[23]
I burn, believe me, O conscript fathers, (as
indeed you do believe of me, and as you feel yourselves,) with an incredible
love for my country; which love compelled me formerly to encounter most
terrible dangers which were hanging over it, at the risk of my
own life; and again, when I saw every sort of weapon aimed from all quarters
against my country, drove me to put myself in their way, and to expose
myself singly to their blows on behalf of the whole body of citizens. And
this, my ancient and perpetual disposition towards the republic, now
reunites and reconciles me to and unites me in friendship with Caius Caesar.
In short, let men think what they please; it is impossible for me to be
other than a friend to one who deserves; well of his country.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge, B. A. London. George Bell & Sons, York Street, Covent Garden. 1891.
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