I have observed, O judges, that the whole speech of the accuser is divided into two parts, one
 of which appeared to me to rely upon, and to put its main trust in, the inveterate unpopularity
 of the trial before Junius; Junius had been the judge in the trial of
 Oppianicus. See c. xxvii. the other, just for the sake of
 usage, to touch very lightly and diffidently On the method pursued in cases of accusations of
 poisoning; concerning which matter this form of trial is appointed by law. And, therefore, I
 have determined to preserve the same division of the subject in my defence, speaking separately
 to the question of unpopularity and to that of the accusation, in order that every one may
 understand that I neither wish to evade any point by being silent with respect to it, nor to
 make anything obscure by speaking of it. But when I consider
 how much pains I must take with each branch of the question, one division—that, namely, which is
 the proper subject of your inquiry, the question of the fact of the poisoning—appears to me a
 very short one, and one which is not likely to give occasion to any great dispute. But with the
 other division, which, properly, is almost entirely unconnected with the case, and which is
 better adapted to assemblies in a state of seditious excitement, than to tranquil and orderly
 courts of justice, I shall, I can easily see, have a great deal of difficulty in dealing, and a
 great deal of trouble. But in all this embarrassment, O
 judges, this thing still consoles me,—that you have been accustomed to hear accusations under
 the idea that you will afterwards hear their refutation from the advocate; that you are bound
 not to give the defendant more advantages towards ensuring his acquittal, than his counsel can
 procure for him by clearing him of the charges brought against him, and by proving his innocence
 in his speech. But as regards the odium into which they seek to bring him, you ought to
 deliberate together, considering not what is said by us, but what ought to be said. For while we
 are dealing with the accusations, it is only the safety of Aulus Cluentius that is at stake; but
 by the odium sought to be excited against him, the common safety of all men is imperilled.
 Accordingly, we will treat one division of the case as men who are giving you information, and
 the other division, as men who are addressing entreaties to you. In the first division we must
 beg of you to give us your diligent attention; in the second, we must implore the protection of
 your good faith. There is no one who can withstand the popular feeling when excited against him
 without the assistance of you and of men like you. As far as I
 myself am concerned. I hardly know which way to turn. Shall I deny that there is any ground for
 the disgraceful accusation, —that the judges were corrupted at the previous trial? Shall I deny
 that that matter has been agitated at assemblies of the people? that it has been brought before
 the courts of justice? that it has been mentioned in the senate? Can I eradicate that belief
 from men's minds? a belief so deeply implanted in them—so long established. It is out of the
 power of my abilities to do so. It is a matter requiring your aid, O judges; it becomes you to
 come to the assistance of the innocence of this man attacked by such a ruinous calumny, as you
 would in the case of a destructive fire or of a general conflagration. Indeed, as in some places truth appears to have but little foundation to rest upon, and but
 little vigour, so in this place unpopularity arising on false grounds ought to be powerless. Let
 it have sway in assemblies, but let it be overthrown in courts of justice; let it influence the
 opinions and conversation of ignorant men, but let it be rejected by the dispositions of the
 wise; let it make sudden and violent attacks, but when time for examination is given, and when
 the facts are ascertained, let it die away. Lastly, let that definition of impartial tribunals
 which has been handed down to us from our ancestors be still retained; that in them crimes are
 punished without any regard being had to the popularity or unpopularity of the accused party;
 and unpopularity is got rid of without any crime being supposed to have been ever attached to
 it.