It was not long after that Harpalus fled from Alexander, and came
to Athens out of Asia; knowing himself guilty of many misdeeds
into which his love of luxury had led him, and fearing the king,
who was now grown terrible even to his best friends. Yet this man
had no sooner addressed himself to the people, and delivered up
his goods, his ships, and himself to their disposal, but the other
orators of the town had their eyes quickly fixed upon his money,
and came in to his assistance, persuading the Athenians to receive
and protect their suppliant. Demosthenes at first gave advice to
chase him out of the country, and to beware lest they involved
their city in a war upon an unnecessary and unjust occasion. But
some few days after, as they were taking an account of the
treasure, Harpalus, perceiving how much he was pleased with a cup
of Persian manufacture, and how curiously he surveyed the
sculpture and fashion of it, desired him to poise it in his hand,
and consider the weight of the gold. Demosthenes, being amazed to
feel how heavy it was asked him what weight it came to. "To you,"
said Harpalus, smiling, "it shall come with twenty talents." And
presently after, when night drew on, he sent him the cup with so
many talents.
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