Book 7
1.51
Our declaimer, who has thought out this line of argument, must now pass over like a Latin flute-player, as Cicero says, Pro Mur. xii. 26. The flute-player went from one actor to another, according as each required accompaniment. to the side of the eloquent son and reply, Granted, but you are not an infant, you were not away from home nor absent on military service. Is there any answer to this except the previous reply, I am an uneducated man ?
1.52
But to this there is the obvious retort, Even if you could not actually plead, you might have supported him by your presence, which is no more than the simple truth. The uneducated son must therefore return to the intention of the legislator. He wished to punish unfilial conduct, but I am not unfilial.
