[201]
I am sure that you
clearly perceive how advantageous this would be for the Sicilians not because of the
justice of such a condition, but in the way of choosing the least of two evils; for
the man who had given Verres a thousand modii for the
granary as his share of the contribution required, would have given two, or, at
most, three thousand sesterces, but the same man has
now been compelled for the same quantity of corn to give eight thousand sesterces. A cultivator could not stand this for three years,
at least not out of his own produce. He must inevitably have sold his stock. But if
the land can endure this contribution and this tribute,—that is to say, if
Sicily can bear and support it, let it
pay it to the Roman people rather than to our magistrates. It is a great sum, a
great and splendid revenue. If you can obtain it without damage to the province,
without injury to our allies, I do not object at all. Let as much be given to the
magistrates for their granary as has always been given. What Verres demands besides,
that, if they cannot provide it, let them refuse. If they can provide it, let it be
the revenue of the Roman people rather than the plunder of the praetor.
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