When the envoys were introduced to the senate
they declared that they had come with full powers to settle all
differences, and Alcibiades feared that if they made the same
statement to the general assembly of the citizens, they might induce
the Athenians to renounce their alliance with Argos. So, after the
senate had risen, he took the envoys aside, and with an air of great
candour and friendliness warned them that they must conceal the extent
of their powers when they appeared before the popular assembly. "You
do not understand," he said, "how to deal with the mob of Athens; if
you show your hand, they will force you into extravagant concessions.
Leave the matter to me, and everything will turn out as you wish."
The simple Spartans fell into the snare. They were not at all startled
by the proposal that they should eat their own words, for in
dishonesty they were not behind Alcibiades himself, though they were
no match for him in cunning. Being brought before the people, and
asked whether they had come with full powers, they answered bluntly
"No!" Great was the amazement at this flat contradiction of the avowal
which they had made before the senate, and Alcibiades, giving voice to
the general indignation, overwhelmed the astonished envoys with a
torrent of invective and abuse.
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