IX.  What then Servilius did in effect, I do in express terms, when I style those men imperators.  By using this name, I pronounce those who have been already defeated, and those who still remain, enemies in calling their conquerors imperators.  For what title can I more suitably bestow on Pansa?  Though he has, indeed, the title of the highest honour in the republic.  What, too, shall I call Hirtius?  He, indeed, is consul; but this latter title is indicative of the kindness of the Roman people; the other of valour and victory.  What?  Shall I hesitate to call Caesar imperator, a man born for the republic by the express kindness of the gods?  He who was the first man who turned aside the savage and disgraceful cruelty of Antonius, not only from our throats, but from our limbs and bowels?  What numerous and what important virtues, O ye immortal gods, were displayed on that single day.  For Pansa was the leader of all in engaging in battle and in combating with Antonius; O general worthy of the martial legion, legion worthy of its general!  Indeed, if he had been able to restrain its irresistible impetuosity, the whole war would have been terminated by that one battle.  But as the legion, eager for liberty, had rushed with too much precipitation against the enemy’s line of battle, and as Pansa himself was fighting in the front ranks, he received two dangerous wounds, and was borne out of the battle, to preserve his life for the republic.  But I pronounce him not only imperator, but a most illustrious imperator; who, as he had pledged himself to discharge his duty to the republic either by death or by victory, has fulfilled one half of his promise; may the immortal gods prevent the fulfilment of the other half!

X. Why need I speak of Hirtius? who, the moment he heard of what was going on, with incredible promptness and courage led forth two legions out of the camp; that noble fourth legion, which, having deserted Antonius, formerly united itself to the martial legion; and the seventh, which, consisting wholly of veterans, gave proof in that battle that the name of the senate and people of Rome was dear to those soldiers who preserved the recollection of the kindness of Caesar.  With these twenty cohorts, with no cavalry, while Hirtius himself was bearing the eagle of the fourth legion,—­and we never heard of a more noble office being assumed by any general,—­he fought with the three legions of Antonius and with his cavalry, and overthrew, and routed, and put to the sword those impious men who were the real enemies to this temple of the all-good and all-powerful Jupiter, and to the rest of the temples of the immortal gods, and the houses of the city, and the freedom of the Roman people, and our lives and actual existence; so that that chief and leader of robbers fled away with a very few followers, concealed by the darkness of night, and frightened out of all his senses.

Oh what a most blessed day was that, which, while the carcases of those parricidal traitors were strewed about everywhere, beheld Antonius flying with a few followers, before he reached his place of concealment.