Brutus, or On Eminent Orators Passage 303

erat in verborum splendore elegans, compositione aptus, facultate copiosus; eaque erat cum summo ingenio tum exercitationibus maximis consecutus. Rem complectebatur memoriter, dividebat acute, nec praetermittebat fere quicquam quod esset in causa aut ad confirmandum aut ad refellendum. Vox canora et suavis, motus et gestus etiam plus artis habebat quam erat oratori satis. Hoc igitur florescente Crassus est mortuus, Cotta pulsus, iudicia intermissa bello, nos in forum venimus.

He was elegant in the brilliance of his words, skillful in composition, and abundant in resources; he had attained these qualities both through the highest natural talent and through the most extensive exercises. He retained the case in his memory, divided it acutely, and omitted almost nothing relevant either to confirmation or refutation. His voice was melodious and pleasing; his movement and gesture displayed even more art than was sufficient for an orator. While he was thus flourishing, Crassus died, Cotta was expelled, the courts were suspended by war, and I entered the forum.

Son vocabulaire était brillant et élégant, sa composition harmonieuse, sa facilité abondante. Il devait ces qualités tant à son talent supérieur qu’à un exercice considérable. Il embrassait l’affaire de mémoire, la divisait avec pénétration et n’omettait presque rien de ce qui pouvait, dans la cause, servir à établir ou à réfuter. Sa voix était sonore et douce ; son mouvement et son geste avaient même plus d’art qu’il n’en faut à l’orateur. Tandis qu’il était ainsi dans tout son éclat, Crassus mourut, Cotta fut chassé, les tribunaux furent interrompus par la guerre, et nous entrâmes au forum.