34
What, then, men of Athens, do you expect of this man, who has proved himself such a friend to you, if he learns that you have deprived him by law of his immunity, and have made it illegal to bestow it hereafter, even if you change your minds? Are you not aware that this same law, if ratified, will take away the immunity, not only from Leucon, but from those of you who import corn from his country?Because Leucon will, of course, retaliate by imposing the dues again.
35
For surely no one dreams that he will tolerate the cancelling of your gifts to him, and let his own gifts to you stand good. So to the many disadvantages that this law will obviously entail upon you, may be added the immediate loss of part of your resources. In view of this, are you still considering whether you ought to erase it from the statute-book? Have you not made up your minds long ago? Take and read them the decrees touching Leucon.
35
[The decrees are read]
36
How reasonable and just was the immunity which Leucon has obtained from you, these decrees have informed you, gentlemen of the jury. Copies of all these decrees on stone were set up by you and by Leucon in the Bosporus, in the Piraeus, and at Hierum.On the Asiatic side of the entrance to the Thracian Bosporus from the Euxine. Just reflect to what depths of meanness you are dragged by this law, which makes the nation less trustworthy than an individual.
37
For you must not imagine that the pillars standing there are anything else than the covenants of all that you have received or granted; and it will be made clear that Leucon observes them and is always eager to benefit you, but that you have repudiated them while they still stand; and that is a far worse offence than to pull them downBoth nouns being feminine plural, Demosthenes is able to fuse completely the literal and metaphorical meanings.; for when men wish to traduce our city, there will stand the pillars to witness to the truth of their words.
