第 7 节
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连过十一人 更新:2022-08-21 16:31 字数:9321
itself inoffensively。 But those who were now excluded from the
franchise by property amounted to more than twelve thousand; so that
both those that remained in the city thought themselves oppressed
and shamefully used; and those who on this account left their homes
and went away into Thrace; where Antipater offered them a town and
some territory to inhabit; regarded themselves only as a colony of
slaves and exiles。 And when to this was added the deaths of
Demosthenes at Calauria; and of Hyperides at Clonae; as we have
elsewhere related; the citizens began to think with regret of Philip
and Alexander; and almost to wish the return of those times。 And as;
after Antigonus was slain; when those that had taken him off were
afflicting and oppressing the people; a countryman in Phrygia; digging
in the fields; was asked what he was doing; 〃I am;〃 said he;
fetching a deep sigh; 〃searching for Antigonus;〃 so said many that
remembered those days; and the contests they had with those kings;
whose anger; however great; was yet generous and placable; whereas
Antipater; with the counterfeit humility of appearing like a private
man; in the meanness of his dress and his homely fare; merely belied
his real love of that arbitrary power; which he exercised; as a
cruel master and despot; to distress those under his command。 Yet
Phocion had interest with him to recall many from banishment by his
intercession; and prevailed also for those who were driven out; that
they might not; like others; be hurried beyond Taenarus; and the
mountains of Ceraunia; but remain in Greece; and plant themselves in
Peloponnesus; of which number was Agnonides; the sycophant。 He was
no less studious to manage the affairs within the city with equity and
moderation; preferring constantly those that were men of worth and
good education to the magistracies; and recommending the busy and
turbulent talkers; to whom it was a mortal blow to be excluded from
office and public debating; to learn to stay at home; and be content
to till their land。 And observing that Xenocrates paid his alien…tax
as a foreigner; he offered him the freedom of the city; which he
refused; saying he could not accept a franchise which he had been sent
as an ambassador to deprecate。
Menyllus wished to give Phocion a considerable present of money;
who; thanking him; said; neither was Menyllus greater than
Alexander; nor his own occasions more urgent to receive it now; than
when he refused it from him。 And on his pressing him to permit his son
Phocus to receive it; he replied; 〃If my son returns to a right
mind; his patrimony is sufficient; if not; all supplies will be
insufficient。〃 But to Antipater he answered more sharply; who would
have him engaged in something dishonourable。 〃Antipater;〃 said he;
〃cannot have me both as his friend and his flatterer。〃 And; indeed;
Antipater was wont to say he had two friends at Athens; Phocion and
Demades; the one would never suffer him to gratify him at all; the
other would never be satisfied。 Phocion might well think that
poverty a virtue; in which; after having so often been general of
the Athenians; and admitted to the friendship of potentates and
princes; he had now grown old。 Demades; meantime; delighted in
lavishing his wealth even in positive transgressions of the law。 For
there having been an order that no foreigner should be hired to
dance in any chorus on the penalty of a fine of one thousand
drachmas on the exhibitor; he had the vanity to exhibit an entire
chorus of a hundred foreigners; and paid down the penalty of a
thousand drachmas a head upon the stage itself。 Marrying his son
Demeas; he told him with the like vanity; 〃My son; when I married your
mother; it was done so privately it was not known to the next
neighbours; but kings and princes give presents at your nuptials。〃
The garrison in Munychia continued to be felt as a great
grievance; and the Athenians did not cease to be importunate upon
Phocion; to prevail with Antipater for its removal; but whether he
despaired of effecting it; or perhaps observed the people to be more
orderly; and public matters more reasonably conducted by the awe
that was thus created; he constantly declined the office; and
contented himself with obtaining from Antipater the postponement for
the present of the payment of the sum of money in which the city was
fined。 So the people; leaving him off applied themselves to Demades;
who readily undertook the employment; and took along with him his
son also into Macedonia; and some superior power; as it seems; so
ordering it; he came just at that nick of time when Antipater was
already seized with his sickness; and Cassander; taking upon himself
the command; had found a letter of Demades's; formerly written by
him to Antigonus in Asia recommending him to come and possess
himself of the empire of Greece and Macedon; now hanging; he said (a
scoff at Antipater); 〃by an old and rotten thread。〃 So when
Cassander saw him come; he seized him; and first brought out the
son。 and killed him so close before his face that the blood ran all
over his clothes and person; and then; after bitterly taunting and
upbraiding him with his ingratitude and treachery; despatched him
himself。
Antipater being dead; after nominating Polysperchon general…in…chief
and Cassander commander of the cavalry; Cassander at once set up for
himself; and immediately despatched Nicanor to Menyllus; to succeed
him in the command of the garrison; commanding him to possess
himself of Munychia before the news of Antipater's death should be
heard; which being done; and some days after the Athenians hearing the
report of it; Phocion was taxed as privy to it before; and censured
heavily for dissembling it; out of friendship for Nicanor。 But he
slighted their talk; and making it his duty to visit and confer
continually with Nicanor; he succeeded in procuring his good…will
and kindness for the Athenians; and induced him even to put himself to
trouble and expense to seek popularity with them; by undertaking the
office of presiding at the games。
In the meantime Polysperchon; who was intrusted with the charge of
the king; to countermine Cassander; sent a letter to the city;
declaring; in the name of the king; that he restored them their
democracy; and that the whole Athenian people were at liberty to
conduct their commonwealth according to their ancient customs and
constitutions。 The object of these pretences was merely the
overthrow of Phocion's influence; as the event manifested。 For
Polysperchon's design being to possess himself of the city; he
despaired altogether of bringing it to pass whilst Phocion retained
his credit; and the most certain way to ruin him would be again to
fill the city with a crowd of disfranchised citizens; and let loose
the tongues of the demagogues and common accusers。
With this prospect the Athenians were all in excitement; and
Nicanor; wishing to confer with them on the subject; at a meeting of
the Council in Piraeus; came himself; trusting for the safety of his
person to Phocion。 And when Dercyllus; who commanded the guard
there; made an attempt to seize him; upon notice of it beforehand;
he made his escape; and there was little doubt he would now lose no
time in righting himself upon the city for the affront; and when
Phocion was found fault with for letting him get off and not
securing him; he defended himself by saying that he had no mistrust of
Nicanor; nor the least reason to expect any mischief from him; but
should it prove otherwise; for his part he would have them all know;
he would rather receive than do the wrong。 And so far as he spoke
for himself alone; the answer was honourable and high…minded enough;
but he who hazards his country's safety; and that; too; when he is her
magistrate and chief commander; can scarcely be acquitted; I fear;
of transgressing a higher and more sacred obligation of justice; which
he owed to his fellow…citizens。 For it will not even do to say that he
dreaded the involving the city in war; by seizing Nicanor; and hoped
by professions of confidence and just…dealing to retain him in the
observance of the like; but it was; indeed; his credulity and
confidence in him; and an overweening opinion of his sincerity; that
imposed upon him。 So that notwithstanding the sundry intimations he
had of his making; preparations to attack Piraeus; sending soldiers
over into Salamis; and tampering with and endeavouring to corrupt
various residents in Piraeus; he would; notwithstanding all this
evidence; never be persuaded to believe it。 And even when Philomedes
of Lampra had got a decree passed; that all the Athenians should stand
to their arms; and be ready to follow Phocion their general; he yet
sat still and did nothing; until Nicanor actually led his troops out
from Munychia; and drew trenches about Piraeus; upon which; when
Phocion at last would have let out the Athenians; they cried out
against him; and slighted his orders。
Alexander; the son of Polysperchon; was at hand with a
considerable force; and professed to come to give them succour against
Nicanor; but intended nothing less; if possible; than to surprise
the city; whilst they were in