him in esteem, excelling him in experience?  Or are you vexed that we did not choose you?  What kind of administration would you have given?  What would you not have done when you got arms and soldiers, considering that you occasioned so many and so great instances of turmoil in your consulship as a result of these elaborate antitheses, which you have made your specialty, of which alone you were master. [-26-] But I return to my point that you were present when it was being voted and said nothing against it, but assented to all the measures as being obviously excellent and necessary.  You did not lack opportunity to speak; indeed you roared out considerable that was beside the purpose.  Nor were you afraid of anybody.  How could you, who did not fear the armed warrior, have quailed before the defenceless man?  Or how have feared him alone when you do not dread him in the possession of many soldiers!  Yes, you also give yourself airs for absolutely despising death, as you affirm.

“Since these facts are so, which of the two, senators, seems to be in the wrong, Antony, who is managing the forces granted him by us, or Caesar, who is surrounded with such a large band of his own?  Antony, who has departed to take up the office committed to him by us, or Brutus, who prevents him from setting foot in the country?  Antony, who wishes to compel our allies to obey our decrees, or they, who have not received the ruler sent them by us but have attached themselves to the man who was voted against?  Antony, who keeps our soldiers together, or the soldiers, who have abandoned their commander?  Antony, who has introduced not one of these soldiers granted him by us into the city, or Caesar, who by money persuaded those who had long ago been in service to come here?  I think there is no further need of argument to answer the imputation that he does not seem to be managing correctly all the duties laid upon him by us, and to show that these men ought to suffer punishment for what they have ventured on their own responsibility.  Therefore you also secured the guard of soldiers that you might discuss in safety the present situation, not on account of Antony, who had caused no trouble privately nor intimidated you in any way, but on account of his rival, who both had gathered a force against him and has often kept many soldiers in the city itself.

[-27-] “I have said so much for Cicero’s benefit, since it was he who began unfair argument against us.  I am not generally quarrelsome, as he is, nor do I care to pry into others’ misdeeds, as he continually gives himself airs for doing.  Now I will tell you what advice I have to give, not favoring Antony at all nor calumniating Caesar or Brutus, but planning for the common advantage, as is proper.  I declare that we ought not yet to make an enemy of either of these men in arms nor to enquire exactly what they have been doing or in what way.  The present crisis is not suitable for this action, and as they are all alike our fellow-citizens, if any