[89]
But what the other crime is, that I
am unable to say; I know not by what name to call the crime which he committed with
respect to the statue of Caius Marcellus. What is the meaning of it? Is it because
he was the patron of the Sicilians? What then? What has that to do with it? Ought
that fact to have had influence to procure assistance, or to bring disaster on his
clients and friends? Was it your object to show that patrons were no protection
against your violence? Who is there who would not be aware that there is greater
power in the authority of a bad man who is present, than in the protection of good
men who are absent? Or do you merely wish to prove by this conduct, your
unprecedented insolence, and pride, and obstinacy? You thought, I imagine, that you
were taking something from the dignity of the Marcelli? And therefore now the
Marcelli are not the patrons of the Sicilians. Verres has been substituted in their
place.
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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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