Pro S. Roscio Amerino

about Hia, it is not agaiust their master, siuce you state
that you are their masters. " They are witli Chrysogonus."
So I believe : Chrysogouus is so delighted with their
literary ability aud towu-bred refinemeut that he desires
these men to associate with his own effeminate slaves
equipped with all the charms of luxury and skill, the pick
of many a well-trained household—these men who are little
more than labourers, traiued by a couutry-bred master of
a household at Ameria.
121. This is not so, you may be certain, gentlemen : it
is not probable that Chrysogonus took a faucy to their
literary ability and culture, it is uot probable that he knew
their energy and loyalty iu the business of his household
there is something that is hidden, something that shines
forth to view the more clearly, the more eageiiy they
smother and conceal it.
122. What is it then ? Is it iu order to hide his owu guilt
that Chrysogonus refuses to allow them to be examined ?
By uo means, gentlemen : all things are not expedient for
all men. In Chrysogonus' case, so far as I am coucerned,
I have uo suspicion of that sort ; and this is not the first
time that it has occurred to me to make this statement.
Tou remember that I made the following division of my
case at the commeucemeut. The first heading was " The
charge," aud the task of substautiatiug this with arguments
I left to Erucius ; the secoud " Eecklessuess," and
this role has been assigued to the Eoscii. All the crime,
guUt, aud bloodshed in the case will necessarily be the
peculiar sphere of the Eoscii ; we also state that the excessive
iufluence and power of Chrysogouus is to us an obstacle
and au offeuce which is absolutely iutolerable, while you,
siuce you have received the
weakeu but to avenge it.
power, ought not merely to
123. This is my opinion : he who would cousent to an
examinatiou of those who, it is admitted, were present
when the murder was committed, is desii'0us that the truth
shoiild be discovered ; he who refuses assuredly makes a
coufession of liis crime by his mere act, though he does uot
dare to do so by word of mouth. I said at the beginning,
geutlemen, that 1 did not wish to say more about the guilt