[c] Eprius Marcellus is often a conspicuous figure in the Annals and the History of Tacitus.  To a bad heart he united the gift of eloquence.  In the Annals, b. xvi. s. 28, he makes a vehement speech against Paetus Thrasea, and afterwards wrought the destruction of that excellent man.  For that exploit, he was attacked, in the beginning of Vespasian’s reign, by Helvidius Priscus.  In the History (book iv. s. 7 and 8) we see them both engaged in a violent contention.  In the following year (823), Helvidius in the senate opened an accusation in form; but Marcellus, by using his eloquence as his buckler and his offensive weapon, was able to ward off the blow.  He rose from his seat, and, “I leave you,” he said, “I leave you to give the law to the senate:  reign, if you will, even in the presence of the prince.”  See Hist. iv. s. 43.  See also, Life of Agricola, s. 11. notes a and b.

Section VI.

[a] To be rich and have no issue, gave to the person so circumstanced the highest consequence at Rome.  All ranks of men paid their court to him.  To discourage a life of celibacy, and promote population, Augustus passed a law, called Papia Poppaea, whereby bachelors were subjected to penalties.  Hence the compliment paid by Horace to his patron: 

Diva producas sobolem, patrumque
Prosperes decreta super jugandis
Foeminis, prolisque novae feraci
Lege marita. 
CARMEN SAECULARE.

Bring the springing birth to light,
And with ev’ry genial grace
Prolific of an endless race,
Oh! crown our vows, and bless the nuptial rite. 
FRANCIS’S HORACE.

But marriage was not brought into fashion.  In proportion to the rapid degeneracy of the manners under the emperors, celibacy grew into respect; insomuch, that we find (Annals xii. s. 52) a man too strong for his prosecutors, because he was rich, old, and childless. Valuitque pecuniosa orbitate et senecta.

[b] The faculty of speaking on a sudden question, with unpremeditated eloquence, Quintilian says, is the reward of study and diligent application.  The speech, composed at leisure, will often want the warmth and energy, which accompany the rapid emotions of the mind.  The passions, when roused and animated, and the images which present themselves in a glow of enthusiasm, are the inspirers of true eloquence.  Composition has not always this happy effect; the process is slow; languor is apt to succeed; the passions subside, and the spirit of the discourse evaporates. Maximus vero studiorum fructus est, et velut praemium quoddam amplissimum longi laboris, ex tempore dicendi facultas.  Pectus est enim quod disertos facit, et vis mentis.  Nam bene concepti affectus, et recentes rerum imagines, continuo impetu feruntur, quae nonnunquam mora stili refrigescunt, et dilatae won revertuntur. Quintilian. lib. x. cap. 7.

Section VII.