84. At Marius, ut supra diximus, cupientissima plebe[438] consul factus, postquam ei provinciam Numidiam populus jussit, antea jam infestus nobilitati, tum vero multus[439] atque ferox instare, singulos modo, modo universos laedere; dictitare sese consulatum ex victis illis spolia cepisse; alia praeterea magnifica pro se, et illis dolentia. Interim, quae bello opus erant, prima habere; postulare legionibus supplementum, auxilia a populis et regibus sociisque arcessere, praeterea ex Latio fortissimum quemque, plerosque militiae, paucos fama cognitos accire, et ambiundo cogere[440] homines emeritis stipendiis secum proficisci. Neque illi senatus, quamquam adversus erat, de ullo negotio abnuere audebat; ceterum supplementum etiam laetus decreverat, quia neque plebi militia volenti[441] putabatur et Marius aut belli usum aut studia vulgi amissurus. Sed ea res frustra sperata; tanta libido cum Mario eundi plerosque invaserat. Sese quisque praeda locupletem fore, victorem domum rediturum, alia hujuscemodi animis trahebant,[442] et eos non paulum oratione sua Marius arrexerat. Nam postquam omnibus, quae postulaverat, decretis milites scribere vult, hortandi causa, simul et nobilitatem, uti consueverat, exagitandi, contionem populi advocavit. Deinde hoc modo disseruit: [438] 'The plebs being most desirous.' The participle _cupiens_, with its degrees of comparison like an adjective, is rare, but not contrary to grammar. [439] _Multus instare_ is rather a poetical phrase for _multum_, 'greatly,' or 'repeatedly.' [440] _Ambiundo cogere_, 'to oblige a person by flattering words;' a very expressive phrase, signifying that kind of compulsion which is effected by flattery and intreaties. [441] For the expression _aliquid mihi volenti est_, 'a thing accords with my wishes,' see Zumpt, S 420, note. _Neque_ corresponds with _et_: on the one hand, it was _not_ believed that the service in the army was agreeable to the plebs; and on the other hand, it _was_ believed that Marius, owing to the aversion of the people to military service, would either do without a numerous army, or that he would lose the popular favour if he should compel the common people. [442] _Traho animo_, or _cum animo meo_, 'I am incessantly occupied in my mind with something.'