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Indirect discourse is not bad when it's done briefly. When it's done at great length, with several conditional statements (in the past and the present, contrary to fact! And a future-less-vivid too!) and a few hypothetical questions, it gets really tricky really fast. Sigh.
But, hey. Let's see what Caesar has to say to the Helvetii!
1.14.1 Caesar responded to them in this way: "In that case I'm less worried, because I do remember these events which the Helvetian delegates brought up; and I'm more determined by how little merit there was in what happened to the Roman people.
1.14.2 "Now, if anyone's offense had been known to them, it would not have been difficult to be careful; but they were deceived by this, because they did not know that they had done anything for which they ought to fear, nor did they tend to be afraid without cause.
1.14.3 "But if I wish to forget such abuse, how would I now put out of my mind the recent abuse, when you tried to pass through this province against my will, when you troubled the Haedui, the Ambarri, and the Allobragi?
1.14.4 "Because you've boasted of your victory so arrogantly and admired the violence you did without punishment for so long, it's all the same to me.
1.14.5 "For the immortal gods have been accustomed now and then to tolerate for a long time men whom they wish to punish for crimes, so that those men might suffer more greatly from the change in fortunes.
1.14.6 "Although these things are so, nevertheless, if you should hand over your guards to me, to promise that you'll pay the damages as I understand them, and if you make up to the Haedui the amount of the damages which you and your allies caused, and likewise if you pay enough to the Allobroges, I will make peace with you."
1.14.7 Divico responded: "Thus we Helvetii were trained by our ancestors in custom of accepting hostages, not giving them; the Roman people are witness to this matter." This response given, he left.
But, hey. Let's see what Caesar has to say to the Helvetii!
1.14.1 Caesar responded to them in this way: "In that case I'm less worried, because I do remember these events which the Helvetian delegates brought up; and I'm more determined by how little merit there was in what happened to the Roman people.
1.14.2 "Now, if anyone's offense had been known to them, it would not have been difficult to be careful; but they were deceived by this, because they did not know that they had done anything for which they ought to fear, nor did they tend to be afraid without cause.
1.14.3 "But if I wish to forget such abuse, how would I now put out of my mind the recent abuse, when you tried to pass through this province against my will, when you troubled the Haedui, the Ambarri, and the Allobragi?
1.14.4 "Because you've boasted of your victory so arrogantly and admired the violence you did without punishment for so long, it's all the same to me.
1.14.5 "For the immortal gods have been accustomed now and then to tolerate for a long time men whom they wish to punish for crimes, so that those men might suffer more greatly from the change in fortunes.
1.14.6 "Although these things are so, nevertheless, if you should hand over your guards to me, to promise that you'll pay the damages as I understand them, and if you make up to the Haedui the amount of the damages which you and your allies caused, and likewise if you pay enough to the Allobroges, I will make peace with you."
1.14.7 Divico responded: "Thus we Helvetii were trained by our ancestors in custom of accepting hostages, not giving them; the Roman people are witness to this matter." This response given, he left.
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//cracks up
The Helvetici: pithy!
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