were better to die ten thousand deaths, than to do anything out of
servility towards Philip [or to sacrifice any of those who speak for your
good]. A noble recompense did the people in Oreus receive, for entrusting
themselves to Philip's friends, and thrusting Euphraeus aside! {66} and a
noble recompense the democracy of Eretria, for driving away your envoys,
and surrendering to Cleitarchus! They are slaves, scourged and butchered!
A noble clemency did he show to the Olynthians, who elected Lasthenes to
command the cavalry, and banished Apollonides! {67} It is folly, and it is
cowardice, to cherish hopes like these, to give way to evil counsels, to
refuse to do anything that you should do, to listen to the advocates of
the enemy's cause, and to fancy that you dwell in so great a city that,
whatever happens, you will not suffer any harm. {68} Aye, and it is
shameful to exclaim after the event, 'Why, who would have expected this?
Of course, we ought to have done, or not to have done, such and such
things!' The Olynthians could tell you of many things, to have foreseen
which in time would have saved them from destruction. So too could the
people of Oreus, and the Phocians, and every other people that has been
destroyed. {69} But how does that help them now? So long as the vessel is
safe, be it great or small, so long must the sailor and the pilot and
every man in his place exert himself and take care that no one may capsize
it by design or by accident: but when the seas have overwhelmed it, all
their efforts are in vain. {70} So it is, men of Athens, with us. While we
are still safe, with our great city, our vast resources, our noble name,
what are we to do? Perhaps some one sitting here has long been wishing to
ask this question. Aye, and I will answer it, and will move my motion; and
you shall carry it, if you wish. We ourselves, in the first place, must
conduct the resistance and make preparation for it--with ships, that is,
and money, and soldiers. For though all but ourselves give way and become
slaves, we at least must contend for freedom. {71} And when we have made
all these preparations ourselves, and let them be seen, then let us call