THE

ARGUMENT.

TH

HE following Speech was pronounced in the Senate, upon the Debate about the Punishment proper to be inflicted on the Confpira

tors.

Some of the Senators, particularly Cæfar, were of Opinion, that they ought to be confined to perpetual Imprisonment in the Municipal Cities; others at the Head of whom was Silanus, were for putting them immediately to Death. Though the last Opinion was most agreeable to Tully, be does not in the following Oration declare for it; but leaves the Decifion entirely to the Senate, after fetting forth the Enormity of the Confpirators, which he does with great Acrimony and

Art.

M. T.

雞

Perceive, Fathers Confcript, that
every Look is turned, that every
Eye is fixed upon me.
I per-

ceive that you are anxious, not only about the Dangers that threaten yourselves, and your Country, but were these repelled, for those that may affect me. This kind Concern in Calamity is pleafing, and in Sorrow obliging: But by the Immortal Gods, I con

jure you to lay it afide; and, forgetful of my Prefervation, to study that of yourselves and Families. For my own Part, could I enjoy the Confulate, only upon the Terms of my being subjected to Cruelty, Pain, and Anguish of every kind, I would bear them, not with Courage only, but with Pleasure, provided that from these my Sufferings, you and the People of Rome were to derive Dignity and Security.

I, FATHERS Conscript, am that Conful to whom the Forum, that Center of all Equity; to whom the Field hallowed by confular Aufpices; to whom the Senate-House, the highest Tribunal of Relief to all Nations; to whom domeftic Walls, the Shelter of all befides; to whom not even the Couch fet apart for Repofe; nay not this Seat of Dignity, nor this Chair of State, have been free from Treachery, and the Perils of Death. Much have I concealed; much have I borne; much have I yielded; and much, with my own Pain, have I healed, while you trembled for the Event. Now if the Immortal Gods would grant this to be the Iffue of my Confulship, that I should fnatch you, Fathers Confcript, and the People of Rome, from difmal Maffacre; your Wives, VOL. II.

H

your

}

your Children, and the Vestal Virgins, from outrageous Perfecution; our Temples and Altars, with this our lovely Country, from execrable Flames; and all Italy from War and Defolation, let me be fingled out to fuffer whatever Fate fhall inflict; for if Publius Lentulus, deluded by Fortune-tellers, thought that his Name was ominous to the Destruction of this State, why may not I rejoice that my Confulfhip has, in a great Measure, been decreed by Fate for its Preservation.

THEREFORE, Fathers Conscript, think on yourselves; provide for your Country; preferve your Order, your Wives, your Children, your Fortunes; protect the Majefty and the Lives of the People of Rome; but forbear your Tenderness and Concern for me. For,

in

a See p, 73. 1. 23.

The Romans very feldom condemned any free Citizen to Death. They were often allowed to go into Banishment, which was reckoned a Sort of Death, as it deprived them of all their Privileges. The Confuls or Dictators, and fometimes private Men, flew the Ringleaders of a Tumult; but it was only winked at, as a Thing neceffary on fome Emergencies, rather than lawful. Every free Citizen had the Liberty of an Appeal from the Senate to the People. Cicero very well knew, that all the Odium of putting the Confpirators to Death, would certainly fall upon him, as he was Conful, and the most active Person in quelling the Confpiracy. For this Reason he avoids declaring himself openly for Silanus's Opinion, but at the fame Time defires them to deliver their Opinions freely, without having any Regard to what might befall him afterwards. For every Act of

the

in the first Place, I have Grounds to hope, that all the Gods, the Guardians of this City, will requite me according to my Deferts. Then should any thing happen, with Refignation and Refolution am I prepared to die; for to the Brave, Death can never be difhonourable; to the Confular untimely; nor, to the Wife afflicting. Not that I am so steel'd. as to be unmoved by the Grief of this my dear and affectionate Brother, and the Tears of the worthy Perfons whom you see here present to surround me. Let me own too that a difpirited Wife; a Daughter difmayed with her Fears; and an Infant-Son, whom I imagine my Country now embraces as the Pledge of my Conduct; this my Son-in-Law, whom I fee waiting the Event of this Day, often recalls my Mind to domeftic Endearments. Still these Objects give me Concern; but a Concern how they and you may be preserved, even though I were taken off by Violence, rather

H 2

the Senate, or People, was always afcribed to that Person who fummoned the Affembly; as he alone prefided, and put the Question: So that the Odium of putting the Confpirators to Death, though voted by the Senate would as certainly fall upon Cicero, as if he had done it without their Advice. This really was the Cafe, and he was afterwards banished for paffing this very Decree.

с

2. Cicero, a very brave Man, and good Soldier.

C. Calpurnius Pifo was at this Time married to Tullia, Ciero's Daughter.