§45.8.1prima percontatio fuit, qua subactus iniuria contra populum Romanum bellum tam infesto animo suscepisset, quo se regnumque suum ad ultimum discrimen adduceret?
The first questioning was, by what injury compelled had he undertaken war against the Roman people with such a hostile mind, whereby he brought himself and his kingdom into the ultimate danger?
§45.8.2cum responsum expectantibus cunctis terram intuens diu tacitus fleret, rursus consul: §45.8.3“si iuvenis regnum accepisses, minus equidem mirarer ignorasse te, quam gravis aut amicus aut inimicus esset populus Romanus; §45.8.4nunc vero, cum et bello patris tui, quod nobiscum gessit, interfuisses, et pacis postea, quam cum summa fide adversus eum coluimus, meminisses, quod fuit consilium, quorum et vim in bello et fidem in pace expertus esses, cum iis tibi bellum esse quam pacem malle?” §45.8.5nec interrogatus nec accusatus cum responderet, “utcumque tamen haec, sive errore humano seu casu seu necessitate inciderunt, bonum animum habe.
While all were waiting for his answer, and he, looking at the ground, wept in silence for a long time, the consul spoke again: "If you had received the kingdom as a youth, I would indeed wonder less that you were ignorant of how weighty the Roman people were either as a friend or as an enemy; but as it is, since you were present at the war of your father which he waged with us, and you remembered the peace afterwards which we observed towards him with the utmost good faith, what was your plan, that you preferred to have war rather than peace with those whose strength in war and good faith in peace you had experienced?" When, neither questioned nor accused, he made no answer, the consul said, "However these things have happened, whether by human error, or by chance, or by necessity, nevertheless keep a good heart.
multorum regum populorumque casibus cognita populi Romani clementia non modo spem tibi, sed prope certam fiduciam salutis praebet. ” §45.8.6haec Graeco sermone Perseo; Latine deinde suis “exemplum insigne cernitis” inquit “mutationis rerum humanarum.
The clemency of the Roman people, known through the misfortunes of many kings and nations, offers you not only hope, but almost a certain confidence of safety." These things he spoke to Perseus in the Greek tongue; then in Latin to his own men, he said, "You see a notable example of the change of human affairs.
vobis hoc praecipue dico, iuvenes.
I say this especially to you, young men.
ideo in secundis rebus nihil in quemquam superbe ac violenter consulere decet nec praesenti credere fortunae, cum, quid vesper ferat, incertum sit.
Therefore, in prosperity it is not fitting to behave arrogantly or violently against anyone, nor to trust in present fortune, since what the evening may bring is uncertain.
§45.8.7is demum vir erit, cuius animum neque prosperae res flatu suo efferent nec adversae infringet. ” consilio dimisso tuendi cura regis Q. Aelio mandatur.
He alone will be a man whose mind neither prosperity puffs up with its breeze, nor adversity breaks." The council being dismissed, the care of guarding the king was committed to Q. Aelius.
§45.8.8eo die et invitatus ad consulem Perseus et alius omnis ei honos habitus est, qui haberi in tali fortuna poterat.
On that day, Perseus was both invited to the consul's table and all other honor was paid to him which could be paid in such a fortune.
exercitus deinde in hiberna dimissus est.
The army was then dismissed to their winter quarters.