5. I have entered into these details, not from a
desire to eulogize them, for this, I know well, it would be difficult
worthily to do, if I made their praise the subject of my whole oration,
but to set forth the excellence inherited from his parents by
Cæsarius, and so prevent you from being surprised or incredulous,
that one sprung from such progenitors, should have deserved such
praises himself; nay, strange indeed would it have been, had he looked
to others and disregarded the examples of his kinsfolk at home.
His early life was such as becomes those really well born and destined
for a good life. I say little of his qualities evident to all,
his beauty, his stature, his manifold gracefulness, and harmonious
disposition, as shown in the tones of his voice—for it is not my
office to laud qualities of this kind, however important they may seem
to others—and proceed with what I have to say of the points
which, even if I wished, I could with difficulty pass by.