[85]
And as
this appeared a scandalous thing to those who were present and who heard it, it was
not persevered in by him during the first period of his visit; but when he departed,
he ordered Sopater, their chief magistrate, whose statement you have heard, to take
it down. When he refused, he threatened him violently; and then he left the city.
The magistrate refers the matter to the senate; there is a violent outcry on all
sides. To make my story short, some time afterwards he comes to that city again.
Immediately he asks about the statue. He is answered that the senate will not allow
it to be removed; that capital punishment is threatened to any one who should touch
it without the orders of the senate: the impiety of removing is also urged. Then
says he, “What do you mean by talking to me of impiety? or about
punishment? or about the senate? I will not leave you alive; you shall be scourged
to death if the statue is not given up.” Sopater with tears reports the
matter to the senate a second time, and relates to them the covetousness and the
threats of Verres. The senate gives Sopater no answer, but breaks up in agitation
and perplexity. Sopater, being summoned by the praetor's messenger, informs him of
the state of the case, and says that it is absolutely impossible.
This text is part of:
M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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