[118]
But what is the meaning of these fiftieths? what is the meaning of these additional
presents of money? By what right, and, what is more, in what manner did you do this
The cultivator gave the money. How or whence did he get it? If he had wished to be
very liberal, he would have used a more heaped up measure, as men formerly used to
do in the matter of the tenths, when they were sold by fair laws, and on fair terms.
He gave the money. Where did he get it? from his corn? As if, while you were
praetor, he had anything to sell. Something, then, must be taken from his principal,
in order to add this pecuniary gratuity for Apronius to all the profit which he
derived from the lands. The next thing is, Did they give it willingly or
unwillingly? Willingly? They were very fond, I suppose, of Apronius. Unwillingly?
How, then, were they compelled to do so, except by violence and ill-treatment?
Again; that man, that most senseless man, in the selling of the tenths, caused
additional sums to be added to every tenth. It was not much; he added two or three
thousand sesterces. In the three years he made about
five hundred thousand sesterces. He did this neither
according to any precedent, nor by any right; nor did he make any return of that
money; nor can any man ever imagine how he is going to defend himself against this
petty charge.
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