least would rather have thrown away all my shields, rather than to have
such a report (circulated) in relation to my father. 22. So this man,
being liable to that charge, for which the penalty would have been less
(than mine for this), not only was acquitted by you, but brought
disfranchisement upon a witness. And I have seen him doing that which you
know of, and I myself rescued his shield and yet am charged with a deed
so lawless and terrible. Now as I shall have the worst fate if he
escapes, and his penalty if convicted of slander will not be what he
deserves, shall I not obtain satisfaction from him? What charge have you
against me? 23. That there was justice in his accusation? But you
yourselves would not say so. That the defendant is a nobler man and from
nobler family than I? Not even he would claim that. That, having thrown
away my shield, I am accused of libel by the one who rescued it? Such is
not the story about town. 24. But remember that you rendered him that
great favor. In this matter who would not pity Dionysius that he met with
such misfortune, a noble man who fell into danger, coming from the
dicastery, saying (25) that we had made a most unfortunate expedition,
where many lost their lives and others who saved their shields were
convicted of perjury by those who threw theirs away? Were it not better
for him to have died there rather than to come home to such a fate? 26.
So do not pity Theomnestus that he is ill-spoken of as he deserves, and
do not give judgment in his favor while he insults (me) and speaks
illegally. For what greater sorrow could befall me than this, to hear
such base charges in relation to such a father? 27. He often served as
Strategus, and ran many other risks for you. And he was never made
prisoner by the enemy, nor lost a suit to the state through his audit,
and at sixty years of age he was put to death under the oligarchy through
his devotion to the people. 28. Am I not justified in my anger against
the slanderer, and in coming to my father's rescue as if he were
slandered by this charge? For what could be more distressing to him than