The three orations of Demosthenes chiefe orator among the Grecians, in fauour of the Olynthians, a people in Thracia, now called Romania with those his fower orations titled expressely & by name against king Philip of Macedonie: most nedefull to be redde in these daungerous dayes, of all them that loue their countries libertie, and desire to take warning for their better auayle, by example of others. Englished out of the Greeke by Thomas Wylson doctor of the ciuill lawes. After these orations ended, Demosthenes lyfe is set foorth, and gathered out of Plutarch, Lucian, Suidas, and others, with a large table, declaring all the principall matters conteyned in euerye part of this booke. Seene and allowed according to the Queenes Maiesties iniunctions.

The Argument vpon the third Orati∣on against king Philip of Macedonie.

FOr as muche as king Philip being in league with the Athenians, did in wordes onely keepe peace, and in deedes wrought them much mischiefe: Demosthenes doth exhort all Grecelande to withstande his violent dealinges, and to cutte of his great rodes and inuasions made euery where: showing that it is nowe high time for them so to doe, if they will eschue perpetuall serui∣tude, and bondage for euer. And for this purpose he bringeth examples of their Auncestours, that those Cities that gouerned by Tyrannie, lost their state, for that the Grecyans coulde neuer abide vniust go∣uernement, nor any grieuous vsurped aucthoritie. Moreouer, he takes on mar∣ueylously agaynst Traytours, and reherseth certaine sharpe and seuere lawes made in that behalfe, wherein he maketh report of a notable example execu∣ted vpon a certain banished and outlawed straunger. And last of all, he sheweth how king Philip hath gotten many other Cities and townes, through treason onely. And therefore hee warneth them not to trust these fellowes that speake in king Philips fauour. And in this Oration hee sheweth that those men are the cause of all mischiefe, that seeke to winne fauour, and grace of o∣thers, for the atchieuing of a state or kingdome: the which he proueth manifestly, that king Philip hath wrought and sought by all mea∣nes possible to doe. And therfore he giueth his Countrimen councell to take armour in hande, and to beate downe king Philips ambicious attemptes, considering the daunger, wherein not onely they themselues doe stande, but all the lande of Grece besydes.

¶ The thirde Oration against king Philip of Macedonie.

ALbeit much talke hath beene vsed (O Athenians) yea almost in euery assembly, of those great wrongs that king Philip hath done (since the peace concluded) not onely to you, but also to all Greceland besides: and that I sée all men can not choose but confesse (altho in déede they doe not so) yet that it is very néede∣full for vs to agrée, both to say, and doe all things, wherby at the length he may leaue this his violent vsage, and féele the smart of these his wrong doings: yet for all that I sée all thinges come to that poynt and so farre ouerpast, that I feare mée altho it be counted a slaunder, yet it shall be true which I will saye, that if all they that come vp into this place, would say the worde, and you holde vp your handes to the same, how to bring things into the worst pickle that might be: yet to order them worse than they be now, I thinke it weare impossible. And perhaps there be ma∣ny causes why things are thus, and it is not one or two causes that haue made our state so euill. But most of all (if things be well examined) ye shall find the fault to be in them, who vse their talke so, as to benifite themselues, rather than to do you any good ther∣by: of whom there are some (O Athenians) so as they may kéepe themselues in estimation and aucthoritie still, neither care them∣selues what may followe afterwardes: neyther yet thinke they that you doe. Other some againe do nothing else, but with slaun∣dering and accusing those that be in office, séeke how to make our Citie a plague to it selfe, and to kéepe our selues occupied aboute that. And that in the meane season king Philip, he may haue li∣bertie to doe and say what he list. And this is the maner of your gouernment, and a thing you were woont to vse: but yet it is the cause of great trouble, and makes vs doe many thinges amisse. And nowe (O Athenians) if I doe speake the truth fréely and plainly vnto you, I praye you be not angry with me for it. For consider this, how in all other things you yourselues thinke it so

fitte that the libertie of the tongue shoulde bée so common to all men within the Citie: that you haue imparted the same euen to verie straungers and bonde men. And here a man may sée many a houshold seruaunt speake his minde, with more libertie than the Citizens themselues do, in some other townes. And yet in cases where councell is to be giuen: you barre all men from it. Wher∣vpon it cōmeth to passe, that in your assemblies, you be so daintie, & loue so wel to be clawed, that you must heare nothing but things to féede your humors withall: but in your businesse and dooings, you let things go till they be at the vttermost daunger. Therfore, if you will haue this itch to hange vpon you in this 〈…〉〈…〉 then I can say nothing to it. But if you be disposed 〈…〉〈…〉 speake for your commoditie, and without flatterie 〈…〉〈…〉 for your purpose: for tho our countrie be shrewdely 〈…〉〈…〉 that we haue lost much through your owne follies and cowardlin•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 if you will from henceforth doe your endeuours, there are ••••a∣nes ynoughe to redresse all that is awrie. And that thing which I shall say, though it séeme against the opinion of all men: yet it shal be true for all that. That thing which did hurt vs most of all here∣tofore, the same in our dooings hereafter shall doe vs most good. And what may that be? Marye our doings haue had the worse successe, bicause we haue done nothing more or lesse, in such sort as we ought to haue done. For if while we shewed our selues like valiaunt and lustie men, the worlde had gone after the same sort still: then without doubt there had béene no hope at all for things to be bettered. But nowe I must say plainly, that of our negligence and slouthfulnesse onely, king Philip hath got the vic∣tory, and hath got no victory of our country: neither be ••ou either vāquished at al, nor yet so much as once stirred out of your place, with all the stirring hee can make. Then séeing we do all confesse that king Philip is at warre with vs, and breaketh the peace: what else can any man say or aduise you y^t shall come hither: than that we must defende our selues, from him, with the easiest and safest waye we can. But forsomuch as some are so farre from their wittes, and so blinded with ignoraunce, that though they sée him take our chiefe fortresses and holdes: and enioy many things of ours,

and continue dooing wrong to all men: yet for all that, they can well ynough away with such as beare them in hande oftentimes in their assemblies, howe it is some of vs, that makes the warre, and giues the occasion of breach. Herein therefore we had néede to be well aduised, and to worke wisely. For it is to be feared, least he that shall giue you his aduise and order, how to defende your sel∣ues against him: shall be charged to be the author of the warres.

First of all I will say and determine thus much before you all, if so be, it stand in vs to take counsell of the matter, whether wée shall haue warre or peace: then I say, if our countrie may be at peace, and that the same lyeth in vs to choose: I thinke verily (to begin withall) we shall doe well to take it. And I exhort him that so sayth, both to enact and execute the same: and not to deceyue you and bleare your eyes. But if on the other side, it be so, that a man hauing armour in hand, and a great power about him, pre∣tend and dash you in the téeth with the name of peace, and yet v∣seth such maners as belong to war: what other thing then should we doe, but defend our selues, and be reuenged of him. But if you will professe that you kepe peace, in such maner as he doth: I reck not much of it. Marie, and if any man do thinke this to be a peace, when he shall, after he hath got all other places, make his waye streight towardes vs: I thinke that fellow, (to begin withall) is out of his wittes: And besides that, he speakes of such a peace, as he may make with you, not such as you may make with him put∣ting in king Philips choyse to doe as he list, and not that you may doe as you woulde. And this is the thing forsooth that king Philip would be glad to purchase, with all the treasure that he hath spent, that hée himselfe may warre vpon vs when he list without resistaunce: and we may not set vpon him at all. And if we tarie till he set vpon vs, and giue vs the defiaunce, and confesse that he will warre with vs: then are we the most simple and fondest men that liue vpō earth. For you may be well assured he will not say so much vnto vs, al∣though he entred with an army royall here, with in Attica, and the very Péere it selfe: as is wel to be gathered and proued by his dealings towardes others. For what did he to the Olynthians? when he was not past fiue miles from their towne, he sent them

worde flatly they must do one of the two, eyther they must not ta∣rie in Olynthus, or else he must forsake Macedonie. But if a mā shoulde haue charged him with this all the while before he came thither: then he would haue stormed, and sent Ambassadors, to haue made his purgation. The same part he played with the Phoceyans, when he came vnto them as vnto his friendes that thought no harme at all, their Ambassadors then attending vppon him. There was many amongst vs at the selfesame time also, that debated the matter, and thought that his passage woulde not be for the profite of the Thebanes. And a little before this, he toke Pheres, in his way to Thessalia vnder colour of amitie and al∣liaunce. And last of all, he deceyued the siely Oriteynes, with his sleight and compasse, making them belieue that he sent Souldi∣ours vnto them for good will, to determine the controuersies that were among them, for he heard say they could not agrée amongst themselues, but weare at iarre one with another: And therefore (quoth he) it was the part of a true & cōstant friend, to assist them at such times. And then do you think that he being a man y^t loues rather to set vpō these men, by sleight & pollicie (who, though they could do him no hurt, yet peraduenture, were able wel ynough to kéepe themselues from taking of harme) than to tell them before hand, how he would inuade them: would make open proclamatiō of these warres that he mindes to haue agaynst you: and that, at this time especially, when you are most willing to deceyue your selues? nay looke not for that: for now that he séeth himself to haue diuers waies wronged you, & you for al that, not to chalenge him for the same, but that you are rather ready alwaies to accuse and condemne one another: he might well be thought the veriest dolt in the worlde, if he would breake of this strife and contention that is amongst you, and by forewarning you, bring it all vpon hys owne backe, and by that meanes leaue nothing to say to those his féede men, who bearing you in hand, that he meanes no warre to this City: séeke nothing but delayes and tracting out of time with you. But (O good Lord) is there any man in his right wittes that woulde iudge whether a man had peace or warre with him, by his gay wordes, rather than by his dooinges? no man without

doubt. King Philip euen immediately, after peace was conclu∣ded, Diophites not béeing yet generall, nor the Souldiours that nowe be in Cherronesus, béeing as yet sent from hence: he tooke Serrium and Doriscum from vs, and draue out those Souldi∣ours out of Serrium wall, and the holy Mountain: which weare put in by our Generall. And in these his practises, what was his drift? for surely he had sworne to kéepe the peace. And let no man say, what of all this? or what hath this Citie to care for it? for whe∣ther these matters be trifles, or such as the Citie hath not to make any account of, it is no place now, to reason of such things.

Albeit, touching godlinesse & iustice, be it in small matters, or in great, so a man once passe the bounds thereof: all is one in effect. Well, go to now, when he sends his hyred souldiers to Cherronesus (which countrie, both the Persian king & all the Gréekes besides, haue pro∣nounced to be yours) and confesseth moreouer that he will succor thē, & signifieth the same by his letters, what doth he? for he saith that he is not at warre with vs:

And yet I for my part am so far from déeming that he attempting such thinges, doth kéepe peace, that euē as soone as he touched once in Megara, and established a tyrannous gouernement in Euboia, & now is going into Thra∣cia, & hath practises a bruing in Peloponesus, and compasseth all that he doth with force of armes: I dare be bold to say, he breakes the peace altogither, & makes warre agaynst you: except ye will say that they that haue their engines and frames in a readinesse: do kepe peace till the time they haue brought them hard to the ve∣ry walles.

But you will not say so, for why, that man that dooth and deuiseth those things, whereby I may be caught: I must née∣des say, he is at warre with me, although he neither throwe nor shoote at me.

And than what things should you put in hazard by it, if any such thing should happen? First, Hellespontus shall re∣uolt from you, and he that warres with you shal be Lord ouer the Megareans and the Euboians: and the Peloponesians, they will be on his side. And shall I then say vnto you that this man mindes peace and good fayth towardes vs, who prepares and ray∣ses vp this frame against our Citie? surely, it is farre from my thought: nay, rather euen from the very first day that he destroied

the Phoceyans, I maintaine it plainly, that he began streight to be your enimie. And therefore, if you doe withstand him out of hande, I say you doe wisely. And if you doe it not nowe, you shall not be able to do it, when you would. And so farre am I (O Athe∣nians) from the opinion of others your Counsellors, that I think it not méete to haue any longer deliberation about Cherronesus and Bizance: but rather that you defende and rescue them from taking of harme. And to sende vnto your Generals there, all such things as they néede. And in the meane space, to consult for the safetie and welfare of the whole estate of Grecia, nowe standing in verie great daunger.

And now I will giue you the reason, why I am so afrayde of your estate and dooings: to the intent, that if I shall séeme to say truely and as the matter is in déede: you may bée p••rtakers thereof, and if you will not haue care ouer others, yet at the least that you may be prouident and haue care of your selues. And in case you thinke I tell you a toy, and a brainlesse tale: then neuer hearken to my tale, either now or hereafter, as to him that were well in his wittes. Wherefore, to touche vnto you howe king Philip from so slender and so base an estate as he was first in: is waxen so great and mounted so hie: howe all Grecelande hath béene tost through trecherie and sedition among themselues, how it is a great deale more out of all mens beléefe for him to come from that he was, to that he is now: than it is, that he should now at this time, bring all the reast vnder his subiection, after the conquest of so many as he hath made, and all such like things as I could well recite: I do thinke méete to ouerpasse, and surcease. But this I sée, that all men following your leading haue graun∣ted and yéelded so willingly to king Philip that thing: which al∣wayes heretofore hath béene the occasion of all the warres a∣mong the Gréekes. And what might that be? euen this, that he may doe whatsoeuer him lusteth to doe: as much to say, hée may cut euery man in péeces: he may robbe and spoyle the Gréekes: and he may go vp and down conquering and bringing of townes vnder his subiection. And notwithstāding, that you haue bene the chiefe princes ouer al Grece for the space of .73. yeares: the Lace∣demonians

for .29. yeares: and the Thebanes also nowe of late yeares haue béene men of some force, since the battaile fought at Leuctra, yet for all this, was there neuer thus much graunted by the Grecians, eyther to you or to the Thebanes, or to the La∣cedemonians eyther, at any time (O Athenians:) to doe what∣soeuer he lusted to doe. And in this matter néedes not much talke. But both against you, nay rather against the Athenians of those daies, after they séemed to passe the bounds of modesty in abusing some men: all men then thought it good, to reuenge the matter by open warre, yea those whom the quarrell of the wronged, did not touch at all. Againe, when the Lacedemonians ruled and had the like seigniorie as you had, when they fell once to encroching, and began out of measure to shake out of order, things well esta∣blished: all men than bended themselues to open warre against them, yea, euen those that had no quarrell at all to them. And what néede we such farre fetcht examples? Did not wée our sel∣ues and the Lacedemonians, being as then no cause of griefe amongst vs, yet bicause we sawe others oppressed, thinke it good for their sakes to make warre? and yet all the offences and faults committed aswell by the Lacedemonians in their thirtie yeres, as by your auncestors in .lxx. yeres togither, be much fewer, (O Athenians) yea by a great number: than be y^e wrongs that king Philip hath done to all Greceland in these not fully .xiij. whole yeares, that he is come thus to glitterring glory, from a thing of nothing. And this is easie to be shewed in few wordes. And not to speake of Olynthus, of Methona, of Apollonia, of .32. townes in Thracia, all which places he hath so cruelly ouerthrowne and bet to the ground, that a man comming to them can scant finde whether euer those places were inhabited or no. I will not speake of that huge and populous nation of the Phoceyans, spoyled and consumed by him. I pray you in what case lyes Thessalia? hath he not ouerthrowne & taken from them, both their townes, their politicall or townelike gouernement, and set Fouremen to rule ouer them, to the ende that not onely the townes, but the people also, may liue in bondage and slauerie? And are not the townes of Euboia, gouerned and possessed euen nowe of late wyth Ty∣raunts,

and that within an Isle, verye nighe to Thebes, and to Athens? And doth he not write this apparauntly in his letters. I vvill haue peace (sayth he) vvith them that vvill do as I commaunde them. Neyther when he wry∣teth this, doth he cease to performe it also in déede: but he entreth vpon Hellespont, hauing béene before at Ambracia. He hath Elis that houge and mightie great Citie in Peloponnesus, and of late he made a platte howe to winne the Megarians. So that neither all Grecelande, nor yet all barbarous Countries besides, are able to satisfie the mans gréedie and ambicious minde. And notwithstanding that all the Grecians doe heare, and sée these thinges: yet doe we neyther sende Ambassadors one to another touching these matters, nor yet conceyue any great sorrow for it: but so maliciously be we set among our selues, and lye so lurking lyke men trenched in wyth Walles: that euen vntill this day, wée coulde neuer doe anye thing, that was eyther profitable, or séemely to be done, neyther to agrée togither, nor yet to ioyne in common, to the helpe and succor one of another: but séeing that man waxen greater, wée make none account of him.

And as séemeth to me, euery man thinketh to make that time gainfull to him wherein others go to wracke: and neyther studieth or at∣tempteth the thing, that might be for the safegarde, and preserua∣tion of the Gréekes. But it fareth herein, much like as it doth with them that haue an Ague, or any other disease that commeth by fittes or course. For how soeuer a man think it presently farre from him, yet at length the Feuer comes, and shakes him by the backe.

Moreouer, this you doe all vnderstande, whatsoeuer smart the Gréekes suffered of the Lacedemonians, or of vs: they haue receyued the same as of naturall & méere Grecians: which was to be taken in like part, as if a mans owne sonne borne & brought vp in great welth, hauing done somewhat scant honestly or vn∣iustly: although he weare to be blamed and rebuked iustly for the same: yet to say that he should be counted a straunger or a frem man, and not an inheritour to those goodes for his fact, surely that

weare not a thing to be admitted. Whereas, if a bonde slaue or a mans hynde, would without order, make hauock of things where he ought not: Lord God how grieuously would all men stomack and take on, at such a matter. And haue not men nowe the same opinion of king Philip, and his doings? who is not onely, not a Grecian, and nothing kyth or kin to the Gréekes at all, but also he is not so much as a Barbarian, of anye suche countrie as is woorth the naming: but euen a vile rancke Macedon, from whence neuer man yet willingly would haue bought a good bond slaue. And yet for all this, what extréeme contumelie and despite hath he forborne to raise against vs? hath not he in his handes be∣sides the townes that he hath destroyed and beaten downe, the gouernment of the Pithyan oracles, where the common games of Grece weare? to which, if he list not to come himselfe, he sen∣deth slaues of his owne to be ouerséers of the games. He is Lorde of the Pyles and entryes into Grece: he kéepes the places with garnisons, and forreyne Souldiours to stoppe the passage into Grece. Hath not he also the preheminence and prerogatiue at Apollos Oracle? doth not he kéepe back, vs, the Thessalians, the Dorians, and the rest of the Amphictyones, from that which euery sort, (no not of the Gréekes themselues) might haue accesse vnto. Doth not he appoynt y^e Thessalians, after what fashion they shal be ru∣led? doth not he send out mercenarie souldiers to kepe the Goulfe in Euboia, and to driue out from thence the cōmons of Eretria? doth not he sende others to Orium to place Philistides, the Ty∣rant there? All these things the Grecians sée & suffer before theyr faces.

Now truly herein they séeme to me to do euē as those do, y^e sée a storme of hayle comming, agaynst which euery man prayth, that it may not light vpon him, but no man deuiseth howe to kepe it of.

And neyther can the dispightes he doth to all Grecelande in common, no nor yet the wronges done by him to euerye man by himselfe: mooue anye man to bée reuenged of him. And last of all: is he not gotte to the Corinthians townes, Am∣bracia and Leucas? did not hée promise by solemne othe, that when he had taken Naupactum from the Achaeans, he would giue the same streight to the Etolians? hath not he taken Echi∣num

from the Thebanes? and sendes he not his armie nowe agaynst those of Bizance? and are not they your confederates, your allies, & your friends? And to ouerpasse others, he hath got to himselfe Cardia, the greatest Citie in Cherronesus. And yet we, for all we sée these manifest and most plaine iniuries, make faire weather for al that, and dally out our matters: looking euery man vpon his next felow, and mistrusting one another: whilest he in the meane season doth vs al the apparant wrongs that may be. But what thinke you, that he (who now behaueth himselfe so out∣ragiously towards al men in generall) will do when he is Lord o∣uer euerie man perticularly? And what is the cause of all these things? for it was not without reason & iust cause, that all y^e Grée∣kes were then so readie, & forward to maintaine their libertie: and so willing now as they be, to liue in bondage. There was a thing, there was a thing (O Athenians) at those dayes in the hearts and mindes of many men, that is not now in these dayes, which did both preuaile agaynst the Persians riches, made Grece liue in li∣bertie, and that they weare neuer conquered in fight, or lost bat∣taile by sea or by lande. But nowe that this is gone, all thinges go to hauock and ruyne, and the state of whole Greceland is tur∣ned altogither topsie turuie. And what was that? A thing of no great difficultie or cunning surely.

No more but this, that they deadly hated all such, as would take money of them, that desired alwayes to haue the rule ouer others, or sought the ouerthrow of Greceland by corrupt meanes.

And a verye heynous matter it was in those dayes, to be conuicted for a bribe taker, they were most grieuously punished, none excuse or pardō was to be had for them.

And therfore amongst them, al such good opportunities, and occasions as happened vnto them, to doe theyr feates by (which by fortune oftentimes are poured into the carelesse mens lappes agaynst the watchfull, and to them that do nothing, against them that doe what they can) coulde not bée bought out or redéemed of the Counsellers and Capitaines: neither the good will of men one to another, nor the mistrust that men had in Barbarians, and Tyraunts, nor in any such like.

Wheras now all these are set to sale: as though it weare in ouert market. And in stéede of these:

other things are brought in, that haue béene the losse and weake∣ning of all Grece. And what are those? Malice, and repining, if a man take money: scoffing, if one confesse it: forswearing, if it be proued vpon him: hatred if any man find fault with it: and such other like thinges, as doe depende vpon briberie. As for Galleys, number of men, reuenues of money, store of other prouision, and all things besides, that are thought méete to belong to the strēgth∣ning, and fortifying of Cities: we haue more plentie of them and better of al sortes, than was any at those daies. And yet for al that, all these things are now in vaine, and serue vs to no vse, or occu∣pation, by reason of these copesmates, and corrupt bribe takers. And that this is true you know, very well, and neede not me for a wit∣nesse. But that in tymes past it hath béene cleane contrarie, that wil I declare vnto you, and I wil not tell you a tale of mine owne head: but I will bring you foorth y^e flat scriptures of our auncestors which they set vp in wryting vpon a brasen Piller in the Tower Acropolis, Where you shall see the Registers and tables conteyning the histories for perpetuall memorie. And the forme of gouernment aunciently engrauen, not that they had néede of such matters: for they knewe well ynough without any such wrytings, what they had to doe: but that these things might be examples and monumentes for you that followed, and to sée with what care such things were to be looked vnto. And what sayth that wryting? forsooth it sayth, Arthmius, the sonne of Pithonactes, a Zelite, let him be taken for a defamed person, and an enimie to the commons of Athens, their allies and confederates, he and al his ofspring. Vnder∣neath the cause of his condemnation is alledged in this sort. Be∣cause he brought gold from Medea into Pelo∣ponesus, not bicause he brought it to Athens. Consider now for the reuerence of God with your selues, what the meaning of the Athenians was in those dayes, and what au∣thoritie they had, when they did these things? They thus proclay∣med

Arthmius, a certaine Zelite being slaue to the king of Persia (for Zelia is a towne in Asia) bicause that he in seruice of his maister brought golde with him, to Peloponesus, not bicause he brought any to Athens, therefore they graued in a Pyller that both he and his ofspring shoulde be reputed as enimies to them and their allies, and be diffamed for euer. This is not such a kinde of infamie as a man would so commonly tearme it. For what should he being a Zelite borne passe a grote, for being forbidden the franchises of Athens? But this writing hath not so sleight a meaning, there is an other matter in it. But it is written in the criminall lawes made against murtherers: That where a man woulde not stande to the punishment of the lawe, hee shoulde bee enquired of, and aunswerable for murder, yea, it was a godly déede to kill him.

And (sayth the lawe) let him die the death, with shame and dishonour, which is as much to saye, that he, that killeth such a man, shall be cleared, and reputed without stayne of any fault. Wherefore, these men thought themselues charged to looke to the safe kéeping of all Grecelande. For it had béene no matter, to them, if one had gone aboute to buye and to brybe men wyth money in Peloponesus, except they had béene of this minde? neither would they haue so punished, and bene reuenged of such whom they knew weare bribetakers, as to set their names vpon pillers. And these things by good reason made the Gréekes séeme so redoubted, and so terrible to the Barbarians to deale withall, not the Barbarians to them. But now the world is cleane chaun∣ged, neyther be you of like disposition, eyther in this or in anye thing else. But how, you be disposed, ye know well ynough your selues. And therefore to what purpose weare it to find fault with you, for euery thing you doe? All Grecelande besides, is after the same sort, and nere a whit better than you are. Therfore I do ensure you, that it weare very néedefull for vs, to vse merueilous great diligence and to take good councell for these weightie af∣faires,

and matters that we haue in hande at this time. And how now? shall I tell it you? doe you bid me? and will you not then be angrie with me? I haue written it in a Table that one shall reade to you, and you shall heare it. Reade these actes sirrha.

The rehersall of the Register is wanting.

There is spred abrode certaine fond talke by such as would put vs in comfort, with telling vs that king Philip is not yet of such puissance as y^e Lacedemonians haue bene heretofore, who were Lordes of the sea, and of the land all about, and weare in league with the king of Persia, so that none could withstand them: and yet this Citie reuenged themselues of them, and lost nothing at their hands. And as al things in a maner be much encreased, and nothing like to that they weare in times past: so also I thinke nothing is more altered and aduaunced, than are the affayres of warre.

For first of all, I hearesay that the maner of the Lacedemo∣niās in those daies, & al other Gréekes to, was to be forth foure or fiue moneths in warfare, when the season of the yere serued, & in that space to inuade & annoy their enimies coūtrie, with a power of armed men and souldiors of their owne countrie, and so to re∣turne home againe when they had done. And so aunciently or ra∣ther ciuilye they behaued themselues, that they would do nothing by corruption of money, but by loyaltie & open warre. Whereas now adaies, you sée al things go to ruine by treason, and nothing done by fight and open battaile. You sée that king Philip not with squares of armed souldiers goeth whither he will: but with a re∣tinue of light horsmen and hired archers. And then hauing such fellowes at hand, his maner is, where he sées men at sedition and trouble among themselues, that for priuate faction and mistrust one to another, no man dares issue oute, for his Countrie: there he rushes mée in vppon them, and hauing his engines with him, layes streyght siege to their Townes. And I tell you not here, howe all is one to him, whether he warre in Winter or in Sommer, and howe he makes no choyse of the

season, when to leaue of from dooing his businesse. Wherefore, seing you all doe knowe, and consider this well ynough: it were good that ye suffered not the enimie, to bring the warres into our owne Countrie: least following that foolishe and simple order of the Lacedemonians warres, ye bring your selues to some great mischiefe, ynough to break your necks withall. But you must very circumspectly or ere things approch vpon vs, beware aswel by your doings, as by your preparation, and looke wel to him that he stirre not from home, and that wée be not fought withall by him, hand to hand. For why, to maintaine the warres, we haue many wayes aduauntage of him (O Athenians) so we would but doe as we ought to doe: The verie nature of his countrie, a good part whereof we maye ransacke and annoye, and tenne thou∣sande aduauntages besides. But as for the fight, he is farre bet∣ter exercised in it, than we are.

Neyther is it ynough to with∣stande him abrode, with sworde and armour, but ye must doe it also by reason and vnderstandinge, persecuting all such as a∣mongest you speake on his side, assuring our selues that we shall neuer ouercome our enimie abrode, till we haue punished his mi∣nisters here at home.

And that thing, so farre as I can sée, before God and all his Saintes, you be neyther able nor willing to doe: but you are come to such foolishnesse, or rather madnesse, or I wot néere what to tearme it: (for oftentimes it commes in my minde to be adrad, least some spirite or fatall destinie doe chase and persecute our doinges) that eyther for rayling, or enuie, or scoffing, or some other trifling matter, you make a sight of hire∣lings to come vp and speake in this place: of whome there are some that cannot disavowe nor denie themselues to bée suche men: and then you make a sport of it, when they fall a rayling vpon men. And yet this is no great matter neyther, although it be a great matter in déede.

For you suffer such to gouerne with more safetie: than they that speake for your welfare. And yet marke what great mischiefe commeth hereof, bicause you will giue eare vnto such men.

I will tell you their doings, which you all shall well perceyue.

At Olynthus there weare some men of authoritie in the com∣mon

weale, who fauoured king Philip and weare his ministers in all thinges they coulde doe. Others did all for the best, pro∣curing al they could, that their countrimen should not be brought to slauerie. Which of them say you destroyed their countrie? or who betrayed the horsemen, wherevpon the Citie of Olynthus was destroyed and vndone? Certainly that did they, that weare on king Philips side: who (as long as the Citie stoode) did so slaun∣der and picke quarrels agaynst them that spake best for you, that at the length they perswaded the Commons of Olynthus, to ba∣nishe Apollonides. Now thinke you that this custome, was the cause of all the mischiefe onely in Olynthus, and no where else? Nay it was so in Eretria to, for there, after the departure of Plu∣tarchus, & the forreine souldiors, when the people ruled the towne and goulfe therof: some would be vnder vs, and some vnder king Philip. To these the miserable and vnhappie Eretrians giuing eare in many things or rather in al, they were at length perswa∣ded to thrust out such as spake of their own side. And yet for all y^t, king Philip theyr friend and allie, sendes me vnto them Hippo∣nicus, with a thousand straūgers, & bet downe the walles of their goulfe, placing there thrée tyrants, Hipparchus, Automedon, & Clytarchus, & after this draue thē twise out of their own coūtry, when now they would gladly haue bene in safety, sending thither the straungers y^t were with Eurilochus: & after that again, those that were w^t Parmeniō. What nede I to heape vp many exam∣ples? at the towne of Oreum, were not Philistides, Menippus, Socrates, Thoas, and Agapeus, practisers for king Philip, who now haue the City in their handes? And this was knowne to all men. But to tell how one Euphraeus, a man that dwelt here som∣tymes, and traueiled for their fréedome, that they should not come in bondage to any body, was iniuried and railed vpon by the com∣mons of the Oreteynes: it would aske a long tyme of talke. The yeare before the sayd towne was taken, he vnderstanding theyr practises, appeached Philistides and his complices of highe trea∣son: whervpon many men cōspiring and assembling themselues, hauing Philip their pursebearer, & being guided by his instruc∣tions, caried me away Euphraeus to prison, as a disturber of the

common weale. Which thing y^e cōmons of the Oreteynes seing, in stéede of assisting him, and tormenting them: they shewed them selues not offended at all with them, and as for him, they thought he was worthily punished, & reioyced at it. But afterwards these fellowes béeing in such aucthoritie, as they wished: they wrought a practise to take the towne by, and brought the same to passe. And then the Commons, if any of them vnderstood the matter, they held their peace, like people amazed, remembring how Euphrae∣us was handled. Yea, in such miserable state weare those men brought, that none durst open his mouth in that extréemitie, till the army that was prepared, came euen to their walles. And then some of them defended the town, and others betrayed it. And thus the towne being fowly and euill fauoredly lost: these fellowes are become Princes, and play the tyraunts ouer such as earst preser∣ued both themselues, & Euphraeus too (being men ready to do any thing) when they had banished some, & put to death some others. And that same Euphraeus, being in prison killed himself, witnessing by such a déede, that he had iustly and sincerely withstoode King Philip in the quarrell of his Countrimen. But now perhaps eue∣ry one of you doth wonder and maruaile how it commes to passe, that the Olynthians, Eretrians, & the Oret••ynes haue more fa∣uored king Philips friends & partakers: then their own patrones and defenders, euen in like sort as you do.

The cause is this: those that speake for the best, can not at al times tell you that, the which shall please you, no though they would. For why, it lyes them vp∣on to cōsider what shall be for your preseruation, wheras these o∣thers while they tell you a faire tale, and curry fauell with you, brue altogither for king Philip.

They required of euery one a contri∣bution: these men would haue none. They would haue vs make warre, and haue him in a ielousie: these would haue vs to be at peace, til the enimie were come vpon vs. And in like sort I meane of all other things, bicause I will not particularly rehearse them all. These men tell you the things, whereby they may presently please your fantasie: the others tolde you that, whereby the state might be kept in safetie hereafter, not without displeasure and hazard of themselues. And last of all, the common people, they did beare

with many things, not for fauour, nor yet for ignoraunce, but as men (that constreyned to yéelde vnto the time) perceyue themsel∣ues altogither vnequally matched. The selfesame thing so helpe me God and holidome, I doubt much will fall vppon you: for∣asmuch you sée there is nothing in you, that is done by aduise and councell. And when I sée them that bring you, in this taking: I doe not tremble and quake at them, but I loth them vtterlye. For, be it of purpose, or be it through ignorance, once, they haue brought the Citie into great hazarde and to a marueilous straite: But God forbidde (O Athenians) that thinges shoulde come to that poynt: better it weare to dye ten thousande deathes, than by flatterie to serue King Philips humor: to the vtter vndoing of them that are the Authors of your welfare. A goodly dishe of thankes I promise you, that the Oriteynes receyued by yéel∣ding themselues to King Philips friendes, and thrusting out of Euphraeus. The commons of Eretrians also, they are wiselye handled, for kéeping back your Ambassadors, and yéelding them∣selues to Clytarchus, they are handled like slaues in déede, they are whipped and scourged, and miserably tormented. Oh Lord, howe goodlily did he pardon and spare the Olynthians for choo∣sing of Lasthenes to their Captaine of horsemen, and erpulsing Apollonides.

It is a verie follie, and the greatest beastlynesse that may bée, for men to hope for such things, (and whereas they take euill councell themselues, and are not willing to doe anye thing, as is fitte for them to doe, but giue eare to them that speake on their enimies side) to thinke that they dwell in a Citie of such greatnesse that they can suffer no harme whatsoeuer be∣tide.

And what a foule shame were this, if any mishap fell vpō vs hereafter, to say, who would ere haue thought it? For why, God knowes, thus, and thus, we should haue done forsooth, and thus we shoulde not haue done. The Olynthians shoulde haue now many things to saye, the which, if they had than foreséene: they had not bene vndone as they are. So might the Oriteynes: So might the Phoceyans, and all the reast that are now come to their vndoing. But what good would this doe them?

So long as the shippe is safe whether it be great or small, it is méete that both

Maister, Mariners, and euery man in his course doe his best in∣deuour, and be héedefull that no man either witting or vnwares, should by any meanes ouerwhelme it: but when the sea is once come in, then is it in vaine to traueils any longer: euen so we al∣so (O Athenians) so long as we are in good state, enioying a pu∣issant Citie of our owne, and haue opportunitie and occasions at will, while we maintaine and holde our selues in this great dig∣nitie: peraduenture there sittes some here amongst vs, that haue longed this good while to aske the question, what shall we doe?

Why, by Gods grace, that will I tell you, and enact it my selfe, and if you like it, you may holde vp your hands to it, and passe it.

Let vs first and foremost, and before all others withstand him, and defend our selues: let vs, our galleys, our money & souldiors be in a readinesse, for though all the world would yéeld vnto slaue∣rie and bondage: yet vndoubtedly must we fight for our libertie. And then I say, when we are furnished with all these things, and that we haue made the rest of y^e Grecians priuie thervnto: let vs couple and linke in with others, & dispatch Ambassadors al about to make information thereof to Peloponesus, to the Rhodes, to Chio, yea, euen to the king of Persia himselfe. For it is not against his profite neyther, that we should stoppe this man from conque∣ring all: to the intent that if you may bring them to it, than they may take such part as we doe: as well in the aduentures, as in the costs and charges that be requisite. And if by this meanes we can not get our purpose, yet at the least ye shall driue out the time with him, and winne somewhat by delayes. And that is a poynt you shall not finde altogither vnprofitable vnto vs, considering wée are to make warre against the personne of a man, and not a∣gainst the force of any selfe gouerned state or frée Citie. Neyther was that ambassage in vaine, that I, and that worthie man Polieuctus, Hegesippus, Clytomachus, and Lycurgus with others went in, nor yet the complaintes that wée made in tra∣ueyling aboute Peloponesus, a yeare ago: for by that meanes wée made him staye that he coulde neyther enter into Ambra∣cia, nor yet inuade Peloponesus.

And yet I speake not this, to the intent that we should call others in our ayde, and then we

our selues should sit still, and be vnwilling to doe anye thing that should do vs good. For why, it were a very fond part, y^t they who do forslow their owne businesse, shoulde say they tooke vpon them the charge ouer other folkes matters: and while they doe them∣selues neglect things present: shoulde warne others to beware of things to come.

No, that is not my saying, but my meaning is, that you should sende money to the souldiours at Cherronesus, and do for them as they shal require you in al things besides. And that we our selues be in a readinesse, and first of all do our parts, and after that to call other Grecians vnto vs, and assemble them togither, and enforme them, and aduertise them of all thinges. This is the dutie of a Citie, that hath such aucthority, and estima∣tion as you haue. For if you looke that the Calcidians or the Me∣garians should kéepe Grece, and you your selues to shrinke from dooing any businesse: you are not well aduised. For the worlde goeth well with them, if euery one of them maye saue himselfe. But it is you that must doe this feate: to you haue your Aunces∣tours left this office, and purchased it, with many a faire and va∣liaunt aduenture. But if euery one will looke to haue his will by sitting still, and thinke to doe nothing himselfe: first of all he shall be sure to find no bodie will do it for him. And afterwards I feare me we shall be enforced our selues, to do euery one of vs that we would not doe. For had there béene any such, they had long agoe shewed their good willes, bycause you your selues woulde doe nothing. But there are none suche. And therefore this saye I, this write I, and this béeing done, I thinke there is time ynough yet to amend all. Howbeit, if any man haue any better than this, let him say it, and giue his aduice: and whatsoeuer it be, that you shall like of, God graunt the same may be for your profite.

Notes

• Then is for∣••earing to speake most daungerous, when necessi∣tie requireth speach.
• Flatterers and slaunderers the very authors of all mischiefe, and euill hap that may be.
• Slaunderers.
• Bolde speech vpō good cause deserues fauor.
• Free speaking forbidden, brin∣geth daunger to the state.
• Many frame their talke ac∣cording to the humor of others.
• Through dili∣gence and care those thinges may be redres∣sed: that weare by slouth and negligence forlorne.
• He that doth wrong, giueth cause of warre: not they that seeke the re∣dresse of wrong.
• Councellours speaking for the best, doe of∣tentymes beare the greatest blame.
• Peace better than warre, if a man may be sure of it.
• Not king Phi∣lips words, but his deedes are to be marked and looked vpon.
• King Philip practised staf∣ford law with the people of Athens. Olynthians.
• Phoceyans, being euill vsed, fors••oke their countrie by consent, ne∣uer to returne, and builded Massilia in Prouance. Thebe, now Thi••a, in Beotia. Phere, nowe Ceramidi, a towne of At∣tica, betwene Megara, and Thebes. Oreteynes.
• Sleight and guile fitter for king Philip, than euennesse and plaine dealing.
• King Philips deedes rather to be marked than his wordes.
• Diophites generall of the Athenians armie.
• Cherronesus, now Phanar. Serrium and Doriscum, tow∣nes in Thracia and in this se∣cond towne, Xerxes armie was found iust 1000000. men.
• Whatsoeuer swarue••, an ynch from ius••tice: the same tendeth streight to iniustice.
• An vnderm••∣ner, and a fet∣ching practiser: worse than an open and plain sworne enimie.
• The intent makes the of∣fence, when all things are pre∣pared: although the execution do not follow. Preuention necessary, when purposed mis∣chiefe is fore∣knowne. Hellespontus. Megaris. Euboia. Peloponesus.
• Cherronesus now Phanar, Bizance, nowe Cōstantinople.
• A••l Greceland in daunger of king Philip.
• The sodaine rysing and en∣creased might of king Philip.
• King Philips libertie to doe what he ly••••, without step or let hath beene the cause of all the warres in Grece.

  Grecians ru∣led by the A∣thenians .7••. yeares.
• Grecians ruled by the Lacede∣demonians 29. yeares. Grecians ruled by y^e Thebanes after the bat∣tail at Leuctra. Such as passed the boundes of moderation a∣mong the Gre∣cians hereto∣fore: were re∣strayned of their course, & brought per∣force to liue in order.
• The vnmeasu∣rable harmes and excess••ue wrongs done by king Philip in short tyme. Olynthus, Me∣thona, Apollo∣nia, 32. townes in Thracia, Countryes spoyled by king Philip.
• Phoceyans. Thessalians.
• Quatuorvi∣ratus.
• Euboians.
• A prowde bragging ma∣ner of writing vsed by king Phillip. Hellespontus. Ambracia, now Larta. Elis in Mo∣rea, now Bel∣uedere. Megaris, now Megr••. All the worlde euer little to glut king Phi∣lips gredie and bottomlesse ambition. Fondly weare the Grecians carelesse, and vnquiet among themselues: when the eni∣mie was so bu∣sie and stirring abroade.
• King Philip he meaneth.
• Euery man se∣kes to saue one, for a time: while others miscary, whereas none haue any care of the whole state or country.
• An apt simili∣tude deriued from the bodie to the mind, de∣claring howe carelesse the Greciās were. Wrongs done by straungers, more daunge∣rous, than har∣mes done by naturall Citi∣zens, or home borne men.
• King Philip a barbarous prince, & mere straunger to the Grecians. King Philip contumelius and dispitefu••l of his tongue.
• Pythia, cer∣taine games made yerely in the honour of Apollo, for kil∣ling the mighty and venimous serpent Pytho. Oracle of Apollo.

  Amphictyones, an assembly of states to come to gither, hauing y^e name of Am∣phiction, who caused the prin∣ces of Grece to be summoned, to meete at the hils Thermo∣pylae, which hils were so na∣med of the hote baynes nighe vnto thē. And those states were twelue in number. Ore••m, How Lorio.

  A notable si∣militude decla∣ring the nature of lyther & care∣lesse people. Ambracia, now Larta.

  Leucas, nowe saint Meura. Nanpactum, now Lepontus Etolia, a coun∣trie betwixt A∣carnania and Phocis.
• Echinus, in the geulfe of Dollo in Macedonie. Bizance, nowe Cōstantinople in Romania. Cardia, in Thracia Cher∣ronesus.
• Where coue∣tousnesse reig∣neth and licen¦cicus liuing is vsed: there is destruction one of another, and small care had of the common weale.
• The soundnes and vpright dealing of the auncient Gre∣cians in times past.
• Bribe takers and corrupt re∣ceyuers of gifts hated among the Grecians, and sharpely punished.
• Councellours vncorrupted.
• The corruption and naughti∣nesse in bribe takers.
• Acropolis, the name of the Tower or Ca∣stle of Athens.
• A seuere and auncient vsage of vanishing a traytor by the example of one Arthmius a Zelite, not much vnlike to baffe∣ling, vsed in the Scottish bor∣ders. Reade Graftons Cro∣nicle. 5. Hen. 8. This A••theni∣us was employ∣ed to win men with briberie & corruption, and so he brought great summes of golde from Medea to Pe∣loponesus, a part of Grece, and yet not vn∣der Athens.
• Bribes brought to Pelopone∣sus, offended the Athenians as muche, as though they themselues had bene offered bribes and tou∣ched with cor∣ruption.
• The auncient Grecians thought them∣selues bound in conscience to tender the pre∣seruation of all Greceland, not onely of their owne seuerall state or coūtry.
• In time of daū∣ger, and especi∣ally whē neigh∣bors and frien∣des are negli∣gent and care∣lesse: it weare good for men to looke well and circumspectly to themselues.
• The lesse one feareth his eni∣mie: the nigher he is to his own harme.
• The order of warfare, cleane altered, and in stede of plaine dealing deceyte vsed, and all sleyghts, that may be, both deuised, and practised.
• King Philip most painfull, sparing for no weather to doe his indeuour.
• Daungerous to fight with out enimye at our owne doores.
• Better to be∣gin warres, than to abide warres.
• Home enimies the worst peo∣ple liuing, and an euill cheri∣shing it is of a Serpent in a mans bosome.
• Euill men go∣uerne with bet∣ter safetie, than good men.
• Olynthians
• Examples of practised trea∣sons.
• Apollonides banished being a faythfull subiect. Eretria.

  Plutarchus a Capitaine, Porthmus a Creeke or Goulfe of the Sea that may easily be passed Hipponicus being sent by king Philip to ayde the Gre∣trians, tooke their town and countrie after∣wardes for his maysters vse. Hipparchus, Automedon, Clytarchus Eurilocus, Parmenion. Oreum, nowe called Loreo. Philistides, Menippus, Socrates, Thoas, Agapeus.

  Philistides ac∣cused of treason by Euphreus. Enphreus suffe¦red to be caried to prison by thē, that weare for king Philip, and despited euen then, of hys owne coun∣trimen.
• The sharpe pu∣nishing & euill handling of one good man, makes many o∣ther good men afrayde.
• Erphreus ••e∣mented the euil of his countrie, and beeing in prison, not able to redresse things amisse: did kil himself.
• The reason, why traytours and flatterers are better ly∣ked, than are the iust and true meaning Counsellors.
• The demaund of good men, for their coun∣tries weale: the deniall vsed by flatterers, to the hurt thereof.
• Aduice and councell to go before mens actions.
• God graunt vnto England many such true, faythfull, stowte and wise coun∣sellors, as was Demosthenes to Athens.
• Oriteynes ab∣vsed, and piti∣ful••y tormen∣ted by king Philip.
• Clytarchus.
• Olynthians de∣ceyued by king Philip of their hope and pro∣mised pardon.
• Take heede of Had I wyst.
• Olynthians wise a day after the fayre.
• Oriteynes bea∣ten wyth their owne rodde. Phoceyans come to had I wist.
• An apt simili∣tude, to warne men to be wise in time, and to take paines when neede requires. The summe of Demosthenes aduice & coun∣cell, for warres to be had, and the preparation thereof. Athenians (be∣ing the chiefest and worthiest Greciās aboue all others) ne∣uer yeelded to any seuerall subiection or bondage. Ambassadors needefull to be sent abrode in tyme of warre, to all parts.
• Winning of time, and de∣layes: are profitable sometimes. Demosthenes, Polieuctus, Hegesippus, Clytomachus, Lycurgus. with others sent Ambassadors to Morea, and the good that they did therby, in staying of king Philip from thence, and other pla∣ces beside.
• Ambracia n••w Lacta.
• Good for the Athenians as chiefest among the Grecians, to beginne first their warres, and then to call others to ioyne in league and felowship of war with them.
• Such as are careles in their owne causes: hardily finde others to bee carefull for them.