"Because while ye are drinking and idling here—drones that ye are—there is commotion in the Athenian bee-hive yonder. Know that Ariamanes the Persian and Datis the Mede have escaped. The allies, especially the Athenians, are excited and angry; and many of them are already come in a body to Pausanias, whom they accuse of abetting the escape of the fugitives."
"Well?"
"Well, and if Pausanias does not give honey in his words,—and few flowers grow on his lips—the bees will sting, that is all. A trireme will be despatched to Sparta with complaints. Pausanias will be recalled—perhaps his life endangered."
"Endangered!" echoed several voices.
"Yes. What is that to you—what care you for his danger? He is a
Spartan."
"Ay," cried one; "but he has been kind to the Helots."
"And we have fought by his side," said another.
"And he dressed my wound with his own hand," murmured a third.
"And we have got money under him," growled a fourth.
"And more than all," said Alcman, in a loud voice, "if he lives, he will break down the Spartan government. Ye will not let this man die?"