146 HISTORICAL TALES.

wars came to an end. That between Athens and
/Kigina ceased, and the fleet which Athens had built
was laid aside for a greater need. The other thing
was that step always taken in Greece in times of
peril, to send to the temple at Delphi and obtain
from the oracle the sacred advice which was deemed
so indespensable.

The reply received by Athens was terrifying.
“Quit your land and city and fice afar!” cried the
prophetess. “Fire and sword, in the train of the
Syrian chariot, shall overwhelm you. Get ye away
from the sanctuary, with your souls steeped in
sorrow.”

The envoys feared to carry back such a sentence
to Athens. They implored the priestess for a more
comforting reply, and were given the following
enigma to solve: “This assurance I will give you,
firm as adamant. When everything else in the land
of Cecrops shall be taken, Zeus grants to Athéné
that the wooden wall alone shall remain uncon-
quered, to defend you and your children. Stand not
to await the assailing horse and foot from the conti-
nent, but turn your backs and retire; you shall yet
live to fight another day. O divine Salamis, thou
too shalt destroy the children of women, either at
the seed-time or at the harvest.”

Here was some hope, though small. “The wooden
wall?” What could it be but the fleet? This was
the general opinion of the Athenians. But should
they fight? Should they not rather abandon Attica
forever, take to their wooden walls, and seek a new
home afar? Salamis was to destroy the children of