[127]
What are we to say, then, O Verres? Are we not to give credence
to even these men as witnesses? Are these things not material to the question before
us? Are we not to believe Marcus Octavius? Are we not to believe Lucius Ligur? Who
will believe us? Who shall we believe? What is there, O Verres which can ever be
made plain by witnesses, if this is not made so? Or is that which they relate a
small thing? It is nothing less than the praetor of the city establishing this law
as long as he remains in office,—that the praetor ought to be co-heir with
all those to whom an inheritance comes. And can we doubt with what language that
fellow was accustomed to address the rest of the citizens of an inferior rank, of
inferior authority, and of inferior fortune; with what language he was accustomed to
address country people from the municipal towns; with what language he was
accustomed to address those whom he never thought free men,—I mean, the
freedmen; when he did not hesitate to ask Marcus Octavius Ligur, a man of the
highest consideration as to position, rank, name, virtue, ability, and influence,
for money for deciding in favour of his undoubted lights?
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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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