[23]
at this moment I will only say this, which you must silently agree
to, that there is no quality in me which he can despise, and none in you which he can
fear. Therefore, that great defender 1 and friend
of his votes for you and opposes me; he openly solicits the judges to have you preferred
to me; and he says that he does this honestly, without any envy of me, and without any
dislike to me. “For,” says he, “I am now asking for that
which I usually obtain when I strive for it earnestly. I am not asking to have the
defendant acquitted; but I am asking this, that he may be accused by the one man rather
than by the other. Grant me this; grant that which is easy to grant, and honourable, and
by no means invidious; and when you have granted that, you will, without any risk to
yourself, and without any discredit, have granted that he shall be acquitted in whose
cause I am labouring.”
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1 Cicero alludes to Hortensius, indeed, the name of Hortensius appears in the text in some editions.
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