M. CORNELIUS FRONTO
could never be conducted in this way. But if we proceed with unbroken speeches, though I go no step outside the case, my glance must needs be somewhat keen, and my voice vehement, and my words stern, and I must shew anger with a gesture here and a finger there; and this your man[1] ought to bear with composure. But it is no easy matter to get that concession from him, for he is said to be inflamed with a passion for pleading. Nor yet do I find fault with even this; but take heed that he seem not to you to put forward what actually belongs to his case too bitterly. But it is your own plea that honour should be the first consideration: and if one practises arms or wrestling, not even these mimic exercises can be carried through without strife . . . . . . . . . . . . I have praised more happily your "country bumpkin."[2]
Fronto to Marcus Aurelius as Caesar
Fronto to my Lord.
Since I know how anxious you are[† 1] . . . . sheep and doves with wolves and eagles followed the singer, regardless of ambushes and talons and teeth. This legend rightly interpreted surely signifies this, that Orpheus[3] was a man of matchless genius and surpassing eloquence, who attached to himself numerous followers, from admiration of his virtues and his power of speech, and that he so trained his friends and followers, that, though met
- ↑ Herodes appears to be meant.
- ↑ Opicus, another form for Oscan = a rude, unlettered person.
- ↑ Orpheus appears on the Alexandrine coins of Marcus.
- ↑ These words are from the Index in the Codex. They are followed by a gap of two pages, containing the first half of the letter, the purport of which can be partly gathered from Marcus's answer.
