1Have you ever seen anyone so harassed and hard pressed as my friend Varenus? 1He has had to defend, and as it were to seek again, what he had obtained with the greatest effort. 2The Bithynians dared to pick at and undermine the decree of the senate before the consuls, and even to denounce it to the prince in his absence; 2sent back by him to the senate, they did not give up. 2Claudius Capito pleaded with more irreverence than firmness, as one who was arraigning a decree of the senate before the senate. 3Catius Fronto replied weightily and firmly. 3The senate itself was admirable; 3for even those who had earlier refused Varenus what he asked voted that, once it had been granted, it should be granted still; 4for individuals, they said, might rightly disagree while the matter was open, but when it was settled, what the majority had approved must be upheld by all.
5Only Acilius Rufus, and with him seven or eight — seven, rather — persisted in their former opinion. 5Among this small number there were some whose momentary gravity, or rather imitation of gravity, was laughed at. 6But do you reckon how much of a contest awaits us in the battle itself, when its prelude, as it were, and skirmish has stirred up these disputes. 6Farewell.