Their real purpose was disguised under the mask of anxiety for the
general safety of Greece. "It is not expedient," they urged, "that the
Persians, when next they come against us, should find fenced cities
which they may make their strongholds, as they have lately done in
Athens and in Thebes. Cease, therefore, from building this wall, and
help us to destroy all such defences, outside of Peloponnesus. If we
are attacked again, we will unite our forces within the isthmus, and
meet the invader from there."
But Themistocles was not the man to be hoodwinked by the simple
cunning of the Spartans. By his advice the Athenians dismissed the
envoys, promising to send an embassy to discuss the matter at Sparta.
As soon as they were gone, Themistocles caused himself to be appointed
as head of the embassy, and set out at once for Sparta, instructing
the Athenians to keep his colleagues back until the wall had been
raised to a sufficient height for purposes of defence. Arrived at
Sparta, he kept himself close in his lodging, and declined all
conference with the authorities, alleging that he could do nothing
without his colleagues.
Meanwhile the Athenians were making incredible efforts to carry on the
work which was essential to their liberty and prosperity.
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