[79]
Therefore, although we should not be too
abrupt in passing to our statement of facts, it is best
to do nothing to conceal our transition. Indeed, if
the statement of fact on which we are about to embark
is somewhat long and complicated, we shall do well
to prepare the judge for it, as Cicero often does,
most notably in the following passage:1 “The introduction to my exposition of this point will be
rather longer than usual, but I beg you, gentlemen,
not to take it ill. For if you get a firm grasp of the
beginning, you will find it much easier to follow what
comes last.” This is practically all that I can find
to say on the subject of the exordium.
II. It is a most natural and frequently necessary
proceeding, that after preparing the mind of the
judge in the manner described above we should indicate the nature of the subject on which he will have
to give judgment: that is the statement of facts.
1 pro Cluent. iv. 11.
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