been consuls or Dictators, seeingproconsular authority, which is onl羚5theyshado老ave madeof the oth幼eirso outrageously cruel?But the commons had ,got what they had
Whilst indulging in declamations of this opponent who was quite a match for them. He had from. early manhood taken his part in the contests with., the plebs, and as stated above (l1. 273), had some yearsprevously recommended the senate to break down the power ofthe tribunes by securing the intervention of their colleagues.He was not only a man of ready and versatile mind, but bythis tinge an experienced debater. He delivered the followingspeech on this occasion:-" Tf. Ouirites. there has ever been any doubt as to whether it effected了ust at the time when your circumstances are most prosperous. Is there any one who doubts that whatever wronzs you m.av have at any time suffered, they never annoved and provoked the tribunes so much as the Generous treatment of the blebs by the senate, in estabhs.hn.z the system of pay for the soldiers? What else do you suppose it was that they, were afraid of at that time, and would to-day Gladly upset, except the uarmony of the two oraers, wnicn tiney ioox upon as most or all calculated to destroy their power?They are, really, hike so many quack_ doctors looking for work, always anxious to find some diseased spot -n the republic that。 there may be something which you can call them 1n to cure."_Then ,_ turning to t f e tribunes,‘一Are you defending or attacking the plebs?，。Are， you trying; to ln)ure the men on service or are_ you pleaaing t.neir cause? Or乡erhaps this is what you are saying,‘Whatever the senate does, whether in the interest of the plebs or against them, we object to.' Just as masters forbid strangers to hold anycommunication with their slaves, and think it right that theyshould abstain from showing them either kindness or unkind-ness, so you interdict the patricians from all dealings with theplebs, lest we should appeal to their feelings by our graciousnessand generosity and secure their loyalty and obedience. How much more dutiful it would have been in you, if you had had a spark I will not sav of patriotism.but---of common humanitv. to nave viewed with favour, and as tar as in you jay, to have fostered the kindly feelings of the patricians and the grateful
The Greek stands ready in the workroom; the English is served. Both faces will read together.
The History of Rome, Livy — translated by Rev. Canon Roberts, 1912
Apparatus shelf + pinned Wikisource — Livy, The History of Rome (Rev. Canon Roberts translation, Everyman's Library) · Rev. Canon Roberts, Everyman's Library (J. M. Dent & Sons / E. P. Dutton), first issue 1912; six volumes
license: public-domain (the Roberts translation's Everyman first issue is 1912, pre-1930; Wikisource dates the translation 1905 — either way decades inside the US public domain; digital-door text carries no additional rights)