§34.5.1post haec tribuni quoque plebi, qui se intercessurosprofessi erant. cumpauca in eandem sententiam adiecissent, tum L. Valerius pro rogatione ab se promulgata ita disseruit: “si privati tantummodo ad suadendum dissuadendumque id, quod ab nobis rogatur, processissent, ego quoque, cum satis dictum pro utraque parte existimarem, tacitus suffragia vestra expectassem; §34.5.2nunc cum vir gravissimus, consul M. Porcius, non auctoritate solum, quae tacita satis momenti habuisset, sed oratione etiam longa et accurata insectatus sit rogationem nostram, necesse est paucis respondere.
After this, the tribunes of the plebs also, who had declared that they would veto, when they had added a few words in support of the same opinion, then Lucius Valerius spoke as follows in favor of the proposal promulgated by himself: "If only private citizens had come forward to support and oppose what is proposed by us, I too, since I thought enough had been said on both sides, would have quietly awaited your votes; now, since a most grave man, the consul Marcus Porcius, has attacked our proposal not only with his authority, which even if silent would have had enough weight, but also with a long and elaborate speech, it is necessary to respond in a few words.
§34.5.3qui tamen plura verba in castigandis matronis quam in rogatione nostra dissuadenda consumpsit, et quidem ut in dubio poneret, utrum id, §34.5.4quod reprenderet, matronae sua sponte an nobis auctoribus fecissent.
He, however, spent more words in chastising the matrons than in opposing our proposal, and indeed in such a way as to leave it in doubt whether that, which he censured, the matrons had done of their own accord or at our instigation.
rem defendam, non nos, in quos iecit magis hoc consul verbo tenus, quam ut re insimularet.
I shall defend the matter, not ourselves, against whom the consul threw this charge in word rather than to accuse us in fact.
§34.5.5coetum et seditionem et interdum secessionem muliebrem appellavit, quod matronae in publico vos rogassent, ut legem in se latam per bellum temporibus duris in pace et florenti ac beata re publica abrogaretis.
He called it a gathering and sedition and sometimes a female secession, because the matrons in public had asked you to repeal the law passed against them during the war in hard times, now in peace and in a flourishing and happy republic.
§34.5.6verba magna, quae rei augendae causa conquirantur, et haec et alia esse scio, et M. Catonem oratorem non solum gravem sed interdum etiam trucem esse scimus omnes, cum ingenio sit mitis.
I know that both these and other big words are sought out for the sake of magnifying a matter, and we all know that Marcus Cato is an orator not only grave but sometimes even harsh, though he is mild by nature.
§34.5.7nam quid tandem novi matronae fecerunt, quod frequentes in causa ad se pertinente in publicum processerunt? numquam ante hoc tempus in publico apparuerunt?
For what, after all, did the matrons do that was new, because they went out in public in large numbers in a cause pertaining to themselves? Have they never appeared in public before this time?
§34.5.8tuas adversus te Origines revolvam.
I will turn your own 'Origines' against you.
accipe, quotiens id fecerint, et quidem semper bono publico.
Listen to how often they have done this, and indeed always for the public good.
iam a principio, regnante Romulo, cum Capitolio ab Sabinis capto medio in foro signis collatis dimicaretur, nonne intercursu matronarum inter acies duas proelium
Already from the beginning, during the reign of Romulus, when the Capitol had been captured by the Sabines and they were fighting in the middle of the forum with standards joined, was not the battle, by the intervention of the matrons between the two lines, stilled?
§34.5.9sedatum est? quid? regibus exactis cum Coriolano Marcio duce legiones Volscorum castra ad quintum lapidem posuissent, nonne id agmen, quo obruta haec urbs esset, matronae averterunt? iam urbe capta a Gallis aurum, quo redempta urbs est, nonne matronae consensu omnium in publicum contulerunt?
What? After the expulsion of the kings, when the Volscian legions, led by Coriolanus Marcius, had pitched their camp at the fifth milestone, did not the matrons turn away that army by which this city would have been overwhelmed? Indeed, when the city was captured by the Gauls, did not the matrons, by common consent, contribute to the public treasury the gold by which the city was ransomed?
§34.5.10proximo bello, ne antiqua repetam, nonne et, cum pecunia opus fuit, viduarum pecuniae adiuverunt aerarium, et, cum dii quoque novi ad opem ferendam dubiis rebus accerserentur, matronae universae ad mare profectae sunt ad matrem Idaeam accipiendam?
In the last war, not to repeat ancient history, when money was needed, did not the money of widows assist the treasury, and, when new gods also were being summoned to bring aid in doubtful circumstances, did not all the matrons go to the sea to receive the Idaean Mother?
§34.5.11dissimiles, inquis, causae sunt.
'The cases are different,' you say.
nec mihi causas aequare propositum est; §34.5.12nihil novi factum purgare satis est.
Nor is it my purpose to make the cases equal; it is enough to clear them of having done anything new.
ceterum quod in rebus ad omnis pariter, viros feminas, pertinentibus fecisse eas nemo miratus est, in causa proprie ad ipsas pertinente miramur fecisse? quid autem fecerunt?
But when no one wondered that they did this in matters pertaining equally to all, both men and women, do we wonder that they did so in a cause properly pertaining to themselves? And what, after all, did they do?
§34.5.13superbas, me dius fidius, aures habemus, si, cum domini servorum non fastidiant preces, nos rogari ab honestis feminis indignamur.
We have proud ears, by Hercules, if, while masters do not disdain the prayers of slaves, we are indignant at being petitioned by honorable women."