§Cott.1'Quirites, multa mihi pericula domi militiaeque, multa advorsa fuere, quorum alia toleravi, partim reppuli deorum auxiliis et virtute mea; in quis omnibus numquam animus negotio defuit neque decretis labos; malae secundaeque res opes, non ingenium mihi mutabant.
'Quirites, many dangers have been mine at home and in the field, many adversities, of which some I have endured, and some I have repelled by the help of the gods and my own virtue; in all of which my mind never failed in action, nor my labor in decrees; bad and good fortune changed my resources, not my character.
§Cott.2at contra in his miseriis cuncta me cum fortuna deseruere.
But on the contrary, in these miseries, all things together with fortune have deserted me.
praeterea senectus, per se gravis, curam duplicat, quoi misero acta iam aetate ne mortem quidem honestam sperare licet.
Furthermore, old age, heavy in itself, doubles my care, for whom, in my miserable state, with my life now spent, it is not permitted to hope even for an honorable death.
§Cott.3nam si parricida vostri sum et bis genitus hic deos penatis meos patriamque et summum imperium vilia habeo, quis mihi vivo cruciatus satis est aut quae poena mortuo? quin omnia memorata apud inferos supplicia scelere meo vici.
For if I am a parricide to you, and born twice here hold my household gods, my country, and the supreme power cheap, what torture is enough for me alive, or what punishment when dead? Indeed, I have surpassed by my crime all the punishments recorded among the shades.
§Cott.4A prima adulescentia in ore vostro privatus et in magistratibus egi: qui lingua, qui consilio meo, qui pecunia voluere, usi sunt;
From early youth, I have acted before your eyes as a private citizen and in magistracies; those who wished have used my tongue, my counsel, and my money; nor have I exercised cunning eloquence or talent for doing evil.
neque ego callidam facundiam neque ingenium ad male faciundum exercui: avidissumus privatae gratiae maxumas inimicitias pro re publica suscepi; quis victus cum illa simul, quom egens alienae opis plura mala expectarem, vos, Quirites, rursus mihi patriam deosque penatis cum ingenti dignitate dedistis.
Most eager for private favor, I undertook the greatest enmities for the sake of the republic; overcome by these, together with her, when, needy of another's help, I expected more evils, you, Quirites, gave back to me my country and household gods with immense dignity.
§Cott.5pro quibus beneficiis vix satis gratus videar, si singulis animam quam nequeo concesserim.
For which benefits I should scarcely seem grateful enough, even if I should yield to each of you individually the life that I cannot.
nam vita et mors iura naturae sunt: ut sine dedecore cum civibus fama et fortunis integer agas, id dono datur atque accipitur.
For life and death are laws of nature; but to live without disgrace, integer in reputation and fortune among one's fellow citizens, that is given and received as a gift.
§Cott.6Consules nos fecistis, Quirites, domi bellique impeditissuma re publica.
You made us consuls, Quirites, when the republic was highly embarrassed at home and in war.
namque imperatores Hispaniae stipendium milites arma frumentum poscunt, et id res cogit, quoniam defectione sociorum et Sertori per montis fuga neque manu certare possunt neque utilia parare.
For the commanders in Hispania demand pay, soldiers, arms, and grain, and the situation compels it, since, because of the rebellion of the allies and the flight of Sertorius through the mountains, they can neither fight by force of hand nor prepare useful things.
§Cott.7exercitus in Asia Ciliciaque ob nimias opes Mithridatis aluntur, Macedonia plena hostium est nec minus Italiae marituma et provinciarum, quom interim vectigalia parva et bellis incerta vix partem sumptuum sustinent: ita classe, quae commeatus tuebatur, minore quam antea navigamus.
The armies in Asia and Cilicia are maintained because of the excessive power of Mithridates, Macedonia is full of enemies, and no less the maritime parts of Italy and of the provinces, while meanwhile the small revenues, uncertain because of wars, scarcely sustain a part of the expenses; thus we sail with a smaller fleet than before, which used to protect the provisions.
§Cott.8haec si dolo aut socordia nostra contracta sunt, agite, ut monet ira, supplicium sumite: sin fortuna communis asperior est, quare indigna vobis nobisque et re publica incipitis?
If these things have been contracted by our deceit or laziness, come, as anger advises, take punishment; but if our common fortune is harsher, why do you begin things unworthy of yourselves, of us, and of the republic?
§Cott.9Atque ego, quoius aetati mors propior est, non deprecor, si quid ea vobis incommodi demitur; neque mox ingenio corporis honestius quam pro vostra salute finem vitae fecerim.
And I, to whose age death is nearer, do not pray against it, if any of your inconvenience is removed by it; nor indeed shall I soon make an end of life by the nature of my body more honorably than for your safety.
§Cott.10adsum en C. Cotta consul, facio quod saepe maiores asperis bellis fecere: voveo dedoque me pro re publica.
Behold, C. Cotta the consul is here; I do what our ancestors often did in harsh wars: I vow and surrender myself for the republic.
§Cott.11quam deinde quoi mandetis, circumspicite; nam talem honorem bonus nemo volet, quom fortunae et maris et belli ab aliis acti ratio reddunda aut turpiter moriundum sit.
Look around then to whom you may commit it; for no good man will wish for such an honor, when he must give an account of the fortune of the sea and of war conducted by others, or die basely.
§Cott.12tantummodo in animis habetote non me ob scelus aut avaritiam caesum, sed volentem pro maxumis beneficiis animam dono dedisse.
Only hold in your minds that I was not slain for crime or greed, but willingly gave my life as a gift for the greatest benefits.
§Cott.13per vos, Quirites, et gloriam maiorum, tolerate advorsa et consulite rei publicae.
By yourselves, Quirites, and the glory of your ancestors, endure adversity and take counsel for the republic.
§Cott.14multa cura summo imperio inest, multi ingentes labores, quos nequiquam abnuitis et pacis opulentiam quaeritis, quom omnes provinciae regna, maria terraeque aspera aut fessa bellis sint. '
Much care is inherent in the supreme command, many immense labors, which you refuse in vain while you seek the wealth of peace, when all the provinces, kingdoms, seas, and lands are harsh or exhausted by wars.'