Against Athenogenes (26-30)

I am not a seller of perfume[*] and I do not practise any other trade. I simply farm the property which my father gave me, and I was landed in the purchase by these people. Which is more probable, Athenogenes, that I set my heart on your trade in which I was not proficient, or that you and your mistress had designs on my money? Personally, I think that you are indicated. Therefore, gentlemen of the jury, you could fairly excuse me for being cheated by ⋯ and for having had the misfortune to fall in with a man like this, but to Athenogenes ⋯

all to be mine and the profits of the fraud to be his ⋯ that I took Midas ⋯ whom he says he was reluctant to let go. But for the boy whom, we are told, he originally offered me for nothing, he has now been paid a far higher price than he is worth; and yet in the end the boy will not be my property but will be freed on the strength of your verdict.[*]

However I do not think myself that in addition to my other troubles I deserve to be disfranchised by Athenogenes.[*] For I should be receiving harsh treatment indeed, gentlemen of the jury, if ⋯ of the metics to come unguarded.

During the war against Philip he left the city just before the battle and did not serve with you at Chaeronea. Instead, he moved to Troezen, disregarding the law[*] which says that a man who moves in wartime shall be indicted and summarily arrested if he returns. The reason for the move, it seems, was this: he thought that the city of Troezen would survive, whereas he had passed a sentence of death on ours. His daughters whom he had brought up in the prosperity which you provided ⋯ he married off ⋯ with the intention of returning later to carry on his business when peace was established.

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