to break up the force on which _Athens_ at present relies, by slandering
its commander to you when he tries to provide funds to support it, so
surely _Philip's_ force will be disbanded if you accept their advice. If
they fail to prove this, you must consider that they are simply setting
the city once more upon the same course which has already resulted in the
utter ruin of her fortunes. {11} For surely you know that nothing in the
world has contributed so much to Philip's successes, as his being always
first on the scene of action. With a standing force always about him, and
knowing beforehand what he intends to do, he suddenly falls upon
whomsoever he pleases: while we wait until we learn that something is
happening, and only then, in a turmoil, make our preparations. {12} It
follows, of course, that every position which he has attacked, he holds in
undisturbed possession; while we are all behindhand; all our expenditure
proves to have been so much useless waste; we have displayed our hostility
and our desire to check him; but we are too late for action, and so we add
disgrace to failure.

{13} You must therefore not fail to recognize, men of Athens, that now, as
before, all else that you hear consists of mere words and pretexts; and
that the real aim of all that is being done is to secure that you may
remain at home, that Athens may have no force outside the city, and that
thus Philip may give effect to all his desires without let or hindrance.
Consider, in the first place, what is actually occurring at the present
moment. {14} He is at present passing the time[n] in Thrace, with a great
army under him; and, as we are told by those who are on the spot,[n] he is
sending for a large addition to it from Macedonia and Thessaly. Now if he
waits for the Etesian winds,[n] and then goes to Byzantium and besieges
it, tell me first whether you think that the Byzantines will persist in
their present infatuation,[n] and will not call upon you and entreat you
to go to their aid? {15} I do not think so. Why, I believe that they would