[19]
I would, I say, willingly confess, if I could with
truth, or even if the cause were not already discussed, that Lucius Saturninus was shun by the
band of Caius Rabirius; and I should think it a most glorious deed. But since I cannot do
that, I will confess this, which will have less weight with regard to our credit, but not less
with regard to the accusation—I confess that Caius Rabirius took up arms for the
purpose of slaying Saturninus. What is the matter, Labienus? What more weighty confession do
you expect from me; or what greater charge did you expect me to furnish against him? Unless
you think that there is any difference between him who slew the man, and him who was in arms
for the purpose of slaying him. If it was wrong for Saturninus to be slain, then arms cannot
have been taken up against Saturninus without guilt;—if you admit that arms were
lawfully taken up,—then you must inevitably confess that he was rightly slain.
******
******