44.
[127]
You ask, against whom do I say this, O Erucius. Not against him whom you are meaning
and thinking of; for both my speech from the very beginning, and also I is own eminent
virtue, at all times has acquitted Sulla. I say that Chrysogonus did all this in order
to tell lies; in order to make out Roscius to have been a bad citizen; in order to
represent him as slain among the opposite party; in order to prevent Lucius Sulla from
being rightly informed of these matters by the deputies from Ameria. Last of all, I
suspect that this property was never sold at all; and this matter I will open presently,
O judges, if you will give me leave.
[128]
For I think it
is set down in the law on what day these proscriptions and sales shall take place,
forsooth on the first of January. Some months afterwards the man was slain, and his
property is said to have been sold. Now, either this property has never been returned in
the public accounts, and we are cheated by this scoundrel more cleverly than we think,
or, if they were returned, then the public accounts have some way or other been tampered
with, for it is quite evident that the property could not have been sold according to
law. I am aware, O judges, that I am investigating this point prematurely, and that I am
erring as greatly as if, while I ought to be curing a mortal sickness of Sextus Roscius,
I were mending a whitlow; for he is not anxious about his money; he has no regard to any
pecuniary advantage; he thinks he can easily endure his poverty, if he is released from
this unworthy suspicion, from this false accusation.
[129]
But I entreat you, O judges, to listen to the few things I have still to say, under the
idea that I am speaking partly for myself, and party for Sextus Roscius. For the things
which appear to me unworthy and intolerable, and which I think concern all men unless we
are prudent, those things I now mention to you for my own sake, from the real feelings
and indignation of my mind. What relates to the misfortunes of the life, and to the
cause of my client, and what he wishes to be said for him, and with what condition he
will be content, you shall hear, O judges, immediately at the end of my speech. I ask
this of Chrysogonus of my own accord, leaving Sextus Roscius out of the question.
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