1Would that the immortal gods had granted — forgive me, my country, for saying it: for I fear that what I say loyally for Milo I may say wickedly against you — would that Publius Clodius were not only alive but even praetor, consul, dictator, rather than that I should see this spectacle! 104O immortal gods! 104a brave man, and one who deserves to be saved by you, judges! 104'Not at all, not at all'; 104he says, 'rather, he has paid the penalty he owed: let us undergo, if it must be so, one we do not owe.' 104Shall this man, born for his country, die anywhere but in his country, or, if it so happens, for his country?
104will you keep the memorials of his spirit, and allow no tomb for his body in Italy? 104will anyone by his vote expel from this city a man whom all cities will invite to themselves once he is expelled by you? 105O happy that land which receives this man; ungrateful this one if it casts him out, wretched if it loses him! 105But let there be an end; 105for I can no longer speak for tears, and he forbids himself to be defended with tears. 105I beg and implore you, judges, in casting your votes, to dare to vote what you feel. 105Your courage, justice and good faith, believe me, will be most approved by the man who, in choosing the judges, chose all the best, the wisest and the bravest.