[31]
We have now for a long time, O conscript fathers, lived among these dangers and
machinations of conspiracy; but somehow or other, the ripeness of all wickedness, and of this
long-standing madness and audacity, has come to a head at the time of my consulship. But if
this man alone is removed from this piratical crew, we may appear, perhaps, for a short time
relieved from fear and anxiety, but the danger will settle down and lie hid in the veins and
bowels of the republic. As it often happens that men afflicted with a severe disease, when
they are tortured with heat and fever, if they drink cold water, seem at first to be
relieved, but afterwards stiffer more and more severely; so this disease which is in the
republic, if relieved by the punishment of this man, will only get worse and worse, as the
rest will be still alive.
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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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