364 THE LIFE OP PERICLES.
other fine went first Into the Isle of Evboea, and from thence vnto the Oetseians, and through all the gulfe of Malea, vnto the Phtiotes, vnto the Achaians, and the Thessalians: declaring to all the people where they came, the Athenians commission, perswading them to send vnto Athens, and to be present at the counsell which should be holden there, for the pacification and vnion of all Grece. But when all came to all, nothing was done, and the said cities of Grece did not assemble, by practice of the Lacedaemonians (as it is reported) who were altogether the let : for the first refusall that was made of their summons, was at Peloponnesvs. This haue I written to make Pericles noble courage to be knowne, and how profound a wise man he shewed himselfe vnto the world. Furthermore, when he was chosen General in the wafres, he was much esteemed, because he euer tooke great regard to the safety of his souldiers. For by his good will,he would neuer hazard battell, which he saw might fall' out doubtfull, or in any thing daungerous : and moreouer, he neuer praised them for good generals, neither would he follow them that had obtained great victories by hazard, howsoeuer other did esteeme or commend them. For he was wont to say, that if none but himselfe did leade them to the shambles, as much as lay In him, they should be immortall. And when he saw Tolmides, the sonne of Tolmseus (trusting to his former victories, and the praise and commendation of his good sendee) did prepare vpon no occasion, and to no purpose, to enter into the countrey of Boeotia, and had procured also a thousand of the lustiest and most valiant men of the citie, to be contented to go with him in that iourney, ouer and aboue the rest of the army he had leauied : he went about to turne him from his purpose, arid to keepe him at home, by many perswasions he vsed to him before the peoples face, and spake certaine words at that time,