[16]
I do assert to you, O Romans, that by this beautiful
agrarian law, by this law calculated solely for the good of the people, nothing whatever is
given to you, everything is sacrificed to a few particular men; that lands are displayed
before the eyes of the Roman people, liberty is taken away from them; that the fortunes of
some private individuals are increased, the public wealth is exhausted; and lastly, which is
the most scandalous thing of all, that by means of a tribune of the people, whom our
ancestors designed to be the protector and guardian of liberty, kings are being established
in the city. And when I have shown to you all the grounds for this statement, if they appear
to you to be erroneous, I will yield to your authority, I will abandon my own opinion, but if
you become aware that plots are laid against your liberty, under a pretence of liberality,
then do not hesitate, now that you have a consul to assist you, to defend that liberty which
was earned by the sweat and blood of your ancestors, and handed down to you, without any
trouble on your part.
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