much to regard the veterans, as to look at what the young soldiers, the flower of Italy—­at what the new legions, most eager to effect the deliverance of their country—­at what all Italy will think of your wisdom.  For there is nothing which flourishes for ever.  Age succeeds age.  The legions of Caesar have flourished for a long time; but now those who are flourishing are the legions of Pansa, and the Legions of Hirtius, and the legions of the son of Caesar, and the legions of Plancus.  They surpass the veterans in number, they have the advantage of youth, moreover, they surpass them also in authority.  For they are engaged in waging that war which is approved of by all nations.  Therefore, rewards have been promised to these latter.  To the former they have been already paid,—­let them enjoy them.  But let these others have those rewards given to them which we have promised them.  For that is what I hope that the immortal gods will consider just.

And as this is the case, I give my vote for the proposition which I have made to you, O conscript fathers, being adopted by you.

THE TWELFTH ORATION OF M T CICERO AGAINST MARCUS ANTONIUS.  CALLED ALSO THE TWELFTH PHILIPPIC.

THE ARGUMENT.

Decimus Brutus was in such distress in Mutina, that his friends began to be alarmed, fearing that, if he fell into the hands of Antonius, he would be treated as Trebonius had been.  And, as the friends of Antonius gave out that he was now more inclined to come to terms with the senate, a proposition was made and supported by Pansa to send a second embassy to him.  And even Cicero at first consented to it, and allowed himself to be nominated with Servilius and three other senators, all of consular rank, but on more mature reflection he was convinced that he had been guilty of a blunder, and that the object of Antonius and his friends was only to gain time for Ventidius to join him with his three legions.  Accordingly, at the next meeting of the senate, he delivered the following speech, retracting his former sanction of the proposed embassy.  And he spoke so strongly against it, that the measure was abandoned and Pansa soon afterwards marched with his army to join Hirtius and Octavius, with the intention of forcing Antonius to a battle.

I. Although, O conscript fathers it seems very unbecoming for that man whose counsels you have so often adopted in the most important affairs, to be deceived and deluded, and to commit mistakes, yet I console myself, since I made the mistake in company with you, and in company also with a consul of the greatest wisdom.  For when two men of consular rank had brought us hope of an honorable peace, they appeared as being friends and extremely intimate with Marcus Antonius, to be aware of some weak point about him with which we were unacquainted.  His wife and children are in the house of one, the other is known every day to send letters to, to receive letters from, and openly to favour Antonius.