228 LUCULLUS.

of mere business, like the ordinary oratory which will in the public market-place, Lash as a wounded tunny does the sea, but on every other occasion shows itself Dried up and perished with the want of wit ; but even in his younger days he addicted himself to the study, simply for its own sake, of the liberal arts ; and when advanced in years, after a life of conflicts, he gave his mind, as it were, its liberty, to enjoy in full leisure the refreshment of philosophy ; and summoning up his contemplative faculties, administered a timely check, after his difference with Pompey, to his feelings of emu- lation and ambition. Besides what has been said of his love of learning already, one instance more was, that in his youth, upon a suggestion of writing the Marsian war in Greek and Latin verse and prose, arising out of some pleasantry that passed into a serious proposal, he agreed with Hortensius the lawyer, and Sisenna the his- torian, that he would take his lot ; and it seems that the lot directed him to the Greek tongue, for a Greek history of that war is still extant. Among the many signs of the great love which he bore to his brother Marcus, one in particular is commem- orated by the Romans. Though he was elder brother, he would not step into authority without him, but deferred his own advance until his brother was qualified to bear a share with him, and so won upon the people, as when absent to be chosen iEdile with him. He gave many and early proofs of his valor and con- duct, in the Marsian war, and was admired by Sylla for his constancy and mildness, and always employed in affairs of importance, especially in the mint ; most of the