43
But, Ctesiphon, it will never do for you to tell the people that, nor would our friend here, meaning me, venture to say to the Athenians that Philip is a man of good memory and great eloquence. And we innocently, not foreseeing the trick of which you shall hear presently, allowed him to bind us in a sort of agreement that we would say this to you.Demosthenes dared them to do it; they accepted the challenge and wagered that they would. And he begged me earnestly not to fail to tell how Demosthenes also said something in support of our claim to Amphipolis.
44
Now up to this point I am supported by the testimony of my colleagues in the embassy, whom he has reviled and slandered from beginning to end of his accusation. But his words on the platform in your presence you yourselves have heard; so it will not be possible for me to misrepresent them. And I beg of you to continue to hear patiently the rest of my narrative. I do not forget that each of you is anxious to hear the story of Cersobleptes and the charges made about the Phocians, and I am eager to get to those subjects; but you will not be as well able to follow them unless you shall first hear all that preceded. And if, in my peril, you allow me to speak as I wish, you will be able to save me, if I am innocent, and that on good and sufficient grounds; and you will also have before you the facts that are acknowledged as you proceed to examine the points that are in dispute.