1When Sulla, on his way back from Asia, had come here, as long as he was there he kept Pomponius with him, captivated by the young man's culture and learning alike. 1For he spoke Greek in such a way that he seemed to have been born at Athens; 1and the charm of his Latin speech was so great that it was clear that there was in it a certain native grace, not an acquired one. 1He also recited poems both in Greek and in Latin so well that nothing could be added to improve on it. 2Because of these things it came about that Sulla would never let him go from his side and wanted to take him away with him.
2When he tried to persuade him, 'Do not, I beg you,' said Pomponius, 'seek to lead me against those men in whose company I left Italy, so as not to bear arms against you.' 2But Sulla, praising the young man's sense of duty, ordered all the gifts which he had received at Athens to be brought to him as he was setting out. 3Having stayed here for a good many years, while he both gave as much attention to his estate as a not unconscientious head of a household ought, and devoted all the rest of his time either to literature or to the public affairs of the Athenians, he none the less rendered his friends the services they needed in the city.
4For he came often to their elections and, if any matter of greater importance was transacted, he was not absent. 4So too he showed singular loyalty to Cicero in all his dangers: when Cicero was fleeing from his country he gave him two hundred and fifty thousand sesterces. 5When Roman affairs had settled down, he moved back to Rome, in the consulship, I believe, of Lucius Cotta and Lucius Torquatus: and when he departed the whole city of the Athenians escorted him in such a way that by their tears they showed their grief at the loss they were to feel.