the greatest and most cruel within the memory of man, a war such as no barbarous nation ever waged with its own clan; a war in which this principle was laid down by Lentulus, Catiline, Cassius, Cethegus, that all who would remain safe in a preserved city should be regarded as enemies; I, Romans, have so demeaned myself, that ye have all been preserved uninjured. And although your enemies supposed that only so many citizens would survive as should escape endless massacre, and so much of the city be preserved as the fire should not reach, I have preserved both the city and the citizens safe and unharmed.-Cicero against Catiline.

THE CLAIMS OF THE POET.

WHо of us is there gifted with so rude and unfeeling a temper, that he was not lately deeply moved by the death of Roscius? For, although he was advanced in years when he died, yet because of his wondrous skill and beauty, it seemed to us that he ought not to have died. Did he then win for himself the love of us all, because of the grace of his body? And shall we value lightly the vast energies of the mind and sprightly talents? How often have I seen this Archias (for I will trespass upon your kindness, since ye have paid me so much attention in this new manner of pleading)—how often have I seen him, when he had not written a syllable, utter extempore a great number of most beautiful verses upon matters which were being transacted? How often have I heard him again repeat the same thing in different words and sentences? But what he had written with care and thought have been as highly approved as the compositions of ancient writers. Shall I not love and admire him, and think that he must be defended by every means in my power? We have learnt from the greatest and most learned men, that other branches of study require education, rule, and art, but that a poet is made by nature herself, and is quickened by the powers of his mind, and is, so to speak, inspired with a divine spirit. Wherefore, rightly hath our Ennius called poets venerable, because they seem to be recommended to us by some especial gifts and bounty of the gods. Let, therefore, the name of a poet, which no

barbarous nation ever profaned, be regarded as venerable among you, who are most polished. Rocks and deserts give back an echo to the voice; savage beasts are oftentimes soothed by song, and listen; and shall not we, gifted with the best powers, be moved by the voice of poets? The Colophonians assert, that Homer is their citizen; the Chians claim him for theirs; the Salaminians demand him; and the inhabitants of Smyrna contend that he was born there, and so they have even dedicated to him a temple in their town; besides these, very many others contend among themselves, and claim the honour of his birth.

Do they then even lay claim to a stranger after his death, because he was a poet? And shall we discard him who lives among us, and who is ours of his own free will, and by our laws, especially since Archias has bent all his studies, and devoted all his powers, to celebrate the praise and glory of the Roman people? For in his youth he sang of the Cimbrian war, and delighted C. Marius, who appeared to have little inclination for these pursuits. For there is no one so averse to the Muses, but he will readily allow the praise of his labours to be immortalized in verse. They reported that Themistocles, that most illustrious Athenian general, when he was asked what music or whose voice was most agreeable to him, made answer,his, by whom his virtues could be best celebrated.

That Marius, also, had a great regard for L. Plotius, by whose talents he thought that his achievements could be celebrated. Besides, the Mithridatic war, great and dangerous as it was, and one marked by such a variety of events by land and sea, has been all described by this Archias; and the books written upon it shed lustre not only upon L. Lucullus, but also upon the Roman nation. For the Roman people, under the command of Lucullus, penetrated into Pontus, once impregnable by the royal resources and the very nature of its position. The armies of the Roman people, under the same leader, and with no very considerable forces, routed the vast troops of the Armenians. It is the boast of the Roman people, that, by the advice of the same general, the most friendly city of Cyzicum was rescued and delivered from the rage of a monarch, and from the mouth and jaws of that war. That glorious naval battle of ours at Tenedos, will ever be recorded and praised, in which, under the conduct of Lucul

lus, when their leader had been killed, the fleet of the enemy was sunk. These are our trophies, our monuments, and our triumphs; wherefore the fame of the Roman people is celebrated by those by whose talents these events are recorded. Our Ennius was dear to the elder Africanus, and therefore he is thought to have a marble statue in the sepulchre of the Scipios. Moreover, not only those who are applauded are adorned by these praises, but also the whole Roman nation. Cato, the ancestor of this one, is greatly extolled; hence great honour is derived by the Roman people. In a word, the Maximi, the Marcelli, and the Fulvii, cannot be decked with praises, but all likewise participate therein.

Did our ancestors then confer the freedom of the city upon that Rhodian who had done this, and shall we thrust out of Rome this Heraclean, who has been courted by many cities, and who belongeth to this by our laws? For if any one imagine that less fruits of glory are derived from Greek than Latin verses, he is grievously mistaken in that; the Greek language is spoken in almost all nations, and the latter is confined within the Latin boundaries, narrow as they are. Wherefore, if the exploits which we have performed are bounded only by the regions of the world, we ought to desire that our glory and fame may penetrate wheresoever our arms have reached; because, since they have much influence with those whose deeds are described, so are they the greatest motives to danger and toil, to those who peril their lives for the sake of glory. How many writers of his exploits is that great Alexander said to have had with him! And yet he, when he stood by the tomb of Achilles, at Sigeum, said, "O, fortunate young man, in that thou could'st find a Homer to herald thy fame!" And truly so; for had not the Iliad been extant, that tomb which had covered his body, would also have buried his name. What! Did not Pompey the Great, whose virtues were equal to his fortunes, bestow, in the presence of his soldiers, the freedom of the city upon Theophanes of Mitylene, the writer of his triumphs? And did not those brave warriors, writers and soldiers as they were, moved by the peculiar charms of glory, give hearty shouts of applause, as though they were partakers of the same praise? Could it not therefore have happened, that, had not Archias been a Roman by your laws, he might

have been presented with the freedom of the city by some general? Would Sylla, when he bestowed it upon the Spaniards and Gauls, have refused the request of Archias? That Sylla, whom we saw in an assembly, when an indifferent low-born poet presented a petition to him, because he had written an epigram upon him in alternate unequal verses, ordered a reward to be given him, on condition that he would write no more. Would he, who thought that the diligence of a bad poet was deserving of some reward, not have admired the genius, and power, and faculties of composition which Archias possesses?-Cicero for Archias.

CATILINE TO HIS SOLDIERS.

Two

I HAVE discovered, soldiers, that words impart not courage; and that neither is a slothful man made active, nor a fearful one brave, by the speech of a general. Whatever daring there is in each man's mind, either by nature or habit, so much is wont to be exercised in war. To no purpose is it that you exhort one whom neither glory nor perils arouse a timid mind is discouraged by words. But yet I have summoned you together, in order to give you some advice, and at the same time to unfold the nature of my designs. Ye know, indeed, soldiers, how great a loss the carelessness and negligence of Lentulus brought upon himself and us; and how I was unable to set out for Gaul, whilst I was waiting for guards from the city. Ye all know, in what situation our affairs at present are. armies of the enemy, one on this side of the city, the other on the side of Gaul, hem us in; deficiency of corn, and other things prevent our remaining longer here, however much we might wish to do so. Whithersoever we determine to go, we must open a way with the sword. Wherefore, I entreat you to show a brave and dauntless spirit; and, when ye commence the battle, remember that ye bear riches, honour, glory, age, and liberty, and your country too, in your right hands. If we conquer, all will be safe for us; we shall have abundance of provisions, colonies, and towns will be opened to us; but if we yield through fear, these same things will be against us. Neither any place, nor friend will shield him, whom arms have not protected.

Besides, soldiers, they are not under the same obligations as we are. We are contending for country, liberty, and life; they are not bound to fight in support of the power of a few. Wherefore, mindful of ancient valour, go on to the attack with greater daring. We might, with the greatest disgrace, have passed our lives in exile. Some of you, having lost your own property, could have waited for other men's wealth at Rome. Because that appeared disgraceful and unbearable to men of spirit, ye chose to adopt this course. If you wish to abandon it, you will stand in need of courage; none, save as conquerors, ever exchanged war for peace. For to hope for safety in flight when you have turned your arms, by which the body is defended, from the enemy, this is indeed folly. They who fear most ever incur the greatest peril in war; courage is as a wall of defence. Soldiers, when I consider your character, and weigh your exploits, great hopes of victory burn within Your spirit, age, and valour bid me hope; and above all, your necessities, which make even cowards brave. For the straits prevent the number of the enemy surrounding us. But if fortune, and not your valour, fail us, take heed that ye part not with life unavenged. Nor do not, being taken, be butchered like cattle; but rather, fighting like men, give to the enemy a bloody and mournful victory.-Sallust.

me.

THE EARL OF STRAFFORD'S DEFENCE, CONCLUSION.

MY LORDS, It is hard to be questioned upon a law which cannot be shown. Where hath this fire lain hid so many hundred years, without smoke to discover it, till it thus burst forth to consume me and my children?

That punishment should precede promulgation of a law, to be punished by a law subsequent to the fact, is extremely hard. What man can be safe, if this be admitted?

My lords, it is hard in another respect, that there should be no token set by which we should know this offence; no admonition by which we should avoid it. If the man pass the Thames in a boat, and split himself upon an anchor, and no buoy be floating to discover it, he who