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having impoverished themselves by shows； entertainments； ambition of
offices； and sumptuous buildings； and the riches of the city having
thus fallen into the hands of mean and low…born persons。 So that there
wanted but a slight impetus to set all in motion； it being in the
power of every daring man to overturn a sickly commonwealth。
Catiline； however； being desirous of procuring a strong position
to carry out his designs； stood for the consulship； and had great
hopes of success； thinking he should be appointed with Caius
Antonius as his colleague； who was a man fit to lead neither in a good
cause nor in a bad one； but might be a valuable accession to another's
power。 These things the greatest part of the good and honest
citizens apprehending； put Cicero upon standing for the consulship；
whom the people readily receiving Catiline was put by； so that he
and Caius Antonius were chosen； although amongst the competitors he
was the only man descended from a father of the equestrian and not
of the senatorial order。
Though the designs of Catiline were not yet publicly known； yet
considerable preliminary troubles immediately followed upon Cicero's
entrance upon the consulship。 For； on the one side； those who were
disqualified by the laws of Sylla from holding any public offices；
being neither inconsiderable in power nor in number； came forward as
candidates and caressed the people for them； speaking many things
truly and justly against the tyranny of Sylla； only that they
disturbed the government at an improper and unseasonable time； on
the other hand； the tribunes of the people proposed laws to the same
purpose； constituting a commission of ten persons； with unlimited
powers； in whom as supreme governors should be vested the right of
selling the public lands of all Italy and Syria and Pompey's new
conquest； of judging and banishing whom they pleased； of planting
colonies； of taking moneys out of the treasury； and of levying and
paying what soldiers should be thought needful。 And several of the
nobility favoured this law； but especially Caius Antonius； Cicero's
colleague； in hopes of being one of the ten。 But what gave the
greatest fear to the nobles was； that he was thought privy to the
conspiracy of Catiline； and not to dislike it because of his great
debts。
Cicero； endeavouring in the first place to provide a remedy
against this danger； procured a decree assigning to him the province
of Macedonia； he himself declining that of Gaul； which was offered
to him。 And this piece of favour so completely won over Antonius； that
he was ready to second and respond to； like a hired player； whatever
Cicero said for the good of the country。 And now； having made his
colleague thus tame and tractable； he could with greater courage
attack the conspirators。 And； therefore； in the senate； making an
oration against the law of the ten commissioners； he so confounded
those who proposed it； that they had nothing to reply。 And when they
again endeavoured； and； having prepared things beforehand； had
called the consuls before the assembly of the people； Cicero；
fearing nothing； went first out； and commanded the senate to follow
him； and not only succeeded in throwing out the law； but so entirely
overpowered the tribunes by his oratory； that they abandoned all
thought of their other projects。
For Cicero； it may be said； was the one man； above all others who
made the Romans feel how great a charm eloquence lends to what is
good； and how invincible justice is； if it be well spoken； and that it
is necessary for him who would dexterously govern a commonwealth； in
action； always to prefer that which is honest before that which is
popular； and in speaking； to free the right and useful measure from
everything that may occasion offence。 An incident occurred in the
theatre； during his consulship； which showed what his speaking could
do。 For whereas formerly the knights of Rome were mingled in the
theatre with the common people； and took their places among them as it
happened； Marcus Otho； when he was praetor； was the first who
distinguished them from the other citizens and appointed them a proper
seat； which they still enjoy as their special place in the theatre。
This the common people took as an indignity done to them； and；
therefore； when Otho appeared in the theatre they hissed him； the
knights； on the contrary； received him with loud clapping。 The
people repeated and increased their hissing； the knights continued
their clapping。 Upon this； turning upon one another； they broke out
into insulting words； so that the theatre was in great disorder。
Cicero being informed of it； came himself to the theatre； and
summoning the people into the temple of Bellona； he so effectually
chid and chastised them for it； that again returning into the
theatre they received Otho with loud applause； contending with the
knights who should give him the greatest demonstrations of honour
and respect。
The conspirators with Catiline； at first cowed and disheartened；
began presently to take courage again。 And assembling themselves
together； they exhorted one another boldly to undertake the design
before Pompey's return； who； as it was said； was now on his march with
his forces for Rome。 But the old soldiers of Sylla were Catiline's
chief stimulus to action。 They had been disbanded all about Italy； but
the greatest number and the fiercest of them lay scattered among the
cities of Etruria entertaining themselves with dreams of new plunder
and rapine amongst the hoarded riches of Italy。 These； having for
their leader Manlius； who had served with distinction in the wars
under Sylla； joined themselves to Catiline； and came to Rome to assist
him with their suffrages at the election。 For he again pretended to
the consulship； having resolved to kill Cicero in a tumult at the
elections。 Also； the divine powers seemed to give intimation of the
coming troubles； by earthquakes； thunderbolts； and strange
appearances。 Nor was human evidence wanting certain enough in
itself； though not sufficient for the conviction of the noble and
powerful Catiline。 Therefore Cicero； deferring the day of election；
summoned Catiline into the senate； and questioned him as to the
charges made against him。 Catiline； believing there were many in the
senate desirous of change； and to give a specimen of himself to the
conspirators present； returned an audacious answer； 〃What harm；〃
said he； 〃when I see two bodies； the one lean and consumptive with a
head； the other great and strong without one； if I put a head to
that body which wants one？〃 This covert representation of the senate
and the people excited yet greater apprehensions in Cicero。 He put
on armour； and was attended from his house by the noble citizens in