Then, therefore, when
 these things had been heard, you recollect that a resolution of the senate was passed, on my
 motion, that the comitia should not be held the next day, in
 order that we might be able to discuss these matters in the senate. Accordingly, the next day,
 in a full meeting of the senate, I addressed Catiline himself; and desired him, if he could, to
 some explanation of these reports which had been brought to me. And he—for he was not much
 addicted to disguising his intentions—did not attempt to clear himself; but openly avowed and
 adopted the statements. For he said then, that there were two bodies of the republic,—the one
 weak with a weak head, the other powerful without a head,—and that, as this last had deserved
 well of him, it should never want a head as long as he lived. The whole senate groaned at
 hearing itself addressed in such language, and passed a resolution not severe enough for such
 unworthy conduct; for some of them were against too rigorous a resolution, because they had no
 fear; and some, because they had a great deal. Then he rushed forth from the senate, triumphing
 and exulting,—a man who never ought to have been allowed to leave it alive, 
 especially as that very same man in the same place had made answer to Cato, that gallant man who
 was threatening him with a prosecution, a few days before, that if any fire were kindled against
 his own fortunes, he would put it out not with water, but by the general ruin. 
 Being influenced then by these facts, and knowing that men who were already associated in a
 conspiracy were being brought down by Catiline into the Campus Martius, armed with swords, I
 myself descended into the campus with a guard of brave men, and with that broad and shining
 breastplate, not in order to protect me, (for I knew that Catiline would aim at my head and
 neck, not at my chest or body,) but in order that all good men might observe it, and, when they
 saw their consul in fear and in danger, might as they did, throng together for my assistance and
 protection. Therefore, as, O Servius, men thought you very remiss in prosecuting the contest,
 and saw Catiline inflamed with hope and desire, all who wished to repel that pest from the
 republic immediately joined the party of Murena. And in the
 consular comitia the sudden inclination of men's feelings is
 often of great weight, especially as, in this case, it took the direction of a very gallant man,
 who was assisted by many other concurrent aids in his application for the office. He was born or
 a most honourable father and ancestors; he had passed his youth in a most modest manner; he had
 discharged the office of a lieutenant with great credit; he had been praetor, as such he had
 been approved as a judge; he had been popular through his liberality; be had been highly
 honoured in his province; he had been very diligent in his canvass, and had carried it on so as
 neither to give way if any one threatened him, nor to threaten any one himself. Can we wonder
 that the sudden hope which Catiline now entertained of obtaining the consulship was a great
 assistance to this man? 
 The third topic which I have got to speak about refers to the charge of bribery; which has
 been already entirely refuted by those who have spoken before me, but which must still be
 discussed by me, since such is the will of Murena. And while speaking on this point, I will
 reply to what Postumius, my own intimate friend, a most accomplished man, has said about the
 trials of agents, and about sums of money which he asserts have been found; and to what Servius
 Sulpicius, that able and virtuous young man, has said about the centuries of the knights; and to
 what Marcus Cato, a man eminent in every kind of virtue, has said about his own accusation,
 about the resolution of the senate, and about the republic in general. 
 But first of all I will say a little, which has just occurred to me, about the hard fortune of
 Lucius Murena. For I have often before now, O judges, judging both by the miseries of others,
 and by my own daily cares and labours, considered those men fortunate, who, being at a distance
 from the pursuits of ambition, have addicted themselves to ease and tranquillity of life; and
 now especially I am so affected by these serious and unexpected dangers of Lucius Murena, that I
 am unable adequately to express my pity for the common condition of all of us, or for his
 particular state and fortune; who while, after an uninterrupted series of honours attained by
 his family and his ancestors, he was endeavouring to mount one step higher in dignity, has
 incurred the danger of losing both the honours bequeathed to him by his forefathers, and those
 too which have been acquired by himself, and now, on account of his pursuit of this new honour,
 is brought into the danger of losing his ancient fortune also.