the Sicilian war, the following epigram was published:—
Postquam bis classe victus naves perdidit,
Aliquando ut vincat, ludit assidue aleam.
> Twice having lost a fleet in luckless fight,
> To win at last, he games both day and night.LXXI. With respect to the charge or imputation of loathsome impurity before-mentioned, he very easily refuted it by the chastity of his life, at the very time when it was made, as well as ever afterwards. His conduct likewise gave the lie to that of luxurious extravagance in his furniture, when, upon the taking of Alexandria, he reserved for himself nothing of the royal treasures but a porcelain cup, and soon afterwards melted down all the vessels of gold, even such as were intended for common use.
But his amorous propensities never left him, and, as he grew older, as is reported, he was in the habit of debauching young girls, who were procured for him, from all quarters, even by his own wife.
To the observations on his gaming, he paid