On The Crown   

{135} To prove that what I say is true, (_to the clerk_) call the
witnesses who testify to it.

[_The witnesses are called_.]

{136} Thus when the Council rejected him from the office of advocate, and
committed the case to another, it declared at the same time that he was a
traitor, who wished you ill.

Such was one of the public appearances of this fine fellow, and such its
character--so like the acts with which he charges me, is it not? Now
recall a second. For when Philip sent Python of Byzantium,[n] and with him
envoys from all his allies, in the hope of putting the city to shame and
showing her to be in the wrong, I would not give way before the torrent of
insolent rhetoric which Python poured out upon you, but rose and
contradicted him, and would not betray the city's rights, but proved the
iniquity of Philip's actions so manifestly, that even his own allies rose
up and admitted it. But Aeschines supported Python; he gave testimony in
opposition to his country, and that testimony false.

{137} Nor was this sufficient for him; for again after this he was
detected going to meet Anaxinus[n] the spy in the house of Thrason. But
surely one who met the emissary of the enemy alone and conferred with him,
must himself have been already a born spy and an enemy of his country. To
prove the truth of what I say, (_to the clerk_) call the witnesses to
these facts.

[_The witnesses are called_.]

{138} There are still an infinite number of things which I might relate of
him; but I pass them over. For the truth is something like this. I could
still point to many instances in which he was found to be serving our
enemies during that period, and showing his spite against me. But you do
not store such things up in careful remembrance, to visit them with the
indignation which they deserve; but, following a bad custom, you have
given great freedom to any one who wishes to trip up the proposer of any
advantageous measure by dishonest charges--bartering, as you do, the
advantage of the State for the pleasure and gratification which you derive
from invective; and so it is always easier and safer to be a hireling in
the service of the enemy, than a statesman who has chosen to defend your
cause.

{139} To co-operate with Philip before we were openly at war with him was
--I call Earth and Heaven to witness--atrocious enough. How could it be
otherwise--against his own country? Nevertheless, concede him this, if you
will, concede him this. But when the corn-ships had been openly plundered,
and the Chersonese was being ravaged, and the man was on the march against
Attica; when the position of affairs was no longer in doubt, and war had
begun; what action did this malignant mouther of verses ever do for your
good? He can point to none. There is not a single decree, small or great,
with reference to the interests of the city, standing in the name of
Aeschines. If he asserts that there is, let him produce it in the time
allotted to me. But no such decree exists. In that case, however, only two
alternatives are possible: either he had no fault to find at the time with
my policy, and therefore made no proposal contrary to it; or else he was
seeking the advantage of the enemy, and therefore refrained from bringing
forward any better policy than mine.

{140} Did he then abstain from speaking, as he abstained from proposing
any motion, when any mischief was to be done? On the contrary, no one else
had a chance of speaking. But though, apparently, the city could endure
everything else, and he could do everything else unobserved, there was one
final deed which was the culmination of all that he had done before. Upon
this he expended all that multitude of words, as he went through the