Gabinius was not the kind of a man either to analyze his motives, or express himself in the sobbing lyrics of a Catullus.

He was thrilled with a fierce passion, and knew it, and it only.

Therefore he merely replied to Lucius Ahenobarbus:-- "I can't help myself.

What does Terence say about a like case?
'This indeed can, to some degree, be endured; night, passion, liquor, young blood, urged him on; it's only human nature.'"[106] [106] Terence, "Adelphoe," 467 and 471.
And all the afternoon, while the chariots ran, and wager on wager marked the excitement of the cloud of spectators, Gabinius had only eyes for one object, Fabia, who, perfectly unconscious of his state of fascination, sat with flushed cheeks and bright, eager eyes, watching the fortunes of the races, or turned now and then to speak a few words to little Livia, who was at her side.

When the games were over, Gabinius struggled through the crowd after the Vestal, and kept near to her until she had reached her litter and the eight red-liveried Cappadocian porters bore her away.