20. 3270Do they on this account wreak their wrath on you too, in order that, roused by your own private wounds, you may rise up for their vengeance? It seems, then, that the gods seek the help of mortals; and were they not protected by your strenuous advocacy, they are not able of themselves to repel and to avenge3271 the insults offered them. Nay rather, if it be true that they burn with anger, give them an opportunity of defending themselves, and let them put forth and make trial of their innate powers, to take vengeance for their offended dignity. By heat, by hurtful cold, by noxious winds, by the most occult diseases, they can slay us, they can consume3272 us, and they can drive us entirely from all intercourse with men; or if it is impolitic to assail us by violence, let them give forth some token of their indignation,3273 by which it may be clear to all that we live under heaven subject to their strong displeasure.
Footnotes
- 3270
The ms. reads at, “but.”
- 3271
Defendere is added in the ms., but marked as a gloss.
- 3272
Consumere is in like manner marked as a gloss.
- 3273
So Orelli, for the ms. judicationis, “judgment.”