Catilinae Coniuratio
Choose a text
id="mobileReaderAuthor" class="mobile-reader-author" href="/authors/sallust" aria-label="More works by Sallust (I BC)">
—
⋯
Original / primary: Perseus Eng2
34.p95
34.p95
To this address Quintus Marcius replied, that, "if they wished to make any petition to the senate, they
34.p95
must lay down their arms, and proceed as suppliants to Rome;" adding, that "such had always been the kindness
34.p95
1
34.p95
and humanity of the Roman senate and people, that none had ever asked help of them in vain."
34.p96
34.p96
Catiline, on his march, sent letters to most men of consular dignity, and to all the most respectable citizens, stating that "as he was beset by false accusations, and unable to resist the combination of his enemies, he was submitting to the will of fortune, and going into exile at Marseilles; not that he was guilty of the great wickedness laid to his charge, but that the state might be undisturbed, and that no insurrection might arise from his defense of himself."
34.p97
34.p97
Quintus Catulus, however, read in the senate a letter of a very different character, which, he said, was delivered to him in he name of Catiline, and of which the following is a copy:
34.p98
34.p98
1
34.p98
XXXV. "Lucius Catiline to Quintus Catulus, wishing health. Your eminent integrity, known to me by experience,
34.p98
2
34.p98
gives a pleasing confidence, in the midst of great
34.p98
perils, to my present recommendation.
34.p98
3
34.p98
I have determined, therefore, to make no formal defense
34.p98
4
34.p98
with regard to my new course of conduct; yet I was resolved, though conscious of no guilt,
34.p98
5
34.p98
to offer you some explanation,
34.p98
6
34.p98
which, on my word of honor,
34.p98
7
34.p98
you may receive as true.
34.p98
8
34.p98
Provoked by injuries and indignities, since, being robbed of the fruit of my labor and exertion,
34.p98
9
34.p98
I did not obtain the post of honor due to me,
34.p98
10
34.p98
I have undertaken, according to my custom, the public cause
34.p98
of the distressed. Not but that I could have paid, out of my own property, the debts contracted on my own security ;
34.p98
11
34.p98
while the generosity of Orestilla, out of her own fortune and her daughter's, would discharge those incurred on the security of others. But because I saw unworthy men ennobled with honors, and myself proscribed
34.p98
12
34.p98
on groundless suspicion, I have for this very reason, adopted a course,
34.p98
13
34.p98
amply justifiable in my present circumstances, for preserving what honor is left to me. When I was proceeding to write more, intelligence was brought that violence is preparing against me. I now commend and intrust Orestilla to your protection ;
34.p98
14
34.p98
intreating you, by your love for your own children, to defend her from injury.
34.p98
15
34.p98
Farewell."