Born in 108 B.C., died in 62; elected Pretor in 68; Governor of Africa in 67; a candidate for Consul in 66, but disqualified on account of maladministration in Africa; then organized the famous conspiracy slain in battle in 62.
If your courage and fidelity had not been sufficiently proved by me, this favorable opportunity would have occurred to no purpose; mighty hopes, absolute power, would in vain be within our grasp; nor should I, depending on irresolution or ficklemindedness, pursue contingencies instead of certainties. But as I have on many remarkable occasions, experienced your bravery and attachment to me, I have ventured to engage in a most important and glorious enterprise. I am aware, too, that whatever advantages or evils affect you, the same affect me; and to have the same desires and the same aversions, is assuredly a firm bond of friendship.
What I have been meditating you have already heard separately. But my ardor for action is daily more and more excited, when I consider what our future condition of life must be, unless
- ↑ Delivered in 63 B.C., in an apartment in his own house. Reported by Sallust. Translated by John S. Watson.
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