Somnium Scipionis, Part XII

“Here it will be fitting that you, Africanus, show to the fatherland the light of your soul and genius and judgment. But of this time, I see the uncertain way as if of the fates. For when your age has eight times turned seven bends and returns of the sun, and these two numbers, each of which is held full, the one for one reason, the other for another reason, by the circuit of nature has completed your destined sum for you; to you alone and to your name will the entire state turn itself; all good men, allies, and Latins will look at you; you will be the one on whom the safety of the state leans; and, lest I say more, it is necessary that you as dictator restore the state, if you will have escaped the wicked hands of your relatives.” Here, since Laelius had cried out and the others had groaned more vehemently, Scipio says, smiling gently, “St! I ask lest you rouse me from my sleep, and listen for a little while to the rest.”