The workes of Caius Crispus Salustius contayning the Conspiracie of Cateline The Warre of Iugurth. V. bookes of historicall fragments. II orations to Cæsar for the institution of a co[m]monwealth and one against Cicero.

The Oration of Lu. Philippus, a∣gainst M. Aemilius Lepidus.

MOst of all, I would desire (O ye Romanes) that the Commonwealth were vndistur∣bed, or being indangered, it

were defended by the fittest A∣gents: finally, that naughty de∣signes might proue hurtfull to the Counsellers. But contrary∣wise, all things are disturbed with seditions, and by them whom it behoued rather to restraine them. Last of all, what the worst and foolishest haue decreed, that must be executed by wise and good men. For warre and Armes, although they are hate∣full to you, yet because they please Lepidus, are to be vnder∣taken: except perchance it may be any mans counsell to make peace, and suffer warre.

Out alas, yee good gods, which gouerne as yet this Citty, the care of it being neglected, M. Aemilius the worst of all wicked men, of whom it may be deliberated, whether he be more ••ewde or cowardly, hath an Ar∣my on foote for oppressing our Liberty, and hath made himselfe

from contemptible, to become terrible: you wauering and re∣tracting through the words and verses of the Prophets, rather wish for peace, then defend it: neither are you sensible, that out of the lenity of your de∣crees, dignity from your selues, feare from him is detracted. And this happeneth iustly: because out of his rapines he hath gotten a Consulship; for his sedition, a Prouince together with an Ar∣my. What should he haue re∣ceiued for his well doings, vnto whose villanies you haue giuen such great••rewardes?

But forsooth they, who euen to the last, decreed Ambassa∣dours, peace, concord, and other conditions of the same nature, procured fauour from him. Yes truely, they being held despica∣ble, and vnworthy of the Com∣monwealth, are esteemed no bet∣ter th••n a prey; as requiring

peace out of feare, by which they lost it, being once had.

Verily from the beginning, when I saw Etruria to conspire, the proscribed sent for, the Com∣monwealth rent in sunder with bribes, I thought it high time to preuent, and followed Catu∣lus counsell with some few. But they who extolled the deserts of the Aemilian Family, and by pardoning his offence, would in∣crease the Maiestie of the Ro∣mane people, did not then see Lepidus drifts: when he had ta∣ken priuate Armes for the opres∣sing of liberty, by seeking riches or protections seuerally for themselues, euery man corrup∣ted the publicke counsell.

But then Lepidus was a theefe with some few Campe-drudges, and Ruffians, amongst whom there was none, that would not haue sold his life for daily hire: now he is a Proconsull with au∣thority,

not bought, but freely giuen by you, with Lieutenants as yet obeying lawfully: and to him there resort the lewdest men of all degrees, inflamed with pouerty and lust, perplexed with the conscience of their crimes: whose rest is in seditions, whose troubles are in peace. These raise tumult out of tumult, warre out of warre: being once of Sa∣turninus, afterwards of Sulpitius, then of Marius and Damasippus, now of Lepidus retinue.

Moreo••er Etruria, and all the reliques of the warre are in com∣motion: both Spaines are sollici∣ted to Armes: Mithridates frontiering vpon our tributaries, by whom we are as yet sustai∣ned, expecteth opportunity for the warre: so that besides a ••it∣ting Leader, nothing wants for the subuerting of the Empire.

Which I desire and intreate you (O ye Conscript Fathers) to

take into your consideration: and that you would not suffer the li∣cence of ill doing to infect the sound, like a pestilent contagion. For whereas rewards attend the wicked, hardly is any man found good for bare thankes onely.

What doe you expect, whilst his Army falling on againe, he shall inuade the Citty with fire and sword? which issue is by far lesse remoued from the present state, then ciuill armes are from peace and concord. Which he hath taken against all diuine and humane rights, not for his owne, nor the pretended wrongs of o∣thers, but for the ouerthrowing of Lawes and liberty. For he is vexed and tormented with the desire of mind, and feare of pu∣nishment, being restlesse and de∣uoyd of counsell, making tryall of this, and that, he feareth peace, he hateth warre; he seeth, that he must fall into wants with his lux∣ury

and licentiousnesse, and in the meane time abuseth your slack∣nesse. Neither am I well resol∣ued, whether I shall call this feare, cowardice, or folly; who seeme to wish that the intended euils fall not like lightening on you, but to preuent them, no man doth as much, as indeuour.

And consider (I beseech you) how much the condition of things is altered: before, the pub∣licke mischiefe was contriued secretly, the remedies openly; and in that good men were ad∣uantaged beyond the wicked. Now peace and concord are di∣sturbed openly; they are de∣fended secretly. The men, to whom these things are pleasing, are in Armes, you in feare.

What doe you expect fur∣ther; except perchance you are ashamed or greeued to doe as you should? Can Lepidus or∣ders moue your mindes, who

sayth it is his will, that euery mans proprieties should be re∣stored to him, when as he detai∣neth other mens; that the Lawes of warre should be annihilated, when as he inforceth them by Armes; that the freedome of the City should be confirmed, when as he denyes it to them, from whom it hath beene taken; that the Tribunitiall authority should be restored to the Commons, from which occasion all discords haue beene kindled?

Thou that art the worst, and most impudent of all men, are the pouertie and griefes of the Citty thy care, who hast nothing of thy owne, but what hath been gotten by Armes and iniurie? Thou suest for another Consul∣ship, as if thou hadst resigned the first: by warre thou seekest concord, by which it was di∣sturbed when it was gotten: thou art a Traitor to vs, hatefull to

them, an Enemie to all good men; so that thou art not ashamed of God, nor man, whom thou hast wronged with treachery and periury.

Whom, since thou art such a one, I doe exhort, that thou wouldst continue in thy resoluti∣on, and prosecute the warres: and that thy selfe being distur∣bed with delaying of tumults, wouldst not detain vs in anguish. Neither the Prouinces, Lawes, nor houshold gods accept thee for a Cittizen. Goe on, as thou hast begun: that suddenly thou mayst finde a deserued punish∣ment.

But you (yee Conscript Fa∣thers) how long by your delayes will yee suffer the Common∣wealth to be vndefended, and will incounter Armes with words? Musters are made a∣gainst you; ••oneyes are pub∣lickly and priuately extorted;

Garrisons are drawne forth, and imposed; lust commands ouer the Lawes: when you, in the interspace prouide Ambassa∣dours and decrees. And beleeue me, by how much the more ear∣nestly you shall sue for peace, by so much the warre will be more violent: when he shall vnder∣stand, that he is more supported by feare, then by goodnesse and equitie. For that man who saith, that he hateth tumults, and ciuill slaughter, and for that cause de∣taines you from arming against armed Lepidus; what vanqui∣shed men must indure, he thinkes it fitter you should suffer, when as it lyes in your power to inflict it vpon others. Thus peace is perswaded for him, from you; for you warre, from him.

If these things please; if your mindes are so besotted, that be∣ing forgetfull of Cinnaes mis∣chiefes, (by whose returne into

the Citty, all orders and decency were ouerthrowne) you will ne∣uerthelesse submit your selues, your wiues and children to Le∣pidus; what need is there of de∣crees? what need of Catulus assistance, but that he and other good men must vndertake in vaine the charge of the Repub∣licke? Doe, as you will; pro∣uide for your selues the patro∣nages of Cethegus, and other Traitours, who desire to renew rapines and fierings, and to arme their hands, against their house∣hold gods.

But if liberty and warres de∣light you more; institute decrees worthy of your name, and giue incouragement to valiant men. A new Army is at hand; and be∣sides the Colonies of the old Souldiers, all the Nobility with the ablest Commanders. For∣tune followes the best men. Now those succours which are raised,

will be dissolued through your negligence.

Wherefore my censure is this, that since Lepidus, out of his owne priuate counsell, contrarie to the authority of this order, leadeth an Army vnto the Citty, composed of most wicked men, and Enemies to the Common∣wealth: that Appius Claudius, the Interregent with Q. Catulus the Proconsull, and others who haue orders for it, shall be care∣full to gard the Citty, and in∣deuour that the Cōmonwealth suffer no detriment.