Orations |
Translator: C. D. Yonge
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| 199 |
Quis est enim qui hoc non intellegat , nisi Caesar exercitum paravisset , non sine exitio nostro futurum Antoni reditum fuisse ? Ita enim se recipiebat ardens odio vestri , cruentus sanguine civium Romanorum quos Suessae , quos Brundisi occiderat ut nihil nisi de pernicie populi Romani cogitaret . Quod autem praesidium erat salutis libertatisque vestrae , si C . Caesaris fortissimorum sui patris militum exercitus non fuisset ? Cuius de laudibus et honoribus qui ei pro divinis et immortalibus meritis divini immortalesque debentur mihi senatus adsensus paulo ante decrevit ut primo quoque tempore referretur .
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For who is there who does not see clearly that, if Caesar had not prepared an army, the return of Antonius must have been accompanied by our destruction? For, in truth, he returned in such a state of mind, burning with hatred of you all, stained with the blood of the Roman citizens, whom he had murdered at Suessa and at Brundusium, that he thought of nothing but the utter destruction of the republic. And what protection could have been found for your safety and for your liberty if the army of Caius Caesar had not been composed of the bravest of his father's soldiers? And with respect to his praises and honors,—and he is entitled to divine and everlasting honors for his godlike and undying services,—the senate has just consented to my proposals, and has decreed that a motion be submitted to it at the very earliest opportunity. |
| 200 |
Quo decreto quis non perspicit hostem esse Antonium iudicatum ? Quem enim possumus appellare eum contra quem qui exercitus ducunt , eis senatus arbitratur singularis exquirendos honores ? Quid ? legio Martia , quae mihi videtur divinitus ab eo deo traxisse nomen a quo populum Romanum generatum accepimus , non ipsa suis decretis prius quam senatus hostem iudicavit Antonium ? Nam si ille non hostis , hos qui consulem reliquerunt hostis necesse est iudicemus . Praeclare et loco , Quirites , reclamatione vestra factum pulcherrimum Martialium comprobavistis : qui se ad senatus auctoritatem , ad libertatem vestram , ad universam rem publicam contulerunt , hostem illum et latronem et parricidam patriae reliquerunt .
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Now who is there who does not see that by this decree Antonius has been adjudged to be an enemy? For what else can we call him, when the senate decides that extraordinary honors are to be devised for those men who are leading armies against him? What? did not the Martial legion (which appears to me by some divine permission to have derived its name from that god from whom we have heard that the Roman people descended) decide by its resolutions that Antonius was an enemy before the senate had come to any resolution? For if he be not an enemy, we must inevitably decide that those men who have deserted the consul are enemies. Admirably and seasonably, O Romans, have you by your cries sanctioned the noble conduct of the men of the Martial legion, who have come over to the authority of the senate, to your liberty, and to the whole republic; and have abandoned that enemy and robber and parricide of his country. |
| 201 |
Nec solum id animose et fortiter sed considerate etiam sapienterque fecerunt : Albae constiterunt , in urbe opportuna , munita , propinqua , fortissimorum virorum , fidelissimorum civium atque optimorum . Huius legionis legio quarta imitata virtutem , duce L . Egnatuleio , quem senatus merito paulo ante laudavit , C . Caesaris exercitum persecuta est .
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Nor did they display only their spirit and courage in doing this, but their caution and wisdom also. They encamped at Alba, in a city convenient, fortified, near, full of brave men and loyal and virtuous citizens. The fourth legion imitating the virtue of this Martial legion, under the leadership of Lucius. Egnatuleius, whom the senate deservedly praised a little while ago, has also joined the army of Caius Caesar. |
| 202 |
Quae exspectas , M . Antoni , iudicia graviora ? Caesar fertur in caelum qui contra te exercitum comparavit ; laudantur exquisitissimis verbis legiones quae te reliquerunt , quae a te arcessitae sunt , quae essent , si te consulem quam hostem maluisses , tuae : quarum legionum fortissimum verissimumque iudicium confirmat senatus , comprobat universus populus Romanus , nisi forte vos , Quirites , consulem , non hostem iudicatis Antonium . Sic arbitrabar , Quirites , vos iudicare ut ostenditis . Quid ? municipia , colonias , praefecturas num aliter iudicare censetis ? Omnes mortales una mente consentiunt ; omnia arma eorum qui haec salva velint contra illam pestem esse capienda . Quid ? D . Bruti iudicium , Quirites , quod ex hodierno eius edicto perspicere potuistis , num cui tandem contemnendum videtur ? Recte et vere negatis , Quirites . Est enim quasi deorum immortalium beneficio et munere datum rei publicae Brutorum genus et nomen ad libertatem populi Romani vel constituendam vel recipiendam .
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What more adverse decisions, O Marcus Antonius, can you want? Caesar, who has levied an army against you, is extolled to the skies. The legions are praised in the most complimentary language, which have abandoned you, which were sent for into Italy by you; and which, if you had chosen to be a consul rather than an enemy, were wholly devoted to you. And the fearless and honest decision of those legions is confirmed by the senate, is approved of by the whole Roman people,—unless, indeed, you today, O Romans, decide that Antonius is a consul and not an enemy. I thought, O Romans, that you did think as you show you do. What? do you suppose that the municipal towns, and the colonies, and the prefectures have any other opinion? All men are agreed with one mind; so that every one who wishes the state to be saved must take up every sort of arms against that pestilence. What? does, I should like to know, does the opinion of Decimus Brutus, O Romans, which you can gather from his edict, which has this day reached us, appear to any one deserving of being lightly esteemed? Rightly and truly do you say No, O Romans. For the family and name of Brutus has been by some especial kindness and liberality of the immortal gods given to the republic, for the purpose of at one time establishing, and at another of recovering, the liberty of the Roman people. |
| 203 |
Quid igitur D . Brutus de M . Antonio iudicavit ? Excludit provincia ; exercitu obsistit ; Galliam totam hortatur ad bellum , ipsam sua sponte suoque iudicio excitatam . Si consul Antonius , Brutus hostis : si conservator rei publicae Brutus , hostis Antonius .
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What then has been the opinion which Decimus Brutus has formed of Marcus Antonius? He excludes him from his province. He opposes him with his army. He rouses all Gaul to war, which is already roused of its own accord, and in consequence of the judgment which it has itself formed. If Antonius be consul, Brutus is an enemy. Can we then doubt which of these alternatives is the fact? |
| 204 |
Num igitur utrum horum sit dubitare possumus ? Atque ut vos una mente unaque voce dubitare vos negatis , sic modo decrevit senatus , D . Brutum optime de re publica mereri , cum senatus auctoritatem populique Romani libertatem imperiumque defenderet . A quo defenderet ? Nempe ab hoste : quae est enim alia laudanda defensio ? Deinceps laudatur provincia Gallia meritoque ornatur verbis amplissimis ab senatu quod resistat Antonio . Quem si consulem illa provincia putaret neque eum reciperet , magno scelere se astringeret : omnes enim in consulis iure et imperio debent esse provinciae . Negat hoc D . Brutus imperator , consul designatus , natus rei publicae civis ; negat Gallia , negat cuncta Italia , negat senatus , negatis vos . Quis illum igitur consulem nisi latrones putant ? Quamquam ne ei quidem ipsi , quod loquuntur , id sentiunt nec ab iudicio omnium mortalium , quamvis impii nefariique sint , sicut sunt , dissentire possunt . Sed spes rapiendi atque praedandi occaecat animos eorum quos non bonorum donatio , non agrorum adsignatio , non illa infinita hasta satiavit ; qui sibi urbem , qui bona et fortunas civium ad praedam proposuerunt ; qui , dum hic sit quod rapiant , quod auferant , nihil sibi defuturum arbitrantur ; quibus M . Antonius —o di immortales , avertite et detestamini , quaeso , hoc omen !—urbem se divisurum esse promisit .
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And just as you now with one mind and one voice affirm that you entertain no doubt, so did the senate just now decree that Decimus Brutus deserved excellently well of the republic, inasmuch as he was defending the authority of the senate and the liberty and empire of the Roman people. Defending it against whom? Why, against an enemy. For what other sort of defense deserves praise? In the next place the province of Gaul is praised, and is deservedly complimented in most honorable language by the senate for resisting Antonius. But if that province considered him the consul, and still refused to receive him, it would be guilty of great wickedness. For all the provinces belong to the consul of right, and are bound to obey him. Decimus Brutus, imperator and consul elect, a citizen born for the republic, denies that he is consul; Gaul denies it; all Italy denies it; the senate denies it; you deny it. Who then thinks that he is consul except a few robbers? Although even they themselves do not believe what they say; nor is it possible that they should differ from the judgment of all men, impious and desperate men though they be. But the hope of plunder and booty blinds their minds men whom no gifts of money, no allotment of land nor even that interminable auction has satisfied; who have proposed to themselves the city, the properties and fortunes of all the citizens as their booty; and who, as long as there is something for them to seize and carry off, think that nothing will be wanting to them; |
| 205 |
Ita vero , Quirites , ei ut precamini eveniat atque huius amentiae poena in ipsum familiamque eius recidat ! Quod ita futurum esse confido . Iam enim non solum homines sed etiam deos immortalis ad rem publicam conservandam arbitror consensisse . Sive enim prodigiis atque portentis di immortales nobis futura praedicunt , ita sunt aperte pronuntiata ut et illi poena et nobis libertas appropinquet ; sive tantus consensus omnium sine impulsu deorum esse non potuit , quid est quod de voluntate caelestium dubitare possimus ?
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among whom Marcus Antonius (O ye immortal gods, avert, I pray you, and efface this omen), has promised to divide this city. May things rather happen O Romans as you pray that they should, and may the chastisement of this frenzy fall on him and on his friend. And, indeed, I feel sure that it will be so. For I think that at present not only men but the immortal gods have all united together to preserve this republic. For if the immortal gods foreshow us the future, by means of portents and prodigies then it has been openly revealed to us that punishment is near at hand to him, and liberty to us. Or if it was impossible for such unanimity on the part of all men to exist without the inspiration of the gods, in either case how can we doubt as to the indications of the heavenly deities? It only remains, O Romans, for you to persevere in the sentiments which you at present display. |
| 206 |
Reliquum est , Quirites , ut vos in ista sententia quam prae vobis fertis perseveretis . Faciam igitur ut imperatores instructa acie solent , quamquam paratissimos milites ad proeliandum videant , ut eos tamen adhortentur , sic ego vos ardentis et erectos ad libertatem recuperandam cohortabor . Non est vobis , Quirites , cum eo hoste certamen cum quo aliqua pacis condicio esse possit . Neque enim ille servitutem vestram , ut antea , sed iam iratus sanguinem concupiscit . Nullus ei ludus videtur esse iucundior quam cruor , quam caedes , quam ante oculos trucidatio civium .
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I will act, therefore, as commanders are in the habit of doing when their army is ready for battle, who, although they see their soldiers ready to engage, still address an exhortation to them; and in like manner I will exhort you who are already eager and burning to recover your liberty. You have not—you have not, indeed, O Romans, to war against an enemy with whom it is possible to make peace on any terms whatever. For he does not now desire your slavery, as he did before, but he is angry now and thirsts for your blood. No sport appears more delightful to him than bloodshed, and slaughter, and the massacre of citizens before his eyes. |
| 207 |
Non est vobis res , Quirites , cum scelerato homine ac nefario , sed cum immani taetraque belua quae , quoniam in foveam incidit , obruatur . Si enim illim emerserit , nullius supplici crudelitas erit recusanda . Sed tenetur , premitur , urgetur nunc eis copiis quas iam habemus , mox eis quas paucis diebus novi consules comparabunt . Incumbite in causam , Quirites , ut facitis . Numquam maior consensus vester in ulla causa fuit ; numquam tam vehementer cum senatu consociati fuistis . Nec mirum : agitur enim non qua condicione victuri , sed victurine simus an cum supplicio ignominiaque perituri .
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You have not, O Romans, to deal with a wicked and profligate man, but with an unnatural and savage beast. And, since he has fallen into a well, let him be buried in it. For if he escapes out of it, there will be no inhumanity of torture which it will be possible to avoid. But he is at present hemmed in, pressed, and besieged by those troops which we already have, and will soon be still more so by those which in a few days the new consuls will levy. Apply yourselves then to this business, as you are doing. Never have you shown greater unanimity in any cause; never have you been so cordially united with the senate. And no wonder. For the question now is not in what condition we are to live, but whether we are to live at all, or to perish with torture and ignominy. |
| 208 |
Quamquam mortem quidem natura omnibus proposuit ; crudelitatem mortis et dedecus virtus propulsare solet , quae propria est Romani generis et seminis . Hanc retinete , quaeso , Quirites , quam vobis tamquam hereditatem maiores vestri reliquerunt . Alia omnia falsa , incerta sunt , caduca , mobilia : virtus est una altissimis defixa radicibus , quae numquam vi ulla labefactari potest , numquam demoveri loco . Hac maiores vestri primum universam Italiam devicerunt , deinde Karthaginem exciderunt , Numantiam everterunt , potentissimos reges , bellicosissimas gentis in dicionem huius imperi redegerunt .
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Although nature, indeed, has appointed death for all men: but valor is accustomed to ward off any cruelty or disgrace in death. And that is an inalienable possession of the Roman race and name. Preserve, I beseech you, O Romans, this attribute which your ancestors have left you as a sort of inheritance. Although all other things are uncertain, fleeting, transitory; virtue alone is planted firm with very deep roots; it can not be undermined by any violence; it can never be moved from its position. By it your ancestors first subdued the whole of Italy; then destroyed Carthage, overthrew Numantia, and reduced the most mighty kings and most warlike nations under the dominion of this empire. |
| 209 |
Ac maioribus quidem vestris , Quirites , cum eo hoste res erat qui haberet rem publicam , curiam , aerarium , consensum et concordiam civium , rationem aliquam , si ita res tulisset , pacis et foederis : hic vester hostis vestram rem publicam oppugnat , ipse habet nullam ; senatum , id est orbis terrae consilium , delere gestit , ipse consilium publicum nullum habet ; aerarium vestrum exhausit , suum non habet . Nam concordiam civium qui habere potest , nullam cum habeat civitatem ? pacis vero quae potest esse cum eo ratio in quo est incredibilis crudelitas , fides nulla ?
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And your ancestors, O Romans, had to deal with an enemy who had also a republic, a senate-house, a treasury, harmonious and united citizens, and with whom, if fortune had so willed it, there might have been peace and treaties on settled principles. But this enemy of yours is attacking your republic, but has none himself; is eager to destroy the senate, that is to say, the council of the whole world, but has no public council himself; he has exhausted your treasury, and has none of his own. For how can a man be supported by the unanimity of his citizens, who has no city at all? And what principles of peace can there be with that man who is full of incredible cruelty, and destitute of faith? |
| 210 |
Est igitur , Quirites , populo Romano , victori omnium gentium , omne certamen cum percussore , cum latrone , cum Spartaco . Nam quod se similem esse Catilinae gloriari solet , scelere par est illi , industria inferior . Ille cum exercitum nullum habuisset , repente conflavit : hic eum exercitum quem accepit amisit . Vt igitur Catilinam diligentia mea , senatus auctoritate , vestro studio et virtute fregistis , sic Antoni nefarium latrocinium vestra cum senatu concordia tanta quanta numquam fuit , felicitate et virtute exercituum ducumque vestrorum brevi tempore oppressum audietis .
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The whole then of the contest, O Romans, which is now before the Roman people, the conqueror of all nations, is with an assassin, a robber, a Spartacus. For as to his habitual boast of being like Catilina, he is equal to him in wickedness, but inferior in energy. He, though he had no army, rapidly levied one. This man has lost that very army which he had. As, therefore, by my diligence, and the authority of the senate, and your own zeal and valor, you crushed Catilina, so you will very soon hear that this infamous piratical enterprise of Antonius has been put down by your own perfect and unexampled harmony with the senate, and by the good fortune and valor of your armies and generals. |
| 211 |
Equidem quantum cura , labore , vigiliis , auctoritate , consilio eniti atque efficere potero , nihil praetermittam quod ad libertatem vestram pertinere arbitrabor ; neque enim id pro vestris amplissimis in me beneficiis sine scelere facere possum . Hodierno autem die primum referente viro fortissimo vobisque amicissimo , hoc M . Servilio , conlegisque eius , ornatissimis viris , optimis civibus , longo intervallo me auctore et principe ad spem libertatis exarsimus .
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I, for my part, as far as I am able to labor, and to effect any thing by my care, and exertions, and vigilance, and authority, and counsel, will omit nothing which I may think serviceable to your liberty. Nor could I omit it without wickedness after all your most ample and honorable kindness to me. However, on this day, encouraged by the motion of a most gallant man, and one most firmly attached to you, Marcus Servilius, whom you see before you, and his colleagues also, most distinguished men, and most virtuous citizens; and partly, too, by my advice and my example, we have, for the first time after a long interval, fired up again with a hope of liberty. |
| 212 |
IN M . ANTONIVM ORATIO PHILIPPICA QVINTA Nihil umquam longius his Kalendis Ianuariis mihi visum est , patres conscripti : quod idem intellegebam per hos dies uni cuique vestrum videri . Qui enim bellum cum re publica gerunt , hunc diem non exspectabant ; nos autem , tum cum maxime consilio nostro subvenire communi saluti oporteret , in senatum non vocabamur . Sed querelam praeteritorum dierum sustulit oratio consulum , qui ita locuti sunt ut magis exoptatae Kalendae quam serae esse videantur . Atque ut oratio consulum animum meum erexit spemque attulit non modo salutis conservandae verum etiam dignitatis pristinae recuperandae , sic me perturbasset eius sententia qui primus rogatus est , nisi vestrae virtuti constantiaeque confiderem .
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THE FIFTH ORATION OF M. T. CICERO AGAINST MARCUS ANTONIUS. OTHERWISE CALLED THE FIFTH PHILIPPIC. Nothing, O conscript fathers, has ever seemed to me longer than these calends of January; and I think that for the last few days you have all been feeling the same thing. For those who are waging war against the republic have not waited for this day. But we, while it would have been most especially proper for us to come to the aid of the general safety with our counsel, were not summoned to the senate. However, the speech just addressed to us by the consuls has removed our complaints as to what is past, for they have spoken in such a manner that the calends of January seem to have been long wished for rather than really to have arrived late. And while the speeches of the consuls have encouraged my mind, and have given me a hope, not only of preserving our safety, but even of recovering our former dignity; on the other hand, the opinion of the man who has been asked for his opinion first would have disturbed me, if I had not confidence in your virtue and firmness. |
| 213 |
Hic enim dies vobis , patres conscripti , inluxit , haec potestas data est ut quantum virtutis , quantum constantiae , quantum gravitatis in huius ordinis consilio esset , populo Romano declarare possetis . Recordamini qui dies nudius tertius decimus fuerit , quantus consensus vestrum , quanta virtus , quanta constantia ; quantam sitis a populo Romano laudem , quantam gloriam , quantam gratiam consecuti . Atque illo die , patres conscripti , ea constituistis ut vobis iam nihil sit integrum nisi aut honesta pax aut bellum necessarium .
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For this day, O conscript fathers, has dawned upon you, and this opportunity has been afforded you of proving to the Roman people how much virtue, how much firmness, and how much dignity exists in the counsels of this order. Recollect what a day it was thirteen days ago; how great was then your unanimity, and virtue, and firmness; and what great praise, what great glory, and what great gratitude you earned from the Roman people. And on that day, O conscript fathers, you resolved that no other alternative was in your power, except either an honorable peace or a necessary war. |
| 214 |
Pacem volt M . Antonius ? arma deponat , roget , deprecetur . Neminem aequiorem reperiet quam me cui , dum se civibus impiis commendat , inimicus quam amicus esse maluit . Nihil est profecto quod possit dari bellum gerenti ; erit fortasse aliquid quod concedi possit roganti ; legatos vero ad eum mittere de quo gravissimum et severissimum iudicium nudius tertius decimus feceritis , non iam levitatis est , sed , ut quod sentio dicam , dementiae .
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Is Marcus Antonius desirous of peace? Let him lay down his arms, let him implore our pardon, let him deprecate our vengeance: he w ill find no one more reasonable than me, though, while seeking to recommend himself to impious citizens, he has chosen to be an enemy instead of a friend to me. There is, in truth, nothing which can be given to him while waging war; there will perhaps be something which may be granted to him if he comes before us as a suppliant |
| 215 |
Primum duces eos laudavistis qui contra illum bellum privato consilio suscepissent ; deinde milites veteranos qui , cum ab Antonio in colonias essent deducti , illius beneficio libertatem populi Romani anteposuerunt . Quid ? legio Martia : quid ? quarta , cur laudantur ? si enim consulem suum reliquerunt , vituperandae sunt ; si inimicum rei publicae , iure laudantur . Atqui cum consules nondum haberetis , decrevistis ut et de praemiis militum et de honoribus imperatorum primo quoque tempore referretur . Placet eodem tempore praemia constituere eis qui contra Antonium arma ceperint et legatos ad Antonium mittere ? ut iam pudendum sit honestiora decreta esse legionum quam senatus : si quidem legiones decreverunt senatum defendere contra Antonium , senatus decernit legatos ad Antonium . Vtrum hoc est confirmare militum animos an debilitare virtutem ?
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But to send ambassadors to a man respecting whom you passed a most dignified and severe decision only thirteen days ago, is not an act of lenity, but, if I am to speak my real opinion, of downright madness. In the first place, you praised those generals who, of their own head, had undertaken war against him; in the next place, you praised the veterans who, though they had been settled in those colonies by Antonius, preferred the liberty of the Roman people to the obligations which they were under to him. Is it not so? Why was the Martial legion? why was the fourth legion praised? For if they have deserted the consul, they ought to be blamed; if they have abandoned an enemy to the republic, then they are deservedly praised. But as at that time you had not yet got any consuls, you passed a decree that a motion concerning the rewards for the soldiers and the honors to be conferred on the generals should be submitted to you at the earliest opportunity. Are you then going now to arrange rewards for those men who have taken arms against Antonius, and to send ambassadors to Antonius? so as to deserve to be ashamed that the legions should have come to more honorable resolutions than the senate: if, indeed, the legions have resolved to defend the senate against Antonius, but the senate decrees to send ambassadors to Antonius. Is this encouraging the spirit of the soldiers, or damping their virtue? |
| 216 |
Hoc dies duodecim profecerunt ut , quem nemo praeter Cotylonem inventus sit qui defenderet , is habeat iam patronos etiam consularis ? Qui utinam omnes ante me sententiam rogarentur !—quamquam suspicor quid dicturi sint quidam eorum , qui post me rogabuntur —facilius contra dicerem si quid videretur . Est enim opinio decreturum aliquem M . Antonio illam ultimam Galliam quam Plancus obtinet . Quid est aliud omnia ad bellum civile hosti arma largiri , primum nervos belli , pecuniam infinitam qua nunc eget , deinde equitatum quantum velit ? Equitatum dico ? Dubitabit , credo , gentis barbaras secum adducere . Hoc qui non videt , excors , qui cum videt decernit , impius est .
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This is what we have gained in the last twelve days, that the man whom no single person except Cotyla was then found to defend, has now advocates, even of consular rank. Would that they had all been asked their opinion before me (although I have my suspicions as to what some of those men who will be asked after me, are intending to say); I should find it easier to speak against them if any argument appeared to have been advanced. For there is an opinion in some quarters, that some one intends to propose to decree Antonius that farther Gaul, which Plancus is at present in possession of. What else is that but supplying an enemy with all the arms necessary for civil war: first of all with the sinews of war, money in abundance, of which he is at present destitute; and secondly, with as much cavalry as he pleases? Cavalry do I say? He is a likely man to hesitate, I suppose, to bring with him the barbarian nations;—a man who does not see this is senseless; he who does see it, and still advocates such a measure, is impious. |