1There are, then, two charges, concerning gold and poison; 1and in both one and the same person is involved. 1Gold was taken from Clodia; poison was sought, to be given to Clodia, so it is said. 1All the rest are not charges but abuse, belonging to a petulant quarrel rather than a public court. 1'Adulterer, lecher, briber's agent' is slander, not accusation. 1For these charges have no foundation, no ground to stand on; 1they are insulting words recklessly hurled by an angry prosecutor on no one's authority. 1For these two charges I see an author, I see a source, I see a definite name and head. 31He needed gold; 31he took it from Clodia, he took it without a witness, he kept it as long as he wished.
31I see here the greatest sign of a quite remarkable intimacy. 31He wanted to kill the same woman; 31he sought poison, he tampered with slaves, he prepared a potion, he fixed a place, he brought it secretly. 31Again I see that a great hatred has arisen, with a most cruel break. 31Our whole business in this case, gentlemen, is with Clodia, a woman not only noble but notorious; 31about whom I shall say nothing except for the purpose of rebutting the charge. 32But you understand, Gnaeus Domitius, with your outstanding wisdom, that it is with her alone that we have to do. 32If she does not say that she lent gold to Caelius, if she does not allege that poison was prepared for her by him, we are acting insolently in naming a mother of a family otherwise than the sanctity of matrons demands.
32But if, with that woman removed, neither any charge nor any resources for attacking Marcus Caelius are left to them, what else ought we advocates to do but drive off those who are hounding him? 32And this I should do more vehemently, were it not that I have a feud with that woman's husband — brother, I meant to say; 32I always make this slip. 32As it is, I shall proceed with moderation and go no further than my duty and the case itself compel me: for I have never thought I should wage feuds with women, especially with one whom everyone has always thought a friend to all men rather than an enemy to any.