28
This book, then (the part of the state records that concerns us is the conversation I shall give you)—the book informs us that Archias’s name was announced to Antipater. In case any of my younger hearers should not know the fact already, this Archias had been charged with the arrest of all exiles. In particular, he was to get Demosthenes from Calauria into Antipater’s presence, but rather by persuasion than by force. Antipater was excited about it, hoping that Demosthenes might arrive any day. So, hearing that Archias was come from Calauria, he gave orders for his instant admittance.
29
When he entered—but you shall have the conversation as it stands.
29
Archias. Antipater
29
Archias Is it well with you, Antipater?
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Antipater It is well, if you have brought Demosthenes.
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Archias I have brought him as I might. I have the urn that holds his remains,
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Antipater Ha? my hopes are dashed. What avail ashes and urns, if I have not Demosthenes?
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Archias The soul, O King, may not be prisoned in a man’s own despite.
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Antipater Why took you him not alive?
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Archias We took him.
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Antipater And he has died on the way?
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Archias He died where he was, in Calauria.
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Antipater Your neglect is to blame; you took not due care of him.
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Archias Nay, it lies not at our door.
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Antipater What mean you? These are riddles, Archias; you took him alive, and you have him not?
30
Archias Was it not your charge that we should use no force at first? Yet indeed we should have fared no better if we had; we did intend it.
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Antipater You did not well, even in the intention; it may be your violence killed him.
30
Archias No, we killed him not; but if we could not persuade him, there was nothing for it but force. But, O King, how had you been the better off, if he had come alive? you could have done no more than kill him.
