6.
[18]
At present we will speak of the accusation touching the death of Saturninus, and of the
death of your most illustrious uncle. You say in impeachment of my client, that Lucius
Saturninus was slain by Caius Rabirius. And Rabirius has already proved that to be false by
the evidence of many men, when Quintus Hortensius defended him at great length. But I, if I
had to begin the defence anew, would brave this charge, would acknowledge its truth, would
avow it. I only wish that the state of my client's cause would give me the opportunity of
making this statement, that Lucius Saturninus, the enemy of the Roman people, was slain by the
hand of Caius Rabirius. That outcry has no effect on me, but it rather consoles me, as it
shows that there are some citizens ignorant of the facts of the case, but not many. Never,
believe me, never would the Roman people which is silent around me, have made me consul if it
had supposed that I was going to be disturbed by your clamour. How much less is your noise
now! Repress your murmurs, the evidence of your folly, and the proof of the scantiness of your
numbers.
[19]
I would, I say, willingly confess, if I could with
truth, or even if the cause were not already discussed, that Lucius Saturninus was shun by the
band of Caius Rabirius; and I should think it a most glorious deed. But since I cannot do
that, I will confess this, which will have less weight with regard to our credit, but not less
with regard to the accusation—I confess that Caius Rabirius took up arms for the
purpose of slaying Saturninus. What is the matter, Labienus? What more weighty confession do
you expect from me; or what greater charge did you expect me to furnish against him? Unless
you think that there is any difference between him who slew the man, and him who was in arms
for the purpose of slaying him. If it was wrong for Saturninus to be slain, then arms cannot
have been taken up against Saturninus without guilt;—if you admit that arms were
lawfully taken up,—then you must inevitably confess that he was rightly slain.
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