CLEON AND DIODOT
There’s a stirring and anxiety in Athens, the Athenians
convened a council.
The patricians of Myletia will be there! They’re discussing independence!
To betray us at such a moment when our army is on a campaign...
Let’s cut off their heads right here, why prattle with them?
Quiet, men, hold still: it’s time for us to convene a council.
There, the war leaders are coming, behind them the Myletian delegation.
The Athenians began to clamor, as though they were conjuring a storm,
readying to ravage or to prepare provisions for a campaign,
for a long time they cursed, attacking one other,
splitting into two camps.
Here Cleon the son of Cleenet stepped out, a brazen man
well-known to all,
in the past assembly he had favored the penalty of death,
The Athenians quieted the clamor, and quickly grew completely silent.
Casting his eye around, he began to speak:
“several times I’ve said it, and today I’ll say it again:
a democratic country is incapable of ruling.
Somehow it doesn’t know how to put a bridle on other nations.
Of this I’m convinced. To what end have we lived? Have the Athenians
forgotten the judgment of yesterday? Should we believe the Myletians?
Again I’ll remind you: we should rule by tyranny.
As soon as we relax, our allies will stop obeying us;
they and others will rise against us using the example of these Myletians.
It is better to have laws that are bad, as long as they are immutable,
it is better to be uneducated rather than have a learnedness that enslaves!
What good are these marvelous laws, when it is silly to abide by them?
Are we here going to decide – to change our minds?
Athenians, more simply:
the Myletians have betrayed us, they’ve dealt us a great insult,
what next, do we punish them or do we permit a benevolent tear?
I advise you not to think long. I’ll not say another word.”
As he stepped down, the crowd surged like waves in the sea.
A clamor rushed through like the wind and suddenly
broke loose everywhere.
The Athenians created an uproar, splitting into two camps.
For a long time they cursed, going at each other,
until a new speaker stepped out.
It was Diodot, the son of Euchrates, who formerly
had been against the punishment.
The Athenians muted the uproar, and it soon completely quieted down.
Casting his eye all around, he began to speak:
“I’m speaking out not to contradict Cleon,
I’m speaking out not to judge the Myletians.
the question here is not about a crime, but about our sobermindedness.
Why should we provoke the assembly and carry out a hasty judgment?
The present has blinded you, but I’ve become accustomed
to look to the future.
Will the rebellions decrease if we punish the Myletians?
People grow accustomed to anything, they’ll even get used to death.
All the more they’ll grow accustomed if misery forces them.
Will we then think up a punishment more cruel than death?
Is the harshness of laws all of which our nation is capable?
No, harshness is not the law for us, but our wisdom, Athenians!
Why should we exploit those who united with us as equals?
Right now, in neighboring nations, only one party is in power.
this is a democratic party, and it is in contact with us.
Should we destroy all the Myletians? Should we summon hate upon us?
I advise you to think about this. I’ll not say another word.”
As he stepped down, the crowd swayed like waves in the sea.
A clamor rushed through like the wind and suddenly
broke loose everywhere.
The Athenians created an uproar, splitting into two camps.
Be silent, men, there’s no need: it is time to begin the vote.
“Be silent!” – the war leaders shouted, and
the emissaries of the Myletians grew pale.
This is the way the flooding of the sea recedes protractedly after a storm.
For a while, all around, they swayed and grew pale,
and touched their hearts...
The Athenians muted the uproar, and it soon grew completely silent.
The majority voted against punishment. Diodot was overjoyed.
1921