On The Chersonese   

as all must see, at the same time these very statements are actually
contradictory of the charges which they are making against Diopeithes. {9}
Why, I beg to ask,[n] are we to give Philip full leave to act in whatever
way he chooses, so long as he does not touch Attica, when Diopeithes is
not to be allowed even to assist the Thracians, without being accused of
initiating war? But even if this inconsistency is brought home to them,
still, we are told, the conduct of the mercenaries in ravaging the
Hellespontine country is outrageous, and Diopeithes has no right to drive
the vessels to shore,[n] and ought to be stopped. {10} I grant it: let it
be done: I have nothing to say against it. Yet nevertheless, if their
advice is genuinely based on considerations of right, and right alone, I
consider that they are bound to prove that, as surely as they are seeking
to break up the force on which _Athens_ at present relies, by slandering
its commander to you when he tries to provide funds to support it, so
surely _Philip's_ force will be disbanded if you accept their advice. If
they fail to prove this, you must consider that they are simply setting
the city once more upon the same course which has already resulted in the
utter ruin of her fortunes. {11} For surely you know that nothing in the
world has contributed so much to Philip's successes, as his being always
first on the scene of action. With a standing force always about him, and
knowing beforehand what he intends to do, he suddenly falls upon
whomsoever he pleases: while we wait until we learn that something is
happening, and only then, in a turmoil, make our preparations. {12} It
follows, of course, that every position which he has attacked, he holds in
undisturbed possession; while we are all behindhand; all our expenditure
proves to have been so much useless waste; we have displayed our hostility
and our desire to check him; but we are too late for action, and so we add
disgrace to failure.

{13} You must therefore not fail to recognize, men of Athens, that now, as
before, all else that you hear consists of mere words and pretexts; and
that the real aim of all that is being done is to secure that you may
remain at home, that Athens may have no force outside the city, and that
thus Philip may give effect to all his desires without let or hindrance.
Consider, in the first place, what is actually occurring at the present
moment. {14} He is at present passing the time[n] in Thrace, with a great
army under him; and, as we are told by those who are on the spot,[n] he is
sending for a large addition to it from Macedonia and Thessaly. Now if he
waits for the Etesian winds,[n] and then goes to Byzantium and besieges
it, tell me first whether you think that the Byzantines will persist in
their present infatuation,[n] and will not call upon you and entreat you
to go to their aid? {15} I do not think so. Why, I believe that they would
open their gates to men whom they distrust even more than they distrust
you (if such exist), rather than surrender the city to Philip--supposing,
that is, that he does not capture them first. And then, if we are unable
to set sail from Athens, and if there are no forces there on the spot to
help them, nothing can prevent their destruction. {16} 'Of course,' you
say, 'for the men are possessed, and their infatuation passes all bounds.'
Very true; and yet they must be preserved; for the interests of Athens
require it. And besides, we cannot by any means be certain that he will
not invade the Chersonese. Indeed, if we are to judge by the letter which
he has sent to you, he there says that he _will_ punish the settlers[n] in
the Chersonese. {17} If then the army that is now formed there is in
existence, it will be able to help the Chersonese, and to injure some part
of Philip's country. But when once it is dissolved, what shall we do if he
marches against the Chersonese? 'We shall of course put Diopeithes on his
trial.' And how will that improve our position? 'Well, we should go to the
rescue from Athens ourselves.' What if the winds make it impossible? {18}
'But, of course, he will not really get there.' And who can guarantee
that? Do you realize, men of Athens, or take into account, what the coming
season of the year is, the season against which some think you ought to
evacuate the Hellespont and hand it over to Philip? What if, when he
leaves Thrace, he does not go near the Chersonese or Byzantium at all--for
this, too, is a possibility which you must consider--but comes to