As to his hatred of the man, there could be no doubt as to that.

Everybody knew that they had quarrelled.

The purpose, no doubt, was to give some colorable excuse to the judges for rescuing Verres, the great paymaster, from the fangs of Cicero.
Cicero's speech on the occasion--which, as speeches went in those days, was very short--is a model of sagacity and courage.

He had to plead his own fitness, the unfitness of his adversary, and the wishes in the matter of the Sicilians.

This had to be done with no halting phrases.