Brutus ou Des orateurs illustres Passage 179

cuius auditor P. Orbius meus fere aequalis in dicendo non nimis exercitatus, in iure autem civili non inferior quam magister fuit. Nam T. Aufidius, qui vixit ad summam senectutem, volebat esse similis horum eratque et bonus vir et innocens, sed dicebat parum; nec sane plus frater eius M. Vergilius , qui tribunus plebis L. Sullae imperatori diem dixit. Eius conlega P. Magius in dicendo paulo tamen copiosior.

His pupil Publius Orbius, nearly my contemporary, was not highly practised in speaking but was no less accomplished in civil law than his teacher. Titus Aufidius, who lived to extreme old age, wished to resemble these men. He was a good and blameless man, but spoke poorly. His brother Marcus Vergilius, who as tribune of the plebs appointed a day for Lucius Sulla the commander to stand trial, certainly spoke no better. His colleague Publius Magius was nevertheless a little more copious in speaking.

Son élève Publius Orbius, à peu près de mon âge, était peu exercé à parler, mais ne le cédait pas à son maître en droit civil. Titus Aufidius, qui vécut jusqu’à une extrême vieillesse, voulait leur ressembler. C’était un homme bon et irréprochable, mais il parlait peu. Son frère Marcus Vergilius, qui, tribun de la plèbe, assigna le général Lucius Sylla, ne parlait guère davantage. Leur collègue Publius Magius avait toutefois un peu plus d’abondance dans son éloquence.