[41]
Tiberius Gracchus overturned the
constitution of the state, a man of such great force of character, and
eloquence, and dignity, that he fell short in no respect of the surpassing
and eminent virtue of his father, and of his grandfather, Africanus, except
in the fact of his revolting from the senate. Caius Gracchus followed in his
steps. How great was his genius! how great his energy! how impetuous his
eloquence! so that all men grieved that all those good qualities and
accomplishments were not joined to a better disposition and to better
intentions. Lucius Saturninus himself was so furious and almost insane a
man, that he was an admirable leader,—perfect in exciting and
inflaming the minds of the ignorant. For why should I speak of Publius
Sulpicius? whose dignity, and sweetness, and emphatic conciseness in
speaking was so great that he was able by his oratory to lead even wise men
into error, and virtuous men into pernicious sentiments. To be battling with
these men, and to be duly struggling with them for the safety
of the country, was a very annoying thing to those men who were at that time
the governors of the republic, but still that annoyance had a certain sort
of dignity in it.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge, B. A. London. George Bell & Sons, York Street, Covent Garden. 1891.
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