234 PELOPIDAS.

good and commendable. But the Thessalians and the alUes, out-doing in their public edicts all the just honors that could be paid to human courage, gave, in their dis- play of feeling, yet stronger demonstrations of the kind- ness they had for him. It is stated, that none of the sol- diers, when they heard of his death, would put off their armor, unbridle their horses, or dress their wounds, but, etill hot and with their arms on, ran to the coi'pse, and, as if he had been yet alive and could see what they did, heaped up spoils about his body. They cut off their horses' manes and their own hail", many kindled no fire in their tents, took no supper, and silence and sadness was spread over all the army ; as if they had not gained the greatest and most glorious actory, but were over- come by the tja'ant, and enslaved. As soon as it was known in the cities, the magistrates, youths, children, and priests, came out to meet the body, and brought trophies, crowns, and suits of golden armor ; and, when he was to be interred, the elders of the Thessalians came and beg- ged the Thebans, that they might give the funeral ; and one of them said, " Friends, we ask a favor of you, that will prove both an honor and comfort to us in this our great misfortune. The Thessalians shall never again wait on the li^dng Pelopidas, never give honors, of which he can be sensible, but if we may have his body, adorn his funeral, and inter him, we shall hope to show, that we esteem his death a greater loss to the Thessalians than to the Thebans. Yoii have lost only a good general, we both a general and our liberty. For how shall we dare to desire from you another captain, since we cannot restore Pelopidas ? " The Thebans granted their request, and there was never a more splendid funeral in the opinion of those, who do not think the glory of such solemnities consists only in gold, ivory, and purple ; as Philistus did, who extrava-