chose him, because what falls from so distinguished a character, falls from a height that gives it additional weight.  I am aware of your answer:  you will say, it was that very circumstance that ensured the success of your piece; the sentiments were received with sympathetic rapture:  the room echoed with applause, and hence your fame throughout the city of Rome.  Then let us hear no more of your love of quiet and a state of security:  you have voluntarily courted danger.  For myself, I am content with controversies of a private nature, and the incidents of the present day.  If, hurried beyond the bounds of prudence, I should happen, on any occasion, to grate the ears of men in power, the zeal of an advocate, in the service of his client, will excuse the honest freedom of speech, and, perhaps, be deemed a proof of integrity.

XI.  Aper went through his argument, according to his custom, with warmth and vehemence.  He delivered the whole with a peremptory tone and an eager eye.  As soon as he finished, I am prepared, said Maternus smiling, to exhibit a charge against the professors of oratory, which may, perhaps, counterbalance the praise so lavishly bestowed upon them by my friend.  In the course of what he said, I was not surprised to see him going out of his way, to lay poor poetry prostrate at his feet.  He has, indeed, shewn some kindness to such as are not blessed with oratorical talents.  He has passed an act of indulgence in their favour, and they, it seems, are allowed to pursue their favourite studies.  For my part, I will not say that I think myself wholly unqualified for the eloquence of the bar.  It may be true, that I have some kind of talent for that profession; but the tragic muse affords superior pleasure.  My first attempt was in the reign of Nero, in opposition to the extravagant claims of the prince [a], and in defiance of the domineering spirit of Vatinius [b], that pernicious favourite, by whose coarse buffoonery the muses were every day disgraced, I might say, most impiously prophaned.  The portion of fame, whatever it be, that I have acquired since that time, is to be attributed, not to the speeches which I made in the forum, but to the power of dramatic composition.  I have, therefore, resolved to take my leave of the bar for ever.  The homage of visitors, the train of attendants, and the multitude of clients, which glitter so much in the eyes of my friend, have no attraction for me.  I regard them as I do pictures, and busts, and statues of brass; things, which indeed are in my family, but they came unlooked for, without my stir, or so much as a wish on my part.  In my humble station, I find that innocence is a better shield than oratory.  For the last I shall have no occasion, unless I find it necessary, on some future occasion, to exert myself in the just defence of an injured friend.