19
All women who ply about overtly, and for hurt to a varlet the redress shall be double. Pay attention: overtly is openly, ply about is walk about, and a varlet is a servant.
20
We have many other instances of the sort, gentlemen. But if he is not a numskull, I suppose he has realized that things are the same now as they were of old, but that in some cases we do not use the same terms now as we did formerly. And he will show as much, for he will leave the dais and depart in silence.
21
If not, I beg you, gentlemen, to vote according to justice, reflecting that it is a far greater slur to be told that one has killed one’s father than that one has thrown away one’s shield. I, for one, would rather have cast any number of shields than entertain such thoughts regarding my father.
22
Now this man, on a charge which was well-founded, but which involved less disaster to him, obtained not only your pity, but even the disfranchisementFor perjury. of the witness for the prosecution. But I, who have seen him do thatNamely, throw away his shield. which you likewise know, who have saved my own shield, who have been accused of a proceeding thus unholy and monstrous, and whose disaster will be overwhelming if he is acquitted, while his will be inconsiderable if he is convicted of slander,-am I not to obtain satisfaction from him? What imputation have you standing against me?
