Page 307 Bomb and forc'd them to Fight. In this confusion some Sail'd towards the Shoar, others made into the middle of the Harbour, and others towards the Fortifications; and thus their Lines being broke, the Fleet was presently separated and dispers'd, by which means the Athenians, in this manner disappointed, were forc'd to Fight here and there, up and down in the Harbour it little Squadrons and small Parties: However the Fight was obstinate on both sides. The Athenians exceeding in Number of Ships, seeing no other hopes of safety, undauntedly despis'd all Dangers, and resolv'd to die Valiantly. On the other hand, the Syracusians knowing their Parents and Children were observing them, put themselves forth to the utmost, every one striving to improve his Valour, to gain the Victory for his Country. Many there were, that when their Ships were pierced through by the violent Assault of the Enemy, leapt into the Ships that pierc'd them, and fought bravely upon their Fore-castles in the midst of their Enemies. Others with grappling Irons, so join'd the Ships together, that they forc'd their Enemy to fight on Board, as if they had been at Land. And there were not a few that when their own Ships were disabled, boarded their Adversaries, and kill'd and threw them overboard, and so possess'd themselves of their Vessels. And now the crashing of Ships one against another, and the Cries and Shouts of the Combatants and Dying Men, was heard in every Place throughout the whole Harbour: For sometimes one single Vessel was surrounded, and struck through with the Beaks of many, and so the Water forcing in at the Breaches, the Ship with all the Men in it, sunk together. And many (after their Ships were sunk) endeavour'd to save themselves by Swimming, but were struck through with Darts, and wounded with Spears, and so miserably perish'd. In the mean time, the Masters of the Ships were amazed, to see the Confusion and Disorder of the Fight, seeing nothing but tumult and horror about them, one Ship often set upon by many, and what was commanded, not regarded, and the Advice to one, disagreeable to the Circumstances of another; and after all, none attending to what was said. For what by Storms of Darts, crashing of Ships, brushing off of Oars, increase of Noise and Clamour of them that were engag'd, and loud Shouts of the Army upon the Shoar, incouraging them upon the Sea, none heard what Orders were given: For the Shoar was full of Souldiers, the Syracusians in one part, and the Athenians in another. By which means, they that were driven in the Fight near to the Land, were sometimes succour'd by them upon the Shoar. The Spectators upon the Walls, gave great Shouts when they discerned any advantage gain'd by their Friends; but when they were in danger to be overcome, they fill'd the Air with doleful Groans and Lamentations, calling upon their Gods for deliverance. Sometimes some of the Gallies of the Syracusians were destroy'd under the very Walls, and their Kindred and Relations Butcher'd before their Faces; so that Parents were the Eye-Witnesses of the Death of their Children, Wives of the miserable end of their Husbands, and Brothers of their Brothers.
And after the Fight had lasted long (with much Slaughter on both sides) yet the Battel was still carry'd on, for none (never so greatly press'd) durst fly to Land. For the Athenians ask'd them which made towards the Shoar, whether they intended to Sail to Athens by Land? So the Syracusians on the Shoar, demanded of them that fled towards them,
Why they were now ready to betray their Country, who would not suffer them that staid on Shoar to imbarque with them? Did they shut up the Mouth of the Harbour, as if they would prevent the Escape of the Enemy, to the end that they themselves might have the better Excuse to fly to the Shoar? And being that every Man must of necessity die, what more honourable Death could they desire, than that for their Country, which is now a witness of the Engagement, and whom they basely and sordidly desert?
With these and the like Reproaches did they who fled to Land, meet with from the Souldiers plac'd on the Shoar: Whereupon they return'd to the Battel, though greatly disabled in their Shipping, and their Bodies so wounded, that they were scarce able to defend themselves. At length the Athenians nearest to the City were forc'd to fly. Presently after, they that were next gave back, till at length the whole Fleet made away. Whereupon the Syracusians pursu'd with a great Shout. Those of the Athenians that escap'd (being driven upon the Shelves and Sands) leap'd out of their broken and shatter'd