[§1].
Quirites, the regular title by which citizens were addressed when assembled in their civil capacity. Cf. the opening of the third speech, also addressed to the people. The derivation is uncertain; some suppose the word to be a form of 'Curetes,' i.e. inhabitants of the Sabine town 'Cures,' others derive it from 'Quiris,' a Sabine word meaning 'spear.'
ferro flammaque, another reading is 'ferrum flammamque.' We can say either 'minitari alicui aliquid,' or 'minitari alicui aliqua re.'
vel . . . vel . . . vel. Each 'vel' substitutes a milder form of expression for the preceding. 'We have driven him out,—let him go, if you will,—at least bidden him good speed on his voluntary departure.' ipsum = 'sua sponte.' verbis prosecuti is of course ironical.
abiit, etc. Note the absence of connecting particles (asyndeton) and the increased force of each word rising to a climax in 'erupit.'
versabitur, 'will play around.'
campo, the Campus Martius.
loco, 'post,' 'vantage-ground.'
cum (= 'quo tempore'), 'at the very moment when.' The two actions were simultaneous, there is no idea of cause or consequence; hence indicative. See [on 1. 7], and cf. below 'cum . . . eiecimus.'
hoste is emphatic. By his action he has declared himself the enemy of the state. After bellum some MSS. insert 'iustum,' 'regular.'