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7.
[18]
Wherefore, O Romans, with all the prudence of which I am master, and with almost
more exertion than I am capable of, will I put forth my vigilance and
watchfulness in your behalf In truth, what citizen is there, especially in this
rank in which you have placed me, so forgetful of your kindness, so unmindful of
his country, so hostile to his own dignity, as not to be roused and stimulated
by your wonderful unanimity? I, as consul, have held many assemblies of the
people; I have been present at many others; I have never once seen one so
numerous as this one of yours now is. You have all one feeling, you have all one
desire, that of averting the attempts of Marcus Antonius from the republic, of
extinguishing his frenzy and crushing his audacity. All orders have the same
wish. The municipal towns, the colonies, and all Italy are laboring for the same end. Therefore you have made
the senate, which was already pretty firm of its own accord, firmer still by
your authority.
[19]
The time has come, O Romans,
later altogether than for the honor of the Roman people it should have been, but
still so that the things are now so ripe that they do not admit of a moment's
delay. There has been a sort of fatality, if I may say so, which we have borne
as it was necessary to bear it. But hereafter if any disaster happens to us it
will be of our own seeking. It is impossible for the Roman people to be slaves;
that people whom the immortal gods have ordained should rule over all nations.
Matters are now come to a crisis. We are fighting for our freedom. Either you
must conquer, O Romans, which indeed you will do if you continue to act with
such piety and such unanimity, or you must do anything rather than become
slaves. Other nations can endure slavery, Liberty is the inalienable possession
of the Roman people.
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