1Now the day of the trial was at hand, and it was clear that people generally believed that their liberty was at stake in Caeso's condemnation. 1Then at last, under compulsion and with much indignity, he went canvassing individuals. 1His relatives followed, the leading men of the state. 1Titus Quinctius Capitolinus, who had been consul three times, recounting many distinctions of his own and his family, declared that neither in the Quinctian clan nor in the Roman state had there ever appeared so great a natural talent of so early-ripening a valour; 3he had been his first soldier, and had often fought against the enemy under his eyes; 4Spurius Furius said that, sent by Quinctius Capitolinus, he had come to his help when his own fortunes were in doubt; 4there was no single man by whose efforts he thought the situation had been more restored.
5Lucius Lucretius, consul of the previous year, shining with fresh glory, shared his own praises with Caeso, recalled battles, recounted outstanding deeds now on expeditions, now in the battle line, and urged and advised them to prefer that an outstanding young man, furnished with all the gifts of nature and fortune, who would be the greatest weight in the affairs of whatever state he came to, should be their own citizen rather than another's. 7What gave offence in him, hot temper and boldness, age was taking away more every day; 7what was found wanting, prudence, was growing day by day. 7As his faults grew old and his virtue ripened, they should allow so great a man to grow old in the state.
8Among these his father, Lucius Quinctius, whose surname was Cincinnatus, not by repeating his praises, lest he heap up resentment, but by asking pardon for his error and his youth, begged them to forgive his son for his sake, since he had offended no one by word or deed. 9But some turned away from these entreaties out of either diffidence or fear; 9others, complaining that they and their friends had been beaten, made their verdict plain by a fierce reply.