not to hesitate to lead me with him, (then) he said, 'I will do it, if you will give me the pledge which I demand.' At the same time he led me to the altar at which he had begun to sacrifice, and bade me, after the others had been removed, holding on to it, to swear never to be in friendship with the Romans. That oath, given to my father, I have kept to this time." NOTES.-1 old: nātus. 2 for: in. 3 victims: use hostiae. 4 whether express by the enclitic -ne. 5 make: dō. Is it to be in the future? 7 6 promise: fidēs. kept: use conservō. 2 A SURPRISE. Latine Scribenda. When Vercingetorix 1 learned of Cæsar's coming, he abandoned the siege and marched to meet3 him. Cæsar had begun to besiege Noviodunum, a town of the Bituriges, situated on his route. From this town envoys came to him to beg that he would pardon them; and he, that he might finish up other matters with despatch, ordered the arms to be collected, the horses to be brought out, and hostages to be given. 4 4 5 After a part of the hostages had already been delivered up, and while the other matters were going forward, some captains and a few soldiers having been sent into the town to look for arms and pack animals, the cavalry of the enemy, which had preceded the army of Vercingetorix, was scen at a distance. As soon as the townsmen saw this, they raised a shout, began to take arms, to shut the gates, and mạn the wall. The captains in the town saw from the behavior 11 of the Gauls that some new 10 HEROISM OF MARCUS PETRONIUS. 137 plan had been entered on by them, and, drawing their swords, they occupied the gates and recovered all their men unharmed. NOTES.- 1 Make "Vercingetorix" the subject of "abandoned," hence invert the order of the first two words. 2 abandon: dēsistō. 3 to meet: obviam. came . . . ordered: do not use two co-ordinate verbs, but make the first clause a temporal one. 5 pardon: ignōscō. going forward: administrō in the passive. 7 look for : conquirō. at a distance: procul. 9 raised... began: not to be expressed by co-ordinate verbs. 10 man: compleō. 11 behavior: significātiō. 6 8 HEROISM OF MARCUS PETRONIUS. Latine Scribenda. [See the introductory note on page 135.] FIRST VERSION. 5 Marcus Petronius, a captain of the same legion, tried to cut down the gates, but was overwhelmed 2 by numbers. In despair of saving his life, as he was badly wounded, he thus addressed the men of his company3 who had followed him: "Since I cannot save my own life and yours, I will at least look out for you, whom I have led into danger through ambition for glory. Do you save yourselves, for now you have a chance."" With these words he rushed into the midst of the enemy, killed two, and drove the rest back a little way from the gate. When his men tried to aid him, he cried out, "It is of no use for you to try to save me, for I am already weak from loss of blood. Away, therefore, while you can, and retreat to the legion." So, a little while after,10 he fell fighting, but saved his men. 7 SECOND VERSION. Marcus Petronius, a captain of the same legion, when he had tried to cut down the gates, overwhelmed by a multitude, and losing hope for himself, having now received many wounds, said to his men who followed him, "Since I cannot save myself together with you, I will at least look out for the lives of you, whom I have brought into danger, led on by my desire of glory. Do you, since an opportunity is given you, look out for yourselves." At the same time he burst into the midst of the enemy, and, killing two, drove back the rest a little from the gate. To his men, attempting to aid him, he said, "In vain do you try to come to the aid of me, whom now blood and strength fail. Therefore go off, while there is a chance, and betake yourselves to the legion." So, fighting, a little while after, he fell and served for safety to his men. NOTES. 1 cut down: excidō. 2 overwhelmed: oppressus. 8 men of his company: manipulārēs. look out for: prōspiciō. 5 ambition: cupiditās. 6 chance: facultas. 7 drove... back: use summoveō. 8 It is of no use: in vain. 9 retreat: võs recipite. 10 a little while after: post paulum. AN APPEAL FOR ACQUITTAL. Latine Scribenda. [In rendering the following passage into Latin be particularly attentive to the order of the words. In general, the most important word begins the sentence.] He has an My client is not moved by these tears. almost 2 incredible strength of mind. He thinks exile is 3 6 4 5 there, where there is no room for virtue; death he considers to be a natural end, not a punishment. But his is the spirit with which he was born. What, pray, will be your feelings, jurors? Will you keep the memory of this illustrious man, but banish him himself? And will there be on the earth any place more worthy to receive this virtue than this which produced it? You, you I appeal to, bravest of men, who have poured out your blood freely for the republic. You, centurions, and you, soldiers, I call on, in the peril of an invincible' man and citizen. With you not only looking on but guarding this tribunal, shall such virtue as this be expelled from the city, driven beyond our borders, cast forth? Ah me! unfortunate that I am! Thou, my friend, wert able to recall me to my country, through these men. not be able through the same men to keep you in your country? What answer shall I make to my children, who think of you as a second father? NOTES. 1 8 Shall I my client: hic. 2 almost: quidam. 3 spirit: mēns. 4 banish: ēiciō. 5 produced: use prōcreō. 6 freely use multus. 7 invincible: unconquered. 8 driven beyond our borders: use exterminō. 2 3 WHO IS GUILTY? Latine Scribenda. Do you not see, judges, that nothing else is aimed at 1 except that the children of the proscribed be put out of the way some how or other? Is it doubtful to whom the crime points, when you see on the one side, buyer,5 enemy, cut-throat, accuser, all in one'; on the other, the son needy, upright, on whom no blame can rest, no, nor 4 6 even any suspicion? Is there anything else against my client,10 except that the estates " of his father were sold? But if you sit here for this, that the children of those whose estates have been sold may be led before you, beware,12 by the immortal gods, lest through you a new and far more cruel proscription seem to be set on foot. That former one was made against those who were able to take up arms; but this one reaches their children, yes," infants in the cradle.16 5 8 13 6 ent no: NOTES.1 is aimed at: agō. 2 except: nisi. be put out of the way: tollō. 4 points: pertineō. buyer: sector. throat: sicarius. 7 all in one: idem. see p. 123, note 13. 10 my client: hic. ware: caveō. 13 set on foot: instaurō. 15 9 12 be 14 reaches: pertineō ad. yes: atque. 16 cradle: incunābula, -ōrum. |