35.
[93]
And since you find fault with me for this, that you assert that I am
accustomed to speak too boastfully of myself; I ask, who ever heard me speak
in this way, or speak of myself at all, except when I was compelled, and was
doing so of necessity? For if, when robberies, and bribery, and lust are
imputed to me, I am accustomed to reply that the country was saved by my
prudence, and labour, and personal danger, I ought not to be considered as
boasting of my own exploits, so much as refusing to confess what is imputed
to me. But if, before these most miserable periods of the republic, nothing
else was ever imputed to me, except the cruelty of my conduct at that time
when I warded off destruction from the republic, what will you say? Ought I
when accused in this manner, not to have replied at all, or to have replied
in an abject tone?
[94]
But I have always
thought it for the interest of even the republic itself, that I should
uphold by my language the propriety and glory of that most noble exploit
which I performed by the authority of the senate, with the consent of all
virtuous men, for the safety of my country; especially when I am the only
person in this republic who have been able to say on oath, in the hearing of
the Roman people, that this city and this republic had been saved by my
exertions. That accusation of cruelty has long since been extinguished,
because men see that I was regretted, and demanded and sent for back by the
wishes of all the citizens, not as a cruel tyrant, but as a most merciful
parent. Another charge has risen up.
[95]
That
departure of mine from the city is attacked, which accusation I cannot reply
to without the greatest credit to myself. For what, O priests, ought I to
say? That I lied from a consciousness of guilt? But that which was imputed
to me as a crime, not only was not a crime, but was the most glorious action
ever performed since the birth of man. That I feared the sentence of the
people? But not only was there no trial at any time before the people, but
if there had been, I should have departed with redoubled glory. That the
protection of the good was wanting to me? It is false. That I
was afraid of death? That is an assertion disgraceful to those who make it.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge, B. A. London. George Bell & Sons, York Street, Covent Garden. 1891.
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