[38]
What is there of Milo's conduct like all
this? when all the violence that he has ever displayed has amounted to this,
that he wished to prevent Publius Clodius (as he could not be brought to
trial) from oppressing the city by violence. And if he wished to put him to
death what great what repeated, and what splendid opportunities he had of
doing so! Might he not have avenged himself without violating the law when
he was defending his own house and his household gods from his attacks?
might he not have done so when that illustrious citizen and most gallant man
Publius Sestius his own colleague, was wounded? might he not have done so
when that most excellent man Quintus Fabricius, while carrying a bill for my
restoration, was driven away and when a most cruel slaughter was taking
place in the forum? might he not have done so when the house of Lucius
Caecilius, that most upright and fearless praetor, was attacked? might he
not have done so on the day on which the law concerning me was passed, and
when that vast concourse of people from all parts of Italy, whom a regard
for my safety had roused up, would have gladly recognised and adopted as its
own the glory of that action? so that even if Milo had performed it the
whole state would claim the praise of it as belonging to itself?
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