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the stir of the coming storm。 Things everywhere were in a state of
agitation； and everybody's discourse tended to division； now that
death had put an end to that relation which hitherto had been a
disguise rather than restraint to the ambition of these men。
Besides； not long after came messengers from Parthia with intelligence
of the death of Crassus there； by which another safeguard against
civil war was removed； since both Caesar and Pompey kept their eyes on
Crassus； and awe of him held them together more or less within the
bounds of fair…dealing all his lifetime。 But when fortune had taken
away this second； whose province it might have been to revenge the
quarrel of the conquered； you might then say with the comic poet…
〃The combatants are waiting to begin；
Smearing their hands with dust and oiling each his skin。〃
So inconsiderable a thing is fortune in respect of human nature； and
so insufficient to give content to a covetous mind； that an empire
of that mighty extent and sway could not satisfy the ambition of two
men； and though they knew and had read； that…
〃The gods； when they divided out 'twixt three；
This massive universe； heaven； hell； and sea；
Each one sat down contented on his throne；
And undisturbed each god enjoys his own；〃
yet they thought the whole Roman empire not sufficient to contain
them； though they were but two。
Pompey once in an oration to the people told them that he had always
come into office before he expected he should； and that he had
always left it sooner than they expected he would； and； indeed； the
disbanding of all his armies witnessed as much。 Yet when he
perceived that Caesar would not so willingly discharge his forces；
he endeavoured to strengthen himself against him by offices and
commands in the city； but beyond this he showed no desire for any
change； and would not seem to distrust； but rather to disregard and
contemn him。 And when he saw how they bestowed the places of
government quite contrary to his wishes； because the citizens were
bribed in their elections； he let things take their course； and
allowed the city to be left without any government at all。 Hereupon
there was mention straightway made of appointing a dictator。 Lucullus；
a tribune of the people； was the man who first adventured to propose
it； urging the people to make Pompey dictator。 But the tribune was
in danger of being turned out of his office by the opposition that
Cato made against it。 And for Pompey； many of his friends appeared and
excused him； alleging that he never was desirous of that government；
neither would he accept of it。 When Cato therefore made a speech in
commendation of Pompey and exhorted him to support the cause of good
order in the commonwealth； he could not for shame but yield to it； and
so for the present Domitius and Messala were elected consuls。 But
shortly afterwards； when there was another anarchy； or vacancy in
the government； and the talk of a dictator was much louder and more
general than before； those of Cato's party； fearing lest they should
be forced to appoint Pompey； thought it policy to keep him from that
arbitrary and tyrannical power by giving him an office of more legal
authority。 Bibulus himself； who was Pompey's enemy； first gave his
vote in the senate； that Pompey should be created consul alone；
alleging； that by these means either the commonwealth would be freed
from its present confusion； or that its bondage should be lessened
by serving the worthiest。 This was looked upon as a very strange
opinion； considering the man that spoke it； and therefore on Cato's
standing up； everybody expected that he would have opposed it； but
after silence made； he said that he would never have been the author
of that advice himself； but since it was propounded by another； his
advice was to follow it； adding； that any form of government was
better than none at all； and that in a time so full of distraction； he
thought no man fitter to govern than Pompey。 This counsel was
unanimously approved of； and a decree passed that Pompey should be
made sole consul； with this clause； that if he thought it necessary to
have a colleague； he might choose whom he pleased； provided it were
not till after two months expired。
Thus was Pompey created and declared sole consul by Sulpicius；
regent in this vacancy； upon which he made very cordial
acknowledgments to Cato； professing himself much his debtor； and
requesting his good advice in conducting the government； to this
Cato replied； that Pompey had no reason to thank him； for all that
he had said was for the service of the commonwealth； not of Pompey；
but that he would be always ready to give his advice privately； if
he were asked for it； and if not； he should not fail to say what he
thought in public。 Such was Cato's conduct on all occasions。
On his return into the city Pompey married Cornelia； the daughter of
Metellus Scipio； not a maiden； but lately left a widow by Publius； the
son of Crassus； her first husband； who had been killed in Parthia。 The
young lady had other attractions besides those of youth and beauty；
for she was highly educated； played well upon the lute； and understood
geometry； and had been accustomed to listen with profit to lectures on
philosophy； all this； too； without in any degree becoming unamiable or
pretentious； as sometimes young women do when they pursue such
studies。 Nor could any fault be found either with her father's
family or reputation。 The disparity of their ages was； however； not
liked by everybody； Cornelia being in this respect a fitter match
for Pompey's son。 And wiser judges thought it rather a slight upon the
commonwealth when he； to whom alone they had committed their broken
fortunes； and from whom alone； as from their physician； they
expected a cure to these distractions； went about crowned with
garlands and celebrating his nuptial feasts； never considering that
his very consulship was a public calamity； which would never have been
given him； contrary to the rules of law； had his country been in a
flourishing state。 Afterwards； however； he took cognizance of the
cases of those that had obtained offices by gifts and bribery； and
enacted laws and ordinances； setting forth the rules of judgment by
which they should be arraigned； and regulating all things with gravity
and justice； he restored security； order； and silence to their
courts of judicature； himself giving his presence there with a band of
soldiers。 But when his father…in…law； Scipio； was accused； he sent for
the three hundred and sixty judges to his house； and entreated them to
be favourable to him； whereupon his accuser； seeing Scipio come into
the court； accompanied by the judges themselves； withdrew the
prosecution。 Upon this Pompey was very ill spoken of； and much worse
in the case of Plancus； for whereas he himself had made a law
putting a stop to the practice of making speeches in praise of persons
under trial； yet notwithstanding this prohibition； he came into
court and spoke openly in commendation of Plancus； insomuch that Cato；
who happened to be one of the judges at that time； stoppi