[68]
This enormity of the
crime is the cause why, unless a parricide is proved in a manner almost visible, it is
not credible, unless a man's youth has been base, unless his life has been stained with
every sort of wickedness, unless his extravagance has been prodigal and accompanied with
shame and disgrace, unless his audacity has been violent, unless his rashness has been
such as to be not far removed from insanity. There must be, besides a hatred of his
father, a fear of his father's reproof—worthless friends, slaves privy to the
deed, a convenient opportunity, a place fitly selected for the business. I had almost
said the judges must see his hands stained with his father's blood, if they are to
believe so monstrous, so barbarous, so terrible a crime.
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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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