Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/450

DEMOSTHENES and they who designed to sell everything but them- selves, were found to have sold themselves first of all. Instead of friends and guests, names which they pro- stituted for lucre of gain, they must now be content to hear themselves called parasites, persons accursed, and whatever else fits them best. And justly ! For no one, Athenians, when he bribes ever looks to the benefit of the traitor ; nor, when once possessed of the bribe-worthy service, do we ever after trust the traitor. If we did, nothing could be more fortunate than the traitor's position. But it is not so by any means. How should it be ? It is quite the reverse. No sooner has an ambitious usurper accomplished his purpose than he becomes master of those who have sold their country ; and, thoroughly acquainted with their villainy, he detests them, and distrusts them, and loads them with insults. For, observe — if the events them- selves are past and gone by, yet the opportunity of re- flecting upon them is eΛ^eΓ present to the wise. Time was that Philip called Lasthenes his friend, until he had betrayed Olynthus ; time was that he thus termed Timolaus, till he had overthrown Thebes ; and Eudi- cus and Simus, of Larissa, until they had surrendered Thessaly to his arms. Then, when they were chased away, and covered with indignities, and there was no maltreatment that they had not to endure, the whole habitable world was filled with traitors. How fared Aristratus, in Sicyon? How Perilaus, at Megara? Are they not doomed to utter execration? From whence any one may clearly perceive that whoso most stoutly defends his country, and most vehemently re- sists such men as those, supplies to you traitors and mercenaries, Aeschines, the means of being bribed ; and it is because such patriots are numerous and op-