§4.5.1denique utrum tandem populi Romani an vestrum summum imperium est? regibus exactis utrum vobis dominatio an omnibus aequa libertas parta est? oportet licere populo Romano, si velit, iubere legem; §4.5.2an, ut quaeque rogatio promulgata erit, vos dilectum pro poena decernetis, et, simul ego tribunus vocare tribus in suffragium coepero, tu statim consul sacramento iuniores adiges et in castra educes et minaberis plebi, minaberis tribuno?
Finally, tell me, is the supreme power that of the Roman people or yours? When the kings were expelled, was dominion acquired for you, or equal liberty for all? The Roman people ought to be allowed, if they wish, to enact a law; or, as often as any proposal is promulgated, will you decree a levy as a punishment, and, as soon as I, the tribune, begin to call the tribes to vote, will you, the consul, immediately bind the younger men by oath, lead them out to the camp, and threaten the plebs, threaten the tribune?
§4.5.3quid, si non, quantum istae minae adversus plebis consensum valerent, bis iam experti essetis? scilicet, quia nobis consultum volebatis, certamine abstinuistis; an ideo non est dimicatum, quod, quae pars firmior, eadem modestior fuit? nec nunc erit certamen, Quirites; §4.5.4animos vestros illi temptabunt semper, vires non experientur.
What if you had not already twice experienced how little those threats of yours avail against the consensus of the plebs? Doubtless, because you wished our interests to be consulted, you abstained from conflict; or was there no fighting for this reason, that the party which was the stronger was also the more moderate? Nor will there be any conflict now, Quirites; they will always test your spirit, but they will not experience your strength.
§4.5.5itaque ad bella ista, seu falsa seu vera sunt, consules, parata vobis plebes est, si conubiis redditis unam hanc civitatem tandem facitis; si coalescere, si iungi miscerique vobis privatis necessitudinibus possunt; si spes, si aditus ad honores viris strenuis et fortibus datur; si in consortio, si in societate rei publicae esse, si, quod aequae libertatis est, in vicem annuis magistratibus parere atque imperitare licet.
And so, consuls, for those wars of yours, whether they are false or real, the plebs is ready for you, if, by restoring the right of intermarriage, you at last make this one state; if they can coalesce, if they can be joined and mixed with you in private affinities; if hope, if access to offices is given to energetic and brave men; if they are allowed to be in partnership, in the society of the state; if, which is a property of equal liberty, it is allowed to obey and command by turns in annual magistracies.
§4.5.6si haec inpediet aliquis, ferte sermonibus et multiplicate fama bella; nemo est nomen daturus, nemo arma capturus, nemo dimicaturus pro superbis dominis, cum quibus nec in re publica honorum nec in privata conubii societas est. ”
If anyone shall impede these things, talk up and multiply the wars by rumor; no one is going to enlist, no one is going to take up arms, no one is going to fight for proud masters, with whom there is no partnership of offices in public, nor of intermarriage in private life.