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9.
However, I have been speaking hitherto to avoid the appearance of gratuitously
opposing a man who is a great friend of mine, and who has showed me great
kindness. Although, can one deny a thing to a person who not only does not ask
for it, but who even refuses it?
[21]
But, O
conscript fathers, that proposition is unsuited to the dignity of the consuls,
unsuited to the critical character of the times; namely, the proposition that
the consuls, for the sake of pursuing Dolabella, shall have the provinces of
Asia and Syria allotted to them. I will explain why it
is inexpedient for the republic; but first of all, consider what ignominy it
fixes on the consuls. When a consul elect is being besieged, when the safety of
the republic depends upon his liberation, when mischievous and parricidal
citizens have revolted from the republic, and when we are carrying on a war in
which we are fighting for our dignity, for our freedom, and for our lives; and
when, if any one falls into the power of Antonius, tortures and torments are
prepared for him; and when the struggle for all these objects has been committed
and entrusted to our most admirable and gallant consuls,—shall any
mention be made of Asia and Syria, so that we may appear to have given any
injurious cause for others to entertain suspicion of us, or to bring us into
unpopularity?
[22]
They do indeed propose it,
“after having liberated Brutus,”—for those were
the last words of the proposal; say rather, after having deserted, abandoned,
and betrayed him.
But I say that any mention whatever of any provinces has been made at a most
unseasonable time. For although your mind, O Caius Pansa, be ever so intent, as
indeed it is, on effecting the liberation of the most brave and illustrious of
all men, still the nature of things would compel you inevitably sometimes to
turn your thoughts to the idea of pursuing Antonius, and to divert some portion
of your care and attention to Asia and
Syria But if it were possible I could wish you to have more minds than one and
yet to direct them all upon Mutina.
But since that is impossible, I do wish you, with that most virtuous and all
accomplished mind which you have got, to think of nothing but Brutus.
[23]
And that indeed, is what you are doing; that is what
you are especially striving at; but still no man can, I will not say do two
things, especially two most important things, at one time, but he can not even
do entire justice to them both in his thoughts. It is our duty rather to spur on
and inflame that excellent eagerness of yours, and not to transfer any portion
of it to another object of care in a different direction.
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