Whether you are conqueror or are conquered, one of the eyes of Italy will necessarily be blinded, and the other much weakened; for it would be folly to flatter yourself with the hopes of conquering so strong an enemy without much effusion of blood.
"Brave men, powerful people! (I speak here to both of you) what is your object--to what do you aspire?
What will be the end of your dissensions?
It is not the blood of the Carthaginians or the Numantians that you are about to spill, but it is Italian blood; the blood of a people who would be the first to start up and offer to expend their blood, if any barbarous nation were to attempt a new irruption among us.

In that event, their bodies would be the bucklers and ramparts of our common country; they would live, or they would die with us.

Ought the pleasure of avenging a slight offence to carry more weight with you than the public good and your own safety?
Let revenge be the delight of women.

Is it not more glorious for men to forget an injury than to avenge it?
to pardon an enemy than to destroy him?
"If my feeble voice could make itself heard among those grave men who compose your council, I am persuaded that you would not only _not_ reject the peace which is offered to you, but go to meet and embrace it closely, so that it might not escape you.

Consult your wise old men who love the republic; they will speak the same language to you that I do.
"You, my lord, who are at the head of the council, and who govern your republic, ought to recollect that the glory or the shame of these events will fall principally on you.