[208] XLIII. The excellent consul--_Optimo consuli_. With the exception of the slight commendation bestowed on his speech, _luculentam_ atque _utilem reipublicae_, c. 31, this is the only epithet of praise that Sallust bestows on the consul throughout his narrative. That it could be regarded only as frigid eulogy, is apparent from a passage in one of Cicero's letters to Atticus (xii. 21), in which he speaks of the same epithet having been applied to him by Brutus: "Brutus thinks that he pays me a great compliment when he calls me an excellent consul (optimum consulem); but what enemy could speak more coldly of me?" [209] Twelve places of the city, convenient for their purpose--_ Duodecim--opportuna loca_. Plutarch, in his Life of Cicero, says a hundred places. Few narratives lose by repetition. [210] In order that, during the consequent tumult--_Quò tumultu_. "It is best," says Dietsch, "to take _quo_ as the _particula finalis_ (to the end that), and _tumultu_ as the ablative of the instrument". [211] Delay--_Dies prolatando_. By putting off from day to day. [212] XLIV. Soon to visit their country--_Semet eò brevi venturum_. "It is plain that the adverb relates to what precedes (_ad cives_); and that Cassius expresses an intention to set out for Gaul." _Dietsch_. [213] Remember that you are a man--_Memineris te virum_. Remember that you are a man, and ought to act as one. Cicero, in repeating this letter from memory (Orat. in Cat., iii. 5), gives the phrase, _Cura ut vir sis_. [214] XLV. The praetors--_Praetoribus_ urbanis, the praetors of the city. [215] The Milvian Bridge--_Ponte Mulvio_. Now _Ponte Molle_. [216] Of the object with which they were sent--_Rem--cujus gratiâ mittebantur_. [217] From each side of the bridge--_Utrinque_. "Utrinque," observes Cortius, "glossae MSS. exponunt _ex utrâque parte pontis," and there is little doubt that the exposition is correct. No translator, however, before myself, has availed himself of it. [218] XLVI. The box with the letters--_Scrinium cum literis. Litterae_ may be rendered either _letter_ or _letters_. There is no mention made previously of more letters than that of Lentulus to Catiline, c. 44. But as it is not likely that the deputies carried a box to convey only one letter, I have followed other translators by putting the word in the plural. The oath of the conspirators, too, which was a written document, was probably in the box. [219] XLVII. His letter--_Litteris._ His own letter to Catiline, c. 44. So _praeter litteras_ a little below. [220] What object he had had in view, etc.--_Quid, aut quâ de causâ, consilli habuisset_. What design he had entertained, and from what motive _he had entertained it_. [221] To prevaricate.--_Fingere alia._ "To pretend other things than what had reference to the conspiracy." _Bernouf._