[117]
But Titus
Roscius did not deceive one friend alone in a money matter, (which, although it be a
grave offence, still appears possible in some degree to be borne) but he led on,
cajoled, and deserted nine most honourable men, betrayed them to their adversaries, and
deceived them with every circumstance of fraud and perfidy. They who could suspect
nothing of his wickedness, ought not to have been afraid of the partner of their duties;
they did not see his malice, they trusted his false speech. Therefore these most
honourable men are now, on account of his treachery, thought to have been incautious and
improvident He who was at the beginning a traitor, then a deserter—who at
first reported the counsels of his companions to their adversaries, and then entered
into a confederacy with the adversaries themselves, even now terrifies us, and threatens
us, adorned with his three farms, that is, with the prizes of his wickedness. In such a
life as his, O judges, amid such numerous and enormous crimes, you will find this crime
too, with which the present trial is concerned.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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