No Time or Place for the Words He Alleges

Now what place and time does my accuser name, at which I used these expressions, as he slanderously claims? In whose presence was I so mad as to say the words he falsely charges me with speaking? Who is ready to support the charge and testify to the fact? “What his own eyes have seen, that he ought to speak,” as Holy Scripture commands. But no; he will find no witnesses to something that never took place. But I call Your Piety to witness, together with the Truth, that I am not lying. I ask you, since I know you have an excellent memory, to recall the conversations I had with you when you were kind enough to see me: first at Viminacium, a second time at Caesarea in Cappadocia, and a third time at Antioch. Did I speak evil before you even of Eusebius and his party, who had persecuted me? Did I cast blame on any of those who have wronged me? If, then, I accused none of those against whom I had a right to speak, how could I be so seized with madness as to slander an emperor before an emperor and set a brother against a brother? [a]

I beg you, either have me brought before you so that the matter may be proved, or else condemn these slanders and follow the example of David, who says, “Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I destroy.” As far as it lay with them, they have killed me; for “the mouth that lies kills the soul.” But your patience has prevailed against them and given me confidence to defend myself, so that they may be condemned as quarrelsome and slanderous people. About your most religious brother of blessed memory, this may be enough. For with the wisdom God has given you, you will be able to gather much from the little I have said and to recognize the charge as invented.