For
myself, replied Maternus, I do not think that you have completed the task
which you undertook. Far from it. You have, I think, only made a beginning,
and indicated, so to say, its traces and outlines. You have indeed described
to us the usual equipment of the ancient orators, and pointed out the
contrast presented by our idleness and ignorance to their very diligent and
fruitful studies. I want to hear the rest. Having learnt from you what they
knew, with which we are unacquainted, I wish also to be told the process of
training by which, when mere lads, and when about to enter the forum, they
used to strengthen and nourish their intellects. For you will not, I
imagine, deny that eloquence depends much less on art and theory than on
capacity and practice, and our friends here seem by their looks to think the
same.
Aper and Secundus having assented, Messala, so to say, began
afresh. As I have, it seems, explained to your satis-
faction the
first elements and the germs of ancient eloquence in showing you the studies
in which the orator of antiquity was formed and educated, I will now discuss
the process of his training. However, even the studies themselves involve a
training, and no one can acquire such profound and varied knowledge without
adding practice to theory, fluency to practice, and eloquence itself to
fluency. Hence we infer that the method of acquiring what you mean to
produce publicly, and of so producing what you have acquired, is one and the
same. Still, if any one thinks this somewhat obscure, and distinguishes
broadly between theory and practice, he will at least allow that a mind
thoroughly furnished and imbued with such studies will enter with a far
better preparation on the kinds of practice which seem specially appropriate
to the orator.