THE ARGUMENT.
After the last speech was delivered, Brutus gained great advantages in
Macedonia over Caius Antonius,
and took him prisoner. He treated him with great lenity, so much so as to
displease Cicero, who remonstrated with him strongly on his design of
setting him at liberty. He was also under some apprehension as to the
steadiness of Plancus's loyalty to the senate; but on his writing to that
body to assure them of his obedience, Cicero procured a vote of some
extraordinary honors to him,
Cassius also about the same time was very successful in Syria, of which he wrote Cicero a full
account. Meantime reports were being spread in the city by the partisans of
Antonius, of his success before Mutina; and even of his having gained over the consuls.
Cicero too was personally much annoyed at a report which they spread of his
having formed the design of making himself master of the city and assuming
the title of Dictator, but when Apuleius, one of his friends and a tribune
of the people, proceeded to make a speech to the people in Cicero's
justification, the people all cried out that he had never done any thing
which was not for the advantage of the republic. About the same time news
arrived of a victory gained over Antonius at Mutina.
Pansa was now on the point of joining Hirtius with four pew legions and
Antonius endeavored to surprise him on the road before he could effect that
junction. A severe battle ensued, in which Hirtius came to Pansa's aid, and
Antonius was defeated with great loss. On the receipt of the news, the
populace assembled about Cicero's house, and carried him in triumph to the
Capitol. The next day Marcus Cornutus, the praetor, summoned the senate to
deliberate on the letters received from the consuls and Octavius, giving an
account of the victory. Servilius declared his opinion that the citizens
should relinquish the sagum, or robe of war;
and that a supplication should be decreed in honor of the consuls and
Octavius. Cicero rose next and delivered the following speech, objecting to
the relinquishment of the robe of war, and blaming Servilius for not calling
Antonius an enemy.
The measures which he himself proposed were carried.
If, O conscript fathers, while I learned from the letters which have been read
that the army of our most wicked enemies had been defeated and routed, I had
also learned what we all wish for above all things, and which we do suppose has
resulted from that victory which has been achieved,—namely, that
Decimus Brutus had already quitted Mutina,—then I should without any hesitation give my
vote for our returning to our usual dress out of joy at the safety of that
citizen on account of whose danger it was that we adopted the robe of war, But
before any news of that event which the city looks for with the greatest
eagerness arrives, we have sufficient reason indeed for joy at this most
important and most illustrious battle; but reserve, I beg you, your return to
your usual dress for the time of complete victory. But the completion of this
war is the safety of Decimus Brutus.
But what is the meaning of this proposal that our dress shall be changed just for
today, and that tomorrow we should again come forth in the garb of war? Rather
when we have once turned to that dress which we wish and desire to assume, let
us strive to retain it forever; for this is not only discreditable, but it is
displeasing also to the immortal gods, to leave their altars, which we have
approached in the attire of peace, for the purpose of assuming the garb of war.
And I notice, O conscript fathers, that
there are some who favor this proposal: whose intention and design is, as they
see that that will be a most glorious day for Decimus Brutus on which we return
to our usual dress out of joy for his safety, to deprive him of this great
reward, so that it may not be handed down to the recollection of posterity that
the Roman people had recourse to the garb of war on account of the danger of one
single citizen, and then returned to their gowns of pence on account of his
safety. Take away this reason, and you will find no other for so absurd a
proposal. But do you, O conscript fathers, preserve your authority, adhere to
your own opinions, preserve in your recollection what you have often declared,
that the whole result of this entire war depends on the life of one most brave
and excellent man.