Take notice why he says he rejoiced, why he says that he was grieved; and then you will be more easily able to decide the question of peace.

“It was a matter of proper rejoicing that a wicked man had paid the penalty due to the bones and ashes of a most illustrious man, and that the divine power of the gods had shown itself before the end of the current year, by showing the chastisement of that parricide already inflicted in some cases, and impending in others.”

O you Spartacus! for what name is more fit for you? you whose abominable wickedness is such as to make even Catiline seem tolerable.  Have you dared to write that it is a matter of rejoicing that Trebonius has suffered punishment? that Trebonius was wicked?  What was his crime, except that on the ides of March he withdrew you from the destruction which you had deserved?  Come; you rejoice at this; let us see what it is that excites your indignation.

“That Dolabella should at this time have been pronounced a public enemy because he has slain an assassin; and that the son of a buffoon should appear dearer to the Roman people than Caius Caesar, the father of his country, are circumstances to be lamented.”

Why should you be sad because Dolabella has been pronounced a public enemy?  Why?  Are you not aware that you yourself—­by the fact of an enlistment having taken place all over Italy, and of the consuls being sent forth to war, and of Caesar having received great honours, and of the garb of war having been assumed—­have also been pronounced an enemy?  And what reason is there, O you wicked man, for lamenting that Dolabella has been declared an enemy by the senate? a body which you indeed think of no consequence at all; but you make it your main object in waging war utterly to destroy the senate, and to make all the rest of those who are either virtuous or wealthy follow the fate of the highest order of all.  But he calls him the son of a buffoon.  As if that noble Roman knight the father of Trebonius were unknown to us.  And does he venture to look down on any one because of the meanness of his birth, when he has himself children by Fadia?

XL “But it is the bitterest thing of all that you, O Aulus Hirtius, who have been distinguished by Caesar’s kindness, and who have been left by him in a condition which you yourself marvel at. [lacuna]”

I cannot indeed deny that Aulus Hirtius was distinguished by Caesar, but such distinctions are only of value when conferred on virtue and industry.  But you, who cannot deny that you also were distinguished by Caesar, what would you have been if he had not showered so many kindnesses on you?  Where would your own good qualities have borne you?  Where would your birth have conducted you?  You would have spent the whole period of your manhood in brothels, and cookshops, and in gambling and drinking, as you used to do when you were always burying your brains and your beard in the laps of actresses.