Pro S. Roscio Amerino

54 . CICERO
tliese deeds proportionate to tlie enormity of tlie wrong,
and in view of the fact that the highest interests of tho
commonwealth are assailed by his critical position,
most assuredly you would not be allowed to stand in the
position you now hold : but as it is, his defence is such
that his opponents ought certainly not to be aunoyed at it,
and cauuot think that they are overcome through powerful
infiuence.
149. His domestic affairs are transacted through Caecilia;
the department of the forum and the law-court was imdertaken
by Marcus Messala, as you see, gentlemen ; and if
he were now -oldj and strong enoij^hhe would spealc for
Sextus Eoscm^ himself: but as yjialn and the modesty
that graces youtn stand in the way of his speaking, he
handed the case over to me, for he knew I felt it my
ambition and duty to speak in his behalf. Meanwhile by
his continual presence, his advice, his infiuence, and his
unwearied eiforts he succeeded in wresting the life of
Sextus Eoscius from the hands of these brokers, and in
getting it submitted to the verdict of a jury. Surely,
gentlemen, it was for nobles like this man that the greater
part of the state was in arms ; the aim of the recent war
was the restoration to tlie state of those nobles who would
do what you see Messala doing, who would defend the life
of a guiltless man, wlio would stand out against wrongdoing,
who would prefer to show the greatness of their
power in saving rather than ruining their neighbour ; and
if all who have been born in tlie same rank were to act
thus, the commonwealth would suffer less from them, and
they would suffer less from unpopularity.
150. But if we cannot obtain from Chrysogonus, gentlemen,
the favour of being coutent with our money, wdthout
seeking for our life, if, wlien he has taken from us all that
was our own, he cannot be persuaded to refrain from
desiring to rob us even of the light of day wdiich is the
common property of all, if he does not consider it enough
to glut his avarice with money unless our blood also be
sacrificed to his brutality, the only refuge, gentlemen, the
only hope that is left to Sextus Eo.scius is the same that
is left to the commonwealth, it is your time-honoured