Standish O'Grady; selected essays and passages

314 STANDISH O'GRADY
bring to that War some one hundred thousand men, the
best kind of men that ever were, and sweep the Persians
to perdition. But they would not stir. It was contrary
to their Religion.
It is indeed extremely difEcult for us to sympathise with
or understand such superstitious folly as this. Here
was a great and very intelligent Nation deliberately court-
ing National destruction at the hands of a hated and
despised, though world-conquering foreign power, rather
than disobey that strange religious tabu about not marching
before the moon was full.
On the other hand, these awfully brave Spartan people
had a reverential feeling towards Nature, which feeling,
owing to their lack of knowledge, found expression in
foolish rules and national customs, like not marching while
the moon was not full.
Another bit of Spartan history illustrating the same
simplicity and sincerity, and naive childlike trust in divine
protective powers :
The Phocians, about to wage war on the ^tolians,
sent to their allies the Spartans, asking them for military
assistance.
" We cannot afford you an army on this occasion,"
replied the Spartans, " but we will lend you Castor and
"
Pollux for the campaign 1
The divine Twins—our Gemini of the Zodiac—might
be trusted to fight well, not only for their chosen people,
but for the allies of their chosen people. That promise
of assistance meant a real self-sacrifice on the part of the
Spartans. The Spartan man would feel lonely and