2.  But you see how from my hesitation, and because I put off explaining the reasons of my pleading, I write in roundabout phrase.  This man Domitianus has been an intimate friend of my own and of my parents from the beginning, and is like a brother to me.  Why should I not speak the truth?  When I learnt the reasons for his being in his present troubles, I said that he had only got what he deserved.  For I hoped that no one who has ever committed any offence be it small or great, will escape punishment.  But when I saw him living a life of insecurity and disgrace, and felt that his only hope depends on your decision, I thought that he had been punished enough; and so I implore you to be magnanimous and humane in the view you take of his case.  To have one’s opponents under one’s power is right and proper for a man of spirit and authority; but to be kind and gentle to the fallen is the mark of the man supereminent in greatness of soul, and in inclemency.  So, if you will, it is in your power to exhibit your magnanimity in the case of the same man, both in punishing him and in saving him.  Let the fear Domitian has of what he suspects, and of what he knows he deserves to suffer, be the extent of his chastisement.  I entreat you to add nothing to his punishment, for consider this:  many in former times, of whom no record has reached us, have had those who wronged them in their power.  But those who surpassed their fellows in philosophy did not persist in their wrath, and of these the memory has been handed down, immortal through all time.  Let this glory be added to what history will say of you.  Grant to us, who desire to celebrate your praises, to be able to go beyond the instances of kindnesses sung of in days of old.  In this manner Crœsus, it is said, ceased from his wrath against the slayer of his son, when he gave himself up for punishment, Herod. i. 45. and the great Cyrus was friendly to this very Crœsus after his victory. Herod. i. 88.  We shall number you with these and shall proclaim this your glory, with all our power, unless we be counted too poor heralds of so great a man.