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I. Pars Prima (§§ 1-11).

1_4

Sects. 1-4. Catiline is gone. He ought to have been put to death: but the time was not ripe, for all were not convinced of his guilt.

p113_l15

ejecimus , expelled (with violence); emisimus , let [him] go. The words vel . . . vel ( or, if you like) imply that the same act may be called by either name.

ipsum , of his own accord.

p113_l16

verbis prosecuti may apply as well to kind words of dismissal as to invective.

abiit , simply, is gone; excessit , has retreated before the storm; evasit , has escaped by stealth; erupit , has broken forth with violence, — a climax of expression, but nearly identical in sense.

p114_l1

moenibus (dat. following comparabitur), against, etc.

atque (adding with emphasis), and so.

hunc quidem , him at any rate.

p114_l2

sine controversia , without dispute unquestionably.

p114_l3

versabitur , will be busy.

p114_l4

campo , foro , curia , parietes : observe the narrowing climax.

p114_l5

loco motus est , he lost his vantage-ground: a military expression, hence the simple abl.; § 428 , f (258, a, N.2); cf. B. 229, I; G. 390, 2, N.2; H. 463 (414, ii); H-B. 408, 2, a.

p114_l6

nullo impediente , i.e. his defenders till now could screen him by forms of law.

p114_l7

justum (if retained in the text), regular, in due form; cf. note on latrocinio, p. 109,1. I.

p114_l9

[2] quod . . . extulit etc. : § 572 , b (333, b); B. 331, V, a; G. 542; H. 588, i (540, iv, N.); H.-B. 594, c.

p114_l10

cruentum (pred.), reeking with blood.

vivis nobis (abl. abs.), leaving us alive.

p114_l12

civis : acc. plur.

p114_l13

jacet , etc., lies prostrate, etc.

p114_l15

retorquet oculos begins the figure of a wild beast, which is continued in faucibus .

profecto , no doubt.

p114_l16

quae quidem , which really.

p114_l17

quod . . . projecerit : see note on quod extulit , 1.9, above; for mood, see § 592 ,3 (341, d); B. 323; G. 541; H. 588, ii (516, ii); H.-B. 535, 2, a. 2

p114_l19

[3] For the contents of this and the following section , cf. Cat. 1, sects. 27 , 28 where the supposed complaint against Cicero for not having put Catiline to death and his reply to it are given at greater length.

qualis omnis : acc. plur.

oportebat : § 522 , a (3", c); B. 304, 3, a; G. 254, R.2; H. 583 (511, I, N.1); H.-B. 582, 3, a.

p114_l20

qui . . . accuset , as to accuse: § 535 (320); B. 283, I ; G. 631,2; H. 591, I (503, i); H-B. 521, I.

p114_l22

ista : for gender, see § 296 , a (195, d); cf. B. 250,3; G. 211, R.5; H. 396, 2 (445, 4); H.-B. 326, I.

p114_l23

interfectum esse : § 486 , b, N. (288, d); B. 270, 2, a; G. 280, R.2; H.-B. 582, 3, a, footnote 2; observe the emphatic position.

p114_l24

oportebat : for tense, see note on Cat. 1, p. 100, l. 13 .

p114_l25

hujus imperi : see note on Cat. 1, p. 104, l. 16 .

res publica , the public interest.

p114_l27

quam multos , etc.: the passages in brackets are probably spurious; it will be observed that they merely repeat —the preceding statement in each case.

p115_l1

[4] cum (causal) viderem, seeing: its obj. is fore ut possem (which is the apod. of si multassem ) ; § 569 , a (288, f); B. 270,3; G. 248; H. 619, 2 (537,3); H-B. 472, c

ne . . . probata : nearly equivalent to cum ne vos quidem. . . probaretis: implying that if they do not sustain the act, much less will the people at large.

p115_l2

multassem : for fut. perf. of direct; § 589 , 3 (337, 3); B. 319, B; G. 657, 5; H. 646 (527, i).

fore ut , the result would be that, etc.

p115_l4

at . . . possetis , result clause explaining huc .

p115_l5

videretis : § 593 (342); B. 324, I G. 663, I; H. 652 (529, ii); H.-B. 539; if not dependent on possetis, it would be videbetis.

quem quidem , whom, by the way.

p115_l6

intellegatis : § 565 (331, i); B. 295, 6; G. 553, 2; H. 564, ii, I (499, 3); H-B. 531, 2.

p115_l7

quod . . . exierit : § 592 , 3(341, d); B. 323; G. 539; H. 588, ii (5I6, ii); H-B. 535, 2, N.2.

p115_l9

mihi : eth. dat.; as if, I notice; § 380 (236); B. 188, 2, b; G. 351; 11.432 (389); H.-B. 372.

p115_l10

aes alienum , etc., i.e. petty debts run up in cook-shops and the like; not like the heavy mortgages spoken of afterwards.

p115_l11

reliquit : notice the emphatic position.

p115_l12

quos viros : for a characterization of Catiline's partisans, see sects. 18-23.

p115_l14

[5] His worthless partisans remain at Rome, but are powerless: let them follow him. He was the ringleader of all scoundrels and profligates. Let his associates depart or take the consequences. 3

prae , in comparison with.

Gallicanis , i.e. those permanently stationed in Cisalpine Gaul. The ager Gallicus below was that strip of sea-coast north of Picenum formerly occupied by the Senones, but at this time reckoned a part of Umbria.

p115_l15

hoc dilecta refers to a levy recently raised.

Q. Metellus (Celer): see note on Cat. 1, sect. 19 , p. 107, l. 13 .

p115_l17

senibus , etc., i.e. those classes who naturally look forward to a revolution to mend their fortunes.

p115_l18

luxuria = high-livers: abstract for concrete, as common in Latin and older English; Cf. Shakespeare, All's Well ii. I, 91: "Bring in the admiration"(i.e. this wonderful person).

p115_l19

vadimonia deserere , desert their bondsmen, i.e. leave them in the lurch in their creditors' suits.

p115_l21

edictum praetoris , in effect like a sheriff's writ. Any official order of a magistrate was an edictum.

p115_l22

hos , as opposed to those he did take out.

p115_l24

fulgent purpura , i.e displaying their rank as Senators, who alone had the right to wear the broad purple stripe ( latus clavus) on the tunic. The reference, therefore, is to foppish young nobles.

mallem : § 447 , I (311, b); B. 280, 4; G. 258, and N.1; H. 556 (486, i); H.-B. 519, I, b.

eduxisset : § 565 (331, f a.); B. 295, 8; G. 546, R.2; H. 565, 2 (499, 2); H.-B. 5;9, I, c.

si . . . permanent : a future condition; § 516 , a, N. (307, a, N.); G. 228; H. 533, 2 (467, 5); H.-B. 571.

p115_l25

mementote , i.e. let them remember that they are objects of suspicion and shall be watched accordingly.

p115_l27

atque hoc , etc., i.e. their effrontery makes them still more a cause for alarm.

p115_l28

[6] video , i.e. I know perfectly well. -

p115_l29

cui sit , etc.: cf. Cat. 1, sect. 9 .

p115_l31

superioris noctis , i.e. three nights ago.

p116_l3

ne , surely: an affirmative particle sometimes wrongly spelled nae. 116.5

ut . . . videretis : clause of result explaining quod .

p116_l7

nisi vero : ironical (as usual), introducing a reductio ad absurdunt. (The si only doubles that in nisi.)

p116_l8

non. . . jam , no longer.

p116_l11

Aurelia_ via_ : see Cat. 1, sect. 24 .

p116_l13

[7] rem publicam : § 397 , d (240, d); B. 183; G. 343, 1 H. 421 (381); H.-B. 399

sentinam , refuse (see Cat. 1, p. 104, l. 22 ).

p116_l14

ejecerit : the conclusion is implied in O fortunatam .

exhausto , drained off (cf. sentina ).

p116_l15

recreata , invigorated.

p116_l17

toti Itali : § 429 , 2 (258,1 2); B. 228, I, b; G. 388; H. 485, I (425, 2); H.-B. 436, a.

p116_l18

subjector , forger; circumscriptor , swindler.

p116_l21

perditus , abandoned wretch.

p116_l22

hosce : § 146 , a, N.1 (101, footnote); B. 87, footnote 2; G. 104, i, N 1; H. 178, 2 (186, I); H.-B. 138, 2, c.

p117_l3

[8] asciverit : for tense, see § 485 , c (287, c); B. 268, 6; G. 513; H. 550 (495, vi); H.-B. 481. 5

p117_l4

[9] ut . . . possitis : § 532 (317, c); B. 282, 4; G. 545, R.3; Cf. H. 568, 4 (499, 2, N.) ; H.-B. 502, 2, c.

diversa studia . In another passage ( Cael. 13 ) Cicero ascribes to Catiline: Cum tristibus severe, cum remissis jucunde, cum senibus graviter, cum juventute comiter, cum facinorosis audaciter, cum libidinosis luxuriose vivere .

in dissimili ratione , in different directions.

p117_l5

ludo , the regular training-school.

gladiatorio : see Cat. 1, p. 110, l. 31 , and note.

p117_l7

levior , etc.: the Roman actors, though some of them achieved distinction, were generally regarded as a low class of men.

p117_l8

tamen , i.e. though a companion of such dissolute persons, yet he possessed the qualities of fortitude and endurance so much admired by the Romans.

p117_l9

exercitatione (abl. of means), etc., trained by the practice of debaucheries and crimes to endure, etc.

frigore . . . perferendis : abl. with adsuefactus ; § 507 , N.1 (301, N.); G. 431; cf. H-B. 612, iv, 431.

p117_l10

fortis , a strong and able fellow.

istis , those creatures: § 297 , c (102, c); B. 246, 4; G. 306, N.; H. 507, 3 (450, i, N.); H.-B. 274, 4. 117 11 cum . . . consumeret (not concessive), while consuming .

subsidia , etc., i.e. means (his uncommon powers of body and mind) which might have been used, etc.

p117_l13

[10] sui : § 301 , b (196, c); B. 244, 4; G. 309, 2; H. 503, 2 (449, 3); H.-B. 264, 2.

p117_l17

audaciae , acts of audacity.

p117_l19

obligaverunt , encumbered.

res , property; fides, credit.

p117_l21

libido , i.e. luxurious habits and tastes.

p117_l23

quidem (concessive), no doubt

p117_l24

homines , viris : observe the difference in sense.

p117_l26

mihi : the ethical dat. gives the phrase a familiar and contemptuous turn which may be reproduced in English by forsooth.

p117_l28

obli^ti : observe the quantity.

p117_l29

caedem , etc.: notice the strong contrast between the character of these worn-out debauchees and the sanguinary nature of their threats.

p117_l31

[11] instare , is close at hand; plane merely emphasizes the idea of the verb.

p118_l2

propagarit : for tense, see § 516 , c, N. (307, c, a.) ; G. 595, N.2; H. 540(473).

p118_l3

pertimescamus , possit : subj. of characteristic.

p118_l5

unius : Pompey, just returning from his triumphs in the East.

p118_l10

quacumque ratione , sc. fieri potest

p118_l11

resecanda erunt , shall need the knipe (lit. must be cut away): the figure is derived from surgery.

p118_l12

si. . permanent : § 516 , a, N. (307, a, N.); G. 228; H. 533, 2 (467,5); H.-B. 572.

p118_l13

exspectent : hort. subj. in apod.; § 516 , d (307, d); B. 305, 2 G. 595; H. 580 (508, 4); H.-B. 532,1.

Commentary on Second Oration against Catiline. James Bradstreet Greenough. ed. James Bradstreet Greenough, ed. George Lyman Kittredge. Boston. 1897.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

Commentary on Second Oration against Catiline (English) (Select Orations of Cicero (Allen and Greenough's Edition). Greenough, James Bradstreet; Kittredge, George Lyman, editors. Boston, London: Ginn & Company, 1897.)

Editions (1)

In L. Catilinam Perseus (Cicero. M. Tulli Ciceronis Orationes, Volume 1. Clark, Albert Curtis, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1908.) — 2.1 focus

[1] 1 tandem aliquando, Quirites, L. L ucium Catilinam, furentem audacia, scelus anhelantem, pestem patriae nefarie molientem, vobis atque huic urbi ferro flammaque¹ minitantem ex urbe vel eiecimus vel emisimus vel ipsum egredientem verbis prosecuti sumus. abiit², excessit, evasit, erupit. nulla iam pernicies a monstro illo atque prodigio moenibus ipsis intra moenia comparabitur³. atque hunc quidem unum huius belli domestici ducem sine controversia vicimus. non enim iam inter latera nostra sica illa versabitur, non in campo, non in foro, non in curia, non denique intra domesticos parietes pertimescemus⁴. loco ille motus est, cum est ex⁵ urbe depulsus. palam iam cum hoste nullo impediente bellum iustum⁶ geremus. sine dubio perdidimus hominem magnificeque vicimus, cum illum ex occultis insidiis in apertum latrocinium coniecimus.

[2] quod vero non cruentum mucronem, ut voluit, extulit, quod vivis nobis egressus est, quod ei ferrum e manibus extorsimus, quod incolumis civis, quod stantem urbem reliquit, quanto tandem illum maerore esse adflictum et profligatum putatis? iacet ille nunc prostratus, Quirites⁷, et se perculsum atque abiectum esse sentit et retorquet oculos profecto saepe ad hanc urbem quam e suis faucibus ereptam esse luget: quae quidem mihi laetari⁸ videtur, quod tantam pestem evomuerit forasque proiecerit.

[3] 2 ac si quis est talis qualis esse omnis oportebat, qui in hoc ipso in quo exsultat et triumphat oratio mea me vehementer accuset, quod tam capitalem hostem non comprehenderim potius quam emiserim, non est ista mea culpa, Quirites⁹, sed temporum. interfectum esse L. L ucium Catilinam et gravissimo supplicio adfectum iam pridem oportebat, idque a me et mos maiorum et huius imperi severitas et res publica postulabat. sed quam multos fuisse putatis qui quae ego deferrem non crederent, quam multos qui propter stultitiam non putarent¹⁰, quam multos qui etiam defenderent, quam multos qui propter improbitatem faverent¹¹? ac si illo sublato depelli a vobis omne periculum iudicarem, iam pridem ego L. L ucium Catilinam non modo invidiae meae verum etiam vitae periculo sustulissem.

[4] sed cum viderem, ne vobis quidem omnibus¹² etiam tum re probata¹³ si illum, ut erat meritus, morte multassem, fore ut eius socios invidia oppressus persequi non possem, rem huc deduxi ut tum palam pugnare possetis cum hostem aperte videretis. quem quidem ego hostem, Quirites¹⁴, quam vehementer foris esse timendum putem, licet hinc intellegatis, quod¹⁵ etiam illud¹⁶ moleste fero quod ex urbe parum comitatus exierit. Vtinam ille omnis secum suas copias eduxisset! Tongilium mihi eduxit quem amare in praetexta¹⁷ coeperat, Publicium et Minucium quorum aes alienum contractum in popina nullum rei publicae motum adferre poterat: reliquit quos viros, quanto aere alieno, quam valentis, quam nobilis!

[5] 3 itaque ego illum exercitum prae¹⁸ Gallicanis legionibus et hoc dilectu quem in agro Piceno et Gallico Q. Q uintus Metellus habuit, et his copiis¹⁹ quae a nobis cotidie comparantur, magno opere contemno, conlectum ex senibus desperatis, ex agresti luxuria, ex rusticis decoctoribus, ex eis qui vadimonia deserere quam illum exercitum maluerunt; quibus ego non modo si aciem exercitus nostri, verum etiam si edictum praetoris ostendero, concident. hos quos video volitare in foro, quos stare ad curiam, quos etiam in senatum venire, qui nitent unguentis, qui fulgent purpura, mallem secum suos milites eduxisset: qui si hic permanent, mementote non tam exercitum illum esse nobis quam hos qui exercitum deseruerunt pertimescendos. atque hoc etiam sunt timendi magis quod quid cogitent²⁰ me scire sentiunt neque tamen permoventur.

[6] video cui sit Apulia attributa, quis habeat Etruriam, quis agrum Picenum, quis Gallicum, quis sibi has urbanas insidias caedis atque incendiorum depoposcerit. omnia superioris noctis consilia ad me perlata²¹ esse sentiunt; patefeci in senatu hesterno die; Catilina ipse pertimuit, profugit: hi²² quid exspectant? ne illi vehementer errant, si illam meam pristinam lenitatem perpetuam sperant futuram.

4 quod exspectavi, iam sum adsecutus ut vos omnes factam esse aperte coniurationem contra rem publicam videretis; nisi vero si²³ quis est qui Catilinae similis cum Catilina sentire non putet. non est iam lenitati²⁴ locus; severitatem res ipsa flagitat. unum etiam nunc concedam: exeant, proficiscantur, ne patiantur desiderio sui Catilinam miserum tabescere. demonstrabo iter: Aurelia via profectus est; si accelerare volent, ad vesperam consequentur.

[7] O fortunatam rem publicam, si quidem hanc sentinam urbis²⁵ eiecerit! uno me hercule Catilina exhausto levata²⁶ mihi et recreata res publica videtur. quid enim mali aut sceleris fingi aut cogitari potest quod non ille conceperit? quis tota Italia veneficus, quis gladiator, quis latro, quis sicarius, quis parricida, quis testamentorum subiector, quis circumscriptor, quis ganeo, quis nepos, quis adulter, quae mulier infamis, quis corruptor iuventutis, quis corruptus, quis perditus inveniri potest qui se cum Catilina non familiarissime vixisse fateatur? quae caedes per hosce annos sine illo facta est, quod nefarium stuprum non per illum?

[8] iam vero quae tanta umquam in ullo²⁷ iuventutis inlecebra fuit quanta in illo? qui alios ipse amabat turpissime, aliorum amori flagitiosissime serviebat, aliis fructum libidinum, aliis mortem parentum non modo impellendo verum etiam adiuvando pollicebatur. nunc vero quam subito non solum ex urbe verum etiam ex agris ingentem numerum perditorum hominum conlegerat! nemo non modo Romae sed ne ullo quidem²⁸ in angulo totius Italiae oppressus aere alieno fuit quem non ad hoc incredibile sceleris foedus asciverit.

[9] 5 atque ut eius diversa studia in dissimili ratione perspicere possitis, nemo est in ludo gladiatorio paulo ad facinus audacior qui se non intimum Catilinae esse fateatur²⁹, nemo in scaena levior et nequior qui se non eiusdem prope sodalem fuisse commemoret. atque idem tamen stuprorum et scelerum exercitatione adsuefactus frigore et fame et siti et vigiliis perferendis fortis ab istis praedicabatur, cum industriae subsidia atque instrumenta virtutis in libidine audaciaque consumeret³⁰.

[10] hunc vero si secuti erunt sui comites, si ex urbe exierint desperatorum hominum flagitiosi greges, o nos beatos, o rem publicam fortunatum, o praeclaram laudem consulatus mei! non enim iam sunt mediocres hominum libidines, non humanae et³¹ tolerandae audaciae; nihil cogitant nisi caedem, nisi incendia, nisi rapinas. patrimonia sua profuderunt, fortunas suas obligaverunt³²; res eos iam pridem³³, fides nuper deficere coepit: eadem tamen illa quae erat in abundantia libido permanet³⁴. quod si in vino et alea comissationes solum et scorta quaererent, essent illi quidem desperandi, sed tamen essent ferendi: hoc vero quis ferre possit, inertis homines fortissimis viris insidiari, stultissimos prudentissimis, ebrios³⁵ sobriis, dormientis vigilantibus? qui mihi³⁶ accubantes in conviviis, complexi mulieres impudicas, vino languidi, conferti cibo, sertis redimiti, unguentis obliti, debilitati stupris eructant sermonibus suis caedem bonorum atque urbis incendia.

[11] quibus ego confido impendere fatum aliquod et poenam iam diu improbitati, nequitiae, sceleri, libidini debitam aut instare iam plane aut certe appropinquare. quos si meus consulatus, quoniam sanare non potest, sustulerit, non breve nescio quod tempus sed multa saecula propagarit rei publicae. nulla enim est³⁷ natio quam pertimescamus, nullus rex qui bellum populo Romano facere possit. omnia sunt externa unius virtute terra marique pacata: domesticum bellum manet, intus insidiae sunt³⁸, intus inclusum periculum est, intus est hostis. cum luxuria nobis, cum amentia, cum scelere certandum est. huic ego me bello ducem profiteor, Quirites; suscipio inimicitias hominum perditorum; quae sanari poterunt quacumque ratione sanabo, quae resecanda erunt non patiar ad perniciem civitatis manere³⁹. proinde aut exeant aut quiescant aut, si et in urbe et in eadem⁴⁰ mente permanent, ea quae merentur exspectent.

Translations (1)

Against L. Catiline Perseus (Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, Volume 2. Yonge, Charles Duke, translator. London: Bell, 1856.) — 2.1 focus

[1]
At length, O Romans, we have dismissed from the city, or driven out, or, when he was departing of his own accord, we have pursued with words, Lucius Catiline, mad with audacity, breathing wickedness, impiously planning mischief to his country, threatening fire and sword to you and to this city. He is gone, he has departed, he has disappeared, he has rushed out. No injury will now be prepared against these walls within the walls themselves by that monster and prodigy of wickedness. And we have, without controversy, defeated him, the sole general of this domestic war. For now that dagger will no longer hover about our sides; we shall not be afraid in the campus, in the forum, in the senate-house,—yes, and within our own private walls, he was moved from his place when he was driven from the city. Now we shall openly carry on a regular war with an enemy without hindrance. Beyond all question we ruin the man; we have defeated him splendidly when we have driven him from secret treachery into open warfare.

[2] But that he has not taken with him his sword red with blood as he intruded—that he has left us alive,—that we wrested the weapon from his hands,—that he has left the citizens safe and the city standing, what great and overwhelming grief must you think that this is to him. Now he lies prostrate, O Romans, and feels himself stricken down and abject, and often casts back his eyes towards this city, which he mourns over as snatched from his jaws, but which seems to me to rejoice at having vomited forth such a pest, and cast it out of doors.

[3]
But if there be any one of that disposition which all men should have, who yet blames me greatly for the very thing in which my speech exults and triumphs,—namely, that I did not arrest so capital mortal an enemy rather than let him go,—that is not my fault, O citizens, but the fault of the times. Lucius Catiline ought to have been visited with the severest punishment, and to have been put to death long since; and both the customs of our ancestors, and the rigour of my office, and the republic, demanded this of me; but how many, think you, were there who did not believe what I reported? how many who out of stupidity did not think so? how many who even defended him,—how many who, out of their own depravity, favoured him? If, in truth, I had thought that, if he were removed, all danger would he removed from you, I would long since have cut off Lucius Catiline, had it been at the risk, not only of my popularity, but even of my life.

[4]
But as I saw that, since the matter was not even then proved to all of you, if I had punished him with death, as he had deserved, I should be borne down by unpopularity, and so be unable to follow up his accomplices, I brought the business on to this point that you might be able to combat openly when you saw the enemy without disguise. But how exceedingly I think this enemy to be feared now that he is out of doors, you may see from this—that I am vexed even that be has gone from the city with but a small retinue. I wish he had taken with him all his forces. He has taken with him Tongillus, with whom he had been said to have a criminal intimacy, and Publicius, and Munatius, whose debts contracted in taverns could cause no great disquietude to the republic. He has left behind him others—you all know what men they are, how overwhelmed with debt, how powerful, how noble.

[5]
Therefore, with our Gallic legions, and with the levies which Quintus Metellus has raised in the Picenian and Gallic territory, and with these troops which are every day being got ready by us, I thoroughly despise that army composed of desperate old men, of clownish profligates, and uneducated spendthrifts; of those who have preferred to desert their bail rather than that army, and which will fall to pieces if I show them not the battle array of our army, but an edict of the praetor. I wish he had taken with him those soldiers of his, whom I see hovering about the forum, standing about the senate-house, even coming into the senate, who shine with ointment, who glitter in purple; and if they remain here, remember that that army is not so much to be feared by us as these men who have deserted the army. And they are the more to be feared, because they are aware that I know what they are thinking of and yet they are not influenced by it.

[6]
I know to whom Apulia has been allotted, who has Etruria, who the Picenian territory, who the Gallic district, who has begged for himself the office of spreading fire and sword by night through the city. They know that all the plans of the preceding night are brought to me. I laid them before the senate yesterday. Catiline himself was alarmed, and fled. Why do these men wait? Verily, they are greatly mistaken if they think that former lenity of mine will last forever. 4
What I have been waiting for, that I have gained,—namely, that you should all see that a conspiracy has been openly formed against the republic; unless, indeed, there be any one who thinks that those who are like Catiline do not agree with Catiline. There is not any longer room for lenity; the business itself demands severity. One thing, even now, I will grant,—let them depart, let them be gone. Let them not suffer the unhappy Catiline to pine away for want of them. I will tell them the road. He went by the Aurelian road. If they make haste, they will catch him by the evening.

[7] O happy republic, if it can cast forth these dregs of the republic! Even now, when Catiline alone is got rid of; the republic seems to me relieved and refreshed; for what evil or wickedness can be devised or imagined which he did not conceive? What prisoner, what gladiator, what thief; what assassin, what parricide, what forger of wills, what cheat, what debauchee, what spendthrift, what adulterer, what abandoned woman, what corrupter of youth, what profligate, what scoundrel can be found in all Italy, who does not avow that he has been on terms of intimacy with Catiline? What murder has been committed for years without him? What nefarious act of infamy that has not been done by him?

[8]
But in what other man were there ever so many allurements for youth as in him, who both indulged in infamous love for others, and encouraged their infamous affections for himself, promising to some enjoyment of their lust, to others the death of their parents, and not only instigating them to iniquity, but even assisting them in it. But now, how suddenly had he collected, not only out of the city, but even out of the country, a number of abandoned men? No one, not only at Rome , but in every corner of Italy , was overwhelmed with debt whom he did not enlist in this incredible association of wickedness.

[9]
And, that you may understand the diversity of his pursuits and the variety of his designs, there was no one in any school of gladiators, at all inclined to audacity, who does not avow himself to be an intimate friend of Catiline,—no one on the stage, at all of a fickle and worthless disposition, who does not profess himself his companion. And he, trained in the practice of insult and wickedness, in enduring cold, and hunger, and thirst, and watching, was called a brave man by those fellows, while all the appliances of industry and instruments of virtue were devoted to lust and atrocity.

[10]
But if his companions follow him,—if the infamous herd of desperate men depart from the city, O happy shall we be, fortunate will be the republic, illustrious will be the renown of my consulship. For theirs is no ordinary insolence,—no common and endurable audacity. They think of nothing but slaughter, conflagration, and rapine. They have dissipated their patrimonies, they have squandered their fortunes. Money has long failed them, and now credit begins to fail; but the same desires remain which they had in their time of abundance. But if in their drinking and gambling parties they were content with feasts and harlots, they would be in a hopeless state indeed; but yet they might be endured. But who can bear this,—that indolent men should plot against the bravest,—drunkards against the sober,—men asleep against men awake,—men lying at feasts, embracing abandoned women, languid with wine, crammed with food, crowned with chaplets, reeking with ointments, worn out with lust, belch out in their discourse the murder of all good men, and the conflagration of the city?

[11]
But I am confident that some fate is hanging over these men; and that the punishment long since due to their iniquity, and worthlessness, and wickedness, and lust, is either visibly at hand or at least rapidly approaching. And if my consulship shall have removed, since it cannot cure them, it will have added, not some brief span, but many ages of existence to the republic. For there is no nation for us to fear,—no king who can make war on the Roman people. All foreign affairs are tranquilized, both by land and sea, by the valour of one man. Domestic war alone remains. The only plots against us are within our own walls,—the danger is within,—the enemy is within. We must war with luxury, with madness, with wickedness. For this war, O citizens, I offer myself as the general. I take on myself the enmity of profligate men. What can be cured, I will cure, by whatever means it may be possible. What must be cut away, I will not suffer to spread, to the ruin of the republic. Let them depart, or let them stay quiet; or if they remain in the city and in the same disposition as at present, let them expect what they deserve.

James Bradstreet Greenough Commentary on Second Oration against Catiline I

ed. James Bradstreet Greenough, ed. George Lyman Kittredge

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I. Pars Prima (§§ 1-11).

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