1If you, Erucius, had found so many and such great points against the defendant, how long you would speak! 1how you would show off! 1by Hercules, time would fail you sooner than words. 1For on each single point there is material enough for you to spend a whole day on each. 1Nor am I unable to do it; 1for I do not disparage myself so much, though I claim nothing for myself, as to think that you can speak more fluently than I. 1But I perhaps, because of the multitude of advocates, may be counted as one of the herd, while the battle of Cannae has made you a fairly good accuser.
1We have seen many slain, not at Lake Trasimene, but at the Servilian Pool. 90'Who was not wounded there by Phrygian steel?' 90There is no need to mention all the Curtii, the Marii, and then the Memmii, whom age was already calling away from battle, and finally old Priam himself, Antistius, whom not only age but even the laws forbade to fight. 90Then there are those whom nobody names because of their obscurity, hundreds who used to prosecute for murder and poisoning; 90all of whom, for my part, I could wish were alive. 90For there is no harm in there being as many dogs as possible where very many people have to be watched and many things guarded.
91But, as happens, the violence and confusion of war often bring about many things without the generals' knowledge. 91While the man who held the supreme direction of affairs was occupied with other things, there were meanwhile those who were healing their own wounds; 91who, as if everlasting night had been spread over the state, rushed about in the darkness and threw everything into confusion; 91and I am surprised that they did not burn the benches as well, so that no trace of the courts should remain; 91for they did away with both accusers and judges. 91There is this advantage, that they have lived in such a way that they could not kill all the witnesses even if they wished; 91for as long as the human race exists, there will be no lack of someone to accuse them; 91as long as the state exists, trials will be held.
91But, as I began to say, Erucius, if he had in his case the things I have mentioned, could speak about them as long as he liked, and so can I, judges; 91but I intend, as I said before, to pass over each point lightly and merely touch on it, so that all may understand that I am not accusing from zeal but defending from duty.