[5]
Ought I to be unwilling to appear on these benches on
which I see these lights and ornaments of the republic, when it is only by my own numerous and
great labours and dangers that I have mounted into their rank, and into this lofty position
and dignity which I now enjoy? And that you may understand, O Torquatus, whom you are
accusing, if you are offended that I, who have defended no one on inquiries of this sort do
not abandon Publius Sulla, remember also the other men, whom you see countenancing this man by
their presence. You will see that their opinion and mine has been one and the same about this
man's case, and about that of the others. Who of us stood by Varguntius? No one. Not even this
Quintus Hortensius, the very man who had formerly been his only defender when prosecuted for
corruption. For he did not think himself connected by any bond of duty with that man, when he,
by the commission of such enormous wickedness, had broken asunder the ties of all duties
whatever. Who of us countenanced Servius Sulla? who
***? who of us thought Marcus Laeca or Caius Cornelius fit to be defended? who of all the men whom you see here gave the countenance of his presence to any one of those criminals?
***? who of us thought Marcus Laeca or Caius Cornelius fit to be defended? who of all the men whom you see here gave the countenance of his presence to any one of those criminals?
