Cicero 4.11

Question 1

quam ob rem, sive hoc statueritis, dederitis mihi comitem ad contionem populo carum atque iucundum, sive Silani sententiam sequi malueritis, facile me atque vos [Note] crudelitatis vituperationepopulus Romanus [Note] [Note], atque obtinebo eam multo leniorem fuisse.

Answer 1

Wherefore, if you decide on this you give me a companion in my address, dear and acceptable to the Roman people; or if you prefer to adopt the opinion of Silanus, you will easily defend me and yourselves from the reproach of cruelty, and I will prevail that it shall be much lighter.

Question 2

quamquam, patres conscripti, quae potest esse in tanti sceleris immanitate punienda crudelitas?

Answer 2

Although, O conscript fathers, what cruelty can there be in chastising the enormity of such excessive wickedness?

Question 3

ego enim demeo sensu iudico. nam ita mihi salva re publica vobiscum perfrui liceat ut ego, quod in hac causa vehementior sum, non atrocitate animi moveor [Note] — quis enim est me mitior? — sed singulariquadam humanitate et misericordia.

Answer 3

For I decide from my own feeling. For so may I be allowed; to enjoy the republic in safety in your company, as I am not moved to be somewhat vehement in this cause by any severity of disposition, (for who is more merciful than I am?) but rather by a singular humanity and mercifulness.

Question 4

videor enim mihi videre hanc urbem, lucem orbis terrarum atque arcem omnium gentium, subito uno incendio concidentem.

Answer 4

For I seem to myself to see this city, the light of the world and the citadel of all nations, falling on a sudden by one conflagration.

Question 5

cerno animo sepulta in patria [Note]miseros atque insepultos acervos civium, versatur mihi ante oculos aspectus Cethegi et furor in vestra caede bacchantis.

Answer 5

I see in my mind’s eye miserable and unburied heaps of cities in my buried country; the sight of Cethegus and his madness raging amid your slaughter is ever present to my sight.