e shall be the property of the
Samnites. Consider, then, whether you would rather that Capua and all
Campania should be added to your power or to that of the Samnites.
Romans, it is surely but just, that your compassion and your aid should
lie open to all men; to those, however, chiefly, who, whilst they afford
it beyond their means to others imploring aid, have themselves been
involved in this distress. Although we fought nominally for the
Sidicinians, in reality for ourselves, when we saw a neighbouring state
assailed by the nefarious plunder of the Samnites; and after the
Sidicinians had been consumed, we saw that the conflagration would pass
over to ourselves. For the Samnites do not come to attack us, because
they resent an injury received, but because they are glad that a pretext
has been presented to them. If this were the gratification of their
resentment, and not an occasion for satiating their ambition, was it not
sufficient that they cut down our legions once in the Sidicinian
territory, a second time in Campania itself? What sort of resentment
must that be, which the blood shed in two pitched battles cannot
satiate? To this add the laying waste of our lands; the spoil of men and
cattle driven away, the burning and ruin of our country-houses, every
thing destroyed by fire and sword. Could not resentment be satisfied
with this? But ambition must be satiated. That hurries them on to
besiege Capua. They either wish to destroy that most beautiful city, or
to possess it themselves. But, Romans, do you take possession of it in
your kindness, rather than suffer them to hold it by injustice. I am not
addressing a people who decline just wars; but still, if you make but a
show of your aid, I do not think that you will have occasion for war.
The contempt of the Samnites has just reached to us; it soars not
higher. Accordingly, Romans, we may be protected even by the shadow of
your aid: whatever after this we shall possess, whatever we ourselves
shall be, determined to consider all that as yours. For you the
Campanian field shall be ploughed; for you the city of Capua shall be
made populous; you shall be to us in the light of founders, parents, ay,
even immortal gods. There shall be no colony of your own which shall
surpass us in attachment and loyalty to you. Grant to the Campanians,
conscript fathers, your nod, and your irresistible favour, and bid us
hope that Capua will be safe. With what crowds of persons of all clas