But having thus succeeded, having gained his cause in a great measure by the unexpected quickness of his operations, then he told his story.

Then was made that "perpetua oratio" by which we have learned the extent to which a Roman governor could go on desolating a people who were intrusted to his protection.

This full narration is divided into five parts, each devoted to a separate class of iniquity.

These were never spoken, though they appear in the form of speeches.

They would have been spoken, if required, in answer to the defence made by Hortensius on behalf of Verres after the hearing of the evidence.