against me. Nor did I make the speech without moving, nor make the motion without undertaking the embassy, nor undertake the embassy without prevailing on the Thebans. "8

The following quotation belongs also to this class:

"When my person was demanded - when they brought Amphictyonic suits against me- when they menaced — when they promised - when they set these miscreants like wild beasts upon me- never in any way have I abandoned my affection for you. From the very beginning I chose an honest and straightforward course in politics, to support the honor, the power, the glory of my fatherland, these to exalt, in these to have my being."

Again he says:

"And I would gladly ask Æschines - while these things were going on, and the city was full of enthusiasm, and joy, and praise, whether he joined with the multitude in sacrifice and festivity, or sat at home sorrowing and moaning and repining at the public success. For if he was present and appeared with the rest, is not his conduct monstrous, or rather impious, when measures, which he himself called the gods to witness were excellent, he now requires you to condemn-you that have sworn by the gods? If he was not present, does he not deserve a thousand deaths for grieving to behold what others rejoiced at?"9

The clearness with which Demosthenes, in a few brief sentences, could present his pictures to the auditors is another noteworthy characteristic. Thus when, in a time of peril, he represents himself as coming forward to give counsel, he says:

"What commotion there was in the city you all know; but let me just mention the most striking circumstances. "It was evening. A person came with a message to the

presidents, that Elatea was taken. They rose from supper immediately, drove off the people from their market-stalls, and set fire to the wicker-frames; others sent for the generals and called the trumpeter; and the city was full of commotion. The next morning at daybreak the presidents summoned the council to their hall, and you went to the assembly, and before they could introduce or prepare the question, the whole people were up in their seats. When the council had entered, and the presidents had reported their intelligence and presented the courier, and he had made his statement, the crier asked-'Who wishes to speak?' and no one came forward. The crier put the question repeatedly — still no man rose, though all the generals were present and all the orators, and our country with her common voice called for some one to speak and save her. for when the crier raises his voice according to law, it may justly be deemed the common voice of our country. Well, then I was the man called for upon that day. I came forward and addressed you."

As already noticed, Demosthenes despatched his comparisons, similes, and metaphors in few words. Thus :

"That decree caused the peril which then surrounded us to pass away like a cloud."

"At such a crisis, he springs up an orator, rising from his retreat like a wind."

"In the Grecian state there sprang up a crop of traitors, mercenary and abandoned, such as no one remembers at any former time."

"And Eschines has disgorged upon me the foul contents of his own villainy and injustice."

“Made a fool by a thunderbolt” (èμßgòvtηte.)

It has

In antithesis, Demosthenes was a master. been remarked that the entire oration "is one grand antithesis- the patriotic and incorruptible Demosthenes set off against the traitorous and corrupt Æschines." The following is an illustration:

"Contrast now the circumstances of your life and mine, gently and with temper, Eschines; and then ask these people whose fortune they would each of them prefer. You taught reading, I went to school: you performed initiations, I received them: you danced in the chorus, I furnished it: you were assembly-clerk, I was a speaker: you acted third parts, I heard you: you broke down, and I hissed you have worked as a statesman for the enemy, I for my country. I pass by the rest; but this very day I am on my probation for a crown, and am acknowledged to be innocent of all offence; while you are already judged to be a pettifogger, and the question is, whether you shall continue that trade, or at once be silenced by not getting a fifth part of the votes. A happy fortune, do you see, you have enjoyed, that you should denounce mine as miserable!"

The dilemma is likewise often employed in the oration before us. Demosthenes pointed out with merciless exactness "the terrible horns" of a dilemma, gave his opponent the choice, but after holding him for a time over, first one then the other, was sure at length to transfix him upon one of the horns. He says:

"If the crimes which he saw me committing against the state were as heinous as he so tragically gave out, he ought to have enforced the penalties of the law against them at the time; if he saw me guilty of an impeachable offence, by impeaching and so bringing me to trial before you; if

moving illegal decrees, by indicting me for them. For surely, if he can prosecute Ctesiphon on my account, he would not have forborne to indict me myself, had he thought he could convict me. In short, whatever else he saw me doing to your prejudice, whether mentioned or not mentioned in his catalogue of slander, there are laws for such things, and punishments, and trials, and judgments, with sharp and severe penalties; all of which he might have enforced against me: and had he done so, had he thus pursued the proper method with me, his charges would have been consistent with his conduct. But now he has declined the straightforward and just course, avoided all proofs of guilt at the time, and after this long interval gets up, to play his part withal, a heap of accusation, ribaldry, and scandal."

Again:

"Why, you-I know not what name you deserve!when you saw me robbing the state of an advantage and connection so important as you described just now, did you ever express indignation? did you come forward to publish and proclaim what you now charge me with? If indeed I had been bribed by Philip to prevent the conjunction of the Greeks, it was your business not to be silent, but to cry out, to protest, and inform the people. But you never did so your voice was never once heard to such a purpose.

"He is reduced to an alternative: either he had no fault to find with my measures, and therefore moved none against them; or he sought the good of the enemy, and therefore would not propose any better."

Oratorical interrogation is likewise frequently met in this oration. For example:

"Do you hear, Eschines, the law distinctly saying, 'unless where any are voted by the people or the council; such may be proclaimed?' Why, then, wretched man, do

you play the pettifogger? Why manufacture arguments? Why don't you take hellebore for your malady? Are you not ashamed to bring on a cause for spite, and not for any offence? to alter some laws, and to garble others, the whole of which should in justice be read to persons sworn to decide according to the laws?"

"Accursed one! what have you or yours to do with virtue? How should you discern what is honorable or otherwise? How were you ever qualified? What right have you to talk about education?"

"All such things were looked for in former times; and many opportunities did the past afford for a good man and true to show himself; during which time you are nowhere to be found, neither first, second, third, fourth, fifth, nor sixth - not in any rank at all-certainly on no service by which your country was exalted. For what alliance has come to the state by your procurement? What succors, what acquisition of good-will or credit? What embassy or agency is there of yours, by which the reputation of the country has been increased? What concern, domestic, Hellenic, or foreign, of which you have had the management, has improved under it? What galleys? what ammunition? what arsenals? what repair of walls? what cavalry? What in the world are you good for? What assistance in money have you ever given, either to the rich or the poor, out of public spirit or liberality? None. But, good sir, if there is nothing of this, there is at all events zeal and loyalty. Where? when, you infamous fellow?"

Oratorical appeal and assault abound in this oration, indeed the oration is almost a continuous succession of appeals and assaults, often thrilling, cogent, and convincing. Sentences and paragraphs beginning as formal arguments often end in the