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demosthenes-第5部分
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itself; to make him a citizen of Athens; and pay him honours while
he lived; and yet as soon as he fell by another's hand; to set no
bounds to their jollity; to insult over him dead; and to sing
triumphant songs of victory; as if by their own valour they had
vanquished him。 I must at the same time commend the behaviour of
Demosthenes; who; leaving tears and lamentations and domestic
sorrows to the women; made it his business to attend to the
interests of the commonwealth。 And I think it the duty of him who
would be accounted to have a soul truly valiant; and fit for
government; that; standing always firm to the common good; and letting
private griefs and troubles find their compensation in public
blessings; he should maintain the dignity of his character and
station; much more than actors who represent the persons of kings
and tyrants; who; we see; when they either laugh or weep on the stage;
follow; not their own private inclinations; but the course
consistent with the subject and with their position。 And if; moreover;
when our neighbour is in misfortune; it is not our duty to forbear
offering any consolation; but rather to say whatever may tend to cheer
him; and to invite his attention to any agreeable objects; just as
we tell people who are troubled with sore eyes to withdraw their sight
from bright and offensive colours to green; and those of a softer
mixture; from whence can a man seek; in his own case; better arguments
of consolation for afflictions in his family; than from the prosperity
of his country; by making public and domestic chances count; so to
say; together; and the better fortune of the state obscure and conceal
the less happy circumstances of the individual。 I have been induced to
say so much; because I have known many readers melted by Aeschines's
language into a soft and unmanly tenderness。
But now to turn to my narrative。 The cities of Greece were
inspirited once more by the efforts of Demosthenes to form a league
together。 The Thebans; whom he had provided with arms; set upon
their garrison; and slew many of them; the Athenians made preparations
to join their forces with them; Demosthenes ruled supreme in the
popular assembly; and wrote letters to the Persian officers who
commanded under the king in Asia; inciting them to make war upon the
Macedonian; calling him child and simpleton。 But as soon as
Alexander had settled matters in his own country; and came in person
with his army into Boeotia; down fell the courage of the Athenians;
and Demosthenes was hushed; the Thebans; deserted by them; fought by
themselves; and lost their city。 After which; the people of Athens;
all in distress and great perplexity; resolved to send ambassadors
to Alexander; and amongst others; made choice of Demosthenes for
one; but his heart failing him for fear of the king's anger; he
returned back from Cithaeron; and left the embassy。 In the meantime;
Alexander sent to Athens; requiring ten of their orators to be
delivered up to him; as Idomeneus and Duris have reported; but as
the most and best historians say; he demanded these eight only;…
Demosthenes; Polyeuctus; Ephialtes; Lycurgus; Moerocles; Demon;
Callisthenes; and Charidemus。 It was upon this occasion that
Demosthenes related to them the fable in which the sheep are said to
deliver up their dogs to the wolves; himself and those who with him
contended for the people's safety being; in his comparison; the dogs
that defended the flock; and Alexander 〃the Macedonian arch…wolf。〃
He further told them; 〃As we see corn…masters sell their whole stock
by a few grains of wheat which they carry about with them in a dish;
as a sample of the rest; so you by delivering up us; who are but a
few; do at the same time unawares surrender up yourselves all together
with us so we find it related in the history of Aristobulus; the
Cassandrian。 The Athenians were deliberating; and at a loss what to
do; when Demades; having agreed with the persons whom Alexander had
demanded; for five talents; undertook to go ambassador; and to
intercede with the king for them; and; whether it was that he relied
on his friendship and kindness; or that he hoped to find him satiated;
as a lion glutted with slaughter; he certainly went; and prevailed
with him both to pardon the men; and to be reconciled to the city。
So he and his friends; when Alexander went away; were great men; and
Demosthenes was quite put aside。 Yet when Agis; the Spartan; made
his insurrection; he also for a short time attempted a movement in his
favour; but he soon shrunk back again; as the Athenians would not take
any part in it; and; Agis being slain; the Lacedaemonians were
vanquished。 During this time it was that the indictment against
Ctesiphon; concerning the crown; was brought to trial。 The action
was commenced a little before the battle in Chaeronea; when Chaerondas
was archon; but it was not proceeded with till about ten years
after; Aristophon being then archon。 Never was any public cause more
celebrated than this; alike for the fame of the orators; and for the
generous courage of the judges; who; though at that time the
accusers of Demosthenes were in the height of power; and supported
by all the favour of the Macedonians; yet would not give judgment
against him; but acquitted him so honourably; that Aeschines did not
obtain the fifth part of their suffrages on his side; so that;
immediately after; he left the city; and spent the rest of his life in
teaching rhetoric about the island of Rhodes; and upon the continent
in Ionia。
It was not long after that Harpalus fled from Alexander; and came to
Athens out of Asia; knowing himself guilty of many misdeeds into which
his love of luxury had led him; and fearing the king; who was now
grown terrible even to his best friends。 Yet this man had no sooner
addressed himself to the people; and delivered up his goods; his
ships; and himself to their disposal; but the other orators of the
town had their eyes quickly fixed upon his money; and came in to his
assistance; persuading the Athenians to receive and protect their
suppliant。 Demosthenes at first gave advice to chase him out of the
country; and to beware lest they involved their city in a war upon
an unnecessary and unjust occasion。 But some few days after; as they
were taking an account of the treasure; Harpalus; perceiving how
much he was pleased with a cup of Persian manufacture; and how
curiously he surveyed the sculpture and fashion of it; desired him
to poise it in his hand; and consider the weight of the gold。
Demosthenes; being amazed to feel how heavy it was; asked him what
weight it came to。 〃To you;〃 said Harpalus; smiling; 〃it shall come
with twenty talents。〃 And presently after; when night drew on; he sent
him the cup with so many talents。 Harpalus; it seems; was a person
of singular skill to discern a man's covetousness by the air of his
countenance; and the look and movements of his eyes。 For Demosthenes
could not resist the temptation; but admitting the present; like an
armed garrison; into the citadel of his house; he surrendered
himself up to the interest of Harpalus。 The next day; he came into the
assembly with his neck swathed about with wool and rollers; and when
they called on him to rise up and speak; he made signs as if he had
lost his voice。 But the wits; turning the matter to ridicule; said
that certainly the orator had been seized that night with no other
than a silver quinsy。 And soon after; the people; becoming aware of
the bribery; grew angry; and would not suffer him to speak; or make
any apology for himself; but ran him down with noise; and one man
stood up; and cried out; 〃What; ye men of Athens; will you not hear
the cup…bearer?〃 So at length they banished Harpalus out of the
city; and fearing lest they should be called to account for the
treasure which the orators had purloined; they made a strict
inquiry; going from house to house; only Callicles; the son of
Arrhenidas; who was newly married; they would not suffer to be
searched; out of respects; as Theopompus writes; to the bride; who was
within。
Demosthenes resisted the inquisition; and proposed a decree to refer
the business to the court of Areopagus; and to punish those whom
that court should find guilty。 But being himself one of the first whom
the court condemned; when he came to the bar; he was fined fifty
talents; and committed to prison; where; out of shame of the crime for
which he was condemned; and through the weakness of his body;
growing incapable of supporting the confinement; he made his escape;
by the carelessness of some and by the contrivance of others of the
citizens。 We are told; at least; that he had not fled far from the
city when; finding that he was pursued by some of those who had been
his adversaries; he endeavoured to hide himself。 But when they
called him by his name; and coming up nearer to him; desired he
would accept from them some money which they had brought from home
as a provision for his journey; and to that purpose only had
followed him; when they entreated him to take courage; and to bear
up against his misfortune; he burst out into much greater lamentation;
saying; 〃But how is it possible to support myself under so heavy an
affliction; since I leave a city in which I have such enemies; as in
any other it is not easy to find friends。〃 He did not show much
fortitude in his banishment; spending his time for the most part in
Aegina and Troezen; and; with tears in his eyes; looking towards the
country of Attica。 And there remain upon record some sayings of his;
little resembling those sentiments of generosity and bravery which
he used to express when he had the management of the commonwealth。
For; as he was departing out of the city; it is reported; he lifted up
his hands towards the Acropolis; and said; 〃O Lady Minerva; how is
it that thou takest delight in three such fierce untractable beasts;
the owl; the snake; and the people?〃 The young men that came to
visit and converse with him; he deterred from meddling with state
affairs; telling them; that if at first two ways had been proposed
to him; the one leading to the speaker's stand and the assembly; the
other going direct to
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