Chapter 55

Question 1

Sed cur diutius vos, iudices, teneo?

Answer 1

But why do I keep you any longer, judges?

Question 2

ipsius iurati religionem auctoritatemque percipite atque omnia diligenter testimoni verba cognoscite.

Answer 2

Perceive the religious scruples and prestige of the man himself who has sworn on oath, and examine carefully all the words of the testimony.

Question 3

Recita. L. LVCCEI TESTIMONIVM. Quid exspectatis amplius?

Answer 3

Read it out. The testimony of L. Lucceius. What more are you waiting for?

Question 4

an aliquam vocem putatis ipsam pro se causam et veritatem posse mittere?

Answer 4

Or do you think that the case itself and truth can utter any voice on its own behalf?

Question 5

Haec est innocentiae defensio, haec ipsius causae oratio, haec una vox veritatis.

Answer 5

This is the defence of innocence, this is the plea of the case itself, this is the one and only voice of truth.

Question 6

in crimine ipso nulla suspicio est, in re nihil est argumenti,

Answer 6

In the charge itself there is no ground for suspicion, in the case there is no proof,

Question 7

in negotiom quod actum esse dicitur, nullum vestigium sermonis, loci, temporis;

Answer 7

in the transaction, which is alleged to have been conducted, there is no trace of conversation, place or time;

Question 8

nemo testis, nemo conscius nominatur;

Answer 8

no one is named as a witness, no one as an accomplice,

Question 9

totum crimen profertur ex inimica, ex infami, ex crudeli, ex facinerosa, ex libidinosa domo;

Answer 9

the whole accusation is brought forward from a hostile, disreputable, cruel, criminal, licentious house;

Question 10

domus autem illa quae temptata esse scelere isto nefario dicitur plena est integritatis, dignitatis, officii, religionis;

Answer 10

however, that [other] well known house which is alleged to have been disturbed by that wicked crime, is full of integrity, honour, sense of duty, religious duty (sense of duty, religious scruples);

Question 11

ex qua domo recitatur vobis iure iurando devincta auctoritas, ut res minime dubitanda in contentione ponatur,

Answer 11

a statement bound by sworn oath is read out to you from this house, with the result that a matter about which there should be very little doubt is placed under dispute,

Question 12

utrum temeraria, procax, irata mulier finxisse crimen,

Answer 12

whether a rash, wanton, angry woman seems to have fabricated the charge,

Question 13

an gravis sapiens moderatusque vir religiose testimonium dixisse videatur.

Answer 13

or a serious minded, wise and controlled man has delivered his evidence conscientiously.