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Darius in wrath moved his forces against them. He took up his position on the plain of Marathon, supported by his fleet. Athens was in great danger, for Marathon was but twenty-two miles from the city. The Athenians asked Sparta for aid. So swift of foot was the courier Phidippides (fī dip' i dēz) that he made the journey of one hundred and fifty miles in fortyeight hours. Sparta promised her help, but by ancient custom the Spartan troops might not set out until the moon was past its full. This meant a delay of five days, and in five days Athens might fall and Greece be ruined.

The Athenians, under Miltiades (mil ti' ah dez), marched straight to Marathon. Looking down from the hills they saw the great Persian army, which must have outnumbered their little band almost ten to one. Descending to the plain, the Greeks spread out in a long thin line, and charged across the open at a full run, sounding their war-cry as they advanced. So furious was their onslaught that the Persians could use neither cavalry nor bowmen. The wings of the Persian line broke and fled to the ships. The Greeks, breathless from their long run, were held in check only in the centre. But Miltiades brought up his victorious wings, and attacking the Persian centre with his entire force soon had the enemy in full flight. The marshes swallowed up many of the flying men, hundreds fell by the swords of the victors, but a vast number made. good their escape to the ships. The Greek loss was only one hundred and ninety men.

The Persian fleet would fain have attacked Athens

in the absence of its forces, but Miltiades, foreseeing the danger, marched back his weary troops just in time to save the city. Baffled at all points, the Persians sailed away, and Greece, for the time, was safe.

III. Oral Composition.-1. (1) How could "earth and water" be tokens of subjection? (2) Tell something about Phidippides. (3) Why did not the Spartans come to the help of Athens? (4) What do you think of the Athenians at Marathon? (5) What do you think of Miltiades ?

2. State in a sentence or two what each paragraph of the story is about.

IV. Principles-The Sentence. The Interrogation.Compare the two forms of the following sentences:

(a) Thou wouldst not have a serpent sting thee twice.
(b) Wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice?
(a) I am not my brother's keeper.

(b) Am I my brother's keeper?

We notice, first, that sentence (a) is declarative, and sentence (b) interrogative; second, that sentence (b) though interrogative, does not call for any answer; it is a declarative sentence that has been put as an interrogation to gain force. At times, therefore, the declarative sentence, to gain force, can be put as a question.

The Exclamation.-Compare the two forms of the following sentences:

( (a) The lit lake shines very brightly.

(b) How the lit lake shines!

(a) I would give my kingdom for a horse.

(b) A horse! a horse! My kingdom for a horse!

We see, first, that sentence (a) is declarative and that sentence (b) is exclamatory, and second, that the exclamation gives great force to the sentence. At times, therefore, the declarative sentence can be put with more force as an exclamation.

EXERCISE. Turn the following declarative sentences into effective interrogations or exclamations:—(1) Blessings brighten as they take their flight. (2) It is growing very late. (3) Columbia is the gem of the ocean. (4) We had a very delightful visit. (5) You can hear the tramp of the boys as they are marching. (6) The brave who die blest by all their country's wishes sleep very well. (7) Our cat has got a monstrous tail. (8) Life is not so dear as to be purchased as the price of slavery. (9) I am not hurt a scratch. (10) I wish I were wise.

(11) It is a very great pity, Iago. (12) This is a Daniel come to judgment. Young man, I honor thee highly.

V. Composition.-Draw up a formal outline of the story of the battle of Marathon. Tell the story, following previous plans.

LESSON XXI.

I. Memorize:-ODE.

How sleep the brave who sink to rest,
By all their country's wishes blest!
When Spring, with dewy fingers cold,
Returns to deck their hallowed mould,
She there shall dress a sweeter sod
Than Fancy's feet have ever trod.

By fairy hands their knell is rung;
By forms unseen their dirge is sung;
There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray,
To bless the turf that wraps their clay;
And Freedom shall a while repair,
To dwell, a weeping hermit, there!

-William Collins.

II. Theme:-THE DEATH OF LEONIDAS.

The time came when the Spartans nobly redeemed the credit they had lost by leaving Athens to fight Darius single-handed. On the death of Darius Xerxes (zerk' zez), his son, came in his place to subdue Greece with an incalculable host. The cities of Greece held a congress, and determined to defend the narrow mountain defiles by which alone the invaders could enter their country.

Leonidas, King of Sparta, was sent to keep one of these defiles known as the Pass of Thermopyla (ther mop'ile). His force was small, only three hundred Spartans and a few men from other Grecian cities. When Xerxes drew near the pass he laughed this little band to scorn, and ordered his army to advance and seize them forthwith. Forward went his troops, into the narrow defile, where only a few could fight at once. The light arms, slight shields, and open formation of the Persians were no match for the close ranks of the Greeks, armed with long spears and heavy shields. The Persians fell by hundreds, while the Greeks lost but few. For two days the fighting continued. Even the "Immortals," the flower of the Persian army, were routed.

But the gallant Greeks were betrayed. A recreant Greek guided the Persians over the mountains by another pass. They attacked the defenders of Thermopyla in the rear. Hemmed in, the Greeks had to choose between flight and destruction. Leonidas declared that the honor of Sparta would not permit her king to yield a pass he was sent to defend. His gallant band were of one mind with him. They must conquer, or die at their post. They could not conquer, but they could die, and sell their lives dearly. The Persian host came on, and time and again were driven back. One by one the Spartans fell. As their spears broke they fought with swords, and as their swords broke they fought with daggers. Leonidas was killed, and around his body his men fought on until the last man fell.

This inscription was written for the monument that marked their grave:-" Stranger, tell the Lacedæmonians1 that here we lie in obedience to their orders." Glory such as theirs is imperishable.

III. Oral Composition.-1. Express in other words the meaning of the italicized words: (1) The Spartans redeemed the credit they had lost. (2) Athens fought Persia single-handed. (3) The cities held a congress. (4) Xerxes laughed the little band to scorn. (5) The Persians advanced in open formation. (6) The "Immortals " were the flower of the Persian army. (7) They chose between flight and destruction. (8) Such glory is imperishable.

1 Spartans.

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