The apology of the Church of England, and an epistle to one Seignior Scipio…

14. OF old, when the Athenians (after they had beaten the Persians out of Greece) began to rebuild their Walls, which they themselves had levelled with the Ground during the War. And the Lacedaemonians, that they might still have the Athenians at their Mercy, did severely prohibit them not to do it: Themistocles the General of the Athenians, promised that he would go to Lacedaemon, and deliberate with them about this Business; and accordingly, when he had began his Journey, that he might gain time, first he pretended a Sickness, that he might stay a while by the way; and when at last he got to Lacedaemon, he began one Delay after another, one while the Articles did not please him; another while, he must consider of them a while; now he must stay for his fellow Ambassadors, without whom he could do nothing; and soon after, he must send Messengers to Athens, to know their Pleasures, and in the interim, whilst he was spinning out the time, the Athenians fortified their City, that in case any Force were employed against them, they might be in a condition to repel it: and just thus our Adversaries, by gaining one day after another, and pretending to refer all thins to a Council, in the mean time build their own Walls, whilst we sit still and expect I know not what Wonders from them, and in the end; when they have taken their Measures, and put their Affairs out of danger, then they will shut us out of doors, and tell us that no Council can be held, nor any thing else done.

14. OF old, when the Athenians (after they had beaten the Persians out of Greece) began to rebuild their Walls, which they themselves had levell'd with the Ground during the War. And the Lacedemonians, that they might still have the Athenians at their Mercy, did severely prohibit them not to do it: Themistocles the General of the Athenians, promised that he would go to Lacedemon, and deliberate with them about this Business; and accordingly, when he had began his Journey, that he might gain time, first he pretended a Sickness, that he might stay a while by the way; and when at last he got to Lacedemon, he began one Delay after another, one while the Articles did not please him; another while, he must consider of them a while; now he must stay for his fellow Ambassadors, without whom he could do nothing; and soon after, he must send Messengers to Athens, to know their Pleasures, and in the interim, whilst he was spinning out the time, the Athenians fortified their City, that in case any Force were imployed against them, they might be in a condition to repel it: and just thus our Adversaries, by gaining one day after another, and pretending to refer all thins to a Council, in the mean time build their own Walls, whilst we sit still and expect I know not what Wonders from them, and in the end; when they have taken their Measures, and put their Affairs out of danger, then they will shut us out of doors, and tell us that no Council can be held, nor any thing else done.