han ordinary
liberty of speech, I conjure you to suffer, patiently, those truths,
which have no other end, but your own good. You have too many reasons to
be sensible how much you have suffered, by hearkening to sycophants. I
shall, therefore, be plain, in laying before you the grounds of past
miscarriages, in order to correct you in your future conducts.

You may remember, it is not above three or four years since we had the
news of Philip's laying siege to the fortress of Juno, in Thrace. It
was, as I think, in October we received this intelligence. We voted an
immediate supply of threescore talents; forty men of war were ordered to
sea: and so zealous we were, that preferring the necessities of state to
our very laws, our citizens above the age of five and forty years, were
commanded to serve. What followed?--A whole year was spent idly, without
any thing done; and it was but the third month of the following year, a
little after the celebration of the feast of Ceres, that Charedemus set
sail, furnished with no more than five talents, and ten galleys, not
half manned.

A rumour was spread that Philip was sick. That rumour was followed by
another, that Philip was dead. And, then, as if all danger died with
him, you dropped your preparations: whereas then, then was your time to
push, and be active; then was your time to secure yourselves, and
confound him at once. Had your resolutions, taken with so much heat,
been as warmly seconded by action, you had then been as terrible to
Philip, as Philip, recovered, is now to you. "To what purpose, at this
time, these reflections! What is done cannot be undone." But, by your
leave, Athenians; though past moments are not to be recalled, past
errors may be repeated. Have we not now, a fresh provocation to war? Let
the memory of oversights, by which you have suffered so much, instruct
you to be more vigilant in the present danger. If the Olynthians are not
instantly succoured, and with your utmost efforts, you become assistants
to Philip, and serve him more effectually than he can help himself.

It is not, surely, necessary to warn you, that votes alone can be of no
consequence. Had your resolutions, of themselves, the virtue to compass
what you intend, we should not see them multiply every day, as they do,
and upon every occasion, with so little effect: nor would Philip be in a
condition to brave and affront us in this manner.--Proceed, then,
Athenians, to support your deliberati