[68]
But now see the force of this agrarian law. Even those men who are in occupation of the
public domains will not quit possession, unless they are tempted by favourable conditions and
by a large sum of money. Matters are changed. Formerly when mention of an agrarian law was
made by a tribune of the people, immediately every one who was in occupation of any public
lands, or who had any possessions the tenure of which was in the least unpopular, began to be
alarmed. But this law enriches those men with fortunes, and relieves them from unpopularity.
For how many men, O Romans, do you suppose there are, who are unable to stand under the
extent of their possessions, who are unable to bear the unpopularity incurred by the
ownership of lands granted by Sulla? who wish to sell them, but cannot find a purchaser? who,
in fact, would be glad to get rid of those lands by any means whatever? They who, a little
while ago, were in constant dread, day and night, of the name of a tribune; who feared your
power, dreaded every mention of an agrarian law; they now will be begged and entreated to he
so good as to give up to the decemvirs those lands which are partly public property, the
possession of which is full of unpopularity and danger, at their own price. And this song
this tribune of the people is singing now, not to yell, but in his own heart to himself.
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