Pro S. Roscio Amerino
Pro S. Roscio Amerino
Pro S. Roscio Amerino
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PRO SEX. ROSCIO, §§ 51—55. 19<br />
bring himself to overcome the promptings of Natnre lierself,<br />
to cast out from his lieart tliat aftection so deeply<br />
rooted in it, in a word, to forget tliat lie was a fatlier ; a<br />
disaster that I believe could not have happened bnt for<br />
great offences on the part of my client.<br />
54. But I allow you to pass over those things about<br />
which if you are silent you admit that they do not exist at<br />
all. Tour statement that he intended to disiuherit bis son<br />
you certainly ought to prove. Well then, what reason do<br />
you bring forward to warrant our believing that it was<br />
done ? As a matter of fact you cannot state any. WeU,<br />
at any rate draw on your imagination for something to<br />
suit the occasion, so that you may not be clearly seen to<br />
be doing, what you are doing openly, I mean mocking at<br />
the misfortunes of my hapless client<br />
position of these worthy gentlemen.<br />
and the influential<br />
" He intended to<br />
disinherit his son." " From what motive ? " "I don't<br />
know." " Did he disinherit him ? " "No." "Wboprevented<br />
him ? " " He was pondering over the matter."<br />
" To whom did he tell that ? " " No one." For what else<br />
is the meaning of misusing tlie law-coiu-ts and the laws<br />
and yoTir worshipful selves for one's gain and at one's<br />
caprice, if it be not making accusations in this manner,<br />
and making a charge which so far from being able to<br />
prove you do not even attempt to prove.<br />
56. There is no one of us who is not aware there are no<br />
grounds for enmity between you and Sextus Roscius<br />
every one sees your motive for coming as his enemy : they<br />
know that you were led on by the prospect of my clienfs<br />
property. What is the conclusion then ? Tou should<br />
have tempered your desire of gain by reflecting that the<br />
opinion of the jury al)out you and the Eemmian law oiust<br />
have some authority. It is advantageous that there should<br />
be many accusers in the state, provided they are withheld<br />
from recklessness by fear; but nevertheless this is only<br />
advantageous provided that we are not mocked by the<br />
accusers. A certain man is innocent: nevertheless although<br />
he is far from blameworthy, yet he is not free from<br />
suspicion. Though it is an irksome task, yet I could bring<br />
myself to pardon in one way the man who accuses this
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