1The prayer I made to the immortal gods, judges, by the custom and institution of our ancestors, on that day when, after taking the auspices, I declared Murena consul at the centuriate assembly, that the matter might turn out well and happily for me, for my good faith and my magistracy, and for the Roman people and plebs, I now pray again to the same immortal gods, that this same man may keep his consulship together with his civic safety, and that your minds and verdicts may agree with the wishes and votes of the Roman people, and that this outcome may bring to you and to the Roman people peace, tranquillity, quiet and concord.
1But if that solemn prayer at the elections, hallowed by the consular auspices, holds in itself such force and sanctity as the dignity of the state demands, I also prayed that the matter might turn out auspiciously, happily and prosperously for those men too to whom this consulship had been given at my proposal. 2Since this is so, judges, and since all the power of the immortal gods has either been transferred to you or at least shared with you, the same man who before commended the consul to the immortal gods now commends him to your good faith, so that, declared consul and defended by the voice of the same man, he may guard the gift of the Roman people together with your safety and that of all the citizens.
2And since in this duty both the zeal of my defence and even my very undertaking of the case have been criticised by the accusers, before I begin to speak for Murena I shall say a few words for myself, not because the defence of my own conduct is more important to me, at this moment at least, than the defence of this man's safety, but so that, once my action has been approved by you, I may with greater authority drive off the attacks of his enemies from his office, his reputation and all his fortunes.