[22]
Even you yourself; O Labienus, what would you do in such a crisis? When your general system
of indolence was compelling you to flight and lurking-places, while the villainy and frenzy of
Lucius Saturninus was inviting you to the Capitol, while the consuls were summoning you to
uphold the safety and liberty of your country; which authority, which invitation, which party
would you prefer to follow, whose command would you select to obey? My uncle says he was with
Saturninus. What if he was? Whom was your father with?—What if he was? Where were
your relations, Roman knights?—What if he was? What was the conduct of all your
prefecture, and district, and neighbourhood?—What if he was? What was the conduct of
the whole Picene district; did they follow the frenzy of the tribune, or the authority of the
consul?
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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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