one of them fails the loss will be ours, or if any one of them succeeds his aggrandizement will be a menace to us.  Wherefore I believe that we ought to treat them as friends and citizens and send messengers to all of them alike, bidding them lay down their arms and put themselves and their legions in our hands, and that we ought not yet to wage war on any one of them, but after their replies have come back approve those who are willing to obey us and fight against the disobedient.  This course is just and expedient for us,—­not to be in a hurry or do anything rashly, but to wait and after giving the leaders themselves and their soldiers an opportunity to change their minds, then, if in such case there be need of war, to give the consuls charge of it.

[-28-] “And you, Cicero, I advise not to show a womanish sauciness nor to imitate Bambalio even in making war[18] nor because of your private enmity toward Antony to plunge the whole city publicly again into danger.  You will do well if you even become reconciled to him, with whom you have often enjoyed friendly intercourse.  But even if you continue embittered against him, at least spare us, and do not after acting as the promoter of friendship among us then destroy it.  Remember that day and the speech which you delivered in the precinct of Tellus, and yield a little to this goddess of Concord under whose guidance we are now deliberating, and avoid discrediting those statements and making them appear as if not uttered from a sincere heart, or by somebody else on that occasion.  This is to the advantage of the State and will bring you most renown.  Do not think that audacity is either glorious or safe, and do not feel sure of being praised just for saying that you despise death.  Such men all suspect and hate as being likely to venture some deed of evil through desperation.  Those whom they see, however, paying greatest attention to their own safety they praise and laud, because such would not willingly do anything that merited death.  Do you, therefore, if you honestly wish your country to be safe, speak and act in such a way as will both preserve yourself and not, by Jupiter, involve us in your destruction!”

[-29-] Such language from Calenus Cicero would not endure.  He himself always spoke his mind intemperately and immoderately to all alike, but he never thought he ought to get a similar treatment from others.  On this occasion, too, he gave up considering the public interest and set himself to abusing his opponent until that day was spent, and naturally for the most part uselessly.  On the following day and the third many other arguments were adduced on both sides, but the party of Caesar prevailed.  So they voted first a statue to the man himself and the right to deliberate among the ex-quaestors as well as of being a candidate for the other offices ten years sooner than custom allowed, and that he should receive from the City the money which he had spent for his soldiers,