10.
[20]
Now, before I return to the decision, I will say a few words concerning myself. As numerous
as is the band of conspirators—and you see that it is very great,—so
numerous a multitude of enemies do I see that I have brought upon myself. But I consider them
base and powerless and despicable and abject. But if at any time that band shall be excited
by the wickedness and madness of any one, and shall show itself more powerful than your
dignity and that of the republic, yet. O conscript fathers, I shall never repent of my
actions and of my advice. Death, indeed, which they perhaps threaten me with, is prepared for
all men; such glory during life as you have honoured me with by your decrees no one has ever
attained to. For you have passed votes of congratulation to others for having governed the
republic successfully, but to me alone for having saved it
[21]
Let Scipio be thought illustrious, he by whose wisdom
and valour Hannibal was compelled to return into Africa, and to depart from Italy. Let the
second Africanus be extolled with conspicuous praise, who destroyed two cities most hostile
to this empire, Carthage and Numantia. Let Lucius Paullus be thought a great man, he whose
triumphal car was graced by Perses, previously a most powerful and noble
monarch. Let Marius be held in eternal honour, who twice delivered Italy from siege, and from
the fear of slavery. Let Pompey be preferred to them all—Pompey, whose exploits and
whose virtues are bounded by the same districts and limits as the course of the sun. There
will be, forsooth, among the praises of these men, some room for my glory, unless haply it be
a greater deed to open to us provinces whither we may fly, than to take care that those who
are at a distance may, when conquerors; have a home to return to.
[22]
Although in one point the circumstances of foreign triumph are better than those of
domestic victory; because foreign enemies, either if they be crushed become one's servants,
or if they be received into the state, think themselves bound to us by obligations; but those
of the number of citizens who become depraved by madness and once begin to be enemies to
their country,—those men, when you have defeated their attempts to injure the
republic, you can neither restrain by force nor conciliate by kindness. So that I see that an
eternal war with all wicked citizens has been undertaken by me; which, however, I am
confident can easily be driven back from me and mine by your aid, and by that of all good
men, and by the memory of such great dangers, which will remain, not only among this people
which has been saved, but in the discourse and minds of all nations forever. Nor, in truth,
can any power be found which will be able to undermine and destroy your union with the Roman
knights, and such unanimity as exists among all good men.
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