u, my Fathers, to determine; for me to act your
pleasure. And if your own souls, your own lives, your own interests, yea!
your own fears, cry not aloud to rouse you, with a voice stronger than the
eternal thunder, why should I seek to warn you? Whom his own, his wife's,
children's, country's safety, the glory of his great forefathers, the
veneration of the everlasting Gods awaiting his decision from the
tottering pinnacle of Rome's capitol--whom all these things excite not to
action--no voice of man, no portent of the Gods themselves can stir to
energy or valor; and I but waste my words in exhorting you to manhood!

"But they _will_ burst the bonds of your long stupor; they _will_
re-kindle, in your hearts, that blaze of Roman virtue, which may sleep for
a while, but never can be all extinguished!--and ye _will_ stir yourselves
like men; ye _will_ save your country! For this thing I do not believe;
that the immortal Gods would have built up this commonwealth of Rome to
such a height of beauty, of glory, of puissance, had they foredoomed it to
destruction, by hands so base as those now armed against it. Nor, had it
been their pleasure to abolish its great name, and make it such as Troy
and Carthage, would they have placed me here, the consul, endowed by
themselves with power to discern, but with no power to avert destruction!"

His words had done their work. The dismayed blank faces of all the
conspirators, with the exception of the arch traitor only, whom it would
seem that nothing could disconcert or dismay, confirmed the impression
made upon all minds by that strong appeal. For, though he had mentioned no
man's name save Catiline's and Laeca's only, suspicion was called instantly
to those who were their known associates in riot and debauchery; and many
eyes were scrutinizing the pale features, which struggled vainly to appear
calm and unconcerned.

The effect of the speech was immediate, universal. There were not three
men of the order present who were not now convinced as fully in their own
minds of the truth of Cicero's accusation, as they would, had it come
forth in thunder from the cold lips of the marble God, who overlooked
their proud assembly.

There was a long drawn breath, as he ceased speaking--one, and simultaneous
through the whole concourse; and, though there were a few men there,
Crassus, especially, and Caius Julius Caesar, who, though convinced of the
existence of conspiracy, would fain have defended