[27]
But I will pass over these things,
and reply to those which I thought of more consequence.
There was a very long reproach addressed to my client on the score of luxury;
it was, however, a gentle one, and had more argument than ferocity in it; on
which account it was listened to with the more attention. For while Publius
Clodius, my friend, was allowing himself to be carried away by the greatest
violence and impetuosity, and, being in a great state of excitement, was
using the most severe language, and speaking at the top of his voice, though
I had a high opinion of his eloquence, still I was not at all alarmed. For I
had seen him conducting several trials without success. But I will reply to
you first of all, O Balbus, with an entreaty to be allowed,
without blame and without a charge of impiety to defend a man who never
refuses an invitation to supper, who uses perfumes, and who often goes to
Baiae.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge, B. A. London. George Bell & Sons, York Street, Covent Garden. 1891.
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