They were growing stronger and stronger,

他们的势力逐步壮大
and stronger and it was only a matter of time until they

有朝一日必定会将
fell upon their neighbors and destroyed their freedom.

降难于邻邦摧毁他们的自由
The Athenians sent ambassadors to Sparta.

雅典人向斯巴达派遣了使者
They had not been invited.

他们不请自来
They were there, says Thucydides, mysteriously on other business.

据修昔底德记载他们动机不明
I always wonder,

我总是想不明白
what other business could they have had?

他们究竟能有什么不明的动机
Were they negotiating a grain treaty?

洽谈粮草协定
Was it an exchange for violinists and piano players?

还是小提琴家和钢琴家交流计划
I mean, what in the world--I don't know,

总之我不知道
because, of course, I think that was a cover story.

因为当然我想这只是表面的理由