Kitap 8
4.2
If even now we are capable of submitting to servitude under the shadowy pretext of a treaty on equal terms, what is to prevent us from deserting the Sidicines and receiving our orders not only from the Romans but even from the Samnites, and giving as our reply that we are ready to lay down our arms at the beck and call of the Romans?
4.3
But if your hearts are at last touched by any yearning for independence; if a treaty, an alliance, an equality of rights really exists; if we are at liberty to boast of the fact that the Romans are of the same stock as ourselves, though once we were ashamed of it; if our army, which when united with theirs doubles their strength, and which the consuls will not dispense with when conducting wars which concern them alone —if,
4.4
I say, that army is really an army of their allies, then why are we not on an equal footing in all respects?
4.5
Why is not one consul elected from the Latins? Those who possess half the strength, do they possess half the government?
4.6
This is not in itself too much honour for us, seeing that we acknowledge Rome to be the head of Latium, but we have made it appear so by our prolonged forbearance.” “But if ever you longed for an opportunity of taking your place in the government and of making use of your liberty, now is the time;
4.7
this is the opportunity which has been given you by your own courage and the goodness of the gods.
