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'After this you will take care not to tell so many fibs of me,

especially in the Senate. A monstrous fine speech this is! O if I

could kiss your head at every heading of it! You have looked down

on all with a vengeance. This oration once read, in vain shall we

study, in vain shall we toil, in vain strain every nerve.

Farewell always, most sweet master.'

Sometimes Fronto descends from the heights of eloquence to offer

practical advice; as when he suggests how Marcus should deal with

his suite. It is more difficult, he admits, to keep courtiers in

harmony than to tame lions with a lute; but if it is to be done,

it must be by eradicating jealousy. 'Do not let your friends,'

says Fronto,'[30] 'envy each other, or think that what you give

to another is filched from them.

[30] Ad M Caes., iv. 1.

Keep away envy from your suite, and you will find your friends

kindly and harmonious.'