They replied by inviting them to come forward.

The Athenians advanced, and spoke as follows: "The object of our mission here was not to argue with your allies, but to attend to the matters on which our state dispatched us.

However, the vehemence of the outcry that we hear against us has prevailed on us to come forward.

It is not to combat the accusations of the cities (indeed you are not the judges before whom either we or they can plead), but to prevent your taking the wrong course on matters of great importance by yielding too readily to the persuasions of your allies.

We also wish to show on a review of the whole indictment that we have a fair title to our possessions, and that our country has claims to consideration.