The Good Book_ A Secular Bible - A. C. Grayling [318]
6. And decree an amnesty for what had been done, and to bestow provinces on Brutus and Cassius.
7. But neither of these pleas were effective. For as soon as the common people saw Caesar’s body carried through the marketplace,
8. With Antony displaying Caesar’s bloodied clothes pierced through in every part with daggers, they were enraged to a frenzy,
9. And went in search of the murderers, taking firebrands to burn their houses.
10. The assassins, however, being forewarned, avoided this danger, and left the city.
11. Antony was delighted by this, and everyone was alarmed at the prospect that he would make himself sole ruler, Cicero more than anyone.
12. For Antony, seeing Cicero’s influence reviving in the commonwealth and knowing how closely he was connected with Brutus, was ill-pleased to have him there.
13. Cicero, fearing Antony’s intentions, was inclined to go as lieutenant with Dolabella into Syria.
14. But Hirtius and Pansa, consuls-elect as successors of Antony, good men and lovers of Cicero,
15. Entreated him not to leave, undertaking to put Antony down if Cicero would stay in Rome.
16. And he, still doubting what to do, let Dolabella go without him,
17. Promising Hirtius that he would spend his summer at Athens, and return when the new consular terms began.
18. So Cicero set out on his journey; but on the way news came from Rome that Antony had made an astonishing change, and was managing public affairs at the will of the senate,
19. And that there was nothing lacking but Cicero’s presence to bring things to a happy settlement.
20. And therefore, chastising himself for his cowardice, Cicero returned to Rome, and at first all seemed promising.
21. 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 a whole day.
Chapter 85
1. The next day Antony convened the senate, and summoned Cicero thither.
2. Cicero did not attend, pretending to be ill with his journey;
3. But the true reason was suspicion of some design by Antony against him.
4. Antony was greatly offended, and sent soldiers, commanding them to bring Cicero or burn his house;
5. But because many interceded on Cicero’s behalf, he was content to accept their assurances.
6. Ever after, when the two men met, they passed one another with silence, and continued on their guard,
7. Till Octavius Caesar, afterwards Augustus, coming from Apollonia, entered on the first Caesar’s inheritance as his adopted son,
8. And was engaged in a dispute with Antony about two thousand five hundred myriads of money, which Antony detained from Caesar’s estate.
9. Upon this, Philippus, who had married the mother, and Marcellus, who had married the sister of Octavius Caesar,
10. Came with the young man to Cicero, to ask for the aid of Cicero’s eloquence and political influence with the senate and people; and Cicero agreed.
11. He did so partly from his opposition to Antony, but more because he saw that he could influence public policy through the young Octavius Caesar, who went so far as to call him Father.
12. Though Brutus greatly disliked this courtship of Cicero by Octavian, he gave Cicero’s son, then studying philosophy at Athens, a command in his army, and employed him in various ways, with a good result.
13. Cicero’s own power at this time was at the greatest height in the city, and he did whatever he pleased;
14. He drove out Antony, and sent the two consuls, Hirtius and Pansa, with an army to reduce him;
15. And, on the other hand, he persuaded the senate to give Octavius Caesar the lictors and ensigns of a praetor, as though he were his country’s defender.
16. After Antony was defeated in battle, and the consuls slain, the armies united, and ranged themselves with Octavius Caesar.
17. And the senate, in awe of the young man, tried by honours to reduce the army’s loyalty to him, and to lessen his power;
18. Professing there was no further need of arms now Antony was put to flight.
19. This gave Octavius Caesar such