[68]
What duty of an agent can possibly be mentioned, O Caius
Aquillius, which seems to have been overlooked by Alphenus? What reason is alleged why
it should be denied that Publius Quinctius was defended in his absence? Is it that which
I suppose Hortensius will allege, because he has lately mentioned it, and because
Naevius is always harping on it, that Naevius was not contending on equal terms with
Alphenus, at such a time, and with such magistrates? And if I were willing to admit
that, they will, I suppose, grant this, that it is not the case that no one was the
agent of Publius Quinctius, but that he had one who was popular. But it is quite
sufficient for me to prove that there was an agent, with whom he could have tried the
matter. What sort of man he was, as long as he defended the man in his absence,
according to law and before the proper magistrate, I think has nothing to do with the
matter.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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