Cicero against Verres [graphic]

"Burke, in the voluminous robes of a Roman senator, stands looking to the left, making a speech, his right arm extended, left hand on his hip. He is bald-headed, wears spectacles, and his feet are bare. Behind him (right) the heads and shoulders of Fox and North are seen above a barrier or partition. Fox watches Burke with cynical but melancholy impassivity; North reads shortsightedly, his back to Burke. In the middle distance (left) Britannia is seated on the ground, her arm protectingly round the shoulders of another woman, evidently intended for India; she points to the left. Beneath the design the words of Burke's speech are engraved: 'The time is come, Fathers, when that which has long been wished for, towards allaying the envy, your House has been subject to, & removing the imputations against trials, is (not by human contrivance, but superior direction) effectually put in our power. An opinion has long prevailed, not only here at home, but likewise in foreign countries, both dangerous to you, and pernicious to the state, viz. That, in prosecutions, men of wealth are always safe, however clearly convicted. There is now to be brought upon his trial before you, to the confusion, I hope of the propagators of this slanderous imputation, one, whose life and actions condemn him in the opinion of all impartial persons; but who, according to his own reckoning, and declared dependance upon his riches, is already acquitted; I mean W------H------. I have undertaken this prosecution, Fathers, at the general desire, and with the great expectation of the British People, with the direct design of clearing your justice and impartiality before the world. For I have brought upon his trial, one, whose conduct has been such, that, in passing a just sentence upon him, you will have an opportunity of re-establishing the credit of such trials; of recovering whatever may be lost of the favour of the British People; and of satisfying foreign states and kingdoms in alliance with us, or tributary to us. I demand justice of you, Fathers, upon the robber of the public treasury, the oppressor of Asia, and the invader of the rights & privileges of'Britons, the scourge and curse o/Indostan. If that sentence is passed upon him which his crimes deserve, your authority, Fathers, will be venerable & sacred in the eyes of the public. But if his great riches should bias you in his favour, I shall still gain one point, vis. To make it apparent to all the world, that what was wanting in this case was not a criminal, nor a prosecutor; but justice, & adequate punishment.'"--British Museum catalogue