In all causes of more than ordinary importance, O Caius Caesar, I am
accustomed, at the beginning of my speech, to be more vehemently affected
than either common custom or my own age appears to require. And in this
particular cause I am agitated by so many considerations, that in proportion
as my fidelity to my friend inspires me with zeal to defend the safety of
king Deiotarus, in the same proportion do my fears take away from my ability
to do so. In the first place, I am speaking in defence of the life and
fortunes of a king; and although there is no particular injustice in such a
fact, especially when it is oneself who is in danger yet it is so unusual
for a king to be tried for his life, that up to this time no such thing has
ever been heard of.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge, B. A. London. George Bell & Sons, York Street, Covent Garden. 1891.
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