Fit of Rage

Conscript fathers, today we convene again, and again concerning Caesar's death. Yet this time we gather to discuss the fate of his assassins. Most of them sit here in this very room, and I for one am ashamed to be gathered among them today. I believe these men should be punished in the most cruel and unusual manner, as they killed Caesar in the most cruel and unusual manner. They gathered around Caesar, not as his supporters, but as his vicious attackers, and each took turns stabbing our poor, former leader. They showed no signs of compassion for the life of a fellow human; they slaughtered him as if he were some kind of animal to be eaten at their next meal. These assassins should be shown mercy, however, because we, conscript fathers, know the meaning of the word compassion; yet this compassion should only go so far as to the manner of their deaths, for as Julius Caesar died, so should the ones who killed him die. They should not be cruelly stabbed to death in succeeding turns, yet they should, in fact, die.

Nevertheless, as I said in the Senate meeting, I am willing to give the assassins a fair trial for the murder of Caesar. I wrote this speech in a fit of rage and heat of passion, and I realize now that the true meanings of the words mercy and compassion should also extend to the word duty. It is our duty as rational men to give these men a fair trial, as they did not give one for Caesar, for clearly they possess no rational or reason or, for that matter, the capacity for mercy and compassion.