Oh that regularly ratified and solemn treaty which we made with the Antonii!  Surely if Marcus shall attempt to violate it, the conscientious piety of Lucius will call him back from such wickedness.  If there is any room allowed these men in this city, there will be no room for the city itself.  Place before your eyes, O conscript fathers, the countenances of those men, and especially the countenances of the Antonii.  Mark their gait, their look, their face, their arrogance; mark those friends of theirs who walk by their side, who follow them, who precede them.  What breath reeking of wine, what insolence, what threatening language do you not think there will be there?  Unless, indeed, the mere fact of peace is to soften them, and unless you expect that, especially when they come into this assembly, they will salute every one of us kindly, and address us courteously.

III.  Do you not recollect, in the name of the immortal gods! what resolutions you have given utterance to against those men?  You have repealed the acts of Marcus Antonius; you have taken down his laws; you have voted that they were carried by violence, and with a disregard of the auspices; you have called out the levies throughout all Italy; you have pronounced that colleague and ally of all wickedness a public enemy.  What peace can there be with this man?  Even if he were a foreign enemy, still, after such actions as have taken place, it would be scarcely possible, by any means whatever, to have peace.  Though seas and mountains, and vast regions lay between you, still you would hate such a man without seeing him.  But these men will stick to your eyes, and when they can, to your very throats; for what fences will be strong enough for us to restrain savage beasts?—­Oh, but the result of war is uncertain.  It is at all events in the power of brave men, such as you ought to be, to display your valour, (for certainly brave men can do that,) and not to fear the caprice of fortune.

But since it is not only courage but wisdom also which is expected from this order, (although these qualities appear scarcely possible to be separated, still let us separate them here,) courage bids us fight, inflames our just hatred, urges us to the conflict, summons us to danger.  What says wisdom?  She uses more cautious counsels, she is provident for the future, she is in every respect more on the defensive.  What then does she think? for we must obey her, and we are bound to consider that the best thing which is arranged in the most prudent manner.  If she enjoins me to think nothing of more consequence than my life, not to fight at the risk of my life, but to avoid all danger, I will then ask her whether I am also to become a slave when I have obeyed all these injunctions?  If she says, yes, I for one will not listen to that Wisdom, however learned she may be, but if the answer is, Preserve your life and your safety, Preserve your fortune, “Preserve your estate, still, however, considering all these things