idea of being subjected; the judges also in
whose hands we consented to place ourselves were you, and you only (from
whom we thought we were most likely to obtain justice), and not other
persons, as is now the case. As matters stand, we are afraid that we
have been doubly deceived. We have good reason to suspect, not only that
the issue to be tried is the most terrible of all, but that you will not
prove impartial; if we may argue from the fact that no accusation was
first brought forward for us to answer, but we had ourselves to ask
leave to speak, and from the question being put so shortly, that a true
answer to it tells against us, while a false one can be contradicted. In
this dilemma, our safest, and indeed our only course, seems to be to say
something at all risks: placed as we are, we could scarcely be silent
without being tormented by the damning thought that speaking might have
saved us. Another difficulty that we have to encounter is the difficulty
of convincing you. Were we unknown to each other we might profit by
bringing forward new matter with which you were unacquainted: as it is,
we can tell you nothing that you do not know already, and we fear, not
that you have condemned us in your own minds of having failed in our
duty towards you, and make this our crime, but that to please a third
party we have to submit to a trial the result of which is already
decided. Nevertheless, we will place before you what we can justly urge,
not only on the question of the quarrel which the Thebans have against
us, but also as addressing you and the rest of the Hellenes; and we will
remind you of our good services, and endeavour to prevail with you.

"To your short question, whether we have done the Lacedaemonians and
allies any service in this war, we say, if you ask us as enemies, that
to refrain from serving you was not to do you injury; if as friends,
that you are more in fault for having marched against us. During the
peace, and against the Mede, we acted well: we have not now been the
first to break the peace, and we were the only Boeotians who then joined
in defending against the Mede the liberty of Hellas. Although an inland
people, we were present at the action at Artemisium; in the battle that
took place in our territory we fought by the side of yourselves and
Pausanias; and in all the other Hellenic exploits of the time we took
a part quite out of proportion to our strength. Besides, you, as
Lacedaemonians, ought