The Good Book_ A Secular Bible - A. C. Grayling [311]
20. Suggesting instead that the conspirators’ estates be confiscated,
21. And their persons confined in such cities in Italy as Cicero should approve.
22. To this sentence, as it was moderate, and delivered by a powerful speaker,
23. Cicero himself gave due weight when he stood up to speak.
24. He said that both proposals had merit, and left the matter so in the balance,
25. That Silanus now changed his mind and withdrew his motion for the death sentence.
26. The first man to reject Caesar’s motion was Catulus Lutatius.
27. Cato followed, and so vehemently urged in his speech the strong suspicion against Caesar himself of involvement with Catiline,
28. And so filled the senate with anger and resolution,
29. That a decree was passed for the immediate execution of the conspirators.
30. But Caesar opposed the confiscation of their goods,
31. Not thinking it fair that those who rejected the mildest part of his sentence should avail themselves of the severest.
32. And when many insisted upon it, he appealed to the tribunes, but they would do nothing;
33. Till Cicero himself yielded, and remitted that part of the sentence.
Chapter 75
1. Cicero then went to where the conspirators were being kept by the praetors,
2. And took them one by one to the prison, where they were each strangled in turn.
3. As he escorted them through the forum he was surrounded by large, anxious crowds,
4. Who silently and fearfully watched the proceedings.
5. But that evening, when he returned from the forum to his own house,
6. The citizens received him as he passed with acclamations and applause,
7. Saluting him as the saviour and founder of his country.
8. A bright light shone through the streets from the lamps and torches set up at the doors,
9. And the women showed lights from the tops of houses to honour Cicero,
10. And to see him returning home with a splendid train of the leading citizens;
11. Amongst whom were many who had conducted great wars, celebrated Triumphs,
12. And added to the possessions of the Roman empire, both by sea and land.
13. These, as they passed along with him, acknowledged to one another,
14. That though the Roman people were indebted to several officers and commanders of that age for riches, spoils and power,
15. To Cicero alone they owed the safety and security of all these, for delivering them from such a great and imminent danger.
16. For though it might seem no wonderful thing to prevent a conspiracy and punish the conspirators,
17. Yet to defeat the greatest of all conspiracies with so little disturbance and commotion was very extraordinary.
18. For the greater part of those who had flocked to Catiline, as soon as they heard the fate of his fellow conspirators, abandoned him,
19. And he himself, with his remaining forces, was killed in battle with the army led by Antonius.
Chapter 76
1. And yet there were still some who were ready to speak ill of Cicero, and to seek revenge for his actions;
2. And they had for their leaders some of the magistrates of the following year,
3. Including Julius Caesar, who was one of the praetors, and Metellus and Bestia, the tribunes.
4. These men, beginning their period of office some days before Cicero’s consulate expired, would not permit him to make a speech to the people.
5. But it was an advantage for Cicero that Cato was at that time one of the tribunes.
6. For he, being equal in power to the rest and of greater reputation, could oppose their designs.
7. In an oration to the people Cato so highly extolled Cicero’s consulate that the greatest honours were decreed him,
8. And Cicero was publicly declared the Father of his Country, the first man to have this title bestowed on him.
9. At this time, therefore, Cicero’s authority was very great in the city.
10. But he offended many and invited envy, not by any evil action, but because he was always praising himself.
11. He would talk endlessly of his triumph over Catiline and Lentulus,
12. And he filled his writings with his exalted part