104. The fame of Messalla has been scarcely equal to his
merit. In the earliest youth he was recommended by Cicero to
the friendship of Brutus. He followed the standard of the
republic till it was broken in the fields of Philippi: he
then accepted and deserved the favour of the most moderate
of the conquerors; and uniformly asserted his freedom and
dignity in the court of Augustus. The triumph of Messalla
was justified by the conquest of Aquitain. As an orator he
disputed the palm of eloquence with Cicero himself. Messalla
cultivated every muse, and was the patron of every man of
genius. He spent his evenings in philosophic conversation
with Horace; assumed his place at table between Delia and
Tibullus; and amused his leisure by encouraging the poetical
talents of young Ovid.