History of the Peloponnesian War

With this answer the Plataean envoys went again into the city, and after they had conferred with the people replied that they wished first to communicate his proposals to the Athenians, and if they could gain their consent would do what he proposed; but meanwhile they requested him to grant them a truce and not to ravage the land. And so he made a truce for the number of days within which their representatives could be expected to go and return, and did not lay waste their land.

But the Plataean envoys went to the Athenians and after consulting with them returned with the following message to the people at home: "

The Athenians assure you, Plataeans, that as in times past, since you became their allies,[*](About 520 B.C. cf. Thuc. 3.68.5.) they have never on any occasion deserted you when you were being wronged, so now they will not suffer you to be wronged, but will assist you with all their might. They therefore adjure you, by the oaths which your fathers swore, not to break off the alliance."