took care that the Argives should
be ready to assist them. As soon, therefore, as the
Athenians landed at jEgina, the Argives were at
hand, and, unperceived by the enemy, passed over
from Epidaurus to the island, whence intercepting
their retreat to their ships, they fell upon the Athe­
nians ; at which moment of time an earthquake hap­
pened, accompanied with thunder.

LXXXVH. In their relation of the above circum­
stances, the jEginette and the Argives concur. The
Athenians acknowledge, that one only of their coun­
trymen returned to Attica; but this man, the Argives
say, was the sole survivor of a defeat, which they
gave the Athenians; whilst these affirm, that he
escaped from the vengeance of the divinity, which,
however, he did not long elude, for he afterwards
perished in this manner: when he returned to Athens,
and related at large the destruction of his country­
men, the wives of those who had been engaged in the
expedition against ^Egina were extremely exasperat­
ed that he alone should survive; they accordingly
surroundod the man, and each of them asking for her
husband, they wounded him with the clasps of th«ir