1They say that Aeschines, at the request of the Rhodians, read out his own speech and then that of Demosthenes, each to the loudest applause. 2That this befell the writings of such great men does not surprise me, since recently some most learned men listened to a speech of mine for two days with such enthusiasm, such approval, and even such effort, although no setting side by side of this and that, no contest as it were, kindled their attention. 3For the Rhodians were roused both by the merits of the speeches themselves and by the stings of comparison, whereas my speech won approval without the attraction of rivalry. 3Whether it deserved to, you will know when you have read the book, whose length does not allow me to preface it with a longer letter.
4For I ought to be brief at least in this, where I can, so that there may be more excuse for my having drawn out the book itself, though not beyond the scope of the case. 4Farewell.