§4.3.1ordine ipso narrationem sequitur confirmatio.
In the order itself, proof follows the statement of facts.
Probanda sunt enim quae propter hoc exposuimus.
For those things which we have set forth for this purpose must be proved.
sed priusquam ingrediar hanc partem, pauca mihi de quorundam opinione dicenda sunt.
But before I enter upon this part, a few things must be said by me concerning the opinion of certain people.
plerisque moris est prolato rerum ordine protinus utique in aliquem laetum ac plausibilem locum quam maxime possint favorabiliter excurrere.
It is the custom for most, once the order of things has been set forth, to run off immediately by all means into some cheerful and plausible topic as favorably as they possibly can.
§4.3.2quod quidem natum ab ostentatione declamatoria iam in forum venit, postquam agere causas non ad utilitatem litigatorum, sed ad patronorum iactationem repertum est, ne, si pressae illi, qualis saepius desideratur, narrationis gracilitati coniuncta argumentorum pugnacitas fuerit, dilatis diutius dicendi voluptatibus oratio refrigescat In quo vitium illud est,
This indeed, born from declamatory ostentation, has now come into the forum, after it was found out how to plead cases not for the utility of the litigants, but for the boasting of the advocates, lest, if the combativeness of the arguments should be joined to that thinness of the restrained statement of facts, such as is more frequently desired, the speech should grow cold, the pleasures of speaking being delayed longer.
§4.3.3quod sine discrimine causarum atque utilitatis hoc, tanquam semper expediat aut etiam necesse sit, faciunt, eoque sumptas ex iis partibus, quarum alius erat locus, sententias in hanc congerunt, ut plurima aut iterum dicenda sint aut, quia alieno loco dicta sunt, dici suo non possint.
In this there is that defect, that they do this without distinction of cases and utility, as if it were always expedient or even necessary, and therefore they heap into this part maxims taken from those parts whose place was elsewhere, so that very many things must either be said again or, because they were said in an unsuitable place, cannot be said in their own.
ego autem confiteor, §4.3.4hoc exspatiandi genus non modo narrationi sed etiam quaestionibus vel universis vel interim singulis opportune posse subiungi, cum res postulat aut certe permittit, atque eo vel maxime illustrari ornarique orationem, sed si cohaeret et sequitur, non si per vim cuneatur et quae natura iuncta erant distrahit.
But I confess, that this kind of excursion can be opportunely subjoined not only to the statement of facts but also to questions, either as a whole or, at times, individually, when the matter demands or at least permits it, and that the speech is thereby illuminated and adorned in the highest degree, but only if it coheres and follows, not if it is forced in by violence and tears asunder what was naturally joined.
§4.3.5nihil enim tam est consequens quam narrationi probatio, nisi excursus ille vel quasi finis narrationis vel quasi initium probationis est.
For nothing is so consecutive to a statement of facts as the proof, unless that digression is either as it were the end of the statement of facts or as it were the beginning of the proof.
erit ergo illi nonnunquam locus, ut, si expositio circa finem atrox fuerit, prosequamur eam velut erumpente protinus indignatione.
Therefore, there will sometimes be a place for it, so that, if the exposition has been atrocious toward the end, we may pursue it with indignation bursting forth immediately, as it were.
§4.3.6quod tamen ita fieri oportebit, si res dubitationem non habebit.
This, however, must be done only if the matter has no doubt.
alioqui prius est quod obiicias verum efficere quam magnum, quia criminum invidia pro reo est, priusquam probabitur; difficillima est enim gravissimi cuiusque sceleris fides.
Otherwise, it is of prior importance to make what you charge true rather than great, because the hatred of the charges works for the defendant before it is proved; for the proof of any very grave crime is most difficult.
§4.3.7item fieri non inutiliter potest ut, si merita in adversarium aliqua exposueris, in ingratum inveharis, aut, si varietatem criminum narratione demonstraveris, quantum ob ea periculum intentetur, ostendas.
Likewise, it can be done not uselessly that, if you have set forth some favors toward the adversary, you should inveigh against an ungrateful person, or, if you have demonstrated a variety of charges in the statement of facts, you should show how great a danger is threatened on account of them.
§4.3.8verum haec breviter omnia.
But all these things briefly.
iudex enim ordine audito festinat ad probationem et quam primum certus esse sententiae cupit.
For the judge, having heard the order, hastens to the proof and desires to be certain of his decision as soon as possible.
praeterea cavendum est, ne ipsa expositio vanescat, aversis in aliud animis et inani mora fatigatis.
Besides, care must be taken lest the exposition itself vanish, with minds turned to something else and exhausted by useless delay.
§4.3.9sed ut non semper est necessaria post narrationem illa procursio, ita frequenter utilis ante quaestionem praeparatio, utique si prima specie minus erit favorabilis, si legem asperam ac poenarias actiones tuebimur.
But as that foray is not always necessary after the statement of facts, so a preparation before the question is frequently useful, especially if at first sight it is less favorable, if we are defending a harsh law and penal actions.
est hic locus velut sequentis exordii ad conciliandum probationibus nostris iudicem, mitigandum, concitandum.
This place is as it were of a following exordium, to conciliate, mitigate, and excite the judge for our proofs.
Quod liberius hic et vehementius fieri potest, quia iudici nota iam causa est.
Which can be done here more freely and vehemently, because the cause is already known to the judge.