[sect. 2]
sive: like sire potius to correct a statement.
sane: with adjectives and adverbs, a common colloquialism in Cicero's letters for the more formal valde; cf. sane plenum, Att. 7.4.1; sane commode, Att. 7.14.2, etc. Cf. also Intr. 90.
peregerat: the change of tense is strange. The text is probably corrupt.
a nostris: especially the 'operae' of Milo.
referre gratiam, to return the compliment (Tyrrell).
Ut . . consisteret, so that he lost his seifpossession, his tongue, and control of his countenance. ea res ad horam VIII, this scene, although it was nearly noon when Pompey had finished speaking, continued clear up to 2 o'clock.
versus [gap in text] dicerentur: serious charges were freely made concerning the relations existing between Clodius and his sister. On Clodia, cf. Ep. VIII.5n .-qui plebem fame necaret: by failing in his duties as corn commissioner. Cf. Ep. XV. 6 f. -Alexandream: cf. res, I n.
consputare: see Intr. 79.
fuga operarum: sc. facta est.
de rostris: the trial of Milo took place in the Forum, where the comitia tributa commonly met.
ne quid in turba (sc. accideret nobis): the frequent ellipses, the historical infinitive urgere, the condensed expressions, and the rapid transition from one idea to another in this whole passage give a panoramic effect to the description, and illustrate Cicero's skill in narrative.
in curiam: the Curia Hostilia, or original senate-house, faced the comitium, an open space at the north corner of the Forum.
Bibulo: cf. Ep. VII. 2,5 nn.
Curione: cf. Ep. V.1n.
Favonio: cf. Ep. XV.7n.
Servilio filio: P. Servilius Vatia Isauricus was, like Favonius, an admirer and imitator of Cato. These four men with M. Cato were leaders of the ultra-conservative element of the aristocratic party.
bonorum virorum: here evidently used strictly as the name of a political party, opposed to mali or improbi.
in posterum: sc. diem.
Quirinalia: this festival was held Feb.17.
