18 Plutarch’s Lives
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peak boldly and boastfully in the assembly, “ Young man,” hesaid, “ your speeches are like cypress-trees, stately and tall, andno fruit to come of them.” When he was then attacked byHyperides, who asked him when the time would come that hewould advise the Athenians to make war, “‘ As soon,” said he, —“as I find the young men keep their ranks, the rich men con-tribute their money, and the orators leave off robbing thetreasury.” Afterwards, when many admired the forces raised,and the preparations for war that were made by Leosthenes, theyasked Phocion how he approved of the new levies. ‘‘ Very well,”said he, “‘ for the short course; but what I fear is the long race.Since, however late the war may last, the city has neither money,ships, nor soldiers, but these.” The event justified his prog-nostics. At first all things appeared fair and promising. Leos-thenes gained great reputation by worsting the Bceotians inbattle, and driving Antipater within the walls of Lamia, and thecitizens were so transported with the first successes, that theykept solemn festivities for them, and offered public sacrifices tothe gods. So that some, thinking Phocion must now be con-vinced of his error, asked him whether he would not willingly —have been author of these successful actions. ‘ Yes,” said he,“most gladly, but also of the former counsel.” And when oneexpress after another came from the camp, confirming andmagnifying the victories, ‘‘ When,” said he, “ will the end ofthem come? ” Leosthenes, soon after, was killed, and now those who fearedlest if Phocion obtained the command he would put an end tothe war, arranged with an obscure person in the assembly, whoshould stand up and profess himself to be a friend and old con-fidant of Phocion’s, and persuade the people to spare him atthis time, and reserve him (with whom none could compare) fora more pressing occasion, and now to give Antiphilus the com-mand of the army. This pleased the generality, but Phocionmade it appear he was so far from having any ‘friendship withhim of old standing, that he had not so much as the leastfamiliarity with him; “ Yet now, sir,” says he, “give me leaveto put you down among the number of my friends and well--wishers, as you have given a piece of advice so much to myadvantage.” When the people were eager to make an expedition againstthe Beotians, he at first opposed it; and on his friends tellinghim the people would kill him for always running counter tothem, “That will be unjust of them,” he said, “if I give them
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