[177]
I feel sure now that I have discharged my duty to the satisfaction of all those who
are most unfavourable to me. For I convicted him, in the few hours which the first
pleading occupied, in the opinion of every man. The remainder of the trial is not
now about my good faith, which has been amply proved, nor about that fellow's way of
life, which has bean fully condemned; but it is the judges, and if I am to tell the
truth, it is yourself, who will now be passed sentence on. But when will that
sentence be passed? For that is a point that must be much looked to, since in all
things, and especially in state affairs, the consideration of time and circumstance
is of the greatest importance. Why, at that time when the Roman people shall demand
another class of men, another order of citizens to act as judges. Sentence will be
pronounced in deciding on that law about new judges and fresh tribunals which has
been proposed in reality not by the man whose name you see on the back of it, but by
this defendant. Verres, I say, has contrived to have this law drawn up and proposed
from the hope and opinion which he entertains of you.
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