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for having been in arms against Caesar; and Cicero had undertaken
his defence; Caesar said to his friends; 〃Why might we not as well
once more hear a speech from Cicero? Ligarius; there is no question;
is a wicked man and an enemy。〃 But when Cicero began to speak; he
wonderfully moved him; and proceeded in his speech with such varied
pathos; and such a charm of language; that the colour of Caesar's
countenance often changed; and it was evident that all the passions of
his soul were in commotion。 At length; the orator touching upon the
Pharsalian battle; he was so affected that his body trembled; and some
of the papers he held dropped out of his hands。 And thus he was
overpowered; and acquitted Ligarius。
Henceforth; the commonwealth being changed into a monarchy; Cicero
withdrew himself from public affairs; and employed his leisure in
instructing those young men that would; in philosophy; and by the near
intercourse he thus had with some of the noblest and highest in
rank; he again began to possess great influence in the city。 The
work and object to which he set himself was to compose and translate
philosophical dialogues and to render logical and physical terms
into the Roman idiom。 For he it was; as it is said; who first or
principally gave Latin names to phantasia; syncatathesis; epokhe;
catalepsis; atamon; ameres; kenon; and other such technical terms;
which; either by metaphors or other means of accommodation; he
succeeded in making intelligible and expressible to the Romans。 For
his recreation; he exercised his dexterity in poetry; and when he
was set to it would make five hundred verses in a night。 He spent
the greatest part of his time at his country…house near Tusculum。 He
wrote to his friends that he led the life of Laertes either jestingly;
as his custom was; or rather from a feeling of ambition for public
employment; which made him impatient under the present state of
affairs。 He rarely went to the city; unless to pay his court to
Caesar。 He was commonly the first amongst those who voted him honours;
and sought out new terms of praise for himself and for his actions。
As; for example; what he said of the statues of Pompey; which had been
thrown down; and were afterwards by Caesar's orders set up again; that
Caesar; by this act of humanity; had indeed set up Pompey's statues;
but he had fixed and established his own。
He had a design; it is said; of writing the history of his
country; combining with it much of that of Greece; and incorporating
in it all the stories and legends of the past that he had collected。
But his purposes were interfered with by various public and various
private unhappy occurrences and misfortunes; for most of which he
was himself in fault。 For first of all; be put away his wife Terentia;
by whom he had been neglected in the time of the war; and sent away
destitute of necessaries for his journey; neither did he find her kind
when he returned into Italy; for she did not join him at Brundusium;
where he stayed a long time; nor would allow her young daughter; who
undertook so long a journey; decent attendance; or the requisite
expenses; besides; she left him a naked and empty house; and yet had
involved him in many and great debts。 These were alleged as the
fairest reasons for the divorce。 But Terentia; who denied them all;
had the most unmistakable defence furnished her by her husband
himself; who not long after married a young maiden for the love of her
beauty; as Terentia upbraided him; or as Tiro; his emancipated
slave; has written; for her riches; to discharge his debts。 For the
young woman was very rich; and Cicero had the custody of her estate;
being left guardian in trust; and being indebted many myriads of
money; he was persuaded by friends and relations to marry her;
notwithstanding his disparity of age; and to use her money to
satisfy his creditors。 Antony; who mentions this marriage in his
answer to the Philippics; reproaches him for putting away a wife
with whom he had lived to old age; adding some happy strokes of
sarcasm on Cicero's domestic; inactive; unsoldier…like habits。 Not
long after this marriage; his daughter died in childbed at
Lentulus's house; to whom she had been married after the death of
Piso; her former husband。 The philosophers from all parts came to
comfort Cicero; for his grief was so excessive; that he put away his
new…married wife; because she seemed to be pleased at the death of
Tullia。 And thus stood Cicero's domestic affairs at this time。
He had no concern in the design that was now forming against Caesar。
although; in general; he was Brutus's most principal confidant; and
one who was as aggrieved at the present; and as desirous of the former
state of public affairs; as any other whatsoever。 But they feared
his temper; as wanting courage; and his old age; in which the most
daring dispositions are apt to be timorous。
As soon; therefore; as the act was committed by Brutus and
Cassius; and the friends of Caesar were got together; so that there
was fear the city would again be involved in a civil war; Antony;
being consul; convened the senate; and made a short address
recommending concord。 And Cicero following with various remarks such
as the occasion called for; persuaded the senate to imitate the
Athenians; and decree an amnesty for what had been done in Caesar's
case; and to bestow provinces on Brutus and Cassius。 But neither of
these things took effect。 For as soon as the common people; of
themselves inclined to pity; saw the dead body of Caesar borne through
the market…place; and Antony showing his clothes filled with blood;
and pierced through in every part with swords; enraged to a degree
of frenzy; they made a search for the murderers; and with firebrands
in their hands ran to their houses to burn them。 They; however;
being forewarned; avoided this danger; and expecting many more and
greater to come; they left the city。
Antony on this was at once in exultation; and every one was in alarm
with the prospect that he would make himself sole ruler; and Cicero in
more alarm than any one。 For Antony; seeing his influence reviving
in the commonwealth and knowing how closely he was connected with
Brutus; was ill…pleased to have him in the city。 Besides; there had
been some former jealousy between them; occasioned by the difference
of their manners。 Cicero; fearing the event; was inclined to go as
lieutenant with Dolabella into Syria。 But Hirtius and Pansa; consuls
elect as successors of Antony; good men and lovers of Cicero;
entreated him not to leave them; undertaking to put down Antony if
he would stay in Rome。 And he; neither distrusting wholly; nor
trusting them; let Dolabella go without him; promising Hirtius that he
would go and spend his summer at Athens; and return again when he
entered upon his office。 So he set out on his journey; but some
delay occurring in his passage; new intelligence; as often happens;
came suddenly from Rome; that Antony had made an astonishing change;
and was doing all things and managing all public affairs at the will
of the senate; and that there wanted nothing but his presence to bring
things to a happy settlement。 And therefore; blaming himself for his
cowardice; he returned again to Rome; and was not deceived in his
hopes at the beginning。 For such multitudes flocked out to meet him;
that the compliments and civilities which were paid him at the
gates; and at his entrance into the city; took up almost one whole
day's time。
On the morrow; Antony convened the senate; and summoned Cicero
thither。 He came not; but kept his bed; pretending to be ill with
his journey; but the true reason seemed the fear of some design
against him; upon a suspicion and intimation given him on his way to
Rome。 Antony; however; showed great offence at the affront; and sent
soldiers; commanding them to bring him or burn his house; but many
interceding and supplicating for him; he was contented to accept
sureties。 Ever after; when they met; they passed one another with
silence; and continued on their guard; till Caesar; the younger;
coming from Apollonia; entered on the first Caesar's inheritance;
and was engaged in a dispute with Antony about two thousand five
hundred myriads of money; which Antony detained from the estate。
Upon this; Philippus; who married the mother; and Marcellus; who
married the sister of young Caesar; came with the young man to Cicero;
and agreed with him that Cicero should give them the aid of his
eloquence and political influence with the senate and people; and
Caesar give Cicero the defence of his riches and arms。 For the young
man had already a great party of the soldiers of Caesar