15. I now, gentlemen of the jury, assume that you all know that I speak
to the point, but he is so clumsy that he cannot understand what is said.
So I wish to inform him also from other laws about these things, that
even now while he is on the platform, he may be informed and may give you
no further trouble. Now read me the old laws of Solon.
16. _Law. Let him be bound, in the stocks by the feet, if the court
decrees it in addition._
The "stocks," Theomnestus, is the same thing which is now called the
"pillory." If then a man who has been bound should on his release
complain when the Eleven were undergoing their audit that he had not been
bound in stocks but in the pillory, would they not think him crazy? Read
another law.
17. _Law. Let him give security, having sworn by Apollo, fearing to
escape on account of the penalty._
The (old-fashioned) "swearing falsely" now means "swearing by," and
"running off" is our "escape."
_And whoever shuts a door with a thief inside._
The "close" is our "shut" and means the same.