Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/516

 508 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. of all the Romans that used such gestures ; as Cleon is said to have been the first orator among the Athenians that pulled off his cloak and smote his thigh, when ad- dressing the people. Caius's oratory was impetuous and passionate, making every thing tell to the utmost, whereas Tiberius was gentle, rather, and persuasive, awakening emotions of pity. His diction was pure, and carefully correct, while that of Caius was vehement and rich. So likewise in their way of living, and at their tables, Tibe- rius was frugal and plain, Caius, compared with other men temperate and even austere, but contrasting with his brother in a fondness for new fashions and rarities, as ap- pears in Drusus's charge against him, that he had bought some silver dolphins,* to the value of twelve hundred and fifty drachmas for every pound weight. The same difference that appeared in their diction, was observable also in their tempers. The one was mild and reasonable, the other rough and passionate, and to that degree, that often, in the midst of speaking, he was so hurried away by his passion, against his judgment, that his voice lost its tone, and he began to pass into mere abusive talking, spoiling his whole speech. As a remedy to this excess, he made use of an ingenious servant of his, one Licinius, who stood constantly behind him with a sort of pitchpipe, or instrument to regulate the voice by, and whenever he perceived his master's tone alter, and break with anger, he struck a soft note with his pipe, on hear- ing which, Caius immediately checked the vehemence of his passion and his voice, grew quieter, and allowed him- self to be recalled to temper. Such are the differences between the two brothers; but their valor in war against of Delphian make.
 * Dolphins, delphinas, is changed by some critics to delphicas, tablea