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slow and irresolute measures. These follow his standard. But no useful forces too, which we think may be scheme for carrying on the war, no depended on, until the new levies are wise provisions are ever thought of, raised, when put to the proof plainly until you hear of some enterprise in discover their insufficiency. By these execution, or already crowned with means hath he arrived at such a pitch success. This might have formerly of insolence, as to send a letter to the been pardonable, but now is the very Euboeans, conceived in such terms critical moment, when it can by no means be admitted.

as these:

*The LETTER is read.

It seems to me, Athenians, that some divinity, who, from a regard to What hath now been read, is for Athens, looks down upon our conthe most part true, Athenians! too duct with indignation, hath inspired true! but perhaps not very agreeable Philip with this restless ambition. in the recital. But if, by suppressing For were he to sit down in the quiet things ungrateful to the ear, the enjoyment of his conquests and acthings themselves could be prevent- quisitions, without proceeding to any ed, then the sole concern of a public new attempts, there are men among speaker should be to please. If, on you, who, I think, would be unmoved the contrary, these unseasonably at those transactions, which have pleasing speeches be really injurious, branded our state with the odious it is shameful, Athenians, to deceive marks of infamy, cowardice, and all yourselves, and, by deferring the that is base. But as he still pursues consideration of every thing disa- his conquests, as he is still extending greeable, never once to move until his ambitious views, possibly, he may it be too late; and not to apprehend at last call you forth, unless you have that they who conduct a war with renounced the name of Athenians. prudence, are not to follow but to di- To me it is astonishing, that none of rect events; to direct them with the you look back to the beginning of same absolute authority, with which this war, and consider that we ena general leads on his forces: that gaged in it to chastise the insolence the course of affairs may be deter- of Philip; but that now it is become mined by them, and not determine a defensive war, to secure us from their measures. But you, Athenians, his attempts. And that he will ever although possessed of the greatest be repeating these attempts is manipower of all kinds, ships, infantry, fest, unless some power rises to opcavalry, and treasure; yet, to this pose him. But, if we wait in expecday have never employed any of them tation of this, if we send out armaseasonably, but are ever last in the ments composed of empty gallies, and field. Just as barbarians engage at those hopes with which some speaker boxing, so you make war with Phi- may have flattered you; can you lip: for, when one of them receives then think your interests well secura blow, that blow engages him: if ed? shall we not embark ? shall we struck in another part, to that part not sail, with at least a part of our his hands are shifted; but to ward domestic force, now, since we have off the blow, or to watch his antago- not hitherto ?-But where shall we nist for this, he hath neither skill make our descent ?-Let us but ennor spirit. Even so, if you hear that gage in the enterprise, and the war Philip is in the Chersonesus, you re- itself, Athenians, will show us where solve to send forces thither; if in he is weakest. But if we sit at home, Thermopylæ, thither; if in any other listening to the mutual invectives and place, you hurry up and down, you accusations of our orators; we can

not expect, no, not the least success, us he hath sent an embassy to the in any one particular. Wherever a king; others, that he is fortifying part of our city is detached, although places in Illyria. Thus we all go the whole be not present, the favour about framing our several tales. I of the gods and the kindness of for- do believe, indeed, Athenians! he is tune attend to fight upon our side; intoxicated with his greatness, and but when we send out a general, and does entertain his imagination with an insignificant decree, and the hopes many such visionary prospects, as of our speakers, misfortune and dis- he sees no power rising to oppose appointment must ensue. Such ex- him, and is elated with his success. peditions are to our enemies a sport, But I cannot be persuaded that he but strike our allies with deadly ap- hath so taken his measures, that the prehensions. For it is not, it is not weakest among us know what he is possible for any one man to perform next to do: (for it is the weakest every thing you desire. He may among us who spread these rumours) promise, and harangue, and accuse-Let us disregard them: let us be this or that person; but to such pro- persuaded of this, that he is our eneceedings we owe the ruin of our af- my, that he hath spoiled us of our fairs. For, when a general who dominions, that we have long been commanded a wretched collection of subject to his insolence, that whatunpaid foreigners, hath been defeat-ever we expected to be done for us ed; when there are persons here, by others, hath proved against us, who, in arraigning his conduct, dare that all the resource left is in ourto advance falsehoods, and when you selves, that, if we are not inclined to lightly engage in any determination, carry our arms abroad, we may be just from their suggestions; what forced to engage here-let us be permust be the consequence? How suaded of this, and then we shall then shall these abuses be removed? come to a proper determination, then -By offering yourselves, Athenians, shall we be freed from those idle to execute the commands of your ge- tales. For we are not to be solicitneral, to be witnesses of his conduct in ous to know what particular events the field, and his judges at your re- will happen; we need but be conturn: so as not only to hear how your vinced nothing good can happen, unaffairs are transacted, but to inspect less you grant the due attention to them. But now, so shamefully are affairs, and be ready to act as becomes we degenerated, that each of our Athenians.

commanders is twice or thrice called I, on my part, have never upon before you to answer for his life, any occasion chosen to court your though not one of them dared to ha- favour, by speaking any thing but zard that life, by once engaging his what I was convinced would serve enemy. No; they choose the death you. And, on this occasion, I have of robbers and pilferers, rather than freely declared my sentiments, withto fall as becomes them. Such ma-out art, and without reserve. It lefactors should die by the sentence would have pleased me, indeed, that, of the law. Generals should meet as it is for your advantage to have their fate bravely in the field. your true interest laid before you, so Then, as to your own conduct-I might be assured that he who laysome wander about, crying, Philip eth it before you, would share the adhath joined with the Lacedemonians, vantages: for then I had spoken and they are concerting the destruc- with greater alacrity. However, untion of Thebes, and the dissolution certain as is the consequence with of some free states. Others assure respect to me, I yet determined to

speak, because I was convinced that| these measures, if pursued, must have their use. And, of all those opi

nions which are offered to your acceptance, may that be chosen, which will best advance the general weal! Leland.

$28. The first Olynthiac Oration: pronounced four Years after the first Philippic, in the Archonship of Callimachus, the fourth Year of the Hundred and Seventh Olympiad, and the twelfth of Philip's Reign.

INTRODUCTION.

The former Oration doth not appear to have had any considerable effect. Philip had his creatures in the Athenian assembly, who probably recommended less vigorous measures, and were but too favourably heard. In the mean time, this prince pursued his ambitious designs. When he found himself shut out of Greece, he turned his arms to such remote parts, as he might reduce without alarming the states of Greece. And, at the same time, he revenged himself upon the Athenians, by making himselfmaster of some places which they laid claim to. At length his success emboldened him to declare those intentions which he had long entertained secretly against the Olynthians.

Olynthius (a city of Thrace possess

measures to secure the possession of it. For they did not scruple to receive two of his brothers by another marriage, who had fled to avoid the effects of his jealousy; and endeavoured to conclude an alliance with Athens, against him, which he, by secret practices, found means to defeat. But as he was yet scarcely secure upon his throne, instead of expressing his resentment, he courted, or rather purchased, the alliance of the Olynthians, by the cession of Anthemus, a city which the kings of Macedon had long disputed with them, and afterwards, by that of Pydna and Potidea: which their joint forces had besieged and taken from the Athenians. But the Olynthians could not be influenced by gratitude towards such a benefactor. The rapid progress of his arms, and his glaring acts of perfidy, alarmed them exceedingly. He had already made some inroads on their territories, and now began to act against them with less reserve. They therefore despatched ambassadors to Athens to propose an alliance, and request assistance against a power which they were equally concerned to oppose. Philip affected the highest resentment at this step; alleged their mutual engagements to adhere to each other in war and peace; inveighed against their harbouring his brothers, whom he called the conspirators; and, under pretence of punishing their infractions, pursued his hostilities with double vigour, made himself master of some of their cities, and threatened the capital with a siege.

ed by Greeks originally from Chalcis, a town of Euboea and colony of Athens) commanded a large tract called the Chalcidian region, in which there were thirty-two cities. It had arisen by degrees to such a pitch of grandeur, as to In the mean time the Olynthians

have frequent and remarkable contests both with Athens and Lacedemon. Nor did the Olynthians show great regard to the friendship of Philip when he first came to the throne, and was taking all

pressed the Athenians for immediate succours. Their ambassadors opened their commission in an assembly of the people, who had the right either to agree to, or to reject their demand. As the im

portance of the occasion increased his former estimation, the more must the number of speakers, the elder the world admire him: while your orators had debated the affair be- disgrace hath been the greater, the fore Demosthenes arose. In the more your conduct hath proved unfollowing oration therefore he worthy of your state. These things speaks as to a people already in- therefore I shall pass over. He informed, urges the necessity of deed, who examines justly, must find joining with the Olynthians, and the source of all his greatness here, confirms his opinion by powerful not in himself. But the services he arguments; lays open the designs hath here received, from those whose and practices of Philip, and labours public administration hath been devotto remove their dreadful apprehen-ed to his interest; those services which sions of his power. He concludes you must punish, I do not think it with recommending to them to seasonable to display. There are reform abuses, to restore ancient other points of more moment for you discipline, and to put an end to all all to hear; and which must excite domestic dissensions. the greatest abhorrence of him, in every reasonable mind.-These I

In many instances (Athenians!) shall lay before you. have the gods, in my opinion, mani- And now, should I call him perfestly declared their favour to this jured and perfidious, and not point state: nor is it least observable in this out the instances of this his guilt, it present juncture. For that an ene- might be deemed the mere virulence my should arise against Philip, on the of malice, and with justice. Nor will very confines of his kingdom, of no it engage too much of your attention inconsiderable power, and, what is to hear him fully and clearly convictof most importance, so determined ed, from a full and clear detail of all upon the war, that they consider any his actions. And this I think useful accommodation with him, first, as in- upon two accounts: first, that he sidious, next, as the downfal of their may appear, as he really is, treachecountry this seems no less than the rous and false; and then, that they gracious interposition of Heaven it- who are struck with terror, as if Phiself. It must, therefore, be our care lip was something more than human, (Athenians!) that we ourselves may may see that he hath exhausted all not frustrate this goodness. For it those artifices to which he owes his must reflect disgrace, nay, the foul- present elevation; and that his af est infamy upon us, if we appear to fairs are now ready to decline. For have thrown away not those states I myself (Athenians!) should think and territories only which we once Philip really to be dreaded and adcommanded, but those alliances and mired, if I saw him raised by honourfavourable incidents, which fortune able means. But I find, upon rehath provided for us.

flection, that at the time when cerTo begin on this occasion with a tain persons drove out the Olynthians display of Philip's power, or to press from this assembly, when desirous of you to exert your vigour, by motives conferring with you, he began with drawn from hence, is, in my opinion, abusing our simplicity by his promise quite improper. And why Be- of surrendering Amphipolis, and excause whatever may be offered on ecuting the secret article of his treaty, such a subject, sets him in an honour- then so much spoken of: that after able view, but seems to me, as a re- this, he courted the friendship of the proach to our conduct. For the Olynthians by seizing Potidea, where higher his exploits have arisen above we were rightful sovereigns, despoil

ing us his former allies, and giving once; and borrow for a while, from them possession: that, but just now, hope, a gay and flourishing appearhe gained the Thessalians, by pro-ance. But time betrays their weakmising to give up Magnesia; and, ness; and they fall into ruin of themfor their ease, to take the whole con- selves. For, as in structures of every duct of the Phocian war upon him- kind, the lower parts should have the self. In a word, there are no people greatest firmness, so the grounds and who ever made the least use of him, principles of actions should be just but have suffered by his subtlety and true. But these advantages are his present greatness being wholly not found in the actions of Philip. owing to his deceiving those who I say, then, that you should dewere unacquainted with him, and spatch succours to the Olynthians : making them the instruments of his (and the more honourably and expesuccess. As these states therefore ditiously this is proposed to be done, raised him, while each imagined he the more agreeably to my sentiments) was promoting some interest of theirs; and send an embassy to the Thessathese states must also reduce him to lonians, to inform some, and to enhis former meanness, as it now ap-liven that spirit already raised in pears that his own private interest others: (for it hath actually been rewas the end of all his actions. solved to demand the restitution of

Thus then, Athenians! is Philip Pagasæ, and to assert their claim to circumstanced. If not, let the man Magnesia.) And let it be your care, stand forth, who can prove to me, I Athenians, that our ambassadors may should have said to this assembly, not depend only upon words, but give that I have asserted these things them some action to display, by takfalsely; or that they whom he hath ing the field in a manner worthy of deceived in former instances, will the state, and engaging in the war confide in him for the future; or that with vigour. For words, if not acthe Thessalians, who have been so companied by actions, must ever apbasely, so undeservedly enslaved, pear vain and contemptible; and would not gladly embrace their free-particularly when they come from us, dom. If there be any one among you, whose prompt abilities, and wellwho acknowledges all this, yet thinks known eminence in speaking, make that Philip will support his power, us to be always heard with the greater as he hath secured places of strength, suspicion.

convenient ports, and other like ad- Would you indeed regain attention vantages; he is deceived. For when and confidence, your measures must forces join in harmony and affection, be greatly changed, your conduct toand one common interest unites the tally reformed; your fortunes, your confederating powers, then they persons, must appear devoted to the share the toils with alacrity, they en- common cause; your utmost efforts dure the distresses, they persevere. must be exerted. If you will act But when extravagant ambition, and thus, as your honour and your interlawless power (as in his case) have est require; then, Athenians! you aggrandized a single person; the will not only discover the weakness first pretence, the slightest accident, and insincerity of the confederates overthrows him, and all his greatness of Philip, but the ruinous condition is dashed at once to the ground. For of his own kingdom will also be laid it is not, no Athenians! it is not open. The power and sovereignty possible to found a lasting power of Macedon may have some weight upon injustice, perjury, and treache- indeed, when joined with others. ry. These may perhaps succeed for Thus, when you marched against the

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