TRANSLATION OF SECTION 1
Gentlemen of the jury, if perchance there were anyone here who is unacquainted with our laws, our tribunals and our ways, I'm sure he'd wonder what is so dreadful about this case: on the occasion of a festival, during public games, when all legal business is suspended, this court alone is in session. He would undoubtedly conclude that the defendant is guilty of a crime so heinous that, were it to be disregarded, the state could not stand.

The same man, on hearing there is a law which requires an investigation on any and every day of citizens given to treason and conspiracy, who have besieged the Senate while armed, offered violence to the magistrates and attacked the state, while not criticising the law, would ask the nature of the charge before the court.

On hearing that no wrongdoing is on trial, no intemperate action, no violence, but that a young man of shining intellect, diligence and influence is being accused by the son of a man whom he himself is currently prosecuting and has prosecuted, and that he is moreover being assailed by the resources of a tart, he would not criticise the sense of duty of Atratinus himself. He would, however, consider that female passions should be curbed, and he would reckon that you are overworked: you're not allowed to relax even when the general community does.