49
What accusation would they hesitate to bring, what court would they hesitate to mislead, what oaths would they feel any compunction in breaking, after taking thirty minae, as they have, from the Poristae, the Poletae, the Practores, and the clerks attached to them, to bring me into court,For an explanation of this see Introduction. after driving me from the Council-chamber, and after swearing oaths so solemn, all because during my Prytany I learned of their scandalous malpractices, brought them before the Council, and showed that an inquiry should be instituted and the matter probed to the bottom.
50
As it is, they themselves, those who struck the bargain with them, and the parties with whom the money was deposited are paying the price of their misdeedsApparently it had come to light in the course of the investigations into the activities of the Practores, etc. that thirty minae had been promised Philocrates if his charge of homicide was successful. The money would be deposited with a third party, to be claimed by Philocrates when he had earned it.; and the facts have been revealed so clearly that the prosecution will find it difficult to deny them, even if they wish to; such is the lack of success which they have had.
51
What court, then, would they hesitate to invade with their lies, what oaths would they feel the slightest compunction in breaking? The impious scoundrels! They knew that you are the most conscientious and the fairest judges in this nation; yet they come before you intent on deceiving even you, if they can, in spite of the solemn oaths which they have sworn.The repetitions in these closing paragraphs, and the absence of the usual ἐπίλογος make it probable that the end of the speech, as we have it, is mutilated.
