15.
[35]
But why,
O judges, have I brought a person on the scene, of such gravity as to make
me fear that this same Appius may on a sudden turn round and begin also to
accuse Caelius with the severity which belongs to the censor? But I will
look to this presently, and I will discuss it, O judges, so that I feel sure
that I shall show even the most rigid scrutineers reason to approve of the
habits of life of Marcus Caelius. But you, O woman, (for now I speak to you
myself, without the intervention of any imaginary character) if you are
thinking of making us approve of what you are doing, and what you are
saying, and what you are charging us with, and what you are intending, and
what you are seeking to achieve by this prosecution, you must give an
intelligible and satisfactory account of your great familiarity, your
intimate connection, your extraordinary union with him. The
accusers talk to us about lusts, and loves, and adulteries, and Baiae, and doings on the sea-shore, and
banquets, and revels, and songs, and music parties, and water parties; and
intimate also that they do not mention all these things without your
consent. And as for you, since, through some unbridled and headlong fury
which I cannot comprehend, you have chosen these things to be brought into
court, and dilated on at this trial, you must either efface the charges
yourself, and show that they are without foundation, or else you must
confess that no credit is to be given to any accusations which you may make,
or to any evidence which you may give.
[36]
But if you wish me to deal more courteously with you, I will argue the matter
thus with you. I will put away that harsh and almost boorish old man; and
out of these kinsmen of yours here present I will take some one, and before
all I will select your youngest brother, who is one of the best-bred men of
his class, who is exceedingly fond of you, and who, on account of some
childish timidity, I suppose and some groundless fears of what may happen by
night, has always, when he was but a little boy, slept with you his eldest
sister. Suppose, then, that he speaks to you in this way. “What
are you making this disturbance about, my sister? why are you so mad? “
‘Why thus with outcry loud do you exalt
Such trifles into things of consequence?’
” You saw a young man become your neighbour; his fair complexion, his height and his countenance and eyes made an impression on you, you wished to see him oftener; you were sometimes seen in the same gardens with him; being a woman of high rank you are unable with all your riches to detain him, the son of a thrifty and parsimonious father: he kicks, he rejects you, he does not think your presents worth so much as you require of him. Try some one else. You have gardens on the Tiber, and you carefully made them in that particular spot to which all the youth of the city comes to bathe. From that spot you may every day pick out people to suit you. Why do you annoy this one man who scorns you?”
Such trifles into things of consequence?’
” You saw a young man become your neighbour; his fair complexion, his height and his countenance and eyes made an impression on you, you wished to see him oftener; you were sometimes seen in the same gardens with him; being a woman of high rank you are unable with all your riches to detain him, the son of a thrifty and parsimonious father: he kicks, he rejects you, he does not think your presents worth so much as you require of him. Try some one else. You have gardens on the Tiber, and you carefully made them in that particular spot to which all the youth of the city comes to bathe. From that spot you may every day pick out people to suit you. Why do you annoy this one man who scorns you?”
