These men know that this request was not only made to me, but that it was made so
 frequently and with such earnestness, that I had no alternative except either to
 undertake the cause, or to repudiate the duty of friendship. But why do I cite these men
 as witnesses, as if the matter were doubtful or unknown? Most noble men are present here
 from the whole province, who being present, beg and entreat you, O judges, not to let
 your judgment differ from their judgment in selecting an advocate for their cause.
 Deputations from every city in the whole of Sicily , except two, Cicero means Syracuse and Messana , which did not join in the outcry against Verres, because
 Verres had resided at Syracuse , and had
 enriched that city with some of the plunder which he had taken from other cities; and
 he had treated Messana in the same way, which
 place he had made the repository of his plunder till he could export it to Italy . are present; and if deputations from
 those two were present also, two of the very most serious of the crimes would be
 lessened in which these cities are implicated with Caius Verres. But why have they entreated this protection from me above all men? If it were doubtful
 whether they had entreated it from me or not, I could tell why they had entreated it;
 but now, when it is so evident that you can see it with your eyes, I know not why it
 should be any injury to me to have it imputed to me that I was selected above all
 men. But I do not arrogate any such thing to myself, and I not only do not say it, but I do
 not wish even to leave any one to believe that I have been preferred to every possible
 advocate. That is not the fact but a consideration of the opportunities of each
 individual and of his health, and of his aptitude for conducting this cause, has been
 taken into account. My desire and sentiments on this matter have always been these, that
 I would rather that any one of those who are fit for it should undertake it than I; but
 I had rather that I should undertake it myself than that no one should.