:15:00
let us consider some other words
that have been spoken.
:15:05
Has Athens not sent for and received
a prediction from the Delphic oracle?
:15:10
Come now, Themistocles.
:15:12
No Greek state acts
without first consulting the gods.
:15:17
Why not reveal this prediction to us, instead
of trying to draw us into a hopeless war?
:15:23
There are no hopeless wars, friend.
Only hopeless cowards.
:15:27
You are evading the answer.
:15:30
I happen to know this prediction by heart.
:15:33
And here it is.
:15:36
"Fly to the world's end, doomed ones.
Leave your homes. "
:15:40
"For fire and the headlong god of war
shall bring you low. "
:15:47
This clearly seems to me
that the gods foretell the doom of Athens.
:15:59
Isn't it wonderful
that we have among us such a clever man?
:16:03
Not only does he know
how to steal state secrets,
:16:06
but he understands the meaning
of the gods as well.
:16:10
Now, since the sacred text has been filched,
:16:14
there's no longer any point
in keeping it a secret.
:16:18
Here is the rest of the prediction.
:16:21
"Then far-seeing Jove
grants this to the prayers of Athene:
:16:28
safe shall the wooden wall continue
for thee and thy children. "
:16:35
Perhaps you can explain to us
the meaning of these words.
:16:39
- They have no meaning.
- No meaning?
:16:43
Do you infer then
the gods dispense nonsense?
:16:47
Don't put words into my mouth
to confuse the issue.
:16:50
You know no wooden walls
can stand against an army like Xerxes'.
:16:54
And anyway, Athens
no longer has a wooden wall.
:16:58
And where did you steal
this piece of information?