[65]
And at the
same time, O judges, place all these considerations before
you:—first of all, that all those most illustrious men who have
ever given any man of a federate city the freedom of this city are now on
their trial after death; secondly, that the senate is so too, which has
repeatedly decided in favour of such an act and the people which has voted
it and the judges who have approved of it. Then consider this also that
Cornelius does live and always has lived in such a manner that though
investigations are appointed for every imaginable offence, still he is now
brought before the court, not for the sake of any punishment which is sought
to be inflicted on his vices, but for that at the rewards
which have been conferred on his virtue. Add this consideration also; that
you by your decision are about to determine whether you choose that for the
future the friendship of illustrious men should be a calamity to men, or an
ornament. Lastly of all, O judges, keep this fixed in your minds, that in
this action you are about to decide, not on any crime imputed to Lucius
Cornelius, but on a kindness shown by Cnaeus Pompeius.
This text is part of:
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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