25.
[50]
And I need not remind you with what terror all good men were seized in consequence of these
occurrences, and how entirely they would all have despaired of the republic if he had been
made consul. All this you yourselves recollect; for you remember, when the expressions of that
wicked gladiator got abroad, which he was said to have used at a meeting at his own house,
when he said that it was impossible for any faithful defender of the miserable citizens to be
found, except a man who was himself miserable; that men in an embarrassed and desperate
condition ought not to trust the promises of men of a flourishing and fortunate estate; and
therefore that those who were desirous to replace what they had spent, and to recover what
they had lost, had better consider what he himself owed, what he possessed, and what he would
dare to do; that that man ought to be very fearless and thoroughly overwhelmed by misfortune,
who was to be the leader and standard-bearer of unfortunate men.
[51]
Then, therefore, when these things had been heard, you recollect that a
resolution of the senate was passed, on my motion, that the comitia should not be held the next day, in order that we might be able to discuss
these matters in the senate. Accordingly, the next day, in a full meeting of the senate, I
addressed Catiline himself; and desired him, if he could, to some explanation of these reports
which had been brought to me. And he—for he was not much addicted to disguising his
intentions—did not attempt to clear himself; but openly avowed and adopted the
statements. For he said then, that there were two bodies of the republic,—the one
weak with a weak head, the other powerful without a head,—and that, as this last had
deserved well of him, it should never want a head as long as he lived. The whole senate
groaned at hearing itself addressed in such language, and passed a resolution not severe
enough for such unworthy conduct; for some of them were against too rigorous a resolution,
because they had no fear; and some, because they had a great deal. Then he rushed forth from
the senate, triumphing and exulting,—a man who never ought to have been allowed to
leave it alive, especially as that very same man in the same place had made
answer to Cato, that gallant man who was threatening him with a prosecution, a few days
before, that if any fire were kindled against his own fortunes, he would put it out not with
water, but by the general ruin.
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