[31]
Preserve then, O judges, a man of such virtue as that of Archias, which you see testified to
you not only by the worth of his friends, but by the length of time during which they have
been such to him, and of such genius as you ought to think is his, when you see that it as
been sought by most illustrious men. And his cause is one which is approved of by the
benevolence of the law by the authority of his municipality, by the testimony of Lucullus, and
by the documentary evidence of Metellus. And as this is the case, we do entreat you, O judges,
if there may be any weight attached, I will not say to human, but even to divine
recommendation in such important matters, to receive under your protection that man who has at
all times done honour to your generals and to the exploits of the Roman people,—who
even in these recent perils of our own, and in your domestic dangers, promises
to give an eternal testimony of praise in our favour, and who forms one of that band of poets
who have at all times and in all nations been considered and called holy, so that he may seem
relieved by your humanity, rather than overwhelmed by your severity.
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