第 7 节
作者: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