[20]
I see, O judges, that this is a charge, important both from
the sort of crime imputed, (for a tax is said to have been imposed on our produce, and I
confess that a very large sum of money might have been amassed by that means,) and from its
unpopular nature; for our adversaries have endeavoured to make this charge as widely known as
possible, by making it the subject of their conversation. But I think that the more serious a
charge is, which is proved to be false, the greater is the wickedness of that man who invented
it; for he wishes by the magnitude of the accusation to prejudice the minds of those who hear
it, so that the truth may afterwards find a difficult entrance into them.
***** [Everything relating to the charge about the wine, to the war with the Vocontii, and the arrangement of winter quarters, is wanting.]
***** [Everything relating to the charge about the wine, to the war with the Vocontii, and the arrangement of winter quarters, is wanting.]
