SERTORIUS. 409

chose praetors and qusestors, and adorned his government with all the Roman laws and institutions. And though he made use of the arms, riches, and cities of the Span- iards, yet he would never, even in word, remit to them the imperial authority, but set Roman officers and com- manders over them, intimating his purpose to restore lib- erty to the Romans, not to raise up the Spaniard's power against them. For he was a sincere lover of his country, and had a great desire to return home ; but in his adverse fortune he showed undaunted courage, and behaved him- self towards his enemies in a manner free from all dejec- tion and mean-spiritedness; and when he was in his pros- perity, and in the height of his victories, he sent word to Metellus and Pompey, that he was ready to lay down his arms, and live a private life, if he were allowed to return home, declaring that he had rather live as the meanest citizen in Rome, than, exiled from, it, be supreme com- mander of all other cities together. And it is thought that his great desire for his country was in no small meas- ure promoted by the tenderness he had for his mother, under whom he was brought up after the death of his father, and upon whom he had placed his entire affection. And after that his friends had sent for him into Spain to be their general, as soon as he heard of his mother's death, he had almost cast away himself and died for grief; for he lay seven days together continually in his tent, without giving the word, or being seen by the near- est of his friends ; and when the chief commanders of the army, and persons of the greatest note came about his tent, with great difficulty they prevailed with him at last to come abroad, and speak to his soldiers, and to take upon him the management of affairs, which were in a prosperous condition. And thus, to many men's judgment, he seemed to have been in himself of a mild and com- passionate temper, and naturally given to ease and quiet-