Pro Caelio 55 translation

Question 1

sed cur diutius vos, iudices, teneo?

Answer 1

But why do I hold you longer, judges?

Question 2

ipsius iurati religionem autoritatemque percipite

Answer 2

Observe the reverence and influence of the man himself on oath

Question 3

atque omnia diligenter testimonii verba cognoscite. recita. L. LVCCEI TESTIMONIVM.

Answer 3

and carefully recognise every word of his testimony. Read it out. (Testimony of LL)

Question 4

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

Answer 4

What more are you expecting? Or do you think that the case itself, that truth itself, can utter some 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 speech of the case itself, this is the one voice of truth.

Question 6

in crimine ipso nulla suspicio est,

Answer 6

In the charge itself there is no grounds for suspicion;

Question 7

in re nihil est argumenti,

Answer 7

in the actual matter there is no proof;

Question 8

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

Answer 8

in the dealings which are said to have been carried out, there is no trace of a conversation, nor of a place, nor of a time.

Question 9

nemo testis, nemo conscius nominatur,

Answer 9

No witness, no accomplice is named.

Question 10

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

Answer 10

The whole charge arises from a hostile, infamous, cruel, criminal and lustful house;

Question 11

domus autem illa, quae temptata esse scelere isto nefario dicitur,

Answer 11

whereas that house, which is said to have been tempted by such a wicked crime,

Question 12

plena est integritatis, dignitatis, officii, religionis;

Answer 12

is full of integrity, dignity, duty and piety;

Question 13

ex qua domo recitatur vois iure iurando devincta autoritas,

Answer 13

from this house a statement bound by sworn oath is read to you,

Question 14

ut res minime dubitanda in contentione ponatur,

Answer 14

with the result that a matter about which there should be very little doubt is under dispute -

Question 15

utrum temeraria, procax, irata mulier finisse crimen,

Answer 15

whether an unstable, insistent, angry woman has fabricated this charge,

Question 16

an gravis sapiens moderatusque vir religiose testimonium dixisse videatur.

Answer 16

or whether a serious, wise and modest man seems to have spoken his testimony unscrupulously.