and indeed applause of
the Roman people, from that (place) bicycles are to be ejected by one
guardian of books. O singular impudence of the man! For be unwilling,
Conscript Fathers, be unwilling to believe that in this pretence of
consulting for (the interests of) a public building something more is not
also being aimed at and sought to be obtained: in such a way (_lit._ so)
he attacks bicycles that in reality he endeavours to oppress the liberty
of each one of you: that by this example and as it were by the thin end
of a certain wedge he may lay the foundation of a royal power over all
these things, which I (as) consul preserved. Concerning which matter I
could say much, if time allowed me: now behold and examine the miserable
condition of those whom a man devoid of constancy and gravity overturns
from (their) fortunes.

II. What! shall the Masters of Arts, what! shall the Doctors, what!
shall the Proctors themselves (than which kind of men nothing can exist
more holy, nothing more upright, nothing more auspiciously established)
be compelled to come on foot that they may consult those most sacred
volumes in which the Roman people have wished that all learning should be
included? The Hypobibliothecarii, what men! what citizens! will, I
believe, walk, especially considering that it is to be contended by them
against the lengthiness of a journey: and then, if, as (usually) happens,
some sudden tempest should arise, they must suffer (their) bicycles
lacking shelter to be most miserably corrupted by rain. It has been
handed down to memory, Conscript Fathers, that Caius Duilius was
permitted by the republic, which he had saved by (his) incredible
fortitude, to be borne by an elephant whenever he had been invited to a
dinner. Therefore, did he use a most luxurious quadruped that he might
by so much the more quickly arrive at a banquet: shall we, who desire to
hasten not for the sake of lust and the belly, but for the sake of this
learning and books, be forbidden to employ bicycles? I pray and entreat
you, Conscript Fathers, do not allow this disgrace to be branded upon the
heart itself and entrails of the commonwealth.

III. But for(sooth) the College of All Souls (which I name; for the sake
of honour) is near, in which machines may be sheltered. O thing before
unheard (of)! From which place even undergraduates have been excluded by
a certain divine will: into that shall bicycles be thrown? O times, O
manners! I