14.
To these words Caesar thus replied:-that "on that very
account he felt less hesitation, because he kept in remembrance those
circumstances which the Helvetian embassadors had mentioned, and
that he felt the more indignant at them, in proportion as they had happened
undeservedly to the Roman people: for if they had
been conscious of having done any wrong, it would not have been difficult to be
on their guard, but for that very reason had they been deceived, because neither
were they aware that any offense had been given by them, on account of which
they should be afraid, nor did they think that they ought to be afraid without
cause. But even if he were willing to forget their former outrage, could he also
lay aside the remembrance of the late wrongs, in that they had against his will
attempted a route through the Province by force, in that they had molested the
Aedui, the Ambarri, and the
Allobroges? That as to their so insolently boasting of their
victory, and as to their being astonished that they had so long committed their
outrages with impunity, [both these things] tended to the same point; for the
immortal gods are wont to allow those persons whom they wish to punish for their
guilt sometimes a greater prosperity and longer impunity, in order that they may
suffer the more severely from a reverse of circumstances. Although these things
are so, yet, if hostages were to be given him by them in order that he may be
assured these will do what they promise, and provided they will give
satisfaction to the Aedui for the outrages which they had committed
against them and their allies, and likewise to the Allobroges, he
[Caesar] will make peace with them."
Divico replied, that "the Helvetii
had been so trained by their ancestors, that they were accustomed to receive,
not to give hostages; of that fact the Roman people
were witness." Having given this reply, he withdrew.
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