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And Pindar says:—
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There are councils of Elders,
And young men's conquering spears,
And dances, the Muse, and joyousness.
The Spartans are thus shown to be at the same time most musical and most warlike;
In equal poise to match the sword hangs the sweet art of the harpist,
as their poet says. For just before their battles, the king sacrificed to the Muses, reminding his warriors, as it would seem, of their training, and of the firm decisions they had made, in order that they might be prompt to face the dread issue, and might perform such martial deeds as would be worthy of some record.
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