[6]
But I have determined to refer the business to you as a fresh matter, O conscript fathers,
both as to the fact, what you think of it and as to the punishment, what you vote. I will
state what it behoves the consul to state. I have seen for a long time great madness existing
in the republic, and new designs being formed, and evil passions being stirred up; but I
never thought that so great, so destructive a conspiracy as this was being meditated by
citizens. Now to whatever point your minds and opinions incline, you must decide before
night. You see how great a crime has been made known to you; if you think that but few are
implicated in it you are greatly mistaken; this evil has spread wider than you think; it has
spread not only throughout Italy, but it has even crossed the Alps, and creeping stealthily
on, it has already occupied many of the provinces; it can by no means be crushed by
tolerating it, and by temporising with it; however you determine on chastising it, you must
act with promptitude.
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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