ΤΟ THE MOST NOBLE THE MARQUESS OF ANGLESEA. K. G. ETC. ETC. ETC. THESE Anecdotes of Heroism ARE RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. BY HIS MOST DEVOTED AND MOST OBEDIENT HUMBLE SERVANTS, Sholto Parry Reuben Barcy. 6-25-40 FLV Library of E. a. Barnes 6-24-40 20v. THE Percy Anecdotes. ANECDOTES OF HEROISM. "On valour's side the odds of combat lie, The wretch who trembles in the field of fame, POPE. HEROES OF THERMOPYLÆ. IT having been resolved, at a general council of the government of Sparta, to defend the Straits of Thermopylæ against the Persians, seven thousand foot were put under the command of Leonidas, of whom, however, only three hundred were Spartans. Leonidas did not think it practicable to defend the pass against such multitudes as the Persian king commanded; and therefore privately told his friends, that his design was to devote himself to death for his country. Xerxes, advancing near the straits, was greatly surprised to find that the Greeks were resolved to dispute his passage. Still entertaining hopes that they would betake themselves to flight, he waited four days without undertaking any thing, on purpose to give them an opportunity. He at length sent a herald to Leonidas, to command him to deliver arms. up his Leonidas, in a style and with a spirit truly laconical, answered, "Come thyself and take them." Xerxes, at this reply, transported with rage, commanded the Medes and Cissians to march against them; take all alive, and bring them to him in fetters. The Medes, not able to stand the shock of the Greeks, soon betook themselves to flight. Hidarnes was then ordered to advance with a body of ten thousand chosen men, called, by way of supreme distinction, the Immortals; but when these came to a close with the Greeks they succeeded no better than the Medes and Cissians, being obliged to retire with great slaughter. The next day, the Persians, reflecting on the small number of their enemies, and supposing that so many of them must have been wounded, that they could not possibly maintain a second fight, advanced with great confidence to another assault. The Greeks, however, exerted themselves in a manner so extraordinary, that, instead of giving way, they put the Persians, for a third time, to the rout. Xerxes is said to have three times leaped from his throne, so great was his apprehension of the entire destruction of his army. Xerxes, having lost all hopes of forcing his way through troops that were determined to conquer or die, was extremely perplexed as to the measures he should take; when one Epialtes, in expectation of a great reward, came to him, and discovered a secret passage to the top of the hill, which overlooked and commanded the Spartan forces. The king imme |