[27]
Now once more I wish those who have remained in the city, and who, contrary to the safety
of the city and of all of you, have been left in the city by Catiline, although they are
enemies, yet because they were born citizens, to be warned again and again by me. If my
lenity has appeared to any one too remiss, it has been only waiting that that might break out
which was lying hid. As to the future, I cannot now forget that this is my country, that I am
the consul of these citizens; that I must either live with them, or die for them. There is no
guard at the gate, no one plotting against their path; if any one wishes to go, he can
provide for himself; but if any one stirs in the city, and if I detect not only any action,
but any attempt or design against the country, he shall feel that there are in this city
vigilant consuls, eminent magistrates, a brave senate, arms, and prisons; which our ancestors
appointed as the avengers of nefarious and convicted crimes.
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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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