[19]
O most insane of men, what did you think? that you should obtain what you
requested? Did you not know how greatly he was esteemed by his fellow-citizens; how
great his influence was considered? But suppose you had obtained your request;
suppose that the Mamertines had passed any severe vote against Heius, what do you
think would have been the authority of their panegyric, if they had decreed
punishment to the man who it was notorious had given true evidence? Although, what
sort of praise is that, when he who utters it, being questioned, is compelled to
give answers injurious to him whom he is praising? What! are not those who are
praising you, my witnesses? Heius is an encomiast of yours; he has done you the most
serious injury. I will bring forward the rest; they will gladly be silent about all
that they are allowed to suppress; they will say what they cannot help saying,
unwillingly. Can they deny that a transport of the largest size was built for that
man at Messana? Let them deny it if they
can. Can they deny that a Mamertine senator was appointed by the public authority to
superintend the building of that ship? I wish they would deny it. There are other
points also which I prefer reserving unmentioned at present, in order to give as
little time as possible to them for planning and arranging their perjury.
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