Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 40
Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. and Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D., Ed.

15. “Why do you not, dropping that fairy-tale of last night, come back to that which irks you and causes you to burn with jealousy? [2] 'Why in the world, Demetrius,' you ask, 'do people ever talk of your becoming king? Why do some regard you as a worthier successor to our father's fortune than I? Why do you cause my hopes, which would be sure if you were not here, to be uncertain and confused? [3] ' This is what Perseus thinks, even if he does not say it; these are the thoughts that make him my enemy and my accuser, and that fill your home and your kingdom with charges and suspicions. [4] But I, father, as it may perhaps be my duty neither now to hope for the kingship nor ever to raise the question of it, since I am the younger, since you wish me to make way for the elder, so it neither was nor is my duty to seem unworthy of you my father, unworthy of all men. [5] For this position I should attain by vices, not by [p. 49]modesty in making way for one to whom it is right¹ and just that I should yield. You cast the Romans in my face, and things which should be a source of pride you turn into charges against me. [6] I did not ask either that I be given as a hostage to the Romans or sent as an ambassador to Rome. When sent by you, father, I did not refuse to go. On both occasions I so conducted myself as to bring no shame to you, your kingdom, or the Macedonian people. [7] And so, father, you were the cause of my friendship with the Romans. So long as the peace shall endure between you and them, so long will the friendship between me and them endure: if war shall break out, I, who have not been without usefulness as a hostage and an ambassador for my father, shall likewise be their bitterest foe. [8] I do not ask that my friendship with the Romans shall help me to-day: I beg merely that it shall not hinder me. It did not begin in war and is not reserved for war: I was a pledge of peace, I was sent as an envoy to maintain the peace: let neither bring me either praise or blame. [9] If I have done anything unfilial to you, father, or criminal to my brother, I object to no punishment: if I am innocent, I beg that jealousy may not consume me,² since guilt cannot. [10] To-day is not the first time my brother has accused me, but to-day for the first time he accuses me openly, with no act of mine to justify him. If my father were angry at me, your duty, as my older brother, would be to intercede for the younger, to win forgiveness for my youth and my mistake. Where there should have been protection there is deadly peril. From the banquet and the revel, still half-asleep, I was hurried away to plead my defence on the charge of murder. [11] [p. 51]Without advisors, without counsel, I am compelled³ to speak on my own behalf. [12] If I had had to speak for another, I should have taken time to prepare and arrange my speech, and then what else would be at stake except my reputation for ability? While still in ignorance of the reason for my summons, I have listened to you in your anger ordering me to defend myself and my brother bringing charges against me. [13] He employed against me a speech arranged and rehearsed long in advance: I had only the time during which I was accused to find out what was at issue. Should I in that brief space of time have listened to my accuser or planned my defence? [14] Stricken by this sudden and unexpected calamity, I could scarce understand what charges were brought against me, to say nothing of knowing how to defend myself. What hope should I have were my father not the judge? [15] If his love for me is less than for my elder brother, certainly his pity ought not to be less for me on my trial. For my prayer is that you will preserve me for myself and you; his demand is that you kill me for his security. [16] What, father, do you think will become of me when you have turned the kingdom over to him, when even now he thinks it proper that he be gratified by my death?”⁴