[35]
But why,
O judges, have I brought a person on the scene, of such gravity as to make
me fear that this same Appius may on a sudden turn round and begin also to
accuse Caelius with the severity which belongs to the censor? But I will
look to this presently, and I will discuss it, O judges, so that I feel sure
that I shall show even the most rigid scrutineers reason to approve of the
habits of life of Marcus Caelius. But you, O woman, (for now I speak to you
myself, without the intervention of any imaginary character) if you are
thinking of making us approve of what you are doing, and what you are
saying, and what you are charging us with, and what you are intending, and
what you are seeking to achieve by this prosecution, you must give an
intelligible and satisfactory account of your great familiarity, your
intimate connection, your extraordinary union with him. The
accusers talk to us about lusts, and loves, and adulteries, and Baiae, and doings on the sea-shore, and
banquets, and revels, and songs, and music parties, and water parties; and
intimate also that they do not mention all these things without your
consent. And as for you, since, through some unbridled and headlong fury
which I cannot comprehend, you have chosen these things to be brought into
court, and dilated on at this trial, you must either efface the charges
yourself, and show that they are without foundation, or else you must
confess that no credit is to be given to any accusations which you may make,
or to any evidence which you may give.
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