Letters to Atticus Passage 1

* * * † nunc ut opinionem habeas rerum†, ferendum est. quaeris ego me ut gesserim. constanter et libere. quid ? ille inquies ut ferebat? humaniter meaeque dignitatis quoad mihi satis factum esset habendam sibi rationem putabat. quo modo ergo absolutus? omnino † πορπαπυμνα †. accusatorum incredibilis infantia, id est L. Lentuli L. f., quem fremunt omnes praevaricatum, deinde Pompei mira contentio, iudicum sordes. ac tamen xxxii condemnarunt xxxviii absolverunt. iudicia reliqua impendent.

* * * †Now, so that you may form an opinion of affairs†, it must be endured. You ask how I conducted myself. Firmly and freely. “What?” you will say, “How did he bear himself?” Courteously, and he thought he ought to respect my standing until satisfaction had been given me. How, then, was he acquitted? Altogether †πορπαπυμνα†. There was the incredible incompetence of the prosecutors, that is, of Lucius Lentulus, son of Lucius, whom everyone loudly accuses of collusion; then Pompey's extraordinary exertions, and the corruption of the jurors. Even so, thirty-two condemned him and thirty-eight acquitted him. The remaining trials are impending.

* * * †maintenant, pour que tu te fasses une idée de la situation†, il faut le supporter. Tu demandes comment je me suis conduit. Avec constance et liberté. «Quoi? demanderas-tu, comment le prenait-il?» Avec courtoisie, et il estimait devoir tenir compte de ma dignité jusqu’à ce que j’eusse reçu satisfaction. Comment donc a-t-il été acquitté? Entièrement †πορπαπυμνα†. Incroyable incapacité des accusateurs, c’est-à-dire de L. Lentulus, fils de L., que tout le monde accuse à grands cris de collusion; ensuite, prodigieux acharnement de Pompée et vénalité des juges. Pourtant, trente-deux ont condamné et trente-huit acquitté. Les autres procès sont imminents.