Orations |
Translator: C. D. Yonge
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| 271 |
Nec vero de illo sicut de homine aliquo debemus , sed ut de importunissima belua cogitare . Quae cum ita sint , non omnino dissolutum est quod decrevit senatus : habet atrocitatis aliquid legatio : utinam nihil haberet morae ! Nam cum plerisque in rebus gerendis tarditas et procrastinatio odiosa est , tum hoc bellum indiget celeritatis . Succurrendum est D . Bruto , omnes undique copiae conligendae ; moram exhibere ullam in tali cive liberando sine scelere non possumus .
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Nor, indeed, ought we to think of him as of a human being, but as of a most ill-omened beast. And as this is the case, the decree which the senate has passed is not wholly improper. The embassy has some severity in it; I only wish it had no delay. For as in the conduct of almost every affair slowness and procrastination are hateful, so above all things does this war require promptness of action. We must assist Decimus Brutus; we must collect all our forces from all quarters; we can not lose a single hour in effecting the deliverance of such a citizen without wickedness. |
| 272 |
An ille non potuit , si Antonium consulem , si Galliam Antoni provinciam iudicasset , legiones Antonio et provinciam tradere , domum redire , triumphare , primus in hoc ordine , quoad magistratum iniret , sententiam dicere ?
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Was it not in his power, if he had considered Antonius a consul, and Gaul the province of Antonius, to have given over the legions and the province to Antonius? and to return home himself? and to celebrate a triumph? and to be the first man in this body to deliver his opinion, until he entered on his magistracy? What was the difficulty of doing that? |
| 273 |
quid negoti fuit ? Sed cum se Brutum esse meminisset vestraeque libertati natum , non otio suo , quid egit aliud nisi ut paene corpore suo Gallia prohiberet Antonium ? Ad hunc utrum legatos an legiones ire oportebat ? Sed praeterita omittamus : properent legati , quod video esse facturos ; vos saga parate . Est enim ita decretum ut , si ille auctoritati senatus non paruisset , ad saga iretur . Ibitur ; non parebit : nos amissos tot dies rei gerendae queremur .
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But as he remembered that he was Brutus, and that he was born for your freedom, not for his own tranquillity, what else did he do but—as I may almost say—put his own body in the way to prevent Antonius from entering Gaul? Ought we then to send ambassadors to this man, or legions? However, we will say nothing of what is past. Let the ambassadors hasten, as I see that they are about to do. Prepare your robes of war. For it has been decreed, that, if he does not obey the authority of the senate, we are all to betake ourselves to our military dress. And we shall have to do so. He will never obey. And we shall lament that we have lost so many days, when we might have been doing something. |
| 274 |
Non metuo , Quirites , ne , cum audierit Antonius , me hoc et in senatu et in contione confirmasse , numquam illum futurum in senatus potestate , refellendi mei causa , ut ego nihil vidisse videar , vertat se et senatui pareat . Numquam faciet ; non invidebit huic meae gloriae ; malet me sapientem a vobis quam se modestum existimari . Quid ? ipse si velit , num etiam Lucium fratrem passurum arbitramur ? Nuper quidem dicitur ad Tibur , ut opinor , cum ei labare M . Antonius videretur , mortem fratri esse minitatus . Etiamne ab hoc myrmillone Asiatico senatus mandata , legatorum verba audientur ? Nec enim secerni a fratre poterit , tanta praesertim auctoritate . Nam hic inter illos Africanus est : pluris habetur quam L . Trebellius , pluris quam T . Plancus , quam Extitius , adolescens nobilis . Plancum quidem , qui omnibus sententiis maximo vestro plausu condemnatus nescio quo modo se coniecit in turbam atque ita maestus rediit ut retractus , non reversus videretur , sic contemnit tamquam si illi aqua et igni interdictum sit : aliquando negat ei locum esse oportere in curia qui incenderit curiam .
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I have no fear, O Romans, that when Antonius hears that I have asserted, both in the senate and in the assembly of the people, that he never will submit himself to the power of the senate, he will, for the sake of disproving my words, and making me to appear to have had no foresight, alter his behavior and obey the senate. He will never do so. He will not grudge me this part of my reputation; he will prefer letting me be thought wise by you to being thought modest himself. Need I say more? Even if he were willing to do so himself, do you think that his brother Lucius would permit him? It has been reported that lately at Tibur, when Marcus Antonius appeared to him to he wavering, he, Lucius, threatened his brother with death. And do we suppose that the orders of the senate, and the words of the ambassadors, will be listened to by this. Asiatic gladiator? It will be impossible for him to be separated from a brother, especially from one of so much authority. For he is another Africanus among them. He is considered of more influence than Lucius Trebellius, of more than Titus Plancus a noble young man. As for Plancus, who, having been condemned by the unanimous vote of every one, amid the overpowering applause of you yourselves, somehow or other got mixed up in this crowd, and returned with a countenance so sorrowful, that he appeared to have been dragged back rather than to have returned, he despises him to such degree, as if he were interdicted from fire and water. At times he says that that man who set the senate-house on fire has no right to a place in the senate-house. |
| 275 |
Nam Trebellium valde iam diligit : oderat tum , cum ille tabulis novis adversabatur ; iam fert in oculis , postea quam ipsum Trebellium vidit sine tabulis novis salvum esse non posse . Audisse enim vos arbitror , Quirites , quod etiam videre potuistis , cotidie sponsores et creditores L . Trebelli convenire . O Fide !—hoc enim opinor Trebellium sumpsisse cognomen —quae potest esse maior fides quam fraudare creditores , domo profugere , propter aes alienum ire ad arma ? Vbi plausus ille in triumpho est , saepe ludis , ubi aedilitas delata summo studio bonorum ? Quis est qui hunc non casu existimet recte fecisse , nequitia sceleste .
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For at this moment he is exceedingly in love with Trebellius. He hated him some time ago, when he was opposing an abolition of debts; but now he delights in him, ever since he has seen that Trebellius himself can not continue in safety without an abolition of debts. For I think that you have heard, O Romans, what indeed you may possibly have seen, that the sureties and creditors of Lucius Trebellius meet every day. Oh confidence! for I imagine that Trebellius has taken this surname; what can be greater confidence than defrauding one's creditors? than flying from one's house? than, because of one's debts, being forced to go to war? What has become of the applauses which he received on the occasion of Caesar's triumph, and often at the games? Where is the aedileship that was conferred on him by the zealous efforts of all good men? who is there who does not now think that he acted virtuously by accident? |
| 276 |
Sed redeo ad amores deliciasque vestras , L . Antonium , qui vos omnis in fidem suam recepit . Negatis ? Num quisnam est vestrum qui tribum non habeat ? Certe nemo . Atqui illum quinque et triginta tribus patronum adoptarunt . Rursus reclamatis ? Aspicite illam a sinistra equestrem statuam inauratam , in qua quid inscriptum est ? ‘ " Qvinqve et triginta tribvs patrono . " ’ Populi Romani igitur est patronus L . Antonius . Malam quidem illi pestem ! clamori enim vestro adsentior . Non modo hic latro quem clientem habere nemo velit sed quis umquam tantis opibus , tantis rebus gestis fuit qui se populi Romani victoris dominique omnium gentium patronum dicere auderet ?
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However, I return to your love and especial delight, Lucius Antonius, who has admitted you all to swear allegiance to him. Do you deny it? is there any one of you who does not belong to a tribe? Certainly not. But thirty-five tribes have adopted him for their patron. Do you again cry out against my statement? Look at that gilt statue of him on the left: what is the inscription upon it? “The thirty-five tribes to their patron.” Is then Lucius Antonius the patron of the Roman people? Plague take him! For I fully assent to your outcry. I won't speak of this bandit whom no one would choose to have for a client; but was there ever a man possessed of such influence, or illustrious and mighty deeds, as to dare to call himself the patron of the whole Roman people, the conqueror and master of all nations? |
| 277 |
In foro L . Antoni statuam videmus , sicut illam Q . Tremuli , qui Hernicos devicit , ante Castoris . O impudentiam incredibilem ! Tantumne sibi sumpsit , quia Mylasis myrmillo Thraecem iugulavit , familiarem suum ? quonam modo istum ferre possemus , si in hoc foro spectantibus vobis depugnasset ? Sed haec una statua . Altera ab equitibus Romanis equo publico : qui item ascribunt , ‘ patrono .’ Quem umquam iste ordo patronum adoptavit ? Si quemquam , debuit me . Sed me omitto ; quem censorem , quem imperatorem ? Agrum eis divisit . O sordidos qui acceperint , improbum qui dederit !
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We see in the forum a statue of Lucius Antonius; just as we see one of Quintus Tremulus, who conquered the Hernici, before the temple of Castor. Oh the incredible impudence of the man! Has he assumed all this credit to himself, because as a mirmillo at Mylasa he slew the Thracian, his friend? How should we be able to endure him, if he had fought in this forum before the eyes of you all? But, however, this is but one statue. He has another erected by the Roman knights who received horses from the state; and they too inscribe on that, “To their patron.” Who was ever before adopted by that order as its patron? If it ever adopted any one as such, it ought to have adopted me. What censor was ever so honored? what imperator? “But he distributed land among them.” Shame on their sordid natures for accepting it! shame on his dishonesty for giving it! Moreover, the military tribunes who were in the army of Caesar have erected him a statue. What order is that? There have been plenty of tribunes in our numerous legions in so many years. |
| 278 |
Statuerunt etiam tribuni militares qui in exercitu Caesaris bis fuerunt . Quis est iste ordo ? Multi fuerunt multis in legionibus per tot annos . Eis quoque divisit Semurium . Campus Martius restabat , nisi prius cum fratre fugisset . Sed haec agrorum adsignatio paulo ante , Quirites , L . Caesaris , clarissimi viri et praestantissimi senatoris , sententia dissoluta est : huic enim adsensi vii virum acta sustulimus . Iacent beneficia Nuculae ; friget patronus Antonius . Nam possessores animo aequiore discedent : nullam impensam fecerant ; nondum instruxerant , partim quia non confidebant , partim quia non habebant .
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Among them he has distributed the lands of Semurium. The Campus Martius was all that was left, if he had not first fled with his brother. But this allotment of lands was put an end to a little while ago, O Romans, by the declaration of his opinion by Lucius Caesar, a most illustrious man and a most admirable senator. For we all agreed with him and annulled the acts of the septemvirs. So all the kindness of Nucula goes for nothing; and the patron Antonius is at a discount. For those who had taken possession will depart with more equanimity. They had not been at any expense; they had not yet furnished or stocked their domains, partly because they did not feel sure of their title, and partly because they had no money. |
| 279 |
Sed illa statua palmaris de qua , si meliora tempora essent , non possem sine risu dicere : " L . Antonio a Iano medio patrono . " Itane ? Iam Ianus medius in L . Antoni clientela est ? Quis umquam in illo Iano inventus est qui L . Antonio mille nummum ferret expensum ?
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But as for that splendid statue, concerning which, if the times were better, I could not speak without laughing, “To Lucius. Antonius, patron of the middle of Janus.” Is it so? Is the middle of Janus a client of Lucius Antonius? Who ever was found in that Janus who would have lent Lucius Antonius a thousand sesterces? |
| 280 |
Sed nimis multa de nugis : ad causam bellumque redeamus ; quamquam non alienum fuit personas quasdam a vobis recognosci , ut quibuscum bellum gereretur possetis taciti cogitare . Ego autem vos hortor , Quirites , ut , etiam si melius aliud fuit , tamen legatorum reditum exspectetis animo aequo . Celeritas detracta de causa est ; boni tamen aliquid accessit ad causam . Cum enim legati renuntiarint quod certe renuntiabunt , non in vestra potestate , non in senatus esse Antonium , quis erit tam improbus civis qui illum civem habendum putet ? Nunc enim sunt pauci illi quidem , sed tamen plures quam re publica dignum est , qui ita loquantur : ‘Ne legatos quidem exspectabimus ?’ Istam certe vocem simulationemque clementiae extorquebit istis res ipsa publica . Quo etiam , ut confitear vobis , Quirites , minus hodierno die contendi , minus laboravi , ut mihi senatus adsentiens tumultum decerneret , saga sumi iuberet . Malui viginti diebus post sententiam meam laudari ab omnibus quam a paucis hodie vituperari .
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However, we have been spending too much time in trifles. Let us return to our subject and to the war. Although it was not wholly foreign to the subject for some characters to be thoroughly appreciated by you, in order that you might in silence think over who they were against whom you were to wage war. But I exhort you, O Romans, though perhaps other measures might have been wiser, still now to wait with calmness for the return of the ambassadors. Promptness of action has been taken from our side; but still some good has accrued to it. For when the ambassadors have reported what they certainly will report, that Antonius will not submit to you nor to the senate, who then will be so worthless a citizen as to think him deserving of being accounted a citizen? For at present there are men, few indeed, but still more than there ought to be, or than the republic deserves that there should be, who speak in this way,—“Shall we not even wait for the return of the ambassadors?” Certainly the republic itself will force them to abandon that expression and that pretense of clemency. On which account, to confess the truth to you, O Romans, I have less striven today, and labored all the less today, to induce the senate to agree with me in decreeing the existence of a seditious war and ordering the apparel of war to be assumed. I preferred having my sentiments applauded by every one in twenty day's time, to having it blamed today by a few. |
| 281 |
Quapropter , Quirites , exspectate legatorum reditum et paucorum dierum molestiam devorate . Qui cum redierint , si pacem adferent , cupidum me ; si bellum , providum iudicatote . An ego non provideam meis civibus , non dies noctesque de vestra libertate , de rei publicae salute cogitem ? Quid enim non debeo vobis , Quirites , quem vos a se ortum hominibus nobilissimis omnibus honoribus praetulistis ? An ingratus sum ? Quis minus ? qui partis honoribus eosdem in foro gessi labores quos petendis . Rudis in re publica ? Quis exercitatior ? qui viginti iam annos bellum geram cum impiis civibus . Quam ob rem .
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Wherefore, O Romans, wait now for the return of the ambassadors and devour your annoyance for a few days. And when they do return if they bring back peace, believe me that I have been desirous that they should if they bring back war, then allow me the praise of foresight. Ought I not to be provident for the welfare of my fellow-citizens? Ought I not day and night to think of your freedom and of the safety of the republic? For what do I not owe to you, O Romans, since you have preferred for all the honors of the state a man who is his own father to the most nobly born men in the republic? Am I ungrateful? Who is less so? I, who, after I had obtained those honors, have constantly labored in the forum with the same exertions as I used while striving for them. Am I inexperienced in state affairs? Who has had more practice than I, who have now for twenty years been waging war against impious citizens? |
| 282 |
Quirites , consilio quantum potero , labore plus paene quam potero , excubabo vigilaboque pro vobis . Etenim quis est civis , praesertim hoc gradu quo me vos esse voluistis , tam oblitus benefici vestri , tam immemor patriae , tam inimicus dignitati suae quem non excitet , non inflammet tantus vester iste consensus ? Multas magnasque habui consul contiones , multis interfui : nullam umquam vidi tantam quanta nunc vestrum est . Vnum sentitis omnes , unum studetis , M . Antoni conatus avertere a re publica , furorem exstinguere , opprimere audaciam . Idem volunt omnes ordines ; eodem incumbunt municipia , coloniae , cuncta Italia . Itaque senatum bene sua sponte firmum firmiorem vestra auctoritate fecistis .
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Wherefore, O Romans, with all the prudence of which I am master, and with almost more exertion than I am capable of, will I put forth my vigilance and watchfulness in your behalf In truth, what citizen is there, especially in this rank in which you have placed me, so forgetful of your kindness, so unmindful of his country, so hostile to his own dignity, as not to be roused and stimulated by your wonderful unanimity? I, as consul, have held many assemblies of the people; I have been present at many others; I have never once seen one so numerous as this one of yours now is. You have all one feeling, you have all one desire, that of averting the attempts of Marcus Antonius from the republic, of extinguishing his frenzy and crushing his audacity. All orders have the same wish. The municipal towns, the colonies, and all Italy are laboring for the same end. Therefore you have made the senate, which was already pretty firm of its own accord, firmer still by your authority. |
| 283 |
Venit tempus , Quirites , serius omnino quam dignum populo Romano fuit , sed tamen ita maturum ut differri iam hora non possit . Fuit aliquis fatalis casus , ut ita dicam , quem tulimus , quoquo modo ferendus fuit : nunc si quis erit , erit voluntarius . Populum Romanum servire fas non est , quem di immortales omnibus gentibus imperare voluerunt . Res in extremum est adducta discrimen ; de libertate decernitur . Aut vincatis oportet , Quirites , quod profecto et pietate vestra et tanta concordia consequemini , aut quidvis potius quam serviatis . Aliae nationes servitutem pati possunt , populi Romani est propria libertas .
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The time has come, O Romans, later altogether than for the honor of the Roman people it should have been, but still so that the things are now so ripe that they do not admit of a moment's delay. There has been a sort of fatality, if I may say so, which we have borne as it was necessary to bear it. But hereafter if any disaster happens to us it will be of our own seeking. It is impossible for the Roman people to be slaves; that people whom the immortal gods have ordained should rule over all nations. Matters are now come to a crisis. We are fighting for our freedom. Either you must conquer, O Romans, which indeed you will do if you continue to act with such piety and such unanimity, or you must do anything rather than become slaves. Other nations can endure slavery, Liberty is the inalienable possession of the Roman people. |
| 284 |
IN M . ANTONIVM ORATIO PHILIPPICA SEPTIMA Parvis de rebus sed fortasse necessariis consulimur , patres conscripti . De Appia via et de Moneta consul , de Lupercis tribunus plebis refert . Quarum rerum etsi facilis explicatio videtur , tamen animus aberrat a sententia suspensus curis maioribus . Adducta est enim , patres conscripti , res in maximum periculum et in extremum paene discrimen . Non sine causa legatorum istam missionem semper timui , numquam probavi : quorum reditus quid sit adlaturus ignoro ; exspectatio quidem quantum adferat languoris animis quis non videt ? Non enim se tenent ei qui senatum dolent ad auctoritatis pristinae spem revirescere , coniunctum huic ordini populum Romanum , conspirantem Italiam , paratos exercitus , expeditos duces .
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THE SEVENTH ORATION OF M. T. CICERO AGAINST MARCUS ANTONIUS. CALLED ALSO THE SEVENTH PHILIPPIC We are consulted to day about matters of small importance, but still perhaps necessary, O conscript fathers. The consul submits a motion to us about the Appian road and about the coinage; the tribune of the people one about the Luperci. And although it seems easy to settle such matters as those, still my mind can not fix itself on such subjects, being anxious about more important matters. For our affairs, O conscript fathers, are come to a crisis, and are in a state of almost extreme danger. It is not without reason that I have always feared and never approved of that sending of ambassadors. And what their return is to bring us I know not; but who is there who does not see with how much languor the expectation of it infects our minds? For those men put no restraint on themselves who knew that the senate has revived so as to entertain hopes of its former authority, and that the Roman people is united to this our order; that all Italy is animated by one common feeling; that armies are prepared, and generals ready for the armies; |
| 285 |
Iam nunc fingunt responsa Antoni eaque defendunt . Alii postulare illum ut omnes exercitus dimittantur . Scilicet legatos ad eum misimus , non ut pareret et dicto audiens esset huic ordini , sed ut condiciones ferret , leges imponeret , reserare nos exteris gentibus Italiam iuberet , se praesertim incolumi a quo maius periculum quam ab ullis nationibus extimescendum est .
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even already they are inventing replies for Antonius and defending them. Some pretend that his demand is that all the armies be disbanded. I suppose then we sent ambassadors to him, not that he should submit and obey this our body, but that he should offer us conditions, impose laws upon us, order us to open Italy to foreign nations; especially while we were to leave him in safety from whom there is more danger to be feared than from any nation whatever. |
| 286 |
Alii remittere eum nobis Galliam citeriorem , illam ultimam postulare —praeclare : ex qua non legiones solum sed etiam nationes ad urbem conetur adducere —alii nihil eum iam nisi modeste postulare . Macedoniam suam vocat omnino , quoniam Gaius frater est inde revocatus . Sed quae provincia est ex qua illa fax excitare non possit incendium ? Itaque idem quasi providi cives et senatores diligentes bellicum me cecinisse dicunt , suscipiunt pacis patrocinium . Nonne sic disputant ? Inritatum Antonium non oportuit : nequam est homo ille atque confidens ; multi praeterea improbi —quos quidem a se primum numerare possunt qui haec loquuntur —eos cavendos esse denuntiant . Vtrum igitur in nefariis civibus ulciscendi , cum possis , an pertimescendi diligentior cautio est .
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Others say that he is willing to give up the nearer Gaul to us, and that he will be satisfied with the farther Gaul. Very kind of him! in order that from thence be may endeavor to bring not merely legions, but even nations against this city. Others say that he makes no demands now but such as are quite moderate. Macedonia he calls absolutely his own, since it was from thence that his brother Caius was recalled. But what province is there in which that fire-brand may not kindle a conflagration? Therefore those same men like provident citizens and diligent senators, say that I have sounded the charge, and they undertake the advocacy of peace. Is not this the way in which they argue? “Antonius ought not to have been irritated; he is a reckless and a bold man; there are many bad men besides him.” (No doubt, and they may begin and count themselves first.) And they warn us to be on our guard against them. Which conduct then is it which shows the more prudent caution; chastising wicked citizens when one is able to do so, or fearing them? |
| 287 |
Atque haec ei loquuntur qui quondam propter levitatem populares habebantur . Ex quo intellegi potest animo illos abhorruisse semper ab optimo civitatis statu , non voluntate fuisse popularis . Qui enim evenit ut , qui in rebus improbis populares fuerint , idem in re una maxime populari , quod eadem salutaris rei publicae sit , improbos se quam popularis esse malint ? Me quidem semper , uti scitis , adversarium multitudinis temeritati haec fecit praeclarissima causa popularem .
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And these men speak in this way, who on account of their trifling disposition used to be considered friends of the people. From which it may be understood that they in their hearts have at all times been disinclined to a good constitution of the state, and they were not friends of the people from inclination. For how comes it to pass that those men who were anxious to gratify the people in evil things, now, on an occasion which above all others concerns the people's interests, because the same thing would be also salutary for the republic, now prefer being wicked to being friends of the people? |
| 288 |
Et quidem dicuntur vel potius se ipsi dicunt consularis : quo nomine dignus est nemo , nisi qui tanti honoris onus potest sustinere . Faveas tu hosti ? ille litteras ad te mittat de sua spe rerum secundarum ; eas tu laetus proferas , recites , describendas etiam des improbis civibus , eorum augeas animos , bonorum spem virtutemque debilites , et te consularem aut senatorem , denique civem putes ? Accipiet in optimam partem C . Pansa , fortissimus consul atque optimus . Etenim dicam animo amicissimo : Hunc ipsum , mihi hominem familiarissimum , nisi talis consul esset ut omnis vigilias , curas , cogitationes in rei publicae salute defigeret , consulem non putarem .
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This noble cause of which I am the advocate has made me popular, a man who (as you know) has always opposed the rashness of the people. And those men are called, or rather they call themselves, consulars; though no man is worthy of that name except those who can support so high an honor. Will you favor an enemy? Will you let him send you letters about his hopes of success? Will you be glad to produce them? to read them? Will you even give them to wicked citizens to take copies of? Will you thus raise their courage? Will you thus damp the hopes and valor of the good? And then will you think yourself a consular, or a senator, or even a citizen! Caius Pansa, a most fearless and virtuous consul, will take what I say in good part. For I will speak with a disposition most friendly to him; but I should not consider him himself a consul, though a man with whom I am most intimate, unless he was such a consul as to devote all his vigilance, and cares, and thoughts to the safety of the republic. |