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[14]
“Oh, but we have sent ambassadors to him.” Alas, wretched
that I am! why am I compelled to find fault with the senate whom I have always
praised? Why? Do you think, O conscript fathers that you have induced the Roman
people to approve of the sending ambassadors? Do you not perceive, do you not
hear that the adoption of my opinion is demanded by them? that opinion which
you, in a full house, agreed to the day before, though the day after you allowed
yourselves to be brought down to a groundless hope of peace. Moreover, how
shameful it is for the legions to send out ambassadors to the senate, and the
senate to Antonius! Although that is not an embassy; it is a denunciation that
destruction is prepared for him if he does not submit to this order. What is the
difference? At all events, men's opinions are unfavorable to the measure; for
all men see that ambassadors have been sent, but it is not all who are
acquainted with the terms of your decree.
M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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