Page:The Children's Plutarch, Romans.djvu/175

 in the Temple of the Furies, in the grove of trees just beyond the bridge.

The mother of the two noble brothers lived for some years afterward in peace in a country villa, much revered by all who knew her. A statue of her was set up, and on its base were carved the Latin words: “Cornelia Mater Grac-chor-um”—that is, Cornelia, the Mother of the Gracchi.   OU ought to change your name.”

“My name is not a bad one!”

“No, but it is an odd one. Who would like to be called ‘Vetch’? Vetch is food for cattle.”

“Well,” replied the man whose name was Vetch, “I will make my name glorious in the history of Rome, though it has a common sound.”

In Latin the word for “vetch” is Cicero (Sis-er-o). It was the Roman Cicero, 106-43 , who thus resolved to give glory to his strange name.

For a short time young Cicero had served in the army of Sulla, the Red General. He was not fitted for war. His form was slender, his stomach delicate. He attended the schools where grammar was taught, and also the art of speaking clearly so as to win the attention of listeners. This 