Speeches against Catilina

by Marcus Tullius Cicero

[§2].

extulit, indicative because the fact that he did not carry away his dagger stained with blood is emphasized; 'extulerit' would have made it an expression of Catilina's feelings, as 'laetari quod evomuerit' below expresses the feelings of the citizens. Cf. also 'quod non comprehenderim' [§3] ad init.

tandem adds force to the question. Cf. [1. 1] 'quousque tandem?' and [note there].

iacet, 'he lies helpless.' Cf. [2. 25] 'quam valde illi iaceant.'

[§3].

in hoc ipso, 'in this very point,' explained by 'quod non comprehenderim,' 'that I have not (as they complain) arrested.'

capitalem, threatening the 'caput' or principle of life; 'deadly.'

huius imperii severitas, 'the strict traditions of my (consular) authority.'

crederent, consecutive subj., as regularly after 'sunt qui,' where the relative refers not to certain specified individuals, but to a class.

non modo invidiae, etc., 'at the risk not merely of unpopularity, but of life.'