§28.40.1cum Africam novam provinciam extra sortem P. Scipioni destinari homines fama ferrent, et ipse nulla iam modica gloria contentus non ad gerendum modo bellum, sed ad finiendum diceret se consulem declaratum esse, §28.40.2neque aliter id fieri posse, quam si ipse in Africam exercitum transportasset, et acturum se id per populum aperte ferret, si senatus adversaretur, — id consilium haudquaquam primoribus patrum cum placeret, ceteri per metum aut ambitionem mussarent,
When people reported by rumor that Africa as a new province was being destined for P. Scipio without drawing lots, and he himself, content with no moderate glory now, said that he had been declared consul not merely to conduct the war, but to finish it, and that this could not otherwise be done than if he himself transported an army into Africa, and openly gave out that he would do it through the people if the Senate should oppose it—since this plan was by no means pleasing to the chief of the senators, while the rest muttered in silence through fear or ambition, Q.
§28.40.3Q. Fabius Maximus rogatus sententiam: “scio multis vestrum videri, patres conscripti, rem actam hodierno die agi, et frustra habiturum orationem, qui tamquam de integra re de Africa provincia sententiam dixerit.
Fabius Maximus, having been asked his opinion, said: 'I know, conscript fathers, that to many of you it seems that a matter already decided is being discussed today, and that he will hold his speech in vain who speaks his opinion on the province of Africa as if on an undecided matter.
§28.40.4ego autem primum illud ignoro, quem ad modum certa iam provincia Africa consulis viri fortis ac strenui sit, quam nec senatus censuit in hunc annum provinciam esse nec populus iussit.
But I, first of all, am ignorant of this, in what way Africa is already a certain province of the consul, a brave and energetic man, which neither the Senate has decreed to be a province for this year, nor the people has ordered.
§28.40.5deinde, si est, consulem peccare arbitror, qui de re transacta simulando se referre senatum ludibrio habet, non senatorem, qui de quo consulitur suo loco dicit sententiam.
Secondly, if it is so, I think that the consul is at fault, who, by pretending to refer a settled matter, holds the Senate in mockery, and not the senator, who in his proper turn speaks his opinion on the matter about which consultation is being made.
§28.40.6atque ego certum habeo dissentienti mihi ab ista festinatione in Africam traiciendi duarum rerum subeundam opinionem esse: §28.40.7unius, insitae ingenio meo cunctationis, quam metum pigritiamque homines adulescentes sane appellent, dum me ne paeniteat adhuc aliorum speciosiora primo aspectu consilia semper visa, mea usu meliora; alterius, §28.40.8obtrectationis atque invidiae adversus crescentem in dies gloriam fortissimi consulis.
And I am certain that, for me dissenting from that haste of crossing over into Africa, an opinion of two things must be undergone: one, of the delay inherent in my character, which young men indeed may call fear and laziness, provided that I do not regret that up to now the plans of others have always seemed more attractive at first sight, while mine have been better in experience; the other, of detraction and envy against the daily growing glory of a most brave consul.
§28.40.9a qua suspicione si me neque vita acta et mores mei neque dictatura cum quinque consulatibus tantumque gloriae belli domique partae vindicat, ut propius fastidium eius sim quam desiderium, aetas saltem liberet.
From which suspicion, if neither my past life and character, nor my dictatorship with five consulships and so much glory won in war and at home vindicates me—so that I am closer to a satiety of it than to a desire for it—at least my age should free me.
quae enim mihi aemulatio cum eo esse potest, qui ne filio quidem meo aequalis sit?
For what rivalry can there be for me with him who is not even equal in age to my son?
§28.40.10me dictatorem, cum vigerem adhuc viribus et in cursu maximarum rerum essem, recusantem nemo aut in senatu aut apud populum audivit, quo minus insectanti me magistro equitum, quod fando numquam ante auditum erat, imperium mecum aequaretur; §28.40.11rebus quam verbis adsequi malui, ut qui aliorum iudicio mihi comparatus erat, sua mox confessione me sibi praeferret; §28.40.12nedum ego perfunctus honoribus certamina mihi atque aemulationes cum adulescente florentissimo proponam: §28.40.13videlicet ut mihi iam vivendo, non solum rebus gerendis fesso, si huic negata fuerit, Africa provincia decernatur.
When I was dictator, while I was still vigorous in strength and in the course of the greatest affairs, no one either in the Senate or before the people heard me refusing that the command should be made equal with me for the master of the horse who was attacking me, a thing which had never been heard of before in speech; I preferred to attain by deeds rather than by words that he who had been compared to me by the judgment of others should soon by his own confession prefer me to himself; much less should I, having completed my honors, propose to myself contests and rivalries with a most flourishing young man, doubtless so that the province of Africa might be decreed to me, already tired of living, not only of conducting affairs, if it should be denied to him.
cum ea gloria, quae parta est, vivendum atque moriendum est.
I must live and die with that glory which has been won.
§28.40.14vincere ego prohibui Hannibalem ut a vobis, quorum vigent nunc vires, etiam vinci posset.
I prevented Hannibal from conquering so that he could even be conquered by you, whose strength is now vigorous.'