Page point him general in the expedition against Jugur- The Scythian ambassadors to Alexander Speech of Charidemus, an Athenian exile at the court of Darius, on being asked his opinion of the warlike preparations making by that prince against Alexan- Galgacus, the general of the Caledonii, to his army, to incite them to action against the Romans Tacitus. 117 Speech of Canuleius, a Roman tribune, to the con- suls; in which he demands that the plebeians may be admitted into the consulship, and that the law prohibiting patricians and plebeians from intermar. Hannibal's address to Scipio Africanus, at their inter- view preceding the battle of Zama Speech of Titus Quintius to the Romans, when the Equi and Volsci, taking advantage of their intes- Speech of Publius Scipio to the Roman army, before Brutus's speech in vindication of Cæsar's murder ORATION AGAINST PHILIP. HAD we been convened, Athenians! on some new subject of debate, I had waited until most of the usual persons had declared their opinions. If I had approved of any thing proposed by them, I should have continued silent: if not, I had then attempted to speak my sentiments. But since those very points, on which these speakers have oftentimes been heard already, are, at this time, to be considered; though I have risen first, I presume I may expect your pardon; for if they on former occasions had advised the necessary measures, you would not have found it needful to consult at present. First then, Athenians! these our affairs must not be thought desperate; no, though their situa tion seems entirely deplorable. For the most shocking circumstance of all our past conduct is really the most favourable to our future expectations. And what is this? That our own total indolence hath been the cause of all our present difficulties. For were we thus distressed, in spite of every vigorous effort which the honour of our state demanded, there were then no hope of a recovery.* In the next place reflect (you who have been informed by others, and you who can yourselves remember) how great a power the Lacedemonians not long since possessed; and with what resolution, with what dignity, you disdained to act unworthy of the state, but maintained the war against them for the rights of Greece. Why do I mention these things? That you may know, that you may see, Athenians! that if duly vigilant, you cannot have any thing to fear; that if once remiss, not any thing can happen agreeable to your desires: witness the then powerful arms of Lacedemon, which a just attention to your interest enabled you to vanquish: and, this man's late insolent attempt, which our insensibility to all our great concerns hath made the cause of this confusion. If there be a man in this assembly who thinks that we must find a formidable enemy in Philip, while he views, on one hand, the numerous armies which attend him; and on the other, the weakness of the state thus despoiled of its dominions; he thinks justly. Yet let him reflect on this: there was a time, Athenians! when we possessed Pydna, and Potidæa, and Methcne, and all that country round: when many of those states now subjected to him were free and independent; and more inclined to our alliance than to his. Had then Philip reasoned in the same manner, 'How shall I dare to attack the Athenians, whose garrisons command my territory, while I am destitute of all assistance ?' he would not have engaged in those enterprises which are now crowned with success; nor could he have raised himself to this pitch of greatness. No, Athenians! he knew this well, that all these places are but prizes, laid between the combatants, and ready for the conqueror that the dominions of the absent devolve naturally to those who are in the field; the possessions of the supine, to the active and intrepid. Animated by these sentiments, he overturns whole countries; he holds all people in subjection; some, as by the right of conquest; others, under the title of allies and confederates: for all are willing to confederate with those whom they see prepared and resolved to exert themselves as they ought. And if you, my countrymen! will now at length be persuaded to entertain the like sentiments; if each of you, renouncing all evasions, will be ready to approve himself an useful citizen, to the utmost that his station and abilities demand; if the rich will be ready to contribute, and the young to take the field; in one word, if you will be yourselves, and banish those vain hopes which every single person entertains, while so many others are engaged in public business, his service will not be required; you then, if heaven so pleases! shall regain your dominions, recall those opportunities your supinenes hath neglected, and chastised the insolence of this man. For you are not to imagine, that, like a god, he is to enjoy his present greatness for ever fixed and unchangeable. No, Athenians! there are, who hate him, who fear him, who envy him, even among those seemingly the most attached to his cause. These are pas sions common to mankind: nor must we think that his friends only are exempted from them. It is true they lie concealed at present, as our indolence deprives them of all resource. But let us shake off this indolence! for you see how we are situated; you see the outrageous arrogance of this man, who does not leave it to your choice whether you shall act or remain quiet; but braves you with his menaces; and talks (as we are informed) in a strain of the highest extravagance: and is not able to rest satisfied with his present acquisitions, but is ever in pursuit of further conquests: and while we sit down, inactive and irresolute, encloses us on all sides with his toils. When, therefore, O my countrymen! when will you exert your vigour? When roused by some event? When forced by some necessity? What then are we to think of our present condition? To freemen, the disgrace attending on misconduct is, in my opinion, the most urgent necessity. Or, say, is it your sole ambition to wander through the public places, each inquiring of the other, What new advices? Can any thing be more new, than that a man of Macedon should conquer the Athenians, and give law to Greece? Is Philip dead?' 'No, but in great danger.' How are you concerned in those rumours? Suppose he should |