1The commander, when he learned of the alliance of the kings, did not rashly offer the chance of battle everywhere, as he had been accustomed to do now that Jugurtha had often been beaten. 1But he awaited the kings in a fortified camp not far from Cirta, thinking it better, once he had learned about the Moors, since this new enemy had joined, to fight at his own convenience. 2Meanwhile he was informed by a letter from Rome that the province of Numidia had been given to Marius; 2for he had already heard that he had been made consul. 2Shaken by this beyond what was right or seemly, he could neither hold back his tears nor control his tongue, a man outstanding in other qualities who bore his grief too weakly.
3Some attributed this to arrogance, others said that a noble nature had been inflamed by the insult, many that a victory already won was being snatched from his hands. 3For my part, I know well enough that he was tormented more by Marius' honour than by the wrong done to himself, and would not have taken it so hard if the province taken from him had been handed to anyone other than Marius.