ORATION ON THE CROWN 421
pose your councils that you can receive your hire in safety ; for as far as depended on yourselves you must long since have perished.
And now, although I have much more to say touch- ing these transactions, yet I rather think 1 have dwelt too long upon them. But he is to blame for it; his having poured out in our faces the crnpulons remains of his own profligacy and crimes made it indispensably necessary that I should justify myself in the eyes of persons who have been born since those transactions. Perhaps, however, you are fatigued with the subject, as before I had spoken a word you were aware of his mercenary conduct. That, indeed, he terms friend- ship and hospitality ; and in one part of his speech he described me as having considered Alexander's hospitality a shame. I speak of Alexander's hospi- tality to you ! Whence did you derive it, or how earn it ? Nor Philip's guest, nor Alexander's friend should I ever think of calling you ; I am not so senseless ; unless, indeed, we are to call reapers and others who work for hire the friends and guests of those who pay them wages. But it is not so ; nothing of the kind ! Why should it be ? Quite the reverse. But I and all here present call you the hireling, formerly of Philip, now of Alexander. If you doubt it, ask them. But I had rather do that for you. Men of Athens ! whether do you consider Aeschines as the hireling or the guest of Alexander ? — Do you hear what they say ? — I now then jjroceed to answer this charge and to explain my conduct, in order that Aeschines, though he is well aware of the whole, may also hear my own statement of my just title, both to the honors decreed, and to far greater than these.
