Orations |
Translator: C. D. Yonge
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| 37 |
Equidem is sum qui istos plausus , cum popularibus civibus tribuerentur , semper contempserim ; idemque cum a summis , mediis , infimis , cum denique ab universis hoc idem fit , cumque ei qui ante sequi populi consensum solebant fugiunt , non plausum illum , sed iudicium puto . Sin haec leviora vobis videntur quae sunt gravissima , num etiam hoc contemnitis quod sensistis tam caram populo Romano vitam A . Hirti fuisse ? Satis erat enim probatum illum esse populo Romano , ut est ; iucundum amicis , in quo vincit omnis ; carum suis , quibus est ipse carissimus : tantam tamen sollicitudinem bonorum , tantum timorem omnium in quo meminimus ? Certe in nullo .
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I myself, indeed, am a man who have at all times despised that applause which is bestowed by the vulgar crowd, but at the same time, when it is bestowed by those of the highest, and of the middle, and of the lowest rank, and, in short, by all ranks together, and when those men who were previously accustomed to aim at nothing but the favour of the people keep aloof, I then think that, not mere applause, but a deliberate verdict. If this appears to you unimportant, which is in reality most significant, do you also despise the fact of which you have had experience,—namely, that the life of Aulus Hirtius is so dear to the Roman people? For it was sufficient for him to be esteemed by the Roman people as he is; to be popular among his friends, in which respect he surpasses everybody; to be beloved by his own kinsmen, who love him beyond measure; but in whose case before do we ever recollect such anxiety and such fear being manifested? Certainly in no one's. |
| 38 |
Quid igitur ? hoc vos , per deos immortalis ! quale sit non interpretamini ? Quid ? eos de vestra vita cogitare non censetis quibus eorum quos sperant rei publicae consulturos vita tam cara sit ? Cepi fructum , patres conscripti , reversionis meae , quoniam et ea dixi , ut quicumque casus consecutus esset , exstaret constantiae meae testimonium , et sum a vobis benigne ac diligenter auditus . Quae potestas si mihi saepius sine meo vestroque periculo fiet , utar : si minus , quantum potero , non tam mihi me quam rei publicae reservabo . Mihi fere satis est quod vixi vel ad aetatem vel ad gloriam : huc si quid accesserit , non tam mihi quam vobis reique publicae accesserit .
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What then, are we to do? In the name of the immortal gods, can you interpret these facts, and see what is their purport? What do you think that those men think of your lives, to whom the lives of those men who they hope will consult the welfare of the republic are so dear? I have reaped, O conscript fathers, the reward of my return, since I have said enough to bear testimony of my consistency whatever event may befall me, and since I have been kindly and attentively listened to by you. And if I have such opportunities frequently without exposing both myself and you to danger, I shall avail myself of them. If not, as far as I can I shall reserve myself not for myself, but rather for the republic. I have lived long enough for the course of human life, or for my own glory. If any additional life is granted to me, it shall be bestowed not so much on myself as on you and on the republic. |
| 39 |
IN M . ANTONIVM ORATIO PHILIPPICA SECVNDA Quonam meo fato , patres conscripti , fieri dicam ut nemo his annis viginti rei publicae fuerit hostis qui non bellum eodem tempore mihi quoque indixerit ? Nec vero necesse est quemquam a me nominari : vobiscum ipsi recordamini . Mihi poenarum illi plus quam optarem dederunt : te miror , Antoni , quorum facta imitere , eorum exitus non perhorrescere . Atque hoc in aliis minus mirabar . Nemo enim illorum inimicus mihi fuit voluntarius : omnes a me rei publicae causa lacessiti . Tu ne verbo quidem violatus , ut audacior quam Catilina , furiosior quam Clodius viderere , ultro me maledictis lacessisti , tuamque a me alienationem commendationem tibi ad impios civis fore putavisti .
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THE SECOND SPEECH OF M. T. CICERO AGAINST MARCUS ANTONIUS. CALLED ALSO THE SECOND PHILIPPIC. To what destiny of mine, O conscript fathers, shall I say that it is owing, that none for the last twenty years has been an enemy to the republic without at the same time declaring war against me? Nor is there any necessity for naming any particular person; you yourselves recollect instances in proof of my statement. They have all hitherto suffered severer punishments than I could have wished for them; but I marvel that you, O Antonius, do not fear the end of these men whose conduct you are imitating. And in others I was less surprised at this. None of those men of former times was a voluntary enemy to me; all of them were attacked by me for the sake of the republic. But you, who have never been injured by me, not even by a word, in order to appear more audacious than Catiline, more frantic than Clodius, have of your own accord attacked me with abuse, and have considered that your alienation from me would be a recommendation of you to impious citizens. What am I to think? that I have been despised? |
| 40 |
Quid putem ? contemptumne me ? Non video nec in vita nec in gratia nec in rebus gestis nec in hac mea mediocritate ingeni quid despicere possit Antonius . An in senatu facillime de me detrahi posse credidit ? qui ordo clarissimis civibus bene gestae rei publicae testimonium multis , mihi uni conservatae dedit . An decertare mecum voluit contentione dicendi ? Hoc quidem est beneficium . Quid enim plenius , quid uberius quam mihi et pro me et contra Antonium dicere ? Illud profecto : non existimavit sui similibus probari posse se esse hostem patriae , nisi mihi esset inimicus .
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I see nothing either in my life, or in my influence in the city, or in my exploits, or even in the moderate abilities with which I am endowed, which Antonius can despise. Did he think that it was easiest to disparage me in the senate? a body which has borne its testimony in favour of many most illustrious Citizens that they governed the republic well, but in favour of me alone, of all men, that I preserved it. Or did he wish to contend with me in a rivalry of eloquence? This, indeed, is an act of generosity; for what could be a more fertile or richer subject for me, than to have to speak in defence of myself and against Antonius? This, in fact, is the truth. He thought it impossible to prove to the satisfaction of those men who resembled himself, that he was an enemy to his country, if he was not also an enemy to me. |
| 41 |
Cui prius quam de ceteris rebus respondeo , de amicitia quam a me violatam esse criminatus est , quod ego gravissimum crimen iudico , pauca dicam .
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And before I make him any reply on the other topics of his speech, I will say a few words respecting the friendship formerly subsisting between us, which he has accused me of violating,—for that I consider a most serious charge. |
| 42 |
Contra rem suam me nescio quando venisse questus est . An ego non venirem contra alienum pro familiari et necessario , non venirem contra gratiam non virtutis spe , sed aetatis flore conlectam , non venirem contra iniuriam quam iste intercessoris iniquissimi beneficio obtinuit , non iure praetorio ? Sed hoc idcirco commemoratum a te puto ut te infimo ordini commendares , cum omnes te recordarentur libertini generum et liberos tuos nepotes Q . Fadi , libertini hominis , fuisse . At enim te in disciplinam meam tradideras —nam ita dixisti —domum meam ventitaras . Ne tu , si id fecisses , melius famae , melius pudicitiae tuae consuluisses . Sed neque fecisti nec , si cuperes , tibi id per C . Curionem facere licuisset . Auguratus petitionem mihi te concessisse dixisti . O incredibilem audaciam , o impudentiam praedicandam ! Quo enim tempore me augurem a toto conlegio expetitum Cn . Pompeius et Q . Hortensius nominaverunt —nec enim licebat a pluribus nominari —tu nec solvendo eras nec te ullo modo nisi eversa re publica incolumem fore putabas . Poteras autem eo tempore auguratum petere cum in Italia Curio non esset , aut tum cum es factus unam tribum sine Curione ferre potuisses ? cuius etiam familiares de vi condemnati sunt , quod tui nimis studiosi fuissent .
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He has complained that I pleaded once against his interest. Was I not to plead against one with whom I was quite unconnected, in behalf of an intimate acquaintance, of a dear friend? Was I not to plead against interest acquired not by hopes of virtue, but by the disgrace of youth? Was I not to react against an injustice which that man procured to be done by the obsequiousness of a most iniquitous interposer of his veto, not by any law regulating the privileges of the praetor? But I imagine that this was mentioned by you, in order that you might recommend yourself to the citizens, if they all recollected that you were the son-in-law of a freedman, and that your children were the grandsons of Quintus Fadius a freedman. But you had entirely devoted yourself to my principles; (for this is what you said;) you had been in the habit of coming to my house. In truth, if you had done so, you would more have consulted your own character and your reputation for chastity. But you did not do so, nor, if you had wished it, would Caius Curio have ever suffered you to do so. You have said, that you retired in my favour from the contest for the augurship. Oh the incredible audacity! oh the monstrous impudence of such an assertion! For, at the time when Cnaeus Pompeius and Quintus Hortensius named me as augur, after I had been wished for as such by the whole college, (for it was not lawful for me to be put in nomination by more than two members of the college,) you were notoriously insolvent, nor did you think it possible for your safety to be secured by any other means than by the destruction of the republic. But was it possible for you to stand for the augurship at a time when Curio was not in Italy? or even at the time when you were elected, could you have got the votes of one single tribe without the aid of Curio? whose intimate friends even were convicted of violence for having been too zealous in your favour. |
| 43 |
At beneficio sum tuo usus . Quo ? Quamquam illud ipsum quod commemoras semper prae me tuli : malui me tibi debere confiteri quam cuiquam minus prudenti non satis gratus videri . Sed quo beneficio ? quod me Brundisi non occideris ? Quem ipse victor qui tibi , ut tute gloriari solebas , detulerat ex latronibus suis principatum , salvum esse voluisset , in Italiam ire iussisset , eum tu occideres ? Fac potuisse . Quod est aliud , patres conscripti , beneficium latronum nisi ut commemorare possint eis se dedisse vitam quibus non ademerint ? Quod si esset beneficium , numquam qui illum interfecerunt a quo erant conservati , quos tu ipse clarissimos viros soles appellare , tantam essent gloriam consecuti . Quale autem beneficium est quod te abstinueris nefario scelere ? Qua in re non tam iucundum mihi videri debuit non interfectum me a te quam miserum te id impune facere potuisse .
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But I availed myself of your friendly assistance. Of what assistance? Although the instance which you cite I have myself at all times openly admitted. I preferred confessing that I was under obligations to you, to letting myself appear to any foolish person not sufficiently grateful. However, what was the kindness that you did me? not killing me at Brundusium? Would you then have slain the man whom the conqueror himself who conferred on you, as you used to boast, the chief rank among all his robbers, had desired to be safe, and had enjoined to go to Italy? Grant that you could have slain him, is not this, O conscript fathers, such a kindness as is done by banditti, who are contented with being able to boast that they have granted their lives to all those men whose lives they have not taken? and if that were really a kindness, then those who slew that man by whom they themselves had been saved, and whom you yourself are in the habit of styling most illustrious men, would never have acquired such immortal glory. But what sort of kindness is it, to have abstained from committing nefarious wickedness? It is a case in which it ought not to appear so delightful to me not to have been killed by you, as miserable, that it should have been in your power to do such a thing with impunity. |
| 44 |
Sed sit beneficium , quando quidem maius accipi a latrone nullum potuit : in quo potes me dicere ingratum ? An de interitu rei publicae queri non debui , ne in te ingratus viderer ? At in illa querela misera quidem et luctuosa , sed mihi pro hoc gradu in quo me senatus populusque Romanus conlocavit necessaria , quid est dictum a me cum contumelia , quid non moderate , quid non amice ? Quod quidem cuius temperantiae fuit , de M . Antonio querentem abstinere maledicto , praesertim cum tu reliquias rei publicae dissipavisses , cum domi tuae turpissimo mercatu omnia essent venalia , cum leges eas quae numquam promulgatae essent et de te et a te latas confiterere , cum auspicia augur , intercessionem consul sustulisses , cum esses foedissime stipatus armatis , cum omnis impuritates impudica in domo cotidie susciperes vino lustrisque confectus .
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I, however, grant that it was a kindness, since no greater kindness could be received from a robber, still in what point can you call me ungrateful? Ought I not to complain of the ruin of the republic, lest I should appear ungrateful towards you? But in that complaint, mournful indeed and miserable, but still unavoidable for a man of that rank in which the senate and people of Rome have placed me, what did I say that was insulting? that was otherwise than moderate? that was otherwise than friendly? and what instance was it not of moderation to complain of the conduct of Marcus Antonius, and yet to abstain from any abusive expressions? especially when you had scattered abroad all relics of the republic; when everything was on sale at your house by the most infamous traffic; when you confessed that those laws which had never been promulgated, had been passed with reference to you, and by you; when you, being augur, had abolished the auspices, being consul, had taken away the power of interposing the veto; when you were escorted in the most shameful manner by armed guards; when, worn out with drunkenness and debauchery, you were every day performing all sorts of obscenities in that chaste house of yours. |
| 45 |
At ego , tamquam mihi cum M . Crasso contentio esset , quocum multae et magnae fuerunt , non cum uno gladiatore nequissimo , de re publica graviter querens de homine nihil dixi . Itaque hodie perficiam ut intellegat quantum a me beneficium tum acceperit .
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But I, as if I had to contend against Marcus Crassus, with whom I have had many severe struggles, and not with a most worthless gladiator, while complaining in dignified language of the state of the republic did not say one word which could be called personal. Therefore, today I will make him understand with what great kindness he was then treated by me. |
| 46 |
At etiam litteras , quas me sibi misisse diceret , recitavit homo et humanitatis expers et vitae communis ignarus . Quis enim umquam qui paulum modo bonorum consuetudinem nosset , litteras ad se ab amico missas offensione aliqua interposita in medium protulit palamque recitavit ? Quid est aliud tollere ex vita vitae societatem , tollere amicorum conloquia absentium ? Quam multa ioca solent esse in epistulis quae , prolata si sint , inepta videantur , quam multa seria neque tamen ullo modo divolganda ! Sit hoc inhumanitatis : stultitiam incredibilem videte . Quid habes quod mihi opponas , homo diserte , ut Mustelae tamen Seio et Tironi Numisio videris ? Qui cum hoc ipso tempore stent cum gladiis in conspectu senatus , ego quoque te disertum putabo , si ostenderis quo modo sis eos inter sicarios defensurus . Sed quid opponas tandem , si negem me umquam ad te istas litteras misisse ? Quo me teste convincas ? An chirographo ? in quo habes scientiam quaestuosam . Qui possis ? sunt enim librari manu . Iam invideo magistro tuo , qui te tanta mercede quantam iam proferam nihil sapere doceat .
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But he also read letters which he said that I had sent to him, like a man devoid of humanity and ignorant of the common usages of life. For who ever, who was even but slightly acquainted with the habits of polite men, produced in an assembly and openly read letters which had been sent to him by a friend, just because some quarrel had arisen between them? Is not this destroying all companionship in life, destroying the means by which absent friends converse together? How many jests are frequently put in letters, which if they were produced in public, would appear stupid! How many serious opinions, which, for all that, ought not to be published! Let this be a proof of your utter ignorance of courtesy. Now mark, also, his incredible folly. What have you to oppose to me, O you eloquent man, as you seem at least to Mustela Tamisius, and to Tiro Numisius? And while these men are standing at this very time in the sight of the senate with drawn swords, I too will think you an eloquent man if you will show bow you would defend them if they were charged with being assassins, However, what answer would you make if I were to deny that I ever sent those letters to you? By what evidence could you convict me? by my handwriting? Of handwriting indeed you have a lucrative knowledge. How can you prove it in that manner? for the letters are written by an amanuensis. By this time I envy your teacher, who for all that payment, which I shall mention presently, has taught you to know nothing. |
| 47 |
Quid enim est minus non dico oratoris , sed hominis quam id obicere adversario quod ille si verbo negarit longius progredi non possit qui obiecerit ? At ego non nego , teque in isto ipso convinco non inhumanitatis solum sed etiam amentiae . Quod enim verbum in istis litteris est non plenum humanitatis , offici , benevolentiae ? Omne autem crimen tuum est quod de te in his litteris non male existimem , quod scribam tamquam ad civem , tamquam ad bonum virum , non tamquam ad sceleratum et latronem . At ego tuas litteras , etsi iure poteram a te lacessitus , tamen non proferam : quibus petis ut tibi per me liceat quendam de exsilio reducere , adiurasque id te invito me non esse facturum ; idque a me impetras . Quid enim me interponerem audaciae tuae , quam neque auctoritas huius ordinis neque existimatio populi Romani neque leges ullae possent coercere ?
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For what can be less like, I do not say an orator, but a man, than to reproach an adversary with a thing which if be denies by one single word, he who has reproached him cannot advance one step further? But I do not deny it; and in this very point I convict you not only of inhumanity but also of madness. For what expression is there in those letters which is not full of humanity and service and benevolence? and the whole of your charge amounts to this, that I do not express a bad opinion of you in those letters; that in them I wrote as to a citizen, and as to a virtuous man, not as to a wicked man and a robber. But your letters I will not produce, although I fairly might, now that I am thus challenged by you; letters in which you beg of me that you may be enabled by my consent to procure the recall of some one from exile; and you will not attempt it if I have any objection, and you prevail on me by your entreaties. For why should I put myself in the way of your audacity? when neither the authority of this body, nor the opinion of the Roman people, nor any laws are able to restrain you. |
| 48 |
Verum tamen quid erat quod me rogares , si erat is de quo rogabas Caesaris lege reductus ? Sed videlicet meam gratiam voluit esse , in quo ne ipsius quidem ulla esse poterat lege lata .
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However, what was the object of your addressing these entreaties to me, if the man for whom you were entreating was already restored by a law of Caesar's? I suppose the truth was, that he wished it to be done by me as a favour; in which matter there could not be any favour done even by himself, if a law was already passed for the purpose. |
| 49 |
Sed cum mihi , patres conscripti , et pro me aliquid et in M . Antonium multa dicenda sint , alterum peto a vobis ut me pro me dicentem benigne , alterum ipse efficiam ut , contra illum cum dicam , attente audiatis . Simul illud oro : si meam cum in omni vita tum in dicendo moderationem modestiamque cognostis , ne me hodie , cum isti , ut provocavit , respondero , oblitum esse putetis mei . Non tractabo ut consulem : ne ille quidem me ut consularem . Etsi ille nullo modo consul , vel quod ita vivit vel quod ita rem publicam gerit vel quod ita factus est ; ego sine ulla controversia consularis . Vt igitur intellegeretis qualem ipse se consulem profiteretur , obiecit mihi consulatum meum . Qui consulatus verbo meus , patres conscripti , re vester fuit . Quid enim ego constitui , quid gessi , quid egi nisi ex huius ordinis consilio , auctoritate , sententia ? Haec tu homo sapiens , non solum eloquens , apud eos quorum consilio sapientiaque gesta sunt ausus es vituperare ? Quis autem meum consulatum praeter te et P . Clodium qui vituperaret inventus est ? cuius quidem tibi fatum , sicuti C . Curioni , manet , quoniam id domi tuae est quod fuit illorum utrique fatale .
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But as, O conscript fathers, I have many things which I must say both in my own defence and against Marcus Antonius, one thing I ask you, that you will listen to me with kindness while I am speaking for myself; the other I will ensure myself, namely, that you shall listen to me with attention while speaking against him. At the same time also, I beg this of you; that if you have been acquainted with my moderation and modesty throughout my whole life, and especially as a speaker, you will not, when today I answer this man in the spirit in which he has attacked me, think that I have forgotten my usual character. I will not treat him as a consul, for he did not treat me as a man of consular rank; and although he in no respect deserves to be considered a consul, whether we regard his way of life, or his principle of governing the republic, or the manner in which he was elected, I am beyond all dispute a man of consular rank. That, therefore, you might understand what sort of a consul he professed to be himself, he reproached me with my consulship;—a consulship which, O conscript fathers, was in name, indeed, mine, but in reality yours. For what did I determine, what did I contrive, what did I do, that was not determined, contrived, or done, by the counsel and authority and in accordance with the sentiments of this order I And have you, O wise man, O man not merely eloquent dared to find fault with these actions before the very men by whose counsel and wisdom they were performed? But who was ever found before, except Publius Clodius, to find fault with my consulship? And his fate indeed awaits you, as it also awaited Caius Curio; since that is now in your house which was fatal to each of them. |
| 50 |
Non placet M . Antonio consulatus meus . At placuit P . Servilio , ut eum primum nominem ex illius temporis consularibus qui proxime est mortuus ; placuit Q . Catulo , cuius semper in hac re publica vivet auctoritas ; placuit duobus Lucullis , M . Crasso , Q . Hortensio , C . Curioni , C . Pisoni , M ' . Glabrioni , M ' . Lepido , L . Volcatio , C . Figulo , D . Silano , L . Murenae , qui tum erant consules designati ; placuit idem quod consularibus M . Catoni , qui cum multa vita excedens providit , tum quod te consulem non vidit . Maxime vero consulatum meum Cn . Pompeius probavit qui , ut me primum decedens ex Syria vidit , complexus et gratulans meo beneficio patriam se visurum esse dixit . Sed quid singulos commemoro ? Frequentissimo senatui sic placuit ut esset nemo qui mihi non ut parenti gratias ageret , qui mihi non vitam suam , fortunas , liberos , rem publicam referret acceptam .
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Marcus Antonius disapproves of my consulship; but it was approved of by Publius Servilius—to name that man first of the men of consular rank who had died most recently. It was approved of by Quintus Catulus, whose authority will always carry weight in this republic; it was approved of by the two Luculli, by Marcus Crassus, by Quintus Hortensius, by Caius Curio, by Caius Piso, by Marcus Glabrio, by Marcus Lepidus, by Lucius Volcatius, by Caius Figulus, by Decimus Silanus and Lucius Murena, who at that time were the consuls elect, the same consulship also which was approved of by those men of consular rank, was approved of by Marcus Cato; who escaped many evils by departing from this life, and especially the evil of seeing you consul. But, above all, my consulship was approved of by Cnaeus Pompeius, who, when he first saw me, as he was leaving Syria, embracing me and congratulating me, said, that it was owing to my services that he was about to see his country again. But why should I mention individuals? It was approved of by the senate, in a very full house, so completely, that there was no one who did not thank me as if I had been his parent, who did not attribute to me the salvation of his life, of his fortunes, of his children, and of the republic. |
| 51 |
Sed quoniam illis quos nominavi tot et talibus viris res publica orbata est , veniamus ad vivos qui duo de consularium numero reliqui sunt . L . Cotta , vir summo ingenio summaque prudentia , rebus eis gestis quas tu reprehendis supplicationem decrevit verbis amplissimis , eique illi ipsi quos modo nominavi consulares senatusque cunctus adsensus est ; qui honos post conditam hanc urbem habitus est togato ante me nemini .
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But since the republic has been now deprived of those men whom I have named, many and illustrious as they were, let us come to the living, since two of the men of consular rank are still left to us: Lucius Cotta, a man of the greatest genius and the most consummate prudence, proposed a supplication in my honour for those very actions with which you find fault, in the most complimentary language, and those very men of consular rank whom I have named, and the whole senate, adopted his proposal; an honour which has never been paid to any one else in the garb of peace from the foundation of the city to my time. |
| 52 |
L . Caesar , avunculus tuus , qua oratione , qua constantia , qua gravitate sententiam dixit in sororis suae virum , vitricum tuum ! Hunc tu cum auctorem et praeceptorem omnium consiliorum totiusque vitae debuisses habere , vitrici te similem quam avunculi maluisti . Huius ego alienus consiliis consul usus sum : tu , sororis filius , ecquid ad eum umquam de re publica rettulisti ? At ad quos refert ? di immortales ! Ad eos scilicet quorum nobis etiam dies natales audiendi sunt . Hodie non descendit Antonius .
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With what eloquence, with what firm wisdom, with what a weight of authority did Lucius Caesar your uncle, pronounce his opinion against the husband of his own sister, your stepfather. But you, when you ought to have taken him as your adviser and tutor in all your designs, and in the whole conduct of your life, preferred being like your stepfather to resembling your uncle. I, Who had no connection with him, acted by his counsels while I was consul. Did you, who were his sister's son, ever once consult him on the affairs of the republic? But who are they whom Antonius does consult? O ye immortal gods, they are men whose birthdays we have still to learn. Today Antonius is not coming down. |
| 53 |
Cur ? Dat nataliciam in hortis . Cui ? Neminem nominabo : putate tum Phormioni alicui , tum Gnathoni , tum etiam Ballioni . O foeditatem hominis flagitiosam , o impudentiam , nequitiam , libidinem non ferendam ! Tu cum principem senatorem , civem singularem tam propinquum habeas , ad eum de re publica nihil referas , referas ad eos qui suam rem nullam habent , tuam exhauriunt ? Tuus videlicet salutaris consulatus , perniciosus meus .
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Why? He is celebrating the birthday feast at his villa. In whose honor? I will name no one. Suppose it is in honor of some Phormio, or Gnatho, or even Ballio. Oh the abominable profligacy of the man! oh how intolerable is his impudence, his debauchery, and his lust! Can you, when you have one of the chiefs of the senate, a citizen of singular virtue, so nearly related to you, abstain from ever consulting him on the affairs of the republic, and consult men who have no property whatever of their own, and are draining yours? |
| 54 |
Adeone pudorem cum pudicitia perdidisti ut hoc in eo templo dicere ausus sis in quo ego senatum illum qui quondam florens orbi terrarum praesidebat consulebam , tu homines perditissimos cum gladiis conlocavisti ? At etiam ausus es —quid autem est quod tu non audeas ?—clivum Capitolinum dicere me consule plenum servorum armatorum fuisse . Vt illa , credo , nefaria senatus consulta fierent , vim adferebam senatui . O miser , sive illa tibi nota non sunt —nihil enim boni nosti —sive sunt , qui apud talis viros tam impudenter loquare ! Quis enim eques Romanus , quis praeter te adulescens nobilis , quis ullius ordinis qui se civem esse meminisset , cum senatus in hoc templo esset , in clivo Capitolino non fuit , quis nomen non dedit ? quamquam nec scribae sufficere nec tabulae nomina illorum capere potuerunt .
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Yes, your consulship, forsooth, is a salutary one for the state, mine a mischievous one. Have you so entirely lost all shame as well as all chastity, that you could venture to say this in that temple in which I was consulting that senate which formerly in the full enjoyment of its honors presided over the world? And did you place around it abandoned men armed with swords? But you have dared besides (what is there which you would not dare?) to say that the Capito line Hill, when I was consul was full of aimed slaves. I was offering violence to the senate, I suppose, in order to compel the adoption of those infamous decrees of the senate. O wretched man, whether those things are not known to you (for you know nothing that is good), or whether they are, when you dare to speak so shamelessly before such men! For what Roman knight was there, what youth of noble birth except you, what man of any rank or class who recollected that he was a citizen, who was not on the Capitoline Hill while the senate was assembled in this temple? who was there, who did not give in his name? Although there could not be provided checks enough, nor were the books able to contain their names. |