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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 about him。 And
Cicero's readiness to join him was founded; it is said; on some yet
stronger motives; for it seems; while Pompey and Caesar were yet
alive; Cicero; in his sleep; had fancied himself engaged in calling
some of the sons of the senators into the capitol; Jupiter being
about; according to the dream; to declare one of them the chief
ruler of Rome。 The citizens; running up with curiosity; stood about
the temple; and the youths; sitting in their purple…bordered robes;
kept silence。 On a sudden the doors opened; and the youths; arising
one by one in order; passed round the god; who reviewed them all; and;
to their sorrow; dismissed them; but when this one was passing by; the
god stretched forth his right hand and said; 〃O ye Romans; this
young man; when he shall be lord of Rome; shall put an end to all your
civil wars。〃 It is said that Cicero formed from his dream a distinct
image of the youth; and retained it afterwar