1.
The tribunes of the people, O Romans, would have pursued a more convenient course, if they
had said to my face, in my presence, the things which they allege to you concerning me. For
then, they would have given you an opportunity for a more just decision in the matter, and
they would have followed the usages of their predecessors, and have maintained their own
privileges and power. But, since they have shunned any open contest and debate with me at
present, now, if they please, let them come forth into the assembly which I have convened,
and though they would not come forward willingly when challenged by me, let them at least
return to it now that I openly invite them back.
[2]
I see, O Romans, that some men are making a noise to imply something or other, and that
they no longer show me the same countenance in this present assembly which they showed me at
the last assembly in which I addressed you. Wherefore, I entreat you, who have believed none
of my enemies' stories about me, to retain the same favourable disposition towards me that
you always had; but from you, whom I perceive to be a little changed towards me, I beg the
loan of your good opinion of me for a short time, on condition of your retaining it forever,
if I prove to you what I am going to say, but abandoning it and trampling it under foot in
this very place if I fail to establish it.
[3]
Your minds and ears, O Romans, are blocked up with the assertion that I am opposing the
agrarian law and your interest, out of a desire to gratify the seven tyrants, and the other
possessors of Sulla's allotments. If there be any men who have believed these things, they
must inevitably first have believed this, that by this agrarian law which has been proposed,
the lands allotted by Sulla are taken away from their present possessors and divided among
you, or else, that the possessions of private individuals are diminished, in order that you
may be settled on their lands. If I show you, not only that not an atom of laud of Sulla's
allotments is taken from any one, but even that that description of property is ensured to
its possessors, and confirmed in a most impudent manner; if I prove, that Rullus, by his law,
provides so carefully for the case of those lands which have been allotted by Sulla, that it
is perfectly plain that that law was drawn up, not by any protector of your interests, but by
the twin law of Valgius; is there then any reason at all, why he should disparage not only my
diligence and prudence, but yours also, by the accusations which he has employed against me
in my absence?
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