The Greek Classics Vol 6 PDF Download

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1909 edition. Excerpt: ...causes, but to the fatal influence of some evil genius. Are not the Lacedaemonians, those wretched men, who had but once slightly interfered in the sacrilegious outrage on the temple, who, in their day of power, aspired to the sovereignty of Greece, now reduced to display their wretchedness to the world, by sending hostages to Alexander, ready to submit to that fate, which he shall pronounce upon themselves and on their.country; to those terms which a conqueror, and an incensed conqueror, shall vouchsafe to grant? And, is not this our state the common refuge of the Greeks, once the great resort of all the ambassadors from the several cities, sent to implore our protection, as their sure resource, now obliged to contend, not for sovereign authority, but for our native land? And, to these circumstances have we been gradually reduced, from that time when Demosthenes first assumed the administration. Well doth the poet Hesiod pronounce on such men, in one part of his works, where he points out the duty of citizens, and warns all societies to guard effectually against evil ministers. I shall repeat his words; for I presume we treasured up the sayings of poets in our memory when young, that, in our riper years, we might apply them to advantage. When one man's crimes the wrath of Heav'n provoke, Oft hath a nation felt the fatal stroke. Contagion's blast destroys, at jove's command, And wasteful famine desolates the land. Or, in the field of war, her boasted pow'rs, Are lost; and earth receives her prostrate tow'rS. In vain in gorgeous state her navies ride; Dash'd, wreck'd, and bury'd in the boist'rous tide. Take away the measure of these verses, consider only the sentiment, and you...