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"We have no hope now of glorious death, nor generous pardon. Our home is lost to us, seven years and a hundred thousand foes between.

I have seen the defeated king. He flees abjectly, and is pursued. He distrusts friends, and is betrayed. He loses a kingdom, and wastes himself in coveting the lost. I am no Darius, to flee helpless!

I have seen the kings of this land, fearless men and hopeless. Who stand like Spartans and die, though no Sparta lies behind them. Their people die with them, despite all bravery names forgotten. I am no petty chief, to doom men so!

We have marched in triumph, to triumph. We have fought our face always to the enemy in front, and he in flight, always looked over his shoulder. I will not flee now, nor die unremembered. We are men of Makedon! Persia is lost, but is not all, for we have passed from it north and south, east and west. Now again we march. Now again comes Nike in flight and the fall of empires. We are men of Makedon! We have worlds to conquer!
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-From the Speech of Alexander to the Companions 400 BCE, as related by Hasrubal in the year 3 of the Common Era. Generally considered apocryphal.
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