23. When therefore, the vote was passed, those chosen from the Boule went
to Agoratus at the Piraeus, and falling in with him in the market-place,
sought to arrest him. But Nicias and Nicomenes and a few others present,
seeing that this was not best for the state, refused to let them take
Agoratus, but took him from them and gave bail for him and pledged to
bring him into the Boule. 24. The councilors took the names of those who
had given bail, and stopped them, and then went away to the city. But
Agoratus and the bondsmen sat down on the altar of Munychia. While they
were there they planned what must be done. It seemed best to the bondsmen
and to all the others to get Agoratus out of the way as soon as possible,
(25) and as two boats were moored at Munychia they besought him by all
means to get out of Athens, and said that they themselves were willing to
go away with him until the matter was settled, saying that if he were
brought into the Boule he would perhaps be tortured and forced to tell
the names of the Athenians which those who wished harm to the state had
suggested to him. 26. Although these urged him in this way and prepared
boats, and were ready to sail with, him, this Agoratus was not willing to
obey them. Agoratus, if there was no arrangement for you, and you were
not sure of suffering no harm, why did you not go when boats were
prepared for you, and your neighbors ready to sail off with you? For you
could have done so, and the Boule had you not yet in their power. 27. But
they and you were not in equal danger. For in the first place they were
Athenians and did not fear being tortured; then leaving their own land
they were ready to sail away with you, thinking this was better than that
many citizens should be unjustly killed by you. But, first, if you
remained there was danger of your being tortured, and then, too, you had
no native land to leave. 28. So in every way it was easier for you to
make yourself scarce than for them, unless there was something in which
you trusted. Now you say you did it unwillingly, while the truth is you
willingly put to death many good Athenians. There are witnesses that
everything was prepared as I say, and the vote of the senate will witness
against you.