4
Therefore, when Agamemnon thus reproached Diomedes, O son of Tydeus!—he whose strength could tame The bounding steeds, in arms a mighty name,— Canst thou remote the mingling hosts descry, With hands inactive and a careless eye? Sthenelus is not to be much condemned for saying, Ourselves much greater than our ancestors We boast;II. IV. 370 and 405. for Sthenelus had not been calumniated himself, but he only patronized his abused friend; and so the cause excused that freedom of speech, which seemed otherwise to have something of the glorioso.
4
But Cicero’s magnifying his diligence and prudence in Catiline’s trial was not very pleasing to the Romans; yet when Scipio said, they ought not to judge Scipio, who had enstated them in the power of judging all men, they ascended crowned to the Capitol, and sacrificed with him. For Cicero was not necessitated to this, but merely spurred by the desire of glory; while the danger wherein Scipio stood delivered him from envy.
