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THE WORLD'S FAMOUS ORATIONS

fact of which you have had experience—namely, that the life of Aulus Hirtius^[1] is so dear to the Roman people? For it was sufficient for him to be esteemed by the Roman people as he is; to be popular among his friends, in which respect he surpasses everybody; to be beloved by his own kinsmen, who do love him beyond measure; but in whose case before do we ever recollect such anxiety and such fear being manifested? Certainly in no one's.

What, then, are we to do? In the name of the immortal gods, can you interpret these facts, and see what is their purport? What do you think that those men think of your lives, to whom the lives of those men who they hope will consult the welfare of the republic are so dear? I have reaped, O conscript fathers, the reward of my return, since I have said enough to bear testimony of my consistency whatever event may befall me, and since I have been kindly and attentively listened to by you. And if I have such opportunities frequently without exposing both myself and you to danger, I shall avail myself of them. If not, as far as I can I shall reserve myself not for myself, but rather for the

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↑ Hirtius was the close personal and political friend of Julius Cæsar. After Cæsar's death he became consul with Pansa. Hirtius opposed Mark Antony's ambitious schemes and defeated him in battle, but was himself killed while leading an assault. He is believed to have written the eighth book of the Commentaries on the Gallic War." It has been thought that Hirtius, had he possessed a loftier ambition or a more imperial mind, might have prevented the ascendency of Octavius and Antony.

[1] Hirtius was the close personal and political friend of Julius Cæsar. After Cæsar's death he became consul with Pansa. Hirtius opposed Mark Antony's ambitious schemes and defeated him in battle, but was himself killed while leading an assault. He is believed to have written the eighth book of the Commentaries on the Gallic War." It has been thought that Hirtius, had he possessed a loftier ambition or a more imperial mind, might have prevented the ascendency of Octavius and Antony.

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