[4]
As
far as I myself am concerned. I hardly know which way to turn. Shall I deny that there is any
ground for the disgraceful accusation, —that the judges were corrupted at the
previous trial? Shall I deny that that matter has been agitated at assemblies of the people?
that it has been brought before the courts of justice? that it has been mentioned in the
senate? Can I eradicate that belief from men's minds? a belief so deeply implanted in
them—so long established. It is out of the power of my abilities to do so. It is a
matter requiring your aid, O judges; it becomes you to come to the assistance of the innocence
of this man attacked by such a ruinous calumny, as you would in the case of a destructive fire
or of a general conflagration.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge, B. A. London. Henry G. Bohn, York Street, Covent Garden. 1856.
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