The Argument

1. HOw long, Catiline, will you abuse our pa [...]ience? How long shall that fury of yours [Page 3] hector down even us too? To what bound shall your unbridled Audaciousness fly out? Has the Night-Guard of the Palace no­thing daunted you? Nothing the Watches about the City? No­thing the Fears and Jealousies of the People? Nothing the Con­course of all the honest able Men? Nothing the holding the Senate in this place of strength? Do the looks and faces of all these in pre­sence nothing at all dash you? Are not you aware that all your Plots are discovered? Are not you advi­sed, that your Conspiracy is palpab­ly known to all here? What you re­solved upon last Night, what the Night before, where you were, who were in your Iuncta, of what Debates passed between you, who of us do you think is not fully in­formed?

2. Oh what times! what a world [Page 4] do we live in! All this the Senate understands, the Consul sees, yet this fellow lives, lives I, and comes into the House, is present at the Publick Council; marks with his eyes and designs each one of us for slaughter: Mean-while We, Couragious Men, think we have discharged our duty to the State, if we can shift his weapons and fu­ry. Long since, Catiline, thou should'st have been led by the Consuls Order to Execu [...]ion; up­on thine own head should have been turn'd that destruction which thou hast been so long contriving against all of us.

3. Could that most honoura­ble Person Much of the divisions in the Popu­lar State of Rome, was about a Levelling the State, in such sort a [...] that the over-weal­ [...]hiness of some Grandees, and extream indigence of the Ge­nerality, might be taken away, and a middle Proportion of Estates, the very soul of Democracy, might be establish'd; to support Marriage and enable to Warfare, two great In­struments of Empire. To effect this, C. Licinlus Stolo pro­cur'd a Law, limiting each Citizen within the possession of 500 Acres; and also to a rate of great and small Ca [...]tl [...] and Servants to keep them But as this Law was above 120 years e'r it could be obtain'd, so within less than 200 years i [...] was undermin'd and quite overthrowns and all Italy found ingros­sed into the Hands of a few Lords, who leas'd it out to Slaves and Barbarians. This mischief C. Laeli [...]s sought first to redress, but was wrought off by the Wealthy Party, and thereby acquir'd the Title of the Wise. Then Tiberius Grac­chus undertook the reviving of it, with the Advice of Crassus the High-Priest, Mucius Scaevola, the Eminent Law­yer, then Consul, and Appius Claudius his Father-in-Law; upon most moderate condi [...]ions, not of restori [...]g the Lands illegally held and refunding the mean profits, but of parting with them for a valuable consideration, to their poor [...]ellow-Citizens (himself, his Fa [...]her-in-Law Appiu [...] [...]laudius, and his Brother C. Gracchus being Ioynt-Commissioners for the dividing those Lands.) and contenting themselves with 500 Acres, and their Children with half as much. Yet in the very publishing of it, he was taken off, as was su [...]pos'd [...] by Scipio Na [...]ic [...], who was, through the envy of the Fact, fain to retire from his Countrey. Pub. Scipio, The High Priest, being then a private man, [Page 5] [...]lay Tib. Gracchus, when he did but lightly shake the State of the Government: And shall We, Consuls, tamely endure Catiline, striving to lay the World desolate with Fire and Sword? To pass by those instances of an old date, that [Page 6] Quintus Servilius Ahala slew with his own hand Sp. Melius for distri­buting Corn to the Commons in tim [...] of great Dearth, fell under suspicion of affecting a Supremacy: Hereupon Qu. Cincinnatus is made Dicta­tor, or Protector, and Cap­tain General; (an Officer not appointed but in time of great fea [...], and to continue but Six Moneths) he nominates Q. Servilius Ahala his Lieute­nant General or Magister E­qui [...]um; who summoning Sp. Melius, upon his non-appear­ance before him, sent and stab'd him. Spu­rius Melius, when he went about to alter the Government. There has, there has been in Times of Old, such Courage in the State, that Men of Valour have restrained a dangerous Citizen, with more severe punishment than the most violent Enemy. We have now too made against you, Catiline, a strict and grave Act of Senate. The State wants not advice, nor this House resolution. We, I must speak boldly, We Consuls, are wanting in the Execution.

4. The Senate once made an Order, That Lucius Opinius An or­der for the Safety of the Common-w [...]alth. Hereby wa [...] committed to the Con­suls a Power of levying War and executing Marti­al Law upon Citizen of Al­ly, not allow'd but in case of extream danger. the Consul should see that the safety of [Page 7] the Common-Wealth should not be molested. One Night did not pass over his head, but C. Gracchus ca [...]ry'd on the design of his Brother and among other Laws, that of dividing [...]he Lands of Conquest; hims [...]lf, M. Ful­vius [...]laccus and Papi [...]ius Carbo being Ioynt-Com­missioners: [...]he two former were slain by Order of L. Opinius,and the Son of M. Fulvius sent to inter­cede for hi [...] Father, being a comely and bashful youth, when sent back, with charge of coming no more, returning, by his Fathers order was cruelly kill'd in prison, having nev [...]r bore Arms. L. Opinius was af­ter upon some occasion con­demn'd and banish'd. Caius Gracchus, de­scended of a most No­ble Father, Grandfa­thers, Ancestors, was slain upon some suspi­cion of Factiousness; Marcus Fulvius, a Con­sular Person, was slain, and all his Children by a like Act of Senate. The security of the State was committed to C. Ma­rius and L. Valerius the Consuls. Did the Go­vernment respite L. Sa­turninus, Tribune of the Commons, and Ca. Ser­vilius Praetor, one day from pu­nishment? But We now have left the edge of Authority to grow [Page 8] blunt these twenty dayes; for we have a like Act of Senate, but shut up in Tables, as a Sword ly­ing in the Scabbard; by which Act of Senate, Catiline, you should have been immediately executed. You live, and that not to abandon, but to fortifie your boldness. I desire, my Lords, to be merciful, I desire withal not to be thought careless in so imminent dangers of the Common-wealth. But now I begin to condemn my self of sloth and cowardliness.

5. There is a Leagure in Italy against the State, pitched at the Entrance into Tuscany, the num­ber of the Enemy increases day by day; but the Commander of that Leagure, and the General of those Enemies, we see within the Walls, nay, in the very Senate; daily plot­ing some destruction against the State. If, Catiline, I should now order [Page 9] you to be apprehended, if, to be executed, I think I should have reason to fear, least all honest men, should rather say, this was done too late by me; then that any should say it was too cruelly done: But for a certain reason I do for­bear that, which long since should have been performed: Then will I take thee off, when as no one shall be found so impudent, so desperate, so like thy self, as not to confess it justly done.

6. As long as there shall be any one that dares justifie you, you shall live; but so, as now you do, hemmed in by me with many and strong Guards, as not to be able to stir against the Common-wealth. Many Eyes, and Ears too, that you are a little aware of, as hither to they have, shall spy and watch your Actions. Catiline, What would you have more, if neither [Page 10] night can shrowd in its darkness your wicked Cabals? Nor a pri­vate House within its walls, the words of your Conspiracy? If all come to light, all break forth, change then that mind, be ruled by me, do not think of Slaugh­ter and Burning, you have hands upon you on all sides; all your Plots are as open as the day, which you may recollect with me.

7. Do you remember that I should say in the Senate on the One and twentieth of October, that, On a certain day would be in Arms (which day was to be the 25th of the same) Caius Manlius, the Executio­ner and Instrument of your Treason. Catiline, was I mistaken, not onely in a thing, so great, so furious, so incredible; but what is mch more strange, in the very day. I said in the House too, that, You had pitched the 28th of the said Mon [...]th, [Page 11] [...]or the assassinating of the Nobles; [...] what time many Principal Men [...]f the State left the Town, not [...] much for their own preservati­ [...]n, as to suppress your designs: Can you deny on that very day [...]hat you was so penn'd up by my Guard and diligence, that you [...]ould not stir to prejudice the [...]tate; when you said, though [...]he rest were gone, The killing of [...]s that remained, would serve your [...]urn?

8. What when as you were [...]onfident you could surprise Prae­ [...]este by an assault in the night, on [...]he very first of November? Did [...]ou observe that that Colony was [...]y my Order secured with Guards [...]f mine to watch and ward there? You act, you plot, you think no­ [...]hing, but what I not onely hear [...]f, but see too, and plainly per­ [...]eive. Recall to memory with [Page 12] me the other night, and you wi [...] find, that I am much more inten [...]ly vigilant, for the preservatio [...] than you for the destruction of th [...] State. I say, that the night b [...]fore last, you came among th [...] Vine-dressers, I must speak plain [...] to the house of Marcus Lecca, tha [...] very many Abettors of your fu [...] and treachery, had their meetin [...] there; Dare you deny it? Wh [...] do not you speak? I will make [...] appear, if you deny it; for I se [...] Salust reckons up xi Senators of the Con­spiracy, Len­tulus, An­tonius, Lon­ginus, Ce­thegus, P, & Ser. Sulla, Vargunteius, Annius, Lec­ca, Bestia, & Curius. some here in the Senate tha [...] were there with you.

9. Immortal Gods! wherea [...]bouts are we? What a Govern [...]ment have we? In what City d [...] we live? In this, this very place are some, of our own House, m [...] Lords, of this most Venerabl [...] and Grave Council of all th [...] World, which project my ruin and all yours, together with th [...] [Page 13] destruction of this City and the Empire of the World. These [...]ersons, I that am Consul, be­ [...]old, and take their Votes about [...]he Government; and those that [...]hould have been cut off by the [...]word, I do not yet wound with my word. You were then, Cat [...] ­ [...]ine, at Lecca's house that night; You divided Italy into Posts, you appointed every one which way it was concluded he should march; you selected whom to leave at Rome, and whom to carry with your self; you divided the several parts, at which the City was to be [...]ired; you gave assurance you would speedily leave the Town; onely, you said, One petty business, that is, my being alive, stayed your Iourney. There were C. Cor­nelius Sulls and M. C [...]thegus. Appian. Salust joyns with C. Cornelius, L. V [...]gunteiu [...], but him he had nominated as a Sen [...]tor before. two Roman Knights presently replied, They would re­move [Page 14] that obstruction, and promi [...]sed they would that very night, a littl [...] before day kill me in my Bed.

10. I was in [...]o [...]med of all th [...] full as soon as your Company w [...] broke up, and secured and guarde [...] my house the better; kept ou [...] those that you sent in the mornin [...] to give me a Visit, having befor [...] told several persons that such woul [...] come at the very same time. Whic [...] things being so, Catiline, hold o [...] the course you have begun, ge [...] you out of Town at length; th [...] Gates are open; take your Jour [...]ney. That Army of Manlius [...] does too long want you to head it carry out all your Complices wit [...] you, at least as many as may be [...] rid the City, you will deliver m [...] from much fear, so there be but [...] Wall between you and me. You ca [...] no longer continue among Us, [...] will not bear it, I will not suffer it [...] I will not endure it.

[Page 15]11. Great thanks be to the Im­mortal Gods, and particularly to Iupiter Stator, the most ancient Guardian of this City, that we have so often already escaped this so villainons, so dreadful, and so dangerous a plague to the State; the safety of the Government must not any more be hazarded in one person. As long, Catiline, as you plotted against me, Consul Elect­ed, I secured my self, not by any Publick Guard, but my private diligence. When as at the last Consular Election, you would have slain me the Consul and your other Competitors in the Field; I dashed your wicked attempts, by the assistance and strength of my friends, without giving any alarm to the Publick: In a word, as of­ten as you struck at me, I opposed you by mine own interest; al­though I saw, that my destruction [Page 16] was inseparable from the great af­fliction of the State.

12. But now with open face, you strike at the whole State, you bid ruin and desolation to the Temples of the Immortal Gods, to the Buildings of the City, to the l [...]fe of all the Citizens: In summe, to all Italy. Whe [...]efore, since I dare not execute that which were principally to be done, and is pro­per to this Empire, and the seve­rity of our Ancestors, I will do that which is more gentle, as to censure; more useful, as to the publick safety. For if I should or­der you to be slain, the relicks of your Complices would still stick in the Common-wealth: But if you, which I frequently advise you to, shall march off, a great and dan­gerous sink in the State, of your Comrades, shall be drained out.

[Page 17]13. What's the matter, Cati­line? Do you make any question to do that at my Order, which you were before a doing of your own accord? The Consul com­mands an Enemy to go out of Town, Do you ask, Whether to Banishment? I do not command you. But if you ask my Counsel, I advise you; For what is there, Catiline, which can any longer be pleasing to you in the City? wherein there is none, bating that Gang of desperate Conspirators, but fears you; none but hates you. He is reported [...]o have marry'd her that w [...]s judg'd his Daughter, to have kill'd his Brother, and got him after he was dead except­ed from pa [...] ­don. What mark of domestical baseness has not been branded up­on your life? What private dis­grace does not asperse your Name? Have your Eyes ever been refrain'd from any lust? your Hands from any attempt, or any villany from your whole body? What young man is there by your pleasures in­veagled, [Page 18] whom you have not fur­nished, either with a weapon to boldness or with an in [...]enrive to lust?

14. For example, newly He is imply'd to have made [...] ­way his first Wife, to make [...] room for Aurelia Orestilla; whom, be­cause she did not like to have a grown Step-son, he is also recor­ded to have gra [...]ifi'd with the ta­king him al­so off out of the way. when by the death of your former Wife, you had made house room for a se­cond match, did you not by that villany add another incredible vil­lany? which I pass by, and am well content should be wrapt up in [...]ilence, least such an inhumane act should have been thought to have had being, or not to have been avenged under this Government. I pass by the decay of your Estate, all which you will find to hang over your head next Quarter-day. I come to those points, which do not concern the private reproach of your Vices, nor the necessitousness and baseness of your Family; but do more nearly relate unto the well-being of the State, and the life and safety of us all.

[Page 19]15. Can it be delighful to you, Catiline, to behold the light o [...] this world, and to draw the breath of this air, when as you know, there is none of these present, that is not informed that When L. [...]orqua [...]u [...] and L. Cotta design'd [...]on­suls, were to [...]nter upo [...] their Office, L. Catiline, P. An [...]roni­us, and C. Pi­so, about th [...] 5th of De­cember con­spir'd to kill them; after­w [...]rds they put it off to the 5th of the following February, what tim [...] they com­bin'd no [...] on­ly to kill th [...] Consuls, bu [...] most of th [...] Senators [...] which had been effected, had not Catiline been [...]ver-forward to give the word, before all the Conspirators we [...]e m [...]t toge­ther: this was two years past, and is call'd his former Con­spiracy. the day be­fore New-years-day, Lepidus and Tullus being Consuls, you It was forbidden to wear Arms in the Place of As­sembly, in the Iudgment Hall; and in the [...] [...] wore Arms in the Assembly, that you had got a Crew together to kill the Consuls and Nobles; that no good meaning of yours, nor yet fear, but the fortune of the Com­mon-wealth, hindred your trea­son and rage: But I pass by those things, as neither obscure, nor long since committed. How often would you have killed me, when designed, how often since entred, [Page 20] upon the Consulship? How many passes of yours, so made, that they seemed unavoidable, have I put by by a slight turn, and as the word is, with the motion of my body? You plot, you pursue, you con­trive nothing, but I have timely notice of it; and yet for all that, you will never give over working and designing.

16. How many, many times already has that Dagger been wrung out of your hands? How often by some casualty dropt and slipt down? yet you cannot for your life be without it, which Dagger, under what Vow and Consecration it is, I know not, that you should have such a super­stition, that it must needs be stuck up for a Monument in the Consuls heart. But now, what life do you lead? for I will so deal with you, not as though I were moved with [Page 21] anger, as I have reason, but wi [...]h compassion, as you have no rea­son to expect. You came even now into the Senate, did any one of this great Company of so many friends and acquaintance of yours, do you any reverence? If such a thing as this never happened to any in the memory of man, do you wait for them to speak out their indig­nation, when you are already cast by the grand consent of their si­lence? Nay at your coming in, great room was made for you; far­ther, [...]ll the Consular Persons, who had been oftentimes designed by you for slaughter, so soon as you sate down, sate them farther from you, leaving that part of the Seats bare and empty.

17. How do you think that is to be taken by you? Truly if my Servants were in such fear of me, as your Fellow Citizens stand in dread [Page 22] of you, I should think fit to quit my House: Do not you so think it fit to quit the Town? And if I saw my self under so great suspicion and displeasure of my Countreymen, though unjustly, I would rather with-draw my self out of their sight, than be under their conti­nual frowns. And do you, when your Conscience must tell you, that you have incurred the just and long deserved hatred of all, make any scruple to avoid their sight and presence, whose very souls and hearts you break? Suppose your Parents were afraid of, and fallen out with you, and you could by no means recover their favour, I conceive you would retire some whither out of their sight. Now your Countrey, which is the com­mon Parent of us all, hates and fears you, and judges of you, that for this great while, you unnatu­rally [Page 23] contrive nothing but treason against her. Will you neither re­verence her Authority? nor be guided by her Direction? nor stand in fear of her Power?

18. Which, Catiline, thus ad­dresses to you, and in a manner, thus silently be-speaks you; There has been no violence for these many years past, but by your abettment; no lewdn [...]ss but by your contrivance; you are the onely man, that have car­ried away free and unpunished the murders T [...] pass by those of lesser mark [...] he slew of those in the Black Book o [...] Sulla, L. Caecilius, M. Volumenius, L. Tanusiu [...], and M. Ma­rius, Grati­dianus, one dear to the People and intimate with Tully, whose [...]eek­ing head and full of spi­rits, be car­ried in his hand to Sul­la, from the one end of the City, beyond the Bridge, to the other. of many Citizens; you, When L. Catiline was Chief Iustice in the Province of Africa, he so pillag'd the subject, that he was accus'd of Bribery by Clodius, whom he so corrupted, that he shamefully betray'd the Cause, and so came off; again being indicted of Murder, for his many slaughters in the Action of Sulla, by the favour of the Nobility, who favour'd Sulla, he was clear'd. the vexation and plundering of the Allies; you have not been onely so great as to slight the Laws and Iudgements, but also to pervert and [Page 24] break through them. Your former Actions, although not to be born with, yet I digested as well as I could: but now, that I should be all over in a fright for your onely sake; that at the least stir Catiline should be suspected: no Plot can be thought to be laid against me, but through your Treachery, is intollerable: Wherefore with draw and rid me of this terror; if true, to prevent my destruction; if false, to remove at length my fears.

19. If your Countrey should thus address to you, ought she not to obtain it; although she could not force you? Nay further, you have offered your self into custody; nay, you said, To clear you of all suspicion, you would go dwell with Marcus Lepidus; who not enter­taining you, you had the confi­dence to come to me, and desired that, I would secure you in my [Page 25] house. When you had from me too this Answer, that, I could by no means be safe with you under the same roof, that am in great danger, whilest we are within the same Ci [...]y Wall. You came to Q. Metellus the Praetor, by whom, when you were rejected, you took up your Lodging at your own Comrades, honest Marcus Marcellus: Him in good time you took, as one very careful to watch you, and very acute to discover you, and very couragious to punish you. But how far may he be thought from Goal and Irons, who judges him­self worthy of Restraint?

20. Which things being so, Catiline, do you make any scruple, if you cannot be contented to die here, to go into some foreign place? and to commit that life of yours, conveyed away from many due and well dese [...]ved punishments, [Page 26] to Exile and Obscurity? Move[?] it, say you, in the house, for that is your request; and if the Senate shall vote, you must be banished, you say, you will submit. I will not move it, which is a thing goes much against my disposition; and yet I will so order the matter, that you may so understand the sense of the House concerning you. Ca­tiline, Go out of the Town, put the State out of fear, go your way into Banishment, since you look for that word. What is the matter, Cati­line? Do you mind? Do you ob­serve the silence of all present? They are contracted, they are still. What, do you expect they should speak and give Order, whose meaning you will know by their silence?

21. But if I had said the same thing, to this worthy young Man, P. Sextius, if as much to Ma. Mar­cellus, [Page 27] a Person of great Valour, the Senate would immediately have laid violent hands, with all the reason in the world, upon me, that am now Consul, in this very Sanctuary, where we are: But for you, Catiline, being they are qui­et, they give their consent; be­ing they are contented, they vote it: being silent, they proclaim it. Nor onely the Senators, whose Authority it seems is with you ve­ry dear, their lives cheap; but al­so those Roman Knights, Men of great honour and worth, and other valiant Citizens, which attend at the Senate, whose number you might see, and perceive their af­fections, and even now plainly hear their very words; whose hands and weapons for this good while, I have had much ado to keep off from you. I can easily prevail upon them, that if you [Page 28] leave these parts, which you are plotting to ru [...]n, they shall all wait upon you to the City Gates.

22. But wherefore, do I talk, Can any thing daunt you? Can you ever be reformed? That you should ever think of with-drawing? Intend to leave the Town? Would the Immortal Gods would give you such a frame of heart [...] Although I fore-see, if you upon the terror of these words, should take up a Resolution to go to Ba­nishment, what a storm of Envy would hang over us? Though not so much at the present, whilest the memory of your villanies is fresh, but in after times. But I stand not much upon that, so the Calamity might be your own in parti [...]ular, and severed from the dangers of the State. But that you should be sensible of your own Vices, or fear the Penalties of the [Page 29] Laws, or comply with the neces­sity of the times, is a thing not to be expected: for, Catiline, you are none of those that either shame should keep you back from base­ness, fear from hazard, or reason from rage.

23. Wherefore, as I have often said to you before, go your wayes, and if you have a mind, to procure me ill will, your Enemy, as you give out, go directly to Banish­ment. I shall hardly endure the censures of men, if you do so; scarcely stand under the load of tha [...] Envy, if you should go into Banishment at the Consuls Order: But if you had [...]ather be instrumen­tal to my praise and glory, match out with your dangerous Crew of Tray [...]ors, go straitwayes to Man­lius, stir up the discontented peo­ple, separate your [...]elf from the well affected, make War upon [Page 30] your Countrey, triumph in your unnatural robberies, that you may be thought not to have been cast out by me among strangers, but invited to your own.

24. But what need I invite you, who I know, have sent some to wait for you in Arms at Forum Au­relium. I know a day is pitched upon and agreed with Manlius, by whom I know too that Silver Ea­gle, which I trust will turn to the ruin and confusion of you and all yours; which set in your House was the Chappel of all your Treasons; is sent away. Can you want that Image, which you us'd to pray to, when you went out upon a Murder; from whose Altars you often car­ry'd your polluted hand to the as­sassinating of Citizens? Go your wayes at last, whither that un­bridled and raging lust of yours has long time hurried you; for this [Page 31] occasion does not bring you any grief, but a kind of incredible pleasure; to such sottishness has nature bred, your will practis'd, and fortune guided you. You ne­ver longed for, I do not say, Peace, but any War, save such as is un­natural. You have got a party of lewd persons, not onely lost in their fortunes, but also in their hopes. Here, what complacence will you find? What joy will you triumph in? What pleasure will you rant in? when amidst so great a number of followers, you will neither hear of an honest man, nor see one. Those labours of yours, that are so much cried up, have been trained to this course of life: Lying perdue, not onely to watch a Mistriss, but to take a Purse; Watchfulness both over the sleep of married men, and the Estates of the murdered. You have now [Page 32] an opportunity to shew that you [...] brave hardiness in hunger, cold, and want of all things, wherewith you shall shortly find your self pinched. I gained so much, what time I put you from the Consul­ship, that you might rather in Ba­nishment attempt, than in the su­pream Government effect, the [...]in of the State [...] and that the thing, which was treasonably by you undertaken, might rather [...]ear the Name of Rebellion, than War.

27. Now, My Lords, That I may remove, and deprecate from me, a kind of almost just Com­plaint of my Countrey, mark I be­seech you, attentively what I shall say, and treasure it up faithfully in your minds and memories: For, if my Countrey, which is far deare [...] to me than my life; if all Italy, if the whole Common-wealth [Page 33] should speak to me, Marcus Tu [...] ­ly, What do you mean? Would you suffer him to go forth, that you know certainly to be a Rebel; that you see will be the General of the War; that you are sensible, is expected as Chief Captain in the Enemies Camp; ha­ving been the Contriver of the Trea­son, the Chief of the Conspiracy, the Raiser of the Slaves and despe­rate Citizens: that he may be thought not so much let out, as set on the Town? Will not you command him to be put in Irons, to be carried to Execution, to be punished with death?

28. What I pray hinders? Is it the old Custom? Nay often in this State, Persons out of Commission have put dangerous Citizens to death: Or the Laws which have been made about the punishing free Citizens of Rome? But never in this State have those, who revolted [Page 34] from the Government, preserved the Priviledges of Freemen. Do you fear the Envy of Posterity? Now you fairly requite the People of Rome, who has exalted you, a Person known for your self onely [...] without any Commendation of your Ancestors, so early to the supream Magistracy, through all the degre [...]s of subordinate Offices; if for envy or the fear of any danger, you neglect the safety of your Countreymen. But if there be any fear of Envy, is the Censure of Severity and Courage more greatly to be feared, than that of Baseness and Cowardise? Do you not think, when Italy shall be made desolate with War, the Cities plun­dered, the Houses a-fire, you shall then fall under a flagrant Eny?

29. To these most sacred words of the State, and the minds of those men, which are of the same judgment, I shall answer a word: [Page 35] Had I, my Lords, Judged it most expedient for Catiline to be put to death, I had not allowed that Sword-Player one hours respite to live: For if those most eminen [...] and honourable Patriots were so far from polluting, that they ra­ther ennobled themselves with the bloud of Saturninus and the Grac­chi, and Flaccus, and of many o­thers in former times: Truly I have no reason to fear, least this Murderer of the Citizens being slain, any envy should rise against me for the future. But if never so much did hang over me, yet I was alwayes of this Judgment, to think Envy gotten by Vertue to be no Envy but Glory.

30. Although there are some in this House, who either not se [...] what is imminent, or dissembl [...] what they see; who have cherish'd the hopes of Catiline with [...]e [...]iss [Page 36] Votes, and have con [...]irmed [...]he rising Conspiracy, by not believ­ing it: whose Authority many, not onely out of malice, but of sim­plicity following, had I executed him, would have said, it had been a cruel and tyrannical Act. Now I understand, if he shall arrive, whither he intends at the Camp of Manlius, no body will be so fool­ish, as not to see it was a Plot; no body so bold as not to confess it: But if he singly was slain, I un­derstand this plague of the State might be a little supprest, but not wholly extinguished: But if he fly out, and carry his party along with him, and gather to the same place all other desperate persons, from every part gleaned up; not only this so ripe a plague of the Common-wealth will be extin­guished and rooted out, but also the very strings and seeds of all mischief.

[Page 37]31. For, my Lords, this great while, are we engaged in the dan­ger, and the snare of this Conspi­racy. But now how it comes to pass I know not, the ripeness of all Treasons, and old rage, and boldness, is broke forth in the time of our Consulship. Now if this one person shall be taken off, we shall be thought perhaps relieved of our cares and fears; but the danger will stick close, and will be locked up in the bowels and veins of the Common-wealth; as often times men in an acute Sickness, when they are tossed with hea [...] and feaver, if they drink cold water, seem at first to be eased; then afterwards, are more grievou­sly and violently afflicted: so this Disease in the Body Politick being abated by his punishment, will return more violently, if the rest be left alive.

[Page 38]32. Wherefore, my Lords, Let the Malignants fall off, let them separate from the honest party, let them draw to a head: In a word, as I have often before said, Let them be parted from us with a Wall; let them leave plotting against the Consul in his own house, invest­ing the Judges Bench, surround­ing the Senate with their Swords, making Fire-balls and Brands, to burn the City. Lastly, let it be written in every ones Fore-head how he stands affected to the State. I promise you this, my Lords, there shall be so great diligence in us Consuls, so much authority in you, so much courage in the Ro­man Knights, so great consent in the honest party, that you may see the whole Plot discovered, laid open, suppressed, and punish­ed, by the going out of Catiline.

[Page 39]33. The Hea­thens had a strong Su [...]er­stition about the accidents, or Voices of Birds or Men, parti­cularly at the Entring up­on a Jour­ney, especi­ally in any great Un­dertaki [...]g [...] that they were omi­nous, if good, to the [...]les­sing, if bad, to the Blast­ing their De­sign. There­fore he thus [...]oe-speaks ill success to his design'd Expedition. With this Prayer after you, Catiline, wishing, It may prove preservation to the State, ruin and confusion to your self, and de­struction to all those, who have com­bined themselves with you in all vil­lany and treason. Go your way to an unnatural and rebellious War: This being spoken in the Temple of Jupiter S [...]ator, hath a greater presence of [...] and Dev [...]tion, and a kind of solemn Excommunication, some Image of [...]hich was even among the Heathens in use towards men guil [...]y of Treasons, Murders, and such high Misdemeanors. And thou, Oh Juppiter, who at the same dedication as the City, wert consecrated by Romulus, whom we truly style, the Stay of this State and Empire; repulse him and his Complices from the Altars, and other Temples; from the Houses and Walls of the City; from the life and fortunes of all the Citizens: And all the Maligners of the well-affect [...]d, Enemies of their Countrey, Plunder­ers of Italy, confound them both quick and dead with eternal punishment.

The Argument.

Gentlemen,

1. AT last with much ado, have we either expelled, or let out, or else waited upon L. Catiline of himself, going out of Town, foaming with rage, breathing Treason, unnaturally plotting the destruction of his Countrey, and menacing you and this City with Fire and Sword. He is gone, he is got his way, he is escaped, he is broke loose: No [Page 42] longer shall any mischief against this Town be brewed by that Monster and Prodigy of Men with­in the Town. And without con­troversie have we prevailed against him, that was the onely Ring-lea­der of this Intestine War: For no longer now shall that Stabbing was infa­mous in all Ages, whence those Braves or Assassines that were noted for Cow­ardly and Desperate lying in wait to murder men [...] were from the Ponyard which they carried, being in Latine Sica, called Si­car [...]i. Dagger be busy a­midst the ribbs of us; nor shall we be afraid in Mars's Field was a piece of Town ground (the Ancient Crown-land) which the Romans at the expu [...]si­ [...]n of Tarquin the Proud, seized and converted to the use of Electing their Magistrates in it. Now there was a Statu [...]e in Rome, Tha [...] none should bring a Weapon in [...] to the Place for Assembly of the People, nor into the Senate, nor into the Iudgment Hall. But Catiline had in [...] former Conspiracy come to the Consular Election arm'd, with design t [...] cut off the Consuls. And now Tully some few dayes before, at the late Election of Consuls, as going in fear of his life, had come into the Field of Mars, wearing a great remarkable Coat of Male. the Field of Mars nor in the Market-Place, nor in the Senate, nor in a word, within our own doors. He has quitted his ground, [Page 43] when he fled the City. We shall now openly wage a just War with a declared Enemy, no body con­tradicting: undoubtedly we have destroyed and bravely vanquished him, what time we put him from private plotting into open Rebel­lion.

2. But that he did not carry ou [...] of Town, as he designed, the point of his Sword stained in bloud; that he went and we alive; that we have wrested the weapon out of his hand; that he left behind him the Citizens in safety, and the Town standing: what mortificati­on do you think it to be, and heart­breaking to him? Now lies he groveling on the ground, and is sensible that he is a lost and ruined man, and oftentimes turns his Eyes back upon the City, lament­ing, it has escaped his ravenous Jaws; which City seems to me to [Page 44] look more cheerfully, since it has disgorged and cast out so pestilent a fellow.

3. But if there be any now, as all of you ought to be, affected, that upon this very point, where­in my Oration does boast and tri­umph, should greatly accuse me, because I did not rather apprehend so Capital an Enemy than let him escape; it is none of my fault, Sirs, but the times; L. Catiline should have been long since taken off and executed, and both old Presidents and the severity of this Empire, and the publick interest required it at my hands. But how many, think you, were there, who would not believe my Information? How many, that out of simplicity could not have thought it? How many that even justifie it? How many, that out of corrupt Principles, a­betted it? Now if upon taking [Page 45] him off, I had judged all your dan­ger removed, long since had I cut off L. Catiline, not onely at the hazard, of losing my reputation, but also my life.

4. But when I plainly saw, though you had been all satis [...]ied in the cause, if I had put him to death according to his demerit, it could not be that I might prosecute the Complices, so much should I be maligned: I brought it to this pass, that you might then openly fight, when you manifestly saw your Enemy; which Enemy, Gen­tlemen, how much you need fear, now he is gone, you may under­stand by this, that I am troubled at nothing more than that he went out of Town so ill attended; would he had carried along with him all his forces! He took me out Tongillus, that he was scan­dalously reported to have been [Page 46] fond of in his Childhood; Publicius and Munatius, whose debts con­tracted in Taverns, could bring no fear to the State: He left behind him men, how considerable? o [...] of what vast debts? how potent? how noble?

5. Therefore that Army of his [...] in respect of our Gallick Legions, and that Levy, which Q. Metel­lus made in the Picenian and Gal­lick Countrey, and these forces, which are daily listed by us, I greatly slight, an Army made up of desperate old men, debauched Farmers, and Countrey Beggars and Bankrupts, men that had ra­ther forfeit their Recognizance than quit his Colours, whom if I should shew, not so much as the Front of our Army, but onely the Sheriffs Writ, they will drop down, These that I see flaunting in the Market, nay, sitting in the [Page 47] Senate, that are perfumed, that shine in Purple; I had rather he had carried out his Souldiers with him; who, if they tarry here, take notice, that not so much that Army, as these, that absent from their Colours, are to be feared by us; and so much the more dange­rous are they: because they are sensible that I am informed of their designs; and yet are not conce [...]ned at it.

6. I see, to whose share Apulia is allotted, who has Tuscany, who the Picenian Countrey, who the Gal­lick, who it was, that required he might carry on the massacring and firing the City. They perceive all their Plots of the other night have been brought to me, I declared them yesterday in the Senate, Cati­line himself was put in a fright, fled upon it. What do these stay for? I assure them they are much mi­staken, [Page 48] if they suppose my for­bearance will alwayes continue. What I waited for, I have already attained; that you might all be convinced there is a manifest Plot against the State, unless per­chance there be some, that ima­gine men of Catiline's temper do not abet Catiline. There is no longer room for patience, the na­ture of affairs calls aloud for seve­rity, yet I will still allow them one favour; let them be gone, let them march out, let them not suffer poor Catiline to pine away, for lack of them. I will shew them the way, he is gone the Aurelian Road, if they make haste, they will over-take him before night.

7. Oh happy State, if it could drain out the sink of the Town. In truth, upon the throwing off Catiline onely, the State seems to [Page 49] me much eased, and on the mend­ing hand: For what mischief or villany could be devised or thought on, which he did not contrive? What Sorcerer in all Italy, what Hector, what High­way-man, what Assassine, what Pa­ricide, what Forger of Wills, what Cheat, what Whoremaster, what Prodigal, what Adulterer, what in­famous Strumpet, what Debauchel of Youth, what debauched, what desperate person can be found, but confesses Catiline was his great ac­quaintance? What Murders have been committed these late years, that he had not a hand in? What abominable Rape, but of his set­ting.

8. Now where was there ever such a spirit of inveigling youth as in him? who did himself love some unnaturally, was scandalou [...]ly prostituted to the unnatural love [Page 50] of others; some he promised the enjoyment of their lust, others the death of their Parents, not onely by his instigation, but by his as­sistance [...] and now, how of a sudden has he got together a great many men of desperate fortunes, not onely from the Town, but from the Countrey also? There is none in debt, either in Rome, or any corner of all Italy, that he has not drawn in to his incredible Con­federacy in Treason.

9. And that you may perceive his different Inclinations in things of a con [...]ary Nature, there is none in the Fencing School, any thing forward to bold attempts, but con­fesses, he was Catiline's Intimate: None any thing wanton or loose on the Stage, but gives out that he and Catiline were in a manner all one. And yet this very Person, inur'd to suffer Cold and Hunger [Page 51] and Thirst, and watch in pursuit of Whoredom and Villany, was cried up by these his Companions as one hardy; when as the Aids of Industry and Instruments of Ver­tue, were wasted upon Lust and Violence.

10. Now if his Comrades would go along with him, if the scandalous Crew of desperate Per­sons would quit the Town, hap­py should we be, the State bles­sed, and an Immortal Renown up­on my Consulship! for the lusts of men now-a-dayes are grown im­moderate, their attempts inhu­mane and unsufferable; they think of nothing but Massacres, but fi­ring[?], but plundering, they have spent their own Estates, they have squandred away their Fortunes, their Stock has been long since gone, now their Credit begins to fail them; yet they have the same [Page 52] pride as when they had a plentiful Estate. Now if amidst their Drink­ing and Gaming, they onely re­garded Riot and Whoring, they were indeed little hopeful, but yet tolerable. But who can endure this, that Cowards should lay wait for the Valiant, Fools for the Wise, Sots for the Sober, Sluggards for the Vigilant? That sit me at Treats with their Misses in their Laps, their Brains swimming with Wine, Stomachs over charged with Meat, Garlands on their Heads, daubed with Sweet Oyntment, weakned with Whoring, and belch out in their talk the slaughter of the honest Party and the firing of the City.

11. Over whom I am confident there hangs some fate, and that the rewards long since due to their boldness, baseness, treachery, and lust, is either imminent, or cer­tainly approaching. Whom, if [Page 53] my Consulship, because it cannot cure, shall cut off, it will not pro­long some small and inconsiderable time, but many Ages to the State: for there is no Nation, which we need fear, no King that can wage war with the People of Rome: Pom­pey had a [...] that time clear'd the Mediterrane­an of Pi­rates, and had well-nigh di­spatch'd the long Wa [...] with Mithri­dates King of Pontus. All forreign Affairs are quietly settled by Sea and Land, through the valor of one man; the Plot is within; the danger locked within; the Enemy is within: We have a Conflict with Luxury, with Mad­ness, with Treachery. I declare my self, Gentlemen, General in this War. I am contented to be maligned by desperate persons. What can be healed, I will use all means to heal; what must be cut off, I will not suffer to spread to the common destruction: There­fore either let them be gone, or let them be quiet; or, if they do abide, both in Town and in the [Page 54] same mind, let them expect what they deserve.

12. B [...]t some there are, Gen­tlemen, that say, Catiline was by me thrown into Banishment. Which, if I could effect with a wo [...]d speaking, I would throw out them that say so. For he, I'll warrant you, poor, timorous, and over-modest man, could not bear the reproof of the Consul: as­soon as commanded to go into Banishment, obey'd Orders. Nay yesterday, when I was almost murdered in my own house, I summoned a Senate into Iupiter Stator's Temple: I informed the Senato [...]s of the whole matter, whither when Catiline was come, what Senators spoke to him? who saluted him? In a word, who looked upon him, so well as a for­lorne Citizen, and not rather as a most dangerous Enemy? Nay the [Page 55] Chief of that Order left the part of the Seat, towards which he came, naked and empty.

13. Hereupon, I, the severe Consul, that throw men into Ba­nishment with a word speaking, que­stioned Catiline, Whether he had been present, or no, at the It was a fundam [...]n­tal Law in Rom [...] of the XII. Tabl [...]s, not to h [...]ld Night Me [...] ­ings within the City [...] and there was a [...] ­binian S [...] ­tute, Q [...] conciones ullas cl [...]nde­stinas in [...] [...] be con [...]a­visset, more majorum ca­pitall sup [...]li­cio mult [...] ­retur. Po [...] ­tius Latr [...], H [...] that s [...]all draw tog [...] ­ther [...] Meeting [...] within [...] City [...] [...] suffer th [...] pains of High Treason, which was with the Romans to [...] [...]yed to [...]he Whipping-Post, scourg'd, and beheaded. Night Meeting in M. Lecca's House [...] when he, though bold enough, yet self-convinced, was at first si­lent, I made furthe [...] discovery, what he treated of that Night, where he had been [...] what h [...] had resolved upon for the next night; and in­form'd how the whole Course of the War wa [...] projected by him. When as he stopt and stayed, I questio­ned him, Why he should make any demurre of going thither, whither he had long since intended [...] having I know, sent before, his Arms, his [Page 56] Axes, his Rods, his Trumpets, his Ensigns, and that Silver Eagle, to which he had set up at home a Chap­pel for his Treacheries.

14. Did I throw him into Ba­nishment, that I saw was already entred upon a War? For that Captain Ill warrant you, that has encamped in the Fesulan Coun­trey, proclaimed War against the Roman people upon his own ac­count, and that Camp does not now wait for Catiline to be their General, and now being thrown in­to Banishment, he will [...]urn aside to Ca [...]i­line leaving the Town, wrote Le [...]ters upon the way to his friends and the Prime of the Nobility, that being he saw him­s [...]lf [...]ircum­vent [...]d by false Accusa­tion, and could [...]ot withstand the [...] of his [...] with dr [...]n to [...] se [...]les; [...] in [...] no [...] [...] he we [...] con­scio [...] [...] himself of any such crime, but to prevent all occasi­on [...] [...] [...]t [...]rbing the publick Peace. [...] is [...] famous Port in France, planted from Asia in [...] [...]imes of the Persian Empire; of old renown'd for [...], [...]ith other Vertues, Policy, Learning, and an emi­ [...]ent aff [...]ction to th [...] Roman State. Mars [...]illes, as they give out, and not into this Camp [...] Oh un­happy condition, not onely of steering, but of saving the State. [Page 57] Now, if L. Catiline, hemmed in, and disabled by my Counsels, La­bors, and Dangers, should take a sudden fright, alter his purpose, desert his Party, abandon his reso­lution of raising War, from this Carier of Treason and Rebellion, should turn his Course into flight and Exile; he will not be report­ed to have been by me disarmed of the weapons of his insolency, nor astonished and affrighted by my di­ligence, nor put besides his hopes and endeavours; but uncondemned innocent man, to have been thrown into Banishment by the Consul, with foul and threatning words: and some will have it be thought, if he shall do so, not that he was guil­ty, but unfortunate, nor that I was a most diligent Magistrate, but a most cruel Tyrant.

15. I can well afford, Gentle­men, to bear the storm of this [Page 58] false and unreasonable aspe [...]sion, so the danger of this dreadful and unnatural War be diverted from you, let it, since they will have it so, be said that he was thrown out by me, so he do, but go into Banishment: but take my word he will not do so. Sirs! I shall never wish of the Immortal Gods, for the abating any hard opinion of me, that you should hear L. Cati­line is in the head of the Enemies Army, and marching in the Field; yet within three dayes you will hear it: and I much more fear the other thing, least the time may once come, wherein it prove a greater fault that I let him go out, than that I threw him out: But there being some, that say he is persecu­ted, when he went of himself, what would those men have said, if he had been executed?

[Page 59]16. Although these very men, that give out that Catiline is gone to Marseilles, do not so much complain, as fear that it is so. None of them has so much ten­derness for him, but had rather that he should go to Manlius than to those of Marseill [...]s. But, in truth, had he never before de­signed, what he now goes about, yet he had rather be killed in Re­bellion than live in Banishment. But now, when as nothing has yet befallen him, besides his own desire and design, but that he went out of Rome, and we alive; let us rather wish he would, then complain that he doth go into Banishment.

17. But why are we thus long discoursing of one Enemy? and that Enemy that now declares himself so, and whom I no longer fear; because there is, as I alwayes [Page 60] desired, a Wall between us; we speak nothing yet of those, that dissemble that tarry behind at Rome, that keep amongst us? whom I do not so much endeavour to punish, if it could any way be prevented, as to cure and recon­cile them to the State. Nor do I see, why that should not be pos­sible, if they take my Counsel; for I will relate to you, Gentlemen, of what sort of men those forces are made up, then will I apply to the particulars the best Remedy my advice and perswasion can pro­vide.

18. One Rank of them is such, as, though they have great debts, yet have greater Estates; out of love to which, they can by no means afford to get themselves clear. The appearance of these men has the fairest shew, for they are substantial men; but their in­tention [Page 61] and pretence is most im­pudent. Should you be plentiful and splendid in Lands, in Houses, in Plate, in Retinue, and in all Ac­commodations, and do you stick to diminish some of your Estate, and to purchase a good reputation? Why, what do you look for? For War? What? Do you then think in the Common Desolation, that your possessions shall be sacred and untouched? For In Ca­ses of extra­ordinary publick Ne­cessities, there have been fram'd Acts or P [...]o­clamations, for the Re­leasing all old Debts to a certain day. Such was the Jubilee among the Hebrews, such the Act call'd [...] or [...] among the Greek [...], as t [...]se Novae Tabulae of the Romans; and such in some measure are Acts in these later times, for the releasing of poor Priso­ne [...], that shall swear themselves not worth 5 or 10 l. a Bill to can­cel old Debts? They are much mi­staken, that look for that from Catiline; I will help them to such a Bill, but it must be a Bill of Sale. For, they who have E­states, can be preserved by no o­ther means; which, if they would have done sooner, neither (which, [Page 62] is the most foolish thing in the World) tire out their Rents with paying interest; we might have had more able and honest Citizens of them. But such men as these I think not very much to be feared, because they may either be reclaimed, or, if they shall continue in the same mind, they seem rather to me, such as will joyn their prayers than their arms against the State.

19. Another sort is of those, that, though they are deeply in debt, yet they affect Tyranny, they would be Princes; those pla­ces which they cannot look for, if the State continue in peace, if it be Like the Fish [...]rm [...]n in [...]he Fable, who troubled the Waters, [...]hat [...]e might c [...]tch the [...]ore Fish. disturbed, they hope they shall attain: Who should have this advice given them, the self­same, as all the rest, to despair of obtaining that, which they attempt: First of all, that I my self am vi­gilant, [Page 63] active, provident over the State; then the well-affected are in great Courage, great Concord, in very great number; that there are great Forces of Soldiery; lastly, that the Immortal Gods will aid and assist this invincible People, most renowned Empire, and most beautiful City, against such a prodigious Treason. But grant they had obtained, what they pursue with such madness, do they hope, that in the ashes of the Town, and blood of their Citizens, which with a traiterous and an unnatural heart they have conspired, themselves should be Consuls, or Protectors, or indeed Kings? Do they not see, that they lust after that, which, if they could compass, must needs be granted some Fugitive or Fencer?

[Page 64]20. A third sort is well stricken in years, yet trained up to hardi­ness; in which rank is Manlius himself, whose Charge Catiline has now taken. Sulla having over­thrown the Marian Par­ty and ma­ster'd the State, plac'd his Victori­ous Army in the at­tainted Lands; which h [...] di­vided a­mongst 47 Legions. These are persons of those Plantations, that Sulla settled, all which I take to be of honest Citizen [...] and valiant Men. But these are Planters, who live too high and pro [...]d upon their unexpected and new got moneys: These, whilest they build like Princes, whilest they pride them­selves in their Manor Houses, Coaches, great Retinues, Enter­tainments, Furnitures, are sunk into so great Debt, that if they would ever come out, Sulla, must be again raised from the Dead by these: who have also drawn in some Farmors, poor and needy men, upon the same expectation of their old Rapines; both of whom, I place, Sirs, in the same [Page 65] Rank of Robbers and Plunderers. But I advise them this, Let them leave off their madness, and dream­ing of Sequestrations [...] and Pro­tectorships: For the Country ha­ving been burnt, retains such a dread of those times, that now-a-dayes not onely Men, but the Brutes themselves, in my opinion, would not endure such outrages.

21. The fourth sort indeed is heterogeneous and mixt and facti­ous, such as have been long since sunk; such as never can hold up their head again; such as partly by idleness, partly by ill manage­ing their business; partly by bad husbandry, are tottering with old Debts: who being tired with Suits, Judgments, and Outlaw­ries, are said to flock in great num­bers, both out of Town and Countrey to that Camp. These men I judge not so much to be [Page 66] stout Souldiers, as Shifting Baf­flers: Which persons, first, If they cannot stand, even let them fall; but so, that not onely the State, but not so much as their next Neigh­bour should be sensible of it: For I do not understand the reason why if they cannot live in credit, they should desire to fall with dishonour; or why they should suppose it less pain to sink with many, than in sinking alone.

22. A fifth sort is of Pari­cides, Murderers, and in a word, of all Malefactors; whom I do not intice from Catiline, neither can they be torn from him; and in truth let them perish in Rebellion, being so many, that the Prison can­not hold them.

23. But the last sort is, not onely in their Roll, but also in their course of life, that which is properly Catilines, of his List; nay [Page 67] of his Lust and Cap: such as you see with set and oynted Hair, ei­ther Beardless, or with spruce Beards; in The measure of commendable and proper habit, is such as either conduc [...]th to, or at least consists with readiness of Action in e­very ones place; there­fore the Ro­mans con­demned in Men, especi­ally Souldi­ers, Gar­ments with Sleeves and Trains. Tunicks, with Sleeves, wrapt in Mantles, and not in Gowns: All the indust [...]y of whose life and labour of watching, is laid out in Revellings. In this Crew, all Gamesters, all Adulte­rers, all loose and debauched pe [...] ­sons do keep. These fine and soft Lads, have not onely the Trade of Courting and being Courted, nor of To sing, play on Instruments of Musick and dance curiously, were qualisications of no cre­dit at Rome, and look'd upon as light and aiery, nor suita­ble to the Roman gravity, but in high esteem among the Grecians. Singing and Dancing, but also of flourishing Daggers and scattering Poison; who, unless they be gone, unless they perish, though Catiline should perish, be well assured, this will be a standing Nursery of Catilines [Page 68] in the State. But what do those poor wretches mean? Can they carry their small Girles with them into the Camp? And how can they be without them, especially these long Cold Nights? Or in what sort can they bear the A ridg [...] of Hills run­ning the length of Italy North and South from the Alps to the Streight of Sicily. Ap­pennine, and those Frosts and Snows, unless they think they shall the more easily endure the Weather, because they have practised to dance naked at Feasts?

24. A War greatly to be dreaded, when Catiline hath a­bout him this [...]ewd Life-guard! Now, Gentlemen, draw up your Garrisons and your Armies against these precious Forces of Catiline; and first, against that broken and battered Fencer, range your Con­suls and Generals; then against that naked and weather-beaten party of shipwrackt Creatures; draw forth the flower and strength [Page 69] of all Italy. Now the Cities of the Plantations and Boroughs shall ballance Catiline's Fastnesses in the Woods: Nor in trut [...] ought I to compare your other Forces, Tro [...]phies, and Strong holds, with the want and beggery of that Rebel.

25. But if, waving all these things, whereof we have suppli [...]s, he is in want; the Senate, the Knights, the Roman People, the City, the Treasury, the Customs, all Italy, the several Provinces, Foreign Nations; I say, if wa­ving these things, we would match the bare causes which are in di­spute one with another; by that onely we may apprehend how flat they are laid: For, on the one side modesty fights, on the other, scorn; on this part, Purity, on the o­ther Debauchery; on this side Cre­dit, on that side Knavery; on this Loyalty, on that Treason; on this [Page 70] side Stayedness, on the other Mad­ness; on this side Honour, on that Baseness; on this Gove [...]nment, on that Lust: In summe, on this side, Equity, Temperance, Cou­rage, Prudence; all Vertues, con­tend with Oppression, with Lux­ury, with Cowardize, with Rash­ness, with all Vices. Lastly, Wealth with Want, Right Rea­son with Absu [...]dness, Good Judg­ment with Infatuation. Lastly, Fair Hope engages with the De­spair of all things. In such a Com­bate and Battle, though the Af­fections of men should with draw, would not the Immortal Gods themselves oblige so many and so great Vices to be over-thrown by these most Excellent Vertues.

26. Which things being so, Gentlemen, do yo [...], as I have before said, watch and ward your private houses: I have taken Or­der [Page 71] and provided, that the City be sufficiently guarded without putting you into any fear or A­larme. All your Planters and Bur­gesses, having been certified by [...] of this Nights Excursion of Cati­line, will sufficiently defend their Cities and Bounds. The Fencers, which he thought would make him a great and a sure party, although they are better affected than some of the Senators, shall yet be secu­red. Q. Metellus, that I upon prospect of this, sent before into the Gallican and Picenian Coun­trey, will either surprise him him­self, or suppress all his motions and endeavours. But for the set­tling, dispatching, and ordering all other things, we will immedi­ately move the House, which you see is summoned.

27. Now for those which have tarr [...]ed behind in Town, and in [Page 72] truth, which have been left there by Catiline, to the destruction of it and all you; though they are enemies, yet because they are na­tural Citizens, I would warn them again and again. My forbearing hitherto, if it have seemed to a­ny too slack, has waited for this, that what was hidden, might break out. For the time to come, I can forget no longer that this is my Countrey, that I am their Consul; that I must either live with them, or die for them. There is no Porter at the Gate, no Scout upon the Road, if any will go out, they may shift for them­selves: But whoever shall stir in the Town, that I shall discover not onely his acting, but any at­tempting, or endeavour against his Countrey, he shall find; that there are in the City, vigilant Consuls, there are excellent Ma­gistrates, [Page 73] there is a Couragious Se­nate, that there are Arms and a Prison, which our Ancestors have appointed to be for the avenging of unnatural and notorious Villa­nies.

28. And all this shall be so car­ried, Gentlemen, that the most important affairs with the least noise, the greatest dangers with­out alarme, an intestine and do­mestick War, the cruellest and greatest as ever was recorded, may be suppressed under my single Conduct and Generalship in the Long Robe: Which I will so ma­nage, Gentlemen, if it be any wayes possible, that not so much as any Criminal in the Town may endure the punishment due to his Treachery. But if open Rebelli­on, If the imminent hazard of my Countrey, shall force me from this temper of mind, I shall be sure to [Page 74] compass that other thing, which in so great and so dangerous a Re­bellion, seems a boldness to wish, that no honest person may mis­carry, and that by the executi­on of a few, ye may be all preser­ved.

29. Which things I promise [...]ou, Gentlemen, not upon Con­fidence of my own Wisdom, nor the Cou [...]sels of Men, but upon many, and those undoubted In­timations of the Immortal Gods; by whose guidance, I have come to this hope and resolution; who now, not at a distance, as they were wont in forme [...] times, from a foreign and remote Enemy, but here in presence, do defend their Temples, and the Houses of the City with their power and assist­ance; whom you, Si [...]s, in duty ought to petition, worship, and implore, That what City they [Page 75] have pleased to raise to be most beautiful, flourishing, and pow­erful, they would preserve from the unnatural Treason of most de­sperate Citizens, all the power of Foreign Enemies being subdued both by Sea and Land.

The Argument.

[Page 78]1. YOu see, Countreymen, the State, and all your Lives, your Goods, Estates, Wives, and Children, and this Seat of the most renowned Em­pire, the most fortunate and beau­tiful City, this day by the peculi­ar love of the Immortal Gods to­wards you; by my labours, coun­sels, and dangers, rescued from Fire and Sword, and out of the very Jaws of destruction, and pre­served and restored to you.

2. Now if those dayes, where­in we are delivered, are no less de­lightful and remarkable to us, than those whereon we are born; because the joy of our being pre­served is certain, the condition whereunto we are born, uncertain; and because we are not sensible of our being born but take de­light at our being preserved. In [Page 79] truth, since that we have extolled in love and glory Romulus, tha [...] founded this City When Romulus was for his absolute and rough dis­position in Govern­ment, torn in pieces (as some suspect­ed) by the Senate: the same senate to al­lay the grief of the Peo­ple and co­lour that A­ction, voted him Divine Honours: what time also Julius P [...]oculus a Roma [...] Knight, made Oath that he had app [...]ared to him in a Shape more excellent than humane, and by him sent a certain Message to the Senate, upon which depended the future glo­ry of that Empire. to the Im­mortal Gods, he, sure, that has prese [...]ved this City so founded and enlarged, shall have reason to find some esteem with you an [...] your posterity. For we have quenched those Brands, which were put to, well-nigh, and laid about, the Temples, Oratories, Houses, and Battlements of the whole City. We too have bea [...]en back the Swords drawn a [...]gainst the State, and have warded off the points of them from your Throats.

3. All which having been in the Senate cleared, manifested, and discoverd by me, I will now in short report to you, Countrey­men, [Page 80] that you, who both are ig­norant, and desirous to be informed, may know, both how great, and how plain they are; and by what course traced out and taken. First of all, since Catiline, a few dayes ago, broke out of the City, ha­ving left in Rome the Complices of his Treason, and the most stout Commanders of this Unnatural War, I alwayes have been vigi­lant and provident, Countrey­men, how we might be safe a­midst so great and secret Plottings. For then, when I routed Catiline out of Town (nor do I now fear the Censure of that word, the contrary being rather to be appre­hended, that he went out alive) but then, when I desired him to be banished the Verge of this Court, I either thought that the rest of the Conspirators would have gone out together, or that [Page 81] those who tarried behind, would be weak and disabled withou [...] him.

4. But now since I saw tha [...] those, who, I know, were in [...]la­med with the greatest rage and malignancy, were amongst us, and tarried behind at Rome, I em­ploied all my time day and night, to discover and see what they con­sulted and designed; that so, see­ing my report could find but small credit with your Ears, by reason of the hainousness of the Trea­son, I might render the matter so evident, that you should then in your minds provide for your safety, when you saw with your Eyes the naked Conspiracy: Therefore, as soon as I came to know that the Ambassadors of the Allobroges had been tampered with by P. Len­tulus, to raise a Transalpine War, and to put all Gauland into an up­roar, [Page 82] and that they were sent in­to Gauland [...] to their Countrey­men, and under one, with Letters and Instructions to Catiline, and that Vulturcius wen [...] along in their Train and carried a Letter Express to Catiline: I thought I had an op­portunity to put into my hand, that what was the hardest point, and what I alwayes wished for from the Immortal Gods, the whole matter might be clearly dis­covered not onely by me bu [...] by the Senate and your selves.

5. Therefore yesterday, I sent for L. Flaccus and C [...] Pontinius Praetors, most valiant and confi­ding persons; I declared the whole matter, shewed them my plea­sure. Now they, as men of an e­minent and singular affection to the State, without excuse or delay, undertook the business: and when it drew towards night, got secret­ly [Page 83] to Pons Milvius a Town two Mile from Rome i [...] the Via Flami­nia, where was a Bridge over the Tyber not unlike our Bow-Brid [...]e. Pons Milvi [...]s, and there in the adjoyning Towns so divided themselves, that the Bridge and the River Tyber was between them. They carried also along with them without any suspicion many stout men, and I too had sent thi­ther many choice youths [...] wearing Swords, out of the Towns where Mar­k [...]ts were kept ev [...]ry Ninth day, and Causes heard, or Sessions and Assizes held, w [...]re call'd Prae [...]ecturae. Reate is a Town of the Sabines, the very Navel o [...] It [...]ly and Countrey of Varro. Jurisdicti­on of Reate; whose service I con­tinually make use of in guiding of the State.

6. Now the Third Watch be­ing near ended, so soon as the Am­bassadors of the Allobroges, with a great Train began [...]o be upon the Bridge [...] and Vulturcius with them, they are assailed, Swords we [...]e drawn both by them and by ours. The matter was known onely to the Praetors, was unknown to the rest. Then at the coming in of Pontinius and Flaccus, the Fray, that was engaged in, is appeased. [Page 84] Whatever Letters were in that Retinue, are delivered with the Seals entire to the Praetors; the persons apprehended are brought before me about break of day: Hereupon I sent for the most dan­gerous Contriver of all these Plots, Cimber Gabinius, suspecting no such matter; then afterwards P. Statilius is fetcht, and after him Cethegus; latest of all came Lentulus. I suppose because in making dispatches, late last night he had sate up beyond his ordinary hour.

7. Now when it was the opini­on of the most eminent and hono­rable Men of the City, who upon hearing the matter, came early to my house in great number; That the Letters should be first opened by me, before they were moved in the House, lest, if there should be no­thing in them, so great an Alarm [Page 85] might seem to have been rashly gi­ven the City. I said, I would not, but in a publick danger, propound the matter first to the Publick Council. For, Countreymen, if that had not been in them, which I was in­formed of, yet I did not suspect, that in so great dangers of the State, the blame of over-dili­gence, were to be feared by me, I suddenly called a full House, as you see.

8. And in the mean time, pre­sently at the advice of the Allo­broges, dispatched C. Sulpitius the Praetor, a stout man, to search for Arms in the House of Cethegus; from whence he brought out a great quantity of Stiletto's and Swords. I call'd in Vulturcius without the Gauls, and by the Order of the House passed the Publick Faith to him, advising him, that without fear he wo [...]ld [Page 86] discov [...]r what he knew [...] thereup­on he, being s [...]arcely come to himself from a great fright, said, that he had instructions from Pub. Lentulus to Catiline, and Letters that he should use the assistance of Slaves, and bring his Army with all expedition up to the City; to that intent, that when they had fired the City in all Corners, as it was laid out and divided, and had made an infinite Massacre of the Citizens; he might be at hand to glean up them that escaped, and joyn his Forces with these City Commanders.

9. But the Gauls, brought in, said, They had an Oath [...]nd Letters given to them by P. Lentulus, Ce­thegus, Statilius, to their Nati­on; and that such Orders were gi­ven them [...] by these, and by L. Cossius, they should send their Cavalry with all speed into Italy, [Page 87] and for Infantry they should not want. Also that Lentulus had assured them out of the Syb [...]s Books and the Prophecies of South­sayers, that he is that Third Cornelius, to whom the Sove­raignty and Empire of this City must come: That Sulla and Cir [...] ­na had been before him; and that he said this year was fatal for the destruction of this City and Em­pire, being the Absolu [...]ion] Marcia and Licinia were absolv'd by L. Metellus High Priest, with the whole Colledge, onely Aemilia condemn'd for Incest. 10th, year after the Absolution of the Vir­gins, and Bu [...]ning] L. Scipio and Norban [...]s being Con­suls, the Capitol which had stood from the time of the Kings 400 years and upward, and was before the Vsurpation of Sulla burnt. the twen­tieth since the Burning of the Capitol. They said too that there was this Controversie between Cethegus and the rest, that whereas Lentulus and the others would have the Massacre made, and the City [Page 88] burnt on the The [...]east of Sa­turn was the 19th of De­cember, what time the whole City us'd to go to the Moun [...] Aventine, there to sa­crifice and keep Festival as it were in the Coun­trey. The Chief Magi­strates were therefore then to be out of Town, and much licence allow'd the Apprentices and Slaves, who were for that time of mis-rule ex­empted from the com­mands of their Ma­sters. Saturnalia. Ce­thegus thought, that was too long.

10. Now, not to be tedious, Countreymen, we commanded the Letters to be produced, which were said to have been delivered by each person respectively. The first we shewed to Cethegus, he knew the Seal; we cut the thread; read it: There was written with his own hand, To the Senate and the People of the Allobroges, that he would effect, what he had assured their Ambassadors: desiring that they also, on their part would effect what their Ambassadors should direct them. Then Cethegus, who a lit­tle before had made some answer about the Swords and Daggers which were found in his House, and had said, That he was alwayes a Lover of good Blades: Upon reading the Letters, being dismay­ed [Page 89] and confounded, through the Conviction of his Conscience, was of a sudden put to silence. Stati­lius was brought in, he knew both his Seal and his Hand; the Letters were read to the same purpose in a manner, as he confessed it. Then I shewed Lentulus his Letter, and inquired, Whether he knew the Seal? By nod he owned it. I marry, said I, It is a Noted Seal, the I­mage of your Grandfather, a most Honourable Person, who bare a sin­gular affection to his Countrey and Countreymen, which might of it self, though dumb, reclaim you from so great a Treason.

11. The Letter in the same tenor, to the Senate and People of the Allobroges is read, if he had any thing to say for himself in this matter, I gave him liberty. There­upon he first denied it, but a little after, the whole Information be­ing [Page 90] produced and declared, he stood up, asked the Gauls what he had to do with them, that they should come to his House? Asked Vulturcius also the like, who ha­ving answered him in short and co­herently, with resolution, by whose means, and how often they came to him; and having asked him, Whether he had spoken no­thing to them about the Sybils Books? Then he of a sudden, being for his wickedness infatua­ted, shewed, how great the force of Conscience is. For, whereas he might safely have denied that, of a sudden, contrary to the ex­pectation of all, he confessed it: So, not onely that wit of his, and P Len­tulus was a Nobleman, that year one of the Eight Pretores U [...] ­bani, or Chief Iusti­ces of Rom [...], In speaking, his ma [...]ter and language however in­different, yet the Comli­ness of his Person, Ge­sture of his Body, full of Art and Gracefuln [...]ss, a sweet and loud Voice, did wonderfully set off. practice of speaking, where­in he alwayes had good ability, but also through the greatness of [Page 91] his manifest and convict Treason, that That he wanted not confi­denc [...], may be j [...]dg'd by [...] for be­i [...]g press'd for [...]aving cheated the State, he jok'd in the Senate, he could not give his Ac­counts, bu [...] must hold hi [...] Legg (as e [...] Boys-play, they that miss the Ball) to be s [...]ung a [...]. Legg is [...] Surname of that Family, and given him as a Nick-name. Also in a cer­tain Trial having brib'd the Iudges, and coming off by t [...] Voices, [...]e said, I here was so much money lost as the other had, when it had been enough to have come off by one Voice. impudence, wherein he surpassed all, and presumptuous­ness failed him.

12. But Vul [...]urcius of a sudden requires, that the Letters shoul [...] be produced and opened, which, he said, were given him by Lentulus to carry to Catiline. Thereupon Len­tulus being exceedingly confound­ed, yet knew his Seal and Hand [...] Now they were written without any Name, but thus: Who I am, you shall know of this Bearer, whom I have sent Express to you; look that you play the man, and consider what pass you are come to, and see what is at the present necessary for you. Look that you take on the Aids of all, even of the meanest. Then Gabinius brought in, when as at [Page 92] first he began to answer perem­ptorily, at last denied nothing of that which the Gauls charged up­on him.

13. Now as to me, Countrey­men, whereas those Arguments and Proofs of the Treason seem most certain, the Letters, Seals, Hands, lastly, the Confession of every one; so did those other seem more sure, their Colour, Eyes, Looks, Silence: For they were so amaz'd, so fix'd their Looks on the ground, so slily now and then eyed one another, that no longer by others, but they seem'd to be by themselves disco­ver'd. The Proofs being produ­ced and declared, I put the Que­stion to the Senate, What they would resolve upon for securing the State? Most severe and coura­geous Votes were given by the leading Men, which the Senate [Page 93] followed without any dissent; and because the Order is not yet drawn up, I shall repeat to you, Coun­treymen, by heart what the Senate voted.

14. First of all, The Thanks of the House were given me in an ample manner, because by my courage, counsel, providence, the Common­wealth had been delivered from most imminent dangers. Then L. Flac­cus and Caius Pomplinius are de­servedly and justly praised; They w [...] committed not into th [...] publick [...]aole but confin'd under the custody of c [...]rtain Great m [...]n. be­cause they had couragiously and faithfully executed what I commit­ted to their Charge. Ca. Antonius a valiant man, my Colleague, has his share of praise given him too, for having removed those that were engaged in this Conspiracy from his Cabinet Council and the Secrets of ta [...]te. And thus they resolved, That P. [...]tulus to P. Lentulus Spinther who was then Aedili [...] (an Officer a [...] a Mayor.) P. Lentulus having first laid down the Praetorship, should be [Page 94] taken into Custody: Also that C. Ce­thegus to Q. Cornificius. C. Cethegus, L. Sta­tilius to C. Caesar. L. Statilius, and P. Ga­binius to M. Crassus. Onely these four were then taken Publius Gabinius, who were all personally present, should be committed: In case they should be taken. and the same was voted too against Lu. Cassius, who had sued for a Commission to fire the City: against A Bur­gess of Ter­racina [...] who having inti­ [...]tion that the Plot was discovered [...] attempted to fli [...] but [...] was ta [...]en [...] the way and [...] brought tre­s [...]c [...], h [...] was acc [...]ingly committed to Co. Te­rentius the Senator. M. C [...]parius, to whom [...] as it was informed, A­pulia was allotted, for drawing in the Herdsmen: against P. Furius, who is of those Plantations, that L [...] Sulla settled in Fesulae: against Q. Magius Chilo, who together with this F [...]rius, was alw [...]yes bu­sie in this practising the Allobro­ges: against P. Umbre [...]us, a Freed­man, by whom as it was eviden­ced, the Gaul [...] were first brought in to Gabinius.

15. And the Senate used such Gentleness, Countreymen, that, out of so great a Conspiracy, and such a power and multitude of [Page 95] home-bred Enemies, the Com­mon-wealth being preserved by the punishment of nine most rotten members, it is supposed the minds of the rest may be cured. And further, a Thanksgiving to the Immortal Gods for their exceed­ing goodness, was voted to be kept upon my account; which has never been done before to any in the Long Robe since the Founda­tion of the City, but to me: and it was drawn up in these words, Because I had delivered the City from firing, the Citizens from slaughter, and Italy from war. Which Thanksgiving if it be com­pared with others, Countreymen, this difference may be sound, that others have been appointed for ser­ving, mine for the preserving of the State. And that which was in the fi [...]st place to be done, is passed and performed. For P. [Page 96] Lentulus, although discovered by his Proofs and Confessions, had been by the Judgement of the Senate The form of his degrading from the Chief Iu­stice-ship was such, that he was disrob'd of his Scarlet Gown in the Senat [...], and put on Mourning Weeds suita­bl [...] to his condition, as being a Cri­minal under Tryal. degraded not onely from the Dignity of Praetor, but from the liberty of a Citizen, yet did lay down his Magistracy; that, what C. Marius, that excellent per­son never scrupled at for the killing of C. Glaucia, the Praetor, against whom there was no Vote passed by name, we might be delivered of that scruple, in executing Lentulus a private man.

16. Now, seeing, Countrey­men, you have the unnatural Ge­nerals of this most wicked and dangerous Rebellion, in hold and prison, ye ought to judge, that all the forces of Catiline, all his hopes and strength, these dangers of the City being prevented, are fallen to the ground: whom indeed when I turned out of Town, I [Page 97] fore-saw this in my mind, Coun­treymen, that if Catiline were got out of the way, I had no reason to fear, either the drowsiness of P. Lentulus, or the fat guts of L. Cassius, nor the hot-headed rash­ness of Ca. C [...]thegus. He was the onely person of them all to be feared, but so long as he continu­ed within the Town, he had in­telligence of every thing; he had access to every body: He had a­bility, had confidence, to break the question to them, to feel them, to practise them: He had a Head shaped for any Exploit; and to that Head, was wanting neither Tongue nor Hand. Now for the execution of his other busi­ness, he had certain choice and suitable Instruments: Nor yet, as soon as he had given a thing in Charge, did he reckon his work done; there was nothing but he [Page 98] overlooked himself, compassed in good time, watched and drudg­ed for; could bear Cold, Thirst, Hunger.

17. This person, so eager, so for­ward, so audacious, so subtle, so watchful at his Treason, so active in mischief, had I not driven from his secret Ambushes in Town, to o­pen action in the Field (to tell you, Countreymen, what I think) I had not easily prevented this great mischief from falling upon your Necks. He would not have pitch­ed you the Saturnales, nor so long before have given out the fatal day for the destruction of the State, neither would he have been so far overseen, as that his Seal, his Let­ters, no, not that any witnesses of such open Treason should be produced. All which, now in his absence, have been so carried, that never was theft in any private [Page 99] house so openly detected, as this so great Conspiracy in the State has been found and convicted. But if Catiline had tarried in Town to this day, although as long as he was here, I obviated and pre­vented his designs, yet, to speak with the lowest, we must have fought with him, nor could we e­ver, as long as that Enemy had been in Town, with so great peace, such quiet, such silence, have freed the State from so great dan­gers.

18. Although all these things, Countreymen, I have so mana­ged, that they may be perceiv'd to have been fore-seen and carried on by the Councel and Guidance of the Immortal Gods. Which, as we may conjecture, because the conduct of such weighty affairs may hardly be judged within the compass of humane policies, so [Page 100] indeed in such present manner of late have they aided and assisted us, that we might almost see them with our Eyes: For, to wave those things, Meteors like Tor­ches in the West, seen by night, and the Heavens as it were all on fire; to pass by Lightnings, Earth­quakes, and the other Prodigies, which have happened in our Con­sulship, so many, that the Im­mortal Gods seem with a Voice from Heaven to have proclaim'd the things which are now come to pass. This one thing, Countrey­men, which I shall mention, must neither be omitted, nor neglected.

19. For yee must needs remem­ber, when Cotta and Torquatus were Consuls, that many Turrets in the Capitol were struck with Lightning, what time also the Images of the Immortal Gods were beaten down, and the Sta­tues [Page 101] of Ancient Men overthrown, and As w [...] engross our Acts of Par­liament and [...]ile the Ori­ginals up in the Records; so the anci­ent Roma [...]s when their Law had been the third Mar­ket-day ap­prov'd by the People, en­grav'd it in Brass Tables and laid it up in th [...] Treasury. The XII. Tables so en­grav'd, were laid up in the Tower. the Brass Tables of the Law melted; Romulus too, that founded this City, was smitten, whom, you remember to have been gilt in the Capitol, a Babe, and sucking with the Wolves Teats in his Mouth. At what time, the Diviners, having been convented from all Etruria said, That Slaugh­ters and Fires, and the abolition of the Laws, and Civil and Dome­stick Wars, and ruin of the whole City and Empire did approach; unless the Immortal Gods, attoned by all means, should by their abso­lute power almost alter the course of Fate.

20. Therefore upon their In­terpretations at that time, both Plays were for ten days celebrated, and nothing omitted, which might tend towards the atone­ment of the Gods. The same [Page 102] Southsayers too gave order, To make a larger Image of Jupiter, and to place it on high, and turn it East, contrary to what it had been before; and said, They had hopes, if that Image, which you see, looked towards the East, and the Iudge­ment-Hall and the Senate-House, it would come to pass, that those de­signs, which were secretly plotted a­gainst the safety of the City and Empire, should be brought to light; so that they might be clearly seen by the Senate and People of Rome. Now those Consuls agreed with Workmen to have it erected in that posture; but the slowness of the Work was such, that it was neither set up by the former Consuls, nor by us till this very day.

21. Here, who can be so de­stitute of Truth, so obstinate, so senseless, as to deny this whole vi­sible [Page 103] World, and especially this City, to be ruled by the provi­dence and power of the Immortal Gods? For whereas such Inter­pretation was given, that Slaugh­ters, Fires, and Subversion of the State, were in contriving, and that by lewd Citizens; which at that time for the hainousness of the Crimes, seemed to some incredi­ble: You have found those things, not onely designed, but also at­tempted by unnatural Citizens. And is not that so plain a thing, that it may seem to have come to pass by the Guidance of the good and great Iupiter, that when as to day morning, both the Con­spirators and the Informers against them, were by my order carri­ed into the Temple of Concord, at that very time the Image was set­ting up? Which being placed, and turned towards you and the [Page 104] Senate, both the Senate and you have seen what things were con­trived against the safety of every one, to be all brought to light and manifested.

22. So much the more hatred and punishment were they worthy of, who have endeavoured to wrap in a deadly and unnatural Flame, not onely your Seats and Houses, but also the Temples and Oratories of the Immortal Gods; whom, if I should say that I resisted, I should take too much upon me, and were intolerable. It was that, that Iupiter that re­sisted them. He was pleased to preserve the Capitol; he, to pre­serve these Temples; he, this Ci­ty; he, all of you. By the guid­ance of the Immortal Gods, I re­ceiv'd these impressions and im­pulses, and attained to these so evident proofs. Now this pra­ctising [Page 105] of the Allobroges, a business of such importance, would never truly have been so sottishly trusted by Lentulus, and the other home-bred Ene­mies, both to Strangers and to Barbarians; nor Letters com­mitted, unless by the judge­ment of the Immortal Gods so desperate an attempt had been deprived of ordinary prudence; nay, that Gauls being of a State hardly well-reduced, which is the onely Nation left, that seems both able and not unwilling to make War with the Roman People, should yet neglect the hope of Empire and of great advantages, freely offered them by Patrici­ans, and should prefer your safe­ty before their own power: Do you not think that this came from God? especially when they might have overcome us, not by [Page 106] fighting, but by holding their peace?

23 Therefore, Countreymen, seeing that a Thanksgiving is vo­ted before all the Images, solem­nize those dayes with your Wives and Children. For many honours have been justly and of due given to the Immortal Gods, but in truth none ever more justly: For being rescued from most cruel and miserable destruction, rescued without slaughter, without blood, without Army, without fighting, in your Gowns, I being your Commander and General in the Long Robe, yee have gotten the Victory.

24. Now call to mind, Coun­treymen, all Civil Dissentions, not those onely, which yee have heard of, but these also, which your selves do remember and have seen: L. Sulla suppressed [Page 107] P. Sulpitius a Tr [...] ­bune of the Commons, would hav [...] got certain Laws passed; the Consuls oppose; he wi [...]h the fa­vour of Marius fal [...]s upon them and kills the Son of Q. Pompey, who w [...]s Son in Law of Sulla t [...]e other Consul; Sulla brings up his Army [...]o Town, o­verthrows the Tribunes, and exc [...]p [...]s from pardon for Life or Estate, 12 men, whereof P. Sulpi [...]i [...]s is taken and slain; but Marius by ship got over to Africa, C. Marius is cal­led the Preserver of Rome, because he ov [...]r­threw two powerful and victorious Armies of the Gauls pressing into Italy, the one at Ambrun, the other at Aix l [...] Chappelle. P. Sulpitius; he banish'd C. Marius, the Preserver of this City, and many valiant men, he partly banished, part­ly slew. C. Cornelius Cinna would have got certain Laws pass'd when L. Sulla was abroad; Cn. Octavius the other Con­sul forc'd him away by the overthrow of his party in Town, d [...]graded him from the Consulship, and proclaim'd him a Re­bel and T [...]aitor. Cn. Octavi­vius being Consul, chased out his Col­league from the Town by force of Arms. All this place was covered with heaps of Corpses and the blood of Citi­zens. Afterwards Cinna afterwards gathered forces in Italy, and Marius coming over joyns with him; as also Sertorius and Cn. Ca [...]ho, they march up in four Bodies and take Rome. Cinna and Marius pre­vailed. But then Cn. Octavius the Consul, Q. Catulus, [...]. Merula the Priest of [...] Jupiter, M Antony and C. Caesar two most eminent Orators, Crassus the Father and Son, and other Noblemen of the adverse party without number were slain; the S [...]nate met him; as he pass'd by them with a Band of Slaves at his heels, whomsoever he did not reach out his hands to salut [...] them, the Slaves presently slew. [Page 108] the most eminent men being slain, the eyes of the City were put out; afterwards Sulla upon the [...]ews of this pieces up a Peace with Mithridates and brings home his Ar­my into Italy, overthrows his adversaries, but then h [...] fill'd the City and all Italy with slaughter, kill'd 90 Senators, of which 1 [...] were Consular men; 2600 Knights, 70000 Roman Citizens in cold blood, over and a­bove innumerable slain in Battel. Sulla a­venged the cruelty of this Victory; with how great diminution of the Citizens and ca­lamity of the State Eith [...]r b [...]cause it w [...] fresh in memory, or for the atrocity of the fact. it need not be mentio­ned. M. Lepidus about the funeral and disanul­ling the Acts of Sulla, Q. Ca [...]ulus (Son of Q. Catulus [...]bove) said to be slain by Cinna, when their Con­sulship was ended, they sought it out in the Campus Martius, where Lepidus being beaten, [...]ed into Sardinia, and there died a natural death. M. Lepidus dissented from Quintus Catulus, a most gallant and valiant man, not so much his own destru­ction brought sorrow to the Common-wealth as that of others.

[Page 109]25. And these dissentions were of this nature, Countreymen, as [...]ended not to the aboli [...]ion, but the change of Government. These men did not desire the State should be confounded, but that them­selves should be the principals in such as was. Nor would they have the City burnt, but them­selves to flourish in it [...] yet all these dissentions, whereof none desired the destruction of the State, were such, as they were decided, not by an accommodati­on of parties, but by the Carnage of Citizens. But in this War, the greatest and cruellest of any recorded; such a War as never a­ny Barbarians waged with their own Nation: in which War, this Condition was resolved upon by Lentulus, Catilin [...], Cassius, Ce­thegus: That all they, who could save themselves in saving the City, [Page 110] should have no Quarter given; I have so behaved my self, Coun­treymen, that all of you are pre­serv'd in safety. And when as your Enemies had reckoned, that so many Citizens should survive as were the remainder of a boundless Massacre; and so much of the City should stand, as the flame could not take in, I have preser­ved both City and Citizens safe and sound.

26. For which so great actions, Coun­treymen, I require from you no Preferment. Reward of Vertue, nor Triumph. Badge of Honour, nor Statue. M. Cato the Elder said [...] I had ra­ther men shoul [...] enquire why has Cato no Im [...]ge? than why hath h [...] one? And Agesilaus the L [...]ce­demonia [...] General when the Greeks in sia had order'd him Stat [...]es to b [...] se [...] up in their most famous Cities, wrote to them to this purpose, Let there be no Picture nor Molten or Graven Image of me; and dying, requested the like [...]f his Friends; for if, saith he, I have done any worthy Acti­on, that will of it self be my Monument: but if not, all Statues that can be made, can be no Monument to me. Alike m [...]deration of spirit Tully pres [...]rv'd, when having been Pr [...] ­consul or Lieutenant of Asia, and gov [...]rn'd in that Charge with great integrity, would yet admit onely verbal ackno [...] ­ledgments, but continued to refuse erecting Statues to him. Mo­nument [Page 111] of praise besides the ever­lasting memory of this day. I would have deposited and erected in your Bosomes, all my Tri­umphs, all Ornaments of Ho­nour, Monuments of Glory, Badges of Praise. No dumb thing can take with me, nothing silent; in a word, nothing of that nature, which men of not any great merit may attain. In your memory, Countreymen, shall our Actions be cherished, in your discourses shall they grow up, in the Re­cords of History shall they come to age and full strength; and I judge, that the same length of time, which I hope will be paralel to Eternity, is propagated both to the preservation of this City, and to the memory of my Con­sulship; [Page 112] and that at one time in this State were Pom­pey and Cae­sar. two Citizens; the one whereof has bounded the extent of your Empire, no [...] by the Terrestrial but the Celestial Regi­ons; the other preserved the Man­sion and Seat of the same Em­pire.

27. But because there is not a like fortune and condition of the things which I have acted, as of those, who have waged foreign wars; because I must live with them I have vanquished and sub­dued; they have left their Ene­mies, either slain, or brought in­to bondage. It is your part, Countreymen; to provide, if o­thers good actions advantage them, that mine may not come to prejudice me. For, that the trea­cherous and unnatural intentions of audacious men, might not hurt you, I have provided: that they [Page 113] may not hurt me, it is your part to provide. Although Countrey­men, my self cannot be hurt by them; for there is great protecti­on in the good Party, which is gained to me for ever: Great dig­nity in the State, which will al­wayes silently defend me; there is a great aw of Conscience, which whosoever shall slight, when they go about to hurt me, will betray themselves.

28. There is further in us such resolution, Countreymen, that we are so far from giving way to the boldness of any, as we do al­wayes voluntarily defie all Trai­tors. Now if all the assaults of the home-bred Enemies diverted from you, should return upon my single person [...] you, Countreymen, must look to it: In what condition you would have them hereafter stand, who shall interpose them­selves [Page 114] to Envy and all dangers for your preservation. For my self, what is there more, that can be ac­quired to the content of life, espe­cially since I see no higher step, [...]hat I care to ascend either in Place of Honour from you, or in Praise of Vertue.

29. This, Countreymen, in truth I will effect; what I have managed in my Consulship, when I am come to be a private man, to maintain and improve. That if any Envy for preserving the State, has been incurred, it may turn to their hurt onely that [...]ear it, but to my glory. In summe, I will so deport my self in the State, al­wayes to remember what I have acted, and give diligence, that it may appear, to have been mana­ged by vertue and no [...] [...]or [...]une. You, Countreymen, seeing it is now Night, go pray to that Jupiter, [Page 115] the Guardian of this City and your selves, and go away to your Hou­ses, and though the danger be now over, yet watch and ward them as yee did the Night before; that yee may not long be put to that trouble, but continue in peace without inter­ruption, I shall provide.

The Argument.

1. I See, my Lords, all your faces and eyes turned to­wards me, I see you solicitous, not onely for your own and the Com­monwealths danger, but, (al­though that be prevented) for mine also. Your affection to me in this perplexity, I take kindly, and thankfully, amidst my grief [...] but I beseech you, for the Immor­tal Gods sake, lay that aside, and forgetting my safety, think upon [Page 118] your selves and your own Chil­dren. For my part, if this have been made the Condition of my Consulship, that I must undergo all extremities, all pains and tor­ments, I shall endure them, not onely couragiously, but even con­tentedly, so that by my pangs, deliverance and honour may be brought forth to you and the Ro­man People.

2. I am that Consul, my Lords, who have never found the Plead­ing Hall, wherein all Equity is preserved, nor the Camp conse­crated to the Election of Consuls: nor the Senate, the supream relief of all Nations, nor my own House, the Common Refuge; nor Bed, ordained for repose; nor lastly, this Seat of Honour, the Ivory Chair, free from the danger of my Life and Plots. I have concealed much, endured much, yielded [Page 119] much, have with some regret of my own in your fears, healed much. Now if the Immortal Gods are pleased to have this the issue of my Consulship, that I should rescue you, my Lords, and the Roman People from a misera­ble Massacre, your Wives and Chil [...]ren and the Vestal Virgins, from most violent haling; their Temples and Oratories, and this the most noble Countrey of every one of us, from a most execrable flame; all Italy from war and de­solation; whatever fortune shall be proposed to my single person, let it fall. For if P. Lentulus, se­duced by Fortune-tellers, has thought his Name should be fatal to the destruction of the State; why should not I r [...]joyce, that my Consulship has been almost fatal to the preservation of the Com­mon-wealth.

[Page 120]3. Wherefore, my Lords, look to your own interest, pro­vide for your Countrey, pr [...]serve your Wives, Children, and E­states; defend the Name and safety of the Roman People; for­bear your tenderness for me, and to be anxious on my behalf. For first, I have grounds to hope, that all the Gods, that are Tutela [...] to the City, will render unto me ac­cording to my desert. Then, if a­ny thing should fall out amiss, I shall be contented and ready to die: For Death can never come dishonourable to a Valiant Per­son, nor untimely to him that is Consular, nor unfortunate to a Wise man. Neither yet am I so obdurate as not to be moved with the affliction of my most dear and loving Q. Cicero. Brother here present, and with the tears of all these you see me surrounded with. Nor, [Page 121] but that Terrentia. my Wife dismay'd, my Tullia. Daughter distracted with fear, and the little Babe M. Tullius the younger. my Son, whom the Common-wealth seems to hug as the Hostage of my Consulship, do often call my thoughts home; nor am I un­concerned for my Crassipes was the first husband of Tullia, after, she married Dolabel­la (here present) and last of all [...]. Piso. Here is to be noted the decorum which was observed, that his Brother and Son-in-Law wore at seve­ral distances present, to move compassion, the Wo­men and little Child kept at home. Son in Law [...] who stands here in my sight, wait­ing for the issue of this day. I am moved at all these things, but to that side, that they may be all preserved with you; although a­ny violence should overwhelm me, rather than that they and we should be involved in the univers [...]l ruin of the State.

4. Wherefore (my Lords) ap­ply your selves to the preservation of the Common-wealth, look [Page 122] well about for the Storms, that hang over you, unless you pro­vide against them. It is not a Tib. Gracchus, that would the second time be made Tribune of the Commons, not G. Gracchus, that endeavoured to stir up men to the Claims of Publick Lands; not [...]. Saturninus, that slew C. Memmius is called in question, and brought to the Tryal of your Se­verity: But those are in hold, who tarried at Rome for the burning of the City, the massac [...]ing of all of you, and letting in of Catiline. Their Letters, Seals, Hands, are produced, in a word, every ones Confession; the Allobroges are practised, Slaves raised, Catiline invited: such a Plot was laid, that all should be cut off, and none left, no not so much as to deplore the Name of the People of Rome, and lament the Calamity of so great an Empire.

[Page 123]5. All this Informers have de­clared, the Criminals have con­fessed, your selves have by many Verdicts already prejudged: first, in that yee gave me thanks in singu­lar terms, and did declare that by my vertue and diligence the Con­spiracy of desperate men was disco­vered. Then in that ye obliged P. Lentulus to lay down the Praetorship. Then that you voted both him and the others, on whom you pass'd Sen­tence to be committed; and especi­ally in that you ordered a Thanksgi­ving in my behalf; which honour has not been given to any in the Long Robe before me. Lastly, In [...]hat yesterday, you gave most large Rewards to the Ambassadors of the Allobroges and Titus Vultur­cius. All which things are of that nature, that those who have been put in prison by name, may, without any Controversie ap­pear [Page 124] to have been condemn'd by you.

6. But I have resolved to move the Question anew to you, both concerning the fact, what you judge of it, and concerning the punishment, what you resolve up­on? yet I will onely premise what belongs to my place as Consul. I long since saw a great malignan­cy working in the State, and cer­tain new mischiefs brewing and stirring: but that, so great, so deadly a Conspiracy as this was made by Citizen [...], I never dreamt. Now whatever it be to which your minds and resolutions bend, you must determine it before night. How great a Treason has been discovered, you see. If you think but few to be accessary to it, you are greatly mistaken. The mischief is spread farther than you imagine. It is diffused not [Page 125] onely over all Italy, but has past beyond the Alps, and creeping se­cretly, has already seized many Provinces. It can by no means be crushed by forbearing and delay­ing; whatever way you think [...]it, it must suddenly be punished.

7. I see as yet but two Votes, the one of D. Silanus, who resolves, that, They which endeavoured to destroy these things, should be punished with death. The other o [...] C. Caesar, In [...] Roman D [...] ­mocracy [...]e­lonies and Mu [...]ders [...]er [...] not p [...] ­nishable by Death nor [...]o [...]fe [...]ture of Estate, but the Par­ty convict was banish'd and lost his Freedom, which wa [...] all that they imply'd in the common acceptance of what the [...] te [...]med a Capital Offence or Punishment. Th [...] in­stance [...] of those that under colour of High Treason were put to dea [...]h, have been in all the Ages of that State but rare a [...]d numerable; such as seem to have much of violence upon je [...] ­lousies of a prevailing party; for ought app [...]ars in Histo [...]y no [...] v [...]ry [...] grounded, rather than any crimes du [...]y proved, [...]s suspicions of desiring th [...] A [...]r [...]tion of St [...]te or affecta [...] ­on of usurping a Kingly Power, upon an interpret [...]tion of some Actio [...] that might alike flow from men of Publick Spirits, but othe [...]wise the Priviledge or ind [...]ed Prerogative of the Citizen and Fre [...]man of Rome [...] was no [...] grown almost un­ [...]ounded. The Valerian, th [...] Porcian, the Sempronian Law [...] ha [...] so fenced the Persons of that Imperial P [...]ople from suffer­ing, and wer [...] so largely interpr [...]t [...]d in their favour by Po [...]u­lar Governours, that it was made a Question, [...] h [...]re, whe­the [...] D [...]th o [...] [...]n [...] other Corporal Punishm [...]nt, migh [...] in any case be i [...]ict [...]d by [...]he M [...]gistrate upon a Roman Citiz [...]n [...] T [...]e N [...]gative of which Caesar maintain [...]. To which absur­dity the G [...]ver [...]ment of a Fr [...]e Stat [...] naturally reduces it self; for wher [...] the Majesty is in [...]ll, ther [...] the P [...]rsons of all ar [...] [...]acr [...]d, and thi [...] is [...]ota libert [...], or the very dissolution of Government, and alike demonstrates the Perfe [...]tion of Mo­narchy, where Law ha [...] the largest extent and Authority the high [...]st [...]a [...]ction. who ex­cludes [Page 126] the penalties of death, but takes in all Extremities of other pu­nishments. The one and the o­ther both according to his dignity and the Atrocity of the Fact deals with the highest severity. The one judges, That, They who en­deavoured to deprive us all, and the Roman People of life, to ra [...]e the Empire, to extinguish the name of the Roman P [...]ople, ought not one moment to enjoy li [...]e and this air we breath in [...] And quotes Presidents that this sort of punishment has been often used against seditious Citi­zens in this State. The other is [Page 127] of this judgement, That, Death was never appointed by the Immor­tal Gods for a punishment, but either a natural necessity or rest from la­bours and miseries; therefore that Wisemen n [...]ver unwillingly and Va­liant Men have often cheerfully em­braced death: but that Bonds, and those everlasting, have in truth been invented for the singular punishmen [...] of unnatural wickedness. Hereupon he orders, that, They should be im­prisoned in the several Burroughs. This thing, if you command it, seems to carry oppression with it; difficulty, if you require it; yet let it pass, if it be your will and pleasure. For I shall promise, and I hope prove the man that does not th [...]nk it suitable to his Office, to dispute that which you shall determine for the publick good.

[Page 128] [...] in Hell, because it seems they were of judgement, That if those were [Page 129] removed, death it self were not to be dreaded.

9. Now, my Lords, I see, what it makes for my interest, if you shall follow Caesar's Vote; seeing he has stood that cou [...]se which is coun [...]ed popular in the State, perchance I shall have less reason to dread the insults of the People; he being the Author and Perswader of this Resolution. If you shall choose the other, I do not know, whether I shall have any further trouble at all. But yet let the advantage of the State prevail over the Considerations of my private dangers. For we have from C. Caesar as his own dignity and the honour of his Ancestors required, this his Vote as an Ho­stage of his perpetual good affe­ction to the State. It is to be discerned; what difference there is, between the vanity of Dema­gogues [Page 130] and a mind truly popular, seeking the safety of the People.

10. I see some body of those that would be counted popular, absent, that they may not pass S [...]n­tence on Roman Citizens in good time. The same person both the other day committed Cethegus and P. Lentulus Roman Citizens, to prison, and voted a Thanksgiving for me, and yesterday highly re­warded the Informers. Now, none can question what he, who has voted imprisonment to the Malefactor, thanks to the Judge, reward to the Informer, judges concerning the whole case and bu­siness. But now C. Caesar con­ceives, The Sempronian Act was made concerning Roman Citizens, whereas he, that is an Enemy to the State, can by no means be a Citizen. In a word, that [...] The very Maker of the Sempronian Act, by Order [Page 131] of the People was executed for his Treason. He too, does not think, that, Lentulus the Prodigal, an [...] the great Corrupter of the People [...] ha­ving so bitterly and cruelly plotte [...] th [...] subversion of the State [...] an [...] the destruction of the City, can be called popular. Therefore like [...] soft and good natured man, h [...] sticks not to commit P. Lentulus to everlasting Chains and darkness [...] and enacts for the future, That no one, may vaunt himself in the re­lease [...]f his punishment, and com [...] to be popular to the ruin of the State [...] He further adds, The Confisc [...]tion of their Goods, that the want a [...] begg [...]ry of the body may follow [...] the torments of the Soul.

11. Wherefore, whether you shall conclude upon this, you will furnish [...]e with a Companion to the Assembly, that is beloved and [...]aking with the Roman Peo­ple, [Page 132] or, if you shall follow that other Vote of Silanus, you will easily justifie me and your selves from any aspersion of Cruelty, and I shall have it granted that that was far the gentler Cause. Al­though, my Lords, what Cruel­ty can there be in punishing the In­humanity of so great Treason. Now I judge as I am sensible of the nature of the fact; for so may you and I long enjoy the quiet of the State, as my earnestness in this case does not proceed from any bitterness of spirit: (for who can be milder than I?) but from a king of singular tenderness and compas­sion [...] For me thinks I see this City, the light of the whole world, and the Cittadel of all Nations of a sudden sinking in one Con [...]agration: I see in my mind my Countrey buried, heaps of Citizens, miserable and unburied, [Page 133] the Look of Cethegus, and his rage swaggering in your slaughte [...] passes before my eyes.

12. But when I consider Len­tulus, upon the Throne, as himsel [...] confessed, that he expected by Prophesies, this Gabinius his Cou [...]tier clad in Purple, Catilin [...] come with his Army; then [...] dread the shrieks of honest Wo­men, and the [...]light of Virgins and Boys, and the haling of Ve­stal Priestesses; now because these things seem to me miserable an [...] pitiful in the Excess; therefore I shew my self severe and earnes [...] against those, who designed to accomplish them. For I put the case, if any Master of a Family having had his Children dashed i [...] pieces by his Servant, his Wife kil­led, and his House burnt should no [...] in [...]lict a most sore punishment upon the Slave, were he to be thought [Page 134] gentle and merciful [...] or a most in­humane and cruel creature? In truth I should think him hard-hearted and senseless that should not ease his own grief and torment with the grief and torment of the Malefacto [...] So we towards those men, which would murder us, ou [...] Wives, and our Children, who endeavoured to raze the particular House of every one of us, and this General Seat of the E [...]pir [...], who attempted to place the Nation of the Allobroges in the ruins of this City, and in the ashes of the Con­sumed Empire. If we shall be most eager, we shall be accounted mer­ciful [...] if we shall be slack, we must undergo the infamy of the greatest Cruel [...]y [...] in the destructi­on of our Countrey and Coun­treymen.

[Page 135]13. Unless perchance, L. [...] ­sar be [...]or [...] [...] gave his Vote against Len [...]ul [...]s [...] made a Pre­face to excuse his Alliance, and shew h [...] was not un­se [...]sible of his Sisters calamity, though bound in duty to tender the publick s [...]fe­ty. L. Caesar, a most valiant and well-af­fected Patriot might be thought the other day by any one some­what cruel; when [...]e said his Bro­ther in Law, the Husband of his own Julia the Aunt of C. Caesar and Relict of M. An [...]o [...]ius Criticus, the son of M. Antony the Orator and father of M. Antony the Tri [...]mvir, afterwards married P. Lentulus [...] Plutarch notes that the execution of him was th [...] ground of that deep g [...]udge which was in M [...] Antony ever af­ter, and at last cost [...]ully his life. Sister, a most vertuous Lady, when he was there presen [...] and in hearing, must be put to death; when he further said, that, His Grandfather was slain by the Order of the Consul, and his young So [...] Ambassador from the Father, exe­cuted in the Prison; whose action how far short came it of this? What Plot was there laid to con­found the Common [...]wealth? C. G [...]acchus his Laws were to give the Souldiers Cloaths over and above Pay, to distribute [...]rn amongs [...] th [...] Poor by [...]ickets constantly, to divide Lands of Conquest by way of Plantations. To give the Italians equal Voices with the Romans in choice of Magistrates, to appoint an equal num­ [...]er of Knights to be Iudges, as was before of Senators one­ly. To make [...] it punishable if any Magistrate should put a Roman Citizen to death uncondemn'd, that is, without a particular Order from the general Assembly of the People [...] and a seventh to limit the Age of being press'd to the Wars to 17 years and upward. A corrupt humor of pro [...]useness [Page 136] was then stirring in the State, and a kind of stickling for parties. Now at that time the Grandfather of this Lentulus, an honourable person, in Arms pursued Gracchus, and then received in his Body a sore hurt, that the Majesty of the State might in no point receive a­batement. This here present to subvert the foundations of the State, called in the Gauls, raised the Slaves, invited Catiline, al­lotted us to be assassinated by Ce­thegus, the other Citizens to be murdered by Gabinius, the City to be set a fire by Cassius, all Italy to be laid wast and plundered by Ca­tiline. [Page 137] You may be timorous, I warrant you, lest in so barbarous and unnatu [...]al a Treason you may be thought to have passed too se­vere a Sentence, when ye ought much rather to dread least by re­missness of punishment you should be rather judged cruel to your Countrey, than by severity of Ex­ecution, too vigorous towards its most bitter Enemies.

14. But, my Lords, I cannot conceal, what I hear boldly spo­ken; for words are given out, which are come to my ears, of some as would seem to fear my ha­ving strength enough to put in exe­cution what you shall this day enact. All things are provided, ready, and concluded upon, my Lords, both by my great care and dili­gence, as also by the far greater forwardness of the Roman People to retain their Empire, and pre­serve [Page 138] their common [...]rt [...]nes: All men of all ranks, nay of all ages are here: The Market-Place is full; all the Avenues of this House and Temple are full: For since the foundation of the City, this is the onely case has arrived, wherein all persons are of one and the same mind, excepting those who seeing themselves must perish, choose ra­ther to pull down all than to fall alone.

15. These men I am willing to exclude and separate; for neither do I reckon them in the number of bad Citizens, but of most despe­rate Enemies. But the rest now (Immortal Gods!) with what concourse, with what earnestness, with what courage, do they con­spire to the common honour and safety? There had been a long contest from the times of the Gracchi bet­ween the Senate and Knights a­bout being Iudges. The Sempronian Law admit­ted the Knights, this continu'd some 50 years, L Sul­la settled it on the Sena­tors onely. These prov'd very corrupt; afterwards the Aurelian Law made by Aur. Cotta, divided the power equal­ly bet [...]een the Senators, the Knights, and the Commissioners of the Treasury at Wars. What do I mention [Page 139] here the Roman Knights, that so render to you in supremacy of Or­der and Counsel, as that in good affections to their Countrey, they contend with you; whom after many years dissention this day and this Cause joyns to us, having re­duced them to an agreement and unity with our Order, which Con­junction consummated in my Con­sulship, if we shall hold steadily in the Common-wealth I assure you, no civil and home-bred mis­chief shall hereafter accrue to any part of the State. I see the Com­missioners of the Treasury, most courageous persons; and also all the Clerks have flocked hither with the like affection to defend the State, whom this day having casually drawn to the Treasury, I see to be turned from attendance upon their Lot to the Common Safety. All the multitude of [Page 140] Freemen assists, even of the meanest.

16. For who is there, to whom these Temples [...] the very face of the City, possession of Liberty, in a word, this very light, and this common ground of his Coun­trey, is not both dear and also sweet and delightful? It is worth the while, my Lords, to observe the Factions of the Freedmen, who having by their industry purcha­sed the fort [...]ne of the City, judge this in truth to be their own Coun­trey. Whereas T [...]e Se­n [...]tors were omitted in the begin­ing of this Enumerati­on, as being there present, to and before whom h [...] spoke, and so unnecessa­ry to be men­tion'd. Yet the Fact on that secretly f [...]vor [...] [...] ­tiline, was so great in the House, that he sorely taxes them, though ob­liquely, in this passage. some bo [...] here, and born in the highest rank, have not judged it their Count [...]ey, but an Enemi [...]s City. But why do I mention men of this rank, whom their private fortunes, whom the Common State, whom, lastly, that liberty, which is most sweet, has raised to defend the safety of their Countrey? There is no [Page 141] Slave, that is but in a tolerable condition of service, but dreads, but desires to withstand the auda­ciousness of desperate Citizens, but contributes as much as he dares, and as much as he can, to the com­mon endeavour after safety.

17. Wherefore, if what hath been said, do chance to weigh with any of you, that a certain Pimp of Lentulus's, bustles about the Shops, hoping that the minds of indigent and simple men may be wrought upon with mo­ney; such a thing indeed was set on foot, and attempted; but there were none found so much ei­ther in fortune miserable, or in Principles debauched, but desired that very Trades­men and Shop-keep­ [...]rs. place of his Stall and work and daily earnings, Iourneymen and Labourers. but his bare lodging and bed; Loy [...] ­ter [...]s and Beggars. nay, but the very idle course of their life, to be in safety: yea far the [Page 142] greatest part of Shop-keepers, or in truth (for it should rather be so said) that whole Rank is very fond of peace; for all their Tools, all their day-labour and gain is sup­ported by the populousness of the Towns, and cherished by peace; whose gain, if it be impaired at the Shutting up of their Shops, what would become of it, at the burning of them?

18. Which things being so, my Lords, you do not want the Guards of the Roman People, look to it, that ye be not thought wanting to the People of Rome. You have a Consul reserved from many dangers and plots, and from the midst of death; not for his own life, but for your safety: All [...]anks do conspire in mind, affe­ction, endeavour, courage and voice, to preserve the State: The common Countrey, beset [Page 143] with Fire-brands, and the Wea­pons of the unnatural Conspiracy, humbly holds forth her hand to you: To you comments her self, to you the life of all her Citizens, to you the Tower and Capitol, to you the Altars of the Houshold Gods, to you the continual and everlasting Fire of There was no Image of Vesta, but a fire burn­ing constant­ly on the Al­tar, and k [...]pt by Vir­gins. A Cu­s [...]ome that s [...]ems to have been derived from the Chaldaeans, [...]ho worship [...] Fire. Vesta; to you all the Tem­ples and Oratories of the Gods; to you the Battlements and Houses of the City. Besides, this day you must pass judgment upon your own Lives, the Breath of your Wives and Children, the For­tunes of all, your Houses and Healths.

11. You have a Lead [...]r, re­garding you, forgetting himself, an opportunity not alwayes given. You have all Ranks, all Men, [...]ll the Roman People, which in a Civil Case we now first behold in one and the same mind. Consi­der, [Page 144] how one Night has almost confounded an Empire, founded with what Labours? A liberty e­stablished upon what Valour? Fortunes improved and raised, by what bounty of the Gods? That such a thing may never herea [...]ter be not onely effected, but contri­ved; you must this day provide. Nor have I spoken all this to press you, who in your affections do almost out-run me: but that my voice, which ought to be leading in the Government, may appear to have discharged the du­ty of a Consul.

20. Now before I come home to my Vote, I'll premise a word concerning my sel [...]. I see that I have drawn upon my self so great a multitude of Enemies as is the Party of the Conspirators, which you perceive to be very great; but I judge to be base and weak, con­temptible [Page 145] and lost. But if in any time to come that Party, headed by the fury and treachery of any person, shall come to be more prevalent than your Honour and that of the State; yet I shall never repent, my Lords, of my Actions and Counsels: For Death, with which perchance they menace m [...], is appointed for all; but so great a praise of life, as you by your Acts have honoured me with, no one has attained to: For, ye have vo­ted to all others alwayes Thanks for having well-served; but to me alone, for having preserv'd the State.

21. Let that Scipio be renown­ed, by whose Conduct and Va­lour Hannibal was obliged to face about into Africa and quit Italy [...] Let the other Africanus be adorn­ed with excellent praise, who ra­zed two Cities most incensed a­gainst [Page 146] this Empire, Carthage and Numantia: Let Lu. Pa [...]lu [...] be ac­counted an extraordinary person, whose Chariot, the once most pu­iss [...]nt and noble King Perses ho­noured: Let M [...]rius be in eternal renown, who freed Italy [...]rom Siege and the fear of Bondage: Let Pompey be advanced beyond them all, whose actions and gal­lantries are contained in [...]he [...]ame Coun [...]r [...]ys and Bounds, as the course of the Sun. There will be in truth amidst the praises of these persons, some room for our Glory; unless perchance it A plain Allusion to the Comple­ment that Pompey put upon Cicero coming to congratulate him at his return from the over­throw of Mi­thridates; when in the hearing of many he said he should have lost his labour in bringing up [...] Third Tri­umph, had not Tully oblig'd the State by preserving a place wherein he might Triumph; for it might be suppos'd that [...]h [...]s: [...]rati [...]n was finish'd afterwards, when pu [...]lish'd by Tully. be more to open us Provinces, whi­ther we may escape; than to look that they that are absent, may have a place, whi [...]her they may return victorious.

[Page 147]22. Although in one point the Condition of a Foreign Victory is better than that o [...] a Domestical one; because Ou [...]landish Enemies either are subdued and brought into bondage, or reconciled, and judge themselves obliged by that favour. But they which from the Rank of Citizens, depraved by some false Principle, are on [...]e turned Enemies to their Coun­ [...]rey, when you have put [...]hem by their mischievous intentions, you can neither by Force restrain, nor by any kindness reconcile: Where­fore I see I have entred into an im­plac [...]ble quarrel with revol [...]ed Ci­tizens, which yet I have good con­fidence may be by your and all honest mens assistance, and tho­row the memory of those grea [...] dangers, which shall alwayes stick not onely in this people, which has been preserved, but also in [Page 148] the discourses and minds of all Na­tions, fairly beaten off from me and mine. Nor indeed shall there ever be found any so great power which can infringe and shake the Union that is between you and the Roman Knights, and such an harmony of all [...]he well-affected.

23. Which things being so, my Lords, instead of a Generalship of an Army, of a Government, which I have neglected; Instead of a Triumph and other Badges of Pra [...]se, which have been slighted by me, in rega [...]d of the Cities and your preservation: Instead of Cli­ents and Provincial Friendships, which yet with my Estate in Town, I do with no less labour support than purchase: Instead therefore of all these things, and in reward of my singular affections towards you, and for this diligence, which ye behold in preserving the State, [Page 149] I require nothing more of you, but the remembrance of this time and my whole Consulship, which, while it shall continue fixed in your minds, I shall judge my self incircled with a most impenetrable wall. But if the Two ye [...]rs afte [...] Tully was banish'd up­on the score of this h [...] ­ving execu­ted the Con­spirators, by P. Clodiu [...]; and eighteen years after had his Head and Hands cut off by the Son in [...]a [...] of P. Len­tulus, M. An­tony. violence of of the ill-affected, shall deceive and over-match my expectation, I commend to you my little Octa­vius Augu­s [...]us accord­ingly in pro­cess of time took M. [...]ullius, Cicero's Son, to be his Col­league in the Consulship, and gratifi'd him with liberty to throw down a [...]l the Statues of M. Anton [...], and to enact that none of the Family of the An [...]onies should ever af [...]er be nam'd Mark. Son, who assuredly shall have guard e­nough, not onely for preservati­on, but also for honour, if ye shall remember, that he is his Son, who has alone at his own peril pre­served the whole State.

24. Wherefore, My Lords, Resolve cautiously, as ye have be­gun, and stoutly, concerning your [Page 150] own and the Roman Peoples Being, that lies at Stake, concerning, your Wives and Children, concerning your Temples and Religious Places, concerning the Houses and Mansions of the whole City, concerning Em­pire and Liberty, concerning the safety of Italy, and concerning the whole Common-wealth; for ye have a Consul, who shall never dispute to follow your Orders, and is able, whatsoever you shall decree, as long as he shall live, to defend and by his own interest maintain.