ons with vigour. You have heads
capable of advising what is best; you have judgment and experience, to
discern what is right; and you have power and opportunity to execute
what you determine. What time so proper for action! What occasion so
happy? And when can you hope for such another, if this be neglected? Has
not Philip, contrary to all treaties, insulted you in Thrace? Does he
not, at this instant, straiten and invade your confederates, whom you
have solemnly sworn to protect? Is he not an implacable enemy? a
faithless ally? the usurper of provinces, to which he has no title nor
pretence? a stranger, a barbarian, a tyrant? and indeed, what is he not?

Observe, I beseech you, men of Athens, how different your conduct
appears from the practices of your ancestors. They were friends to truth
and plain dealing, and detested flattery and servile compliance. By
unanimous consent they continued arbiters of all Greece for the space
of forty-five years, without interruption; a public fund, of no less
than ten thousand talents, were ready for any emergency: they exercised
over the kings of Macedon that authority which is due to Barbarians;
obtained, both by sea and land, in their own persons frequent and signal
victories and by their noble exploits, transmitted to posterity an
immortal memory of their virtue, superior to the reach of malice and
detraction. It is to them we owe that great number of public edifices,
by which the city of Athens exceeds all the rest of the world, in beauty
and magnificence. It is to them we owe so many stately temples, so
richly embellished; but, above all, adorned with the spoils of
vanquished enemies--But, visit their own private habitations; visit the
houses of Aristides, Militiades, or any other of those patriots of
antiquity; you will find nothing, not the least mark of ornament, to
distinguish them from their neighbours. They took part in the
government, not to enrich themselves, but the public; they had no
schemes or ambition, but for the public nor knew any interest, but the
public. It was by a close and steady application to the general good of
their country; by an exemplary piety toward the immortal gods; by a
strict faith, and religious honesty, betwixt man and man; and a
moderation, always uniform, and of apiece; they established that
reputation, which remains to this day, and will last to utmost
posterity.

Such, O men of Athens! were your ancestors; so glorious in the eye of
the wo