this, actresses on that, the house was crowded with gamblers, and full of drunken men, people were drinking all day, and that too in many places, there were added to all this expense (for this fellow was not invariably fortunate) heavy gambling losses.  You might see in the cellars of the slaves, couches covered with the most richly embroidered counterpanes of Cnaeus Pompeius.  Wonder not, then, that all these things were so soon consumed.  Such profligacy as that could have devoured not only the patrimony of one individual, however ample it might have been, (as indeed his was) but whole cities and kingdoms.

And then his houses and gardens!  Oh the cruel audacity!  Did you dare to enter into that house?  Did you dare to cross that most sacred threshold? and to show your most profligate countenance to the household gods who protect that abode?  A house which for a long time no one could behold, no one could pass by without tears!  Are you not ashamed to dwell so long in that house? one in which, stupid and ignorant as you are, still you can see nothing which is not painful to you.

XXVIII.  When you behold those beaks of ships in the vestibule, and those warlike trophies, do you fancy that you are entering into a house which belongs to you?  It is impossible.  Although you are devoid of all sense and all feeling,—­as in truth you are,—­still you are acquainted with yourself, and with your trophies, and with your friends.  Nor do I believe that you either waking or sleeping, can ever act with quiet sense.  It is impossible but that, were you ever so drunk and frantic,—­as in truth you are,—­when the recollection of the appearance of that illustrious man comes across you, you should be roused from sleep by your fears, and often stirred up to madness if awake.  I pity even the walls and the roof.  For what had that house ever beheld except what was modest, except what proceeded from the purest principles and from the most virtuous practice?  For that man was, O conscript fathers, as you yourselves know, not only illustrious abroad, but also admirable at home; and not more praiseworthy for his exploits in foreign countries, than for his domestic arrangements.  Now in his house every bedchamber is a brothel, and every dining-room a cookshop.  Although he denies this:—­Do not, do not make inquiries.  He is become economical.  He desired that mistress of his to take possession of whatever belonged to her, according to the laws of the Twelve Tables.  He has taken his keys from her, and turned her out of doors.  What a well-tried citizen! of what proved virtue is he! the most honourable passage in whose life is the one when he divorced himself from this actress.