§10.8.1quid autem ego sic adhuc egi, tamquam integra sit causa patriciorum de sacerdotiis et non iam in possessione unius amplissimi simus sacerdotii?
But why have I argued thus far as if the cause of the patricians regarding the priesthoods were untouched, and we were not already in possession of one of the greatest priesthoods?
§10.8.2decemviros sacris faciundis, carminum Sibyllae ac fatorum populi huius interpretes, antistites eosdem Apollinaris sacri caerimoniarumque aliarum plebeios videmus.
We see that the decemvirs for performing sacred rites, the interpreters of the Sibylline books and of the fates of this people, and likewise the presiders over the Apollonian sacred rites and other ceremonies, are plebeians.
§10.8.3nec aut tum patriciis ulla iniuria facta est, cum duumviris sacris faciundis adiectus est propter plebeios numerus, et nunc tribunus, vir fortis ac strenuus, quinque augurum loca, quattuor pontificum adicit, in quae plebei nominentur, §10.8.4non ut vos, Appi, vestro loco pellant, sed ut adiuvent vos homines plebei divinis quoque rebus procurandis, sicut in ceteris humanis pro parte virili adiuvant.
Neither was any injustice done to the patricians then, when for the sake of the plebeians the number was added to the duumvirs for performing sacred rites, nor now does the tribune, a brave and energetic man, add five places of augurs and four of pontiffs, to which plebeians may be nominated, not to drive you, Appius, from your place, but that plebeian men may assist you in administering divine matters too, just as they assist to the best of their ability in other, human affairs.
§10.8.5noli erubescere, Appi, collegam in sacerdotio habere, quem in censura, quem in consulatu collegam habere potuisti, cuius tam dictatoris magister equitum quam magistri equitum dictator esse potes.
Do not blush, Appius, to have as colleague in the priesthood one whom you could have as colleague in the censorship, whom in the consulship, and whose master of horse you, as dictator, can be, just as you, as master of horse, can be his dictator.
§10.8.6Sabinum advenam, principem nobilitatis vestrae, seu Attium Clausum seu Appium Claudium mavultis, illi antiqui patricii in suum numerum acceperunt: tu ne fastidieris nos in sacerdotum numerum accipere.
A Sabine stranger, the founder of your nobility—whether you prefer to call him Attius Clausus or Appius Claudius—those ancient patricians received into their number; do not you disdain to receive us into the number of the priests.
§10.8.7multa nobiscum decora adferimus, immo omnia eadem, quae vos superbos fecerunt: L. Sextius primus de plebe consul est factus, §10.8.8C. Licinius Stolo primus magister equitum, C. Marcius Rutilus primus et dictator et censor, Q. Publilius Philo primus praetor.
We bring many honors with us, indeed all the very same things that have made you proud: Lucius Sextius was made the first consul from the plebs, Gaius Licinius Stolo the first master of horse, Gaius Marcius Rutilus the first both dictator and censor, Quintus Publilius Philo the first praetor.
§10.8.9semper ista audita sunt eadem, penes vos auspicia esse, vos solos gentem habere, vos solos iustum imperium et auspicium domi militiaeque: aeque adhuc prosperum plebeium et patricium fuit porroque erit.
Those same things have always been heard: that the auspices are in your possession, that you alone have a family, that you alone have lawful power and auspice at home and in the field; yet up to now, the plebeian has been equally prosperous as the patrician, and will continue to be so.
§10.8.10en umquam fando audistis patricios primo esse factos non de caelo demissos, sed qui patrem ciere possent, id est nihil ultra quam ingenuos?
Lo, have you ever heard in story that the patricians were originally made not by being sent down from heaven, but as those who could name a father, that is, nothing more than freeborn?
§10.8.11consulem iam patrem ciere possum, avumque iam poterit filius meus.
I can now name a consul as my father, and my son will soon be able to name a consul as his grandfather.
nihil est aliud in re, Quirites, nisi ut omnia negata adipiscamur; §10.8.12certamen tantum patricii petunt nec curant, quem eventum certaminum habeant.
There is nothing else in this matter, Quirites, except that we should obtain all that has been denied to us; the patricians seek only a contest, and do not care what outcome their contests may have.
ego hanc legem, quod bonum, faustum felixque sit vobis ac rei publicae, uti rogas, iubendam censeo. ”
As for me, I vote that this law be enacted as you propose, and may it be good, auspicious, and happy for you and the commonwealth."