[305] Out of which he had forcibly driven Jugurtha--_Unde ut Jugurtham expulerit [expulerat]_ There is here some obscurity. The manuscripts vary between _expulerit_ and _expulerat_. Cortius, and Gerlaen in his second edition, adopt _expulerat_, which they of necessity refer to Marius; but to make Bocchus speak thus, is, as Kritzius says, to make him speak very foolishly and arrogantly. Kritzius himself, accordingly, adopts _expulerit_, and supposes that Bocchus invents a falsehood, in the belief that the Romans wouldhave no means of detecting it. But Bocchus may have spoken truth, referring, as Müller suggests, to some previous transactions between him and Jugurtha, to which Sallust does not elsewhere allude. [306] In ill plight--_Sine decore_. [307] For interested bounty--_Largitio_. "The word signifies liberal treatment of others with a view to our own interest; without any real goodwill." _Müller_. "He intends a severe stricture on his own age, and the manners of the Romans." _Dietsch_. [308] About forty days. Waiting, apparently, for the return of Marius. [309] CIV. Having failed in the object, etc.--_Infecto, quo intenderat, negotio._ Though this is the reading of most of the manuscripts, Kritzius, Müller, and Dietach, read _confecto_, as if Marius could not have failed in his attempt. [310] Are always verging to opposite extremes.--_Semper in adversa mutant_. Rose renders this "are always changing, and constantly for the worse;" and most other translators have given something similar. But this is absurd; for every one sees that all changes in human affairs are not for the worse. _Adversa_ is evidently to be taken in the sense which I have given. [311] CV. At his discretion--_Arbitratu_. Kritzius observes that this word comprehends the notion of plenary powers to treat and decide: _der mit unbeschränkter Vollmacht unterhandeln könnte_. [312] Presenting--_Intendere_. The critics are in doubt to what to refer this word; some have thought of understanding _animum_; Cortius, Wasse, and Müller, think it is meant only of the bows of the archers; Kritzius, Burnouf, and Allen, refer it, apparently with better judgment, to the _arma_ and _tela_ in general. [313] CVI. To dispatch their supper--_Coenatos esse_. "The perfect is not without its force; it signifies that Sylla wished his orders to be performed with the greatest expedition." _Kritzius_. He orders them _to have done_ supper. [314] CVII. And blind parts of his body--_Caecum corpus_. Imitated from Xenephon, Cyrop. iii. 3, 45: [Greek: _Moron gar to kratein boulomenous, ta tuphla, tou somatos, kai aopla, tauta enantia tattein tois polemiois pheugontas_.] "It is folly for those that desire to conquer to turn the blind, unarmed, and handless parts of the body, to the enemy in flight." [315] At being an instrument of his father's hostility--_Quoniam hostilia faceret_. "Since he wished to deceive the Romans by pretended friendship." _Müller_.