Once upon a time the Milesians were strong

Explanation

they say that the Carians, being warred upon by Darius the Persian, in accordance with an old prophecy bidding them attach the strongest as allies, came to Branchidae and asked the god there whether they should attach the Milesians as allies. He answered: "Once upon a time the Milesians were strong." This verse was first uttered earlier in Anacreon, who flourished about the time of Cyrus the Persian. Darius is the third from Cyrus.