On the Agrarian Law |
Translator: C. D. Yonge
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| 145 |
Et quoniam qua de causa et quorum causa ille hoc promulgarit ostendi , doceat ipse nunc ego quem possessorem defendam , cum agrariae legi resisto . Silvam Scantiam vendis ; populus Romanus possidet ; defendo . Campanum agrum dividis ; vos estis in possessione ; non cedo . Deinde Italiae , Siciliae ceterarumque provinciarum possessiones venalis ac proscriptas hac lege video ; vestra sunt praedia , vestrae possessiones ; resistam atque repugnabo neque patiar a quoquam populum Romanum de suis possessionibus me consule demoveri , praesertim , Quirites , cum vobis nihil quaeratur .
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And since I have shown for what reason and for whose sake be has proposed this, let him show whether I am defending any particular proprietor, while I resist this agrarian law. You are selling the Scantian wood. The Roman people is in possession of it. I am defending the Roman people. You are dividing the district of Campania It is you, O Romans, who are now its proprietors. I will not give it up. In the next place, I see possessions in Italy and in Sicily, and in the other provinces, put up for sale and advertised. The farms are yours, the possessions are yours, O Romans. I will resist and oppose such a measure; and I will not permit the Roman people to be ousted from its possessions by any one, while I am consul. Especially when no advantage is sought for you by the proceeding. |
| 146 |
Hoc enim vos in errore versari diutius non oportet . Num quis vestrum ad vim , ad facinus , ad caedem accommodatus est ? Nemo . Atqui ei generi hominum , mihi credite , Campanus ager et praeclara illa Capua servatur ; exercitus contra vos , contra libertatem vestram , contra Cn . Pompeium constituitur ; contra hanc urbem Capua , contra vos manus hominum audacissimorum , contra Cn . Pompeium x duces comparantur . Veniant et coram , quoniam me in vestram contionem vobis flagitantibus evocaverunt , disserant .
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For you ought no longer to lie under this mistake. Is any one of you a man inclined to violence, or atrocity, or murder? Not one. And, believe me, it is for such a race of men as that that the district of Campania and that beautiful Capua is reserved. It is against you, against your liberty, against Cnaeus Pompeius that an army is being raised. Capua is being got ready in opposition to this city; bands of audacious men are being equipped against you; ten generals are being appointed to counterbalance Cnaeus Pompeius. Let them meet me face to face, and since they have summoned me to this assembly of yours, at your request let them here argue the case with me. |