accursed men were hounded on against me like wild beasts, have I ever been
false to my loyalty towards you. For from the very first, I chose the
straight and honest path in public life: I chose to foster the honour, the
supremacy, the good name of my country, to seek to enhance them, and to
stand or fall with them. {323} I do not walk through the market, cheerful
and exultant over the success of strangers, holding out my hand and giving
the good tidings to any whom I expect to report my conduct yonder, but
shuddering, groaning, bowing myself to the earth, when I hear of the
city's good fortune, as do these impious men, who make a mock of the city
--not remembering that in so doing they are mocking themselves--while they
direct their gaze abroad, and, whenever another has gained success through
the failure of the Hellenes, belaud that state of things, and declare that
we must see that it endures for all time.

{324} Never, O all ye gods, may any of you consent to their desire! If it
can be, may you implant even in these men a better mind and heart. But if
they are verily beyond all cure, then bring them and them alone to utter
and early destruction, by land and sea. And to us who remain, grant the
speediest release from the fears that hang over us, and safety that naught
can shake!


FOOTNOTES

[1] Some writers suppose that it was at the meeting in the spring of 339.
The evidence is not conclusive, but appears to point to the date given
here.