[
10]
Then arose the blessed Augustus, when his turn
came, and spoke with much eloquence.
1
“I call you to witness, my lords and gentlemen,” said he, " that since
the day I was made a god I have never uttered one word. I always mind my own
business. But now I can keep on the mask no longer, nor conceal the sorrow which
shame makes all the greater. Is it for this I have made peace by land and sea? For
this have I calmed intestine wars? For this, laid a firm foundation of law for Rome,
adorned it with buildings, and all that—gentlemen, words fail me; there
are none can rise to the height of my indignation. I must borrow that saying of the
eloquent Messala Corvinus, I am ashamed of my authority.
2 This man, my
lords, who looks as though he could not worry a fly, used to chop off heads as
easily as a dog sits down. But why should I speak of all those men, and such men?
There is no time to lament for public disasters, when one has so many private
sorrows to think of. I leave that, therefore, and say only this; for even if my
sister knows no Greek, I do: The knee is nearer than the shin.
3 This man you see, who for so many
[p. 395]
years has been masquerading under my name, has done me the favour of murdering two
Julias, greatgranddaughters of mine, one by cold steel and one by starvation; and
one great-grandson, L. Silanus. See, Jupiter, whether in a bad cause (at least it is
your own) you will be fair. Come tell me, blessed Claudius, why of all those you
killed, both men and women, without a hearing, why you did not hear their side of
the case first, before putting them to death? Where do we find that custom? It is
not done in heaven. Look at Jupiter: all these years he has been king,