56
For surely, Moerocles, we are not now going to exact ten talents from the MeliansMelos, an island in the southern Aegean. in accordance with the terms of your decree, because they gave harborage to the pirates, and yet suffer this man to go free who has transgressed both your decree and the laws which maintain our state. And shall we prevent from wrongdoing the islanders, against whom we must man our ships in order to hold them to their duty, but you abominable creatures, upon whom these jurymen should inflict the penalty according to the laws, while they sit right here—shall we let you go? (To the jury.) You will not, at least if you are wise.
56
(To the clerk.) Read the stelê.The marble slab upon which the decree was inscribed.
56
The Stele
57
Regarding the laws, then, and the case before you I do not know what need there is to say more; for, I take it, you have been adequately informed. It is my purpose, after begging justice at your hands for my father and myself, to come down from the platform and trouble you no further. I felt, men of the jury, that it was my duty to come to my father’s aid, and I thought that this course was just;
