THE LIFE OF PERICLES, 353
yet was this too ouergreat an iniuiy offerd vnto all the rest of Grece, and too manifest a token of tyrannie also, to behold before their eyes, how we do employ the money, which they were inforced to gather for the maintenance of the warres against the barbarous people, in gilding, building, and setting forth our city, like a glorious woman, all to be gauded with gold and precious stones, and how we do make images, and build vp temples of wonderfull and infinite charge. Pericles replied to the contrary, and declared vnto the Athenians, that they were not bound to make any account of this money vnto their friends and allies, considering that they fought for their safety, and that they kept the barbarous people far from Grece without troubling them to set out any one man, horse or ship of theirs, the mony onely excepted, which is no more theirs that paid it, the theirs that receiued it, so they bestow it to that vse they receiued it for. And their city being already well furnished, and prouided of all things necessary for the warres, it was good reason they should employ and bestow the surplus of the treasure in things which in time to come (and being throughly finished) would make their fame eternall. Moreouer he said that whilest they continue building, they should be presently rich, by reason of the diuer-sitie of works of all sorts, and other things which they should haue need of: and to compasse these things the better, and to set them in hand, all maner of artificers and workmen (that would labor) should be set a worke. So should all the townes-men, and inhabitants of the city, receiue pay and wages of the common treasure : and the citie by this meanes should be greatly beautified, and much more able to maintaine it selfe. For such as were strong, and able men of body, and of yeares to cary weapon, had pay and entertainement of the common-wealth, which were sent abroade vnto the warres : and other that were VOL. iv.(x) z