[35]
What should I do, if Titus Labienus were to make a
slaughter of the citizens, like Lucius Saturninus? if he were to break open the prison? if he
had occupied the Capitol with armed men? I should do what Caius Marius did. I should refer the
matter to the senate; I should exhort you to defend the republic. I myself in arms should,
with your aid, resist the armed enemy. Now, when there is no suspicion of arms, when I see no
weapons, when there is no violence, or slaughter, or occupation of the Capitol and citadel,
but only a mischievous prosecution, a cruel trial, a business undertaken by a tribune of the
people contrary to the interests of the republic, I have not thought that I ought to summon
you to arms, but that it was sufficient to exhort you to give your votes against those who are
attacking your majesty. Therefore now I entreat, and beg, and implore all of you, not, as is
the old custom,
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