[21]
Even if they were silent they would say plainly
enough why they are unwilling. But they are not silent; and yet will you offer yourself,
when they are most unwilling to accept you! Will you still persist in speaking in the
cause of others? Will you still defend those men who would rather be deserted by every
one than defended by you? Will you still promise your assistance to those men who do
neither believe that you wish to give it for their sake, nor that, if you did wish it,
you could do it? Why do you endeavour to take away from them by force the little hope
for the remainder of their fortunes which they still retain, built upon the impartiality
of the law and of this tribunal? Why do you interpose yourself expressly against the
will of those whom the law directs to be especially consulted? Why do you now openly
attempt to ruin the whole fortunes of those of whom you did not deserve very well when
in the province? Why do you take away from them, not only the power of prosecuting their
rights, but even of bewailing their calamities?
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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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