Crassus   

to keep him alive and well."
Crassus, however, was very eager to be hospitable to strangers; he
kept open house, and to his friends he would lend money without interest,
but called it in precisely at the time; so that his kindness was often
thought worse than the paying the interest would have been. His entertainments
were, for the most part, plain and citizen-like, the company general
and popular; good taste and kindness made them pleasanter than sumptuosity
would have done. As for learning he chiefly cared for rhetoric, and
what would be serviceable with large numbers; he became one of the
best speakers at Rome, and by his pains and industry outdid the best
natural orators. For there was no trial how mean and contemptible
soever that he came to unprepared; nay, several times he undertook
and concluded a cause when Pompey and Caesar and Cicero refused to
stand up, upon which account particularly he got the love of the people,
who looked upon him as a diligent and careful man, ready to help and
succour his fellow citizens. Besides, the people were pleased with
his courteous and unpretending salutations and greetings, for he never
met any citizen however humble and low, but he returned him his salute
by name. He was looked upon as a man well-read in history, and pretty
well versed in Aristotle's philosophy, in which one Alexander instructed
him, a man whose intercourse with Crassus gave a sufficient proof
of his good nature and gentle disposition; for it is hard to say whether
he was poorer when he entered into his service, or while he continued
in it; for being his only friend that used to accompany him when travelling,
he used to receive from him a cloak for the journey, and when he came
home had it demanded from him again; poor, patient sufferer, when
even the philosophy he professed did not look upon poverty as a thing
indifferent. But of this hereafter.
When Cinna and Marius got the power in their hands it was soon perceived
that they had not come back for any good they intended to their country,
but to effect the ruin and utter destruction of the nobility. And
as many as they could lay their hands on they slew, amongst whom were
Crassus's father and brother; he himself, being very young, for the
moment escaped the danger; but understanding that he was every way
beset and hunted after by the tyrants, taking with him three friends
and ten servants, with all possible speed he fled into Spain, having
formerly been there and secured a great number of friends, while his
father was praetor of that country. But finding all people in a consternation,
and trembling at the cruelty of Marius, as if he was already standing
over them in person, he durst not discover himself to anybody, but
hid himself in a large cave which was by the seashore, and belonged
to Vibius Pacianus, to whom he sent one of his servants to sound him,
his provisions, also, beginning to fail. Vibius was well pleased at
his escape, and inquiring the place of his abode and the number of
his companions, he went not to him himself, but commanded his steward
to provide every day a good meal's meat, and carry it and leave it
near such a rock, and to return without taking any further notice
or being inquisitive, promising him his liberty if he did as he commanded
and that he would kill him if he intermeddled. The cave is not far
from the sea; a small and insignificant looking opening in the cliffs
conducts you in; when you are entered, a wonderfully high roof spreads
above you, and large chambers open out one beyond another, nor does
it lack either water or light, for a very pleasant and wholesome spring
runs at the foot of the cliffs, and natural chinks, in the most advantageous
place, let in the light all day long, and the thickness of the rock
makes the air within pure and clear, all the wet and moisture being
carried off into the spring.
While Crassus remained here, the steward brought them what was necessary,
but never saw them, nor knew anything of the matter, though they within
saw, and expected him at the customary times. Neither was their entertainment
such as just to keep them alive, but given them in abundance and for
their enjoyment; for Pacianus resolved to treat him with all imaginable
kindness, and considering that he was a young man, thought it well
to gratify a little his youthful inclinations; for to give just what