[16]
What is to happen then? what sort of men are to be
established as settlers in those lands? what is to be the system and plan adopted in the
whole business? Colonies, say the law, shall be led thither, and settled there. How many? Of
what class of men? Where are they to be established? For who is there who does not see that
all these things have got to be considered when we are talking of colonies? Did you think, O
Rullus, that we would give up the whole of Italy to
you and to those contrivers of everything whom you have set up, in an unarmed and defenceless
state, for you to strengthen it with garrisons afterwards? for you to occupy it with
colonies? to hold it bound and fettered by every sort of chain? For where is there any clause
to prevent your establishing a colony on the Janiculan Hill? or from oppressing and
overwhelming this city with some other city? We will not do so, says he. In the first place,
I don't know that; in the next place, I am afraid of you; lastly, I will never permit our
safety to depend on your kindness rather than on our own prudence.
M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge, B. A. London. Henry G. Bohn, York Street, Covent Garden. 1856.
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