the miscellaneous writings and speeches-1-第3章

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〃No　matter　what　they　say。　　Common　fame　lies　like　a　Greek　rhetorician。　　You　might　know　so　much；　Ligarius；　without　reading　the　philosophers。　　But　come；　I　will　introduce　you　to　little　dark…　eyed　Zoe。〃

〃I　tell　you　I　can　speak　no　Greek。〃

〃More　shame　for　you。　　It　is　high　time　that　you　should　begin。　　You　will　never　have　such　a　charming　instructress。　　Of　what　was　your　father　thinking　when　he　sent　for　an　old　Stoic　with　a　long　beard　to　teach　you？　　There　is　no　language…mistress　like　a　handsome　woman。　　When　I　was　at　Athens；　I　learnt　more　Greek　from　a　pretty　flower…girl　in　the　Peiraeus　than　from　all　the　Portico　and　the　Academy。　　She　was　no　Stoic；　Heaven　knows。　　But　come　along　to　Zoe。　I　will　be　your　interpreter。　　Woo　her　in　honest　Latin；　and　I　will　turn　it　into　elegant　Greek　between　the　throws　of　dice。　　I　can　make　love　and　mind　my　game　at　once；　as　Flaminius　can　tell　you。

〃Well；　then；　to　be　plain；　Caesar；　Flaminius　has　been　talking　to　me　about　plots；　and　suspicions；　and　politicians。　　I　never　plagued　myself　with　such　things　since　Sylla's　and　Marius's　days；　and　then　I　never　could　see　much　difference　between　the　parties。　　All　that　I　am　sure　of　is；　that　those　who　meddle　with　such　affairs　are　generally　stabbed　or　strangled。　　And；　though　I　like　Greek　wine　and　handsome　women；　I　do　not　wish　to　risk　my　neck　for　them。　　Now；　tell　me　as　a　friend；　Caiusis　there　no　danger？〃

〃Danger！〃　repeated　Caesar；　with　a　short；　fierce；　disdainful　laugh：　〃what　danger　do　you　apprehend？〃

〃That　you　should　best　know；〃　said　Flaminius；　〃you　are　far　more　intimate　with　Catiline　than　I。　　But　I　advise　you　to　be　cautious。　The　leading　men　entertain　strong　suspicions。〃

Caesar　drew　up　his　figure　from　its　ordinary　state　of　graceful　relaxation　into　an　attitude　of　commanding　dignity；　and　replied　in　a　voice　of　which　the　deep　and　impassioned　melody　formed　a　strange　contrast　to　the　humorous　and　affected　tone　of　his　ordinary　conversation。　　〃Let　them　suspect。　　They　suspect　because　they　know　what　they　have　deserved。　　What　have　they　done　for　Rome？What　for　mankind？　　Ask　the　citizensask　the　provinces。　　Have　they　had　any　other　object　than　to　perpetuate　their　own　exclusive　power；　and　to　keep　us　under　the　yoke　of　an　oligarchical　tyranny；　which　unites　in　itself　the　worst　evils　of　every　other　system；　and　combines　more　than　Athenian　turbulence　with　more　than　Persian　despotism？〃

〃Good　Gods！　Caesar。　　It　is　not　safe　for　you　to　speak；　or　for　us　to　listen　to；　such　things；　at　such　a　crisis。〃

〃Judge　for　yourselves　what　you　will　hear。　　I　will　judge　for　myself　what　I　will　speak。　　I　was　not　twenty　years　old　when　I　defied　Lucius　Sylla；　surrounded　by　the　spears　of　legionaries　and　the　daggers　of　assassins。　　Do　you　suppose　that　I　stand　in　awe　of　his　paltry　successors；　who　have　inherited　a　power　which　they　never　could　have　acquired；　who　would　imitate　his　proscriptions；　though　they　have　never　equalled　his　conquests？〃

〃Pompey　is　almost　as　little　to　be　trifled　with　as　Sylla。　　I　heard　a　consular　senator　say　that；　in　consequence　of　the　present　alarming　state　of　affairs；　he　would　probably　be　recalled　from　the　command　assigned　to　him　by　the　Manilian　law。〃

〃Let　him　come；the　pupil　of　Sylla's　butcheries；the　gleaner　of　Lucullus's　trophies；the　thief…taker　of　the　Senate。〃

〃For　Heaven's　sake；　Caius！if　you　knew　what　the　Consul　said〃

〃Something　about　himself；　no　doubt。　　Pity　that　such　talents　should　be　coupled　with　such　cowardice　and　coxcombry。　　He　is　the　finest　speaker　living；infinitely　superior　to　what　Hortensius　was；　in　his　best　days；　a　charming　companion；　except　when　he　tells　over　for　the　twentieth　time　all　the　jokes　that　he　made　at　Verres's　trial。　　But　he　is　the　despicable　tool　of　a　despicable　party。〃

〃Your　language；　Caius；　convinces　me　that　the　reports　which　have　been　circulated　are　not　without　foundation。　　I　will　venture　to　prophesy　that　within　a　few　months　the　republic　will　pass　through　a　whole　Odyssey　of　strange　adventures。〃

〃I　believe　so；　an　Odyssey；　of　which　Pompey　will　be　the　Polyphemus；　and　Cicero　the　Siren。　　I　would　have　the　state　imitate　Ulysses：　show　no　mercy　to　the　former；　but　contrive；　if　it　can　be　done；　to　listen　to　the　enchanting　voice　of　the　other；　without　being　seduced　by　it　to　destruction。〃

〃But　whom　can　your　party　produce　as　rivals　to　these　two　famous　leaders？〃

〃Time　will　show。　　I　would　hope　that　there　may　arise　a　man；　whose　genius　to　conquer；　to　conciliate；　and　to　govern；　may　unite　in　one　cause　an　oppressed　and　divided　people；may　do　all　that　Sylla　should　have　done；　and　exhibit　the　magnificent　spectacle　of　a　great　nation　directed　by　a　great　mind。〃

〃And　where　is　such　a　man　to　be　found？〃

〃Perhaps　where　you　would　least　expect　to　find　him。　　Perhaps　he　may　be　one　whose　powers　have　hitherto　been　concealed　in　domestic　or　literary　retirement。　　Perhaps　he　may　be　one；　who；　while　waiting　for　some　adequate　excitement；　for　some　worthy　opportunity；　squanders　on　trifles　a　genius　before　which　may　yet　be　humbled　the　sword　of　Pompey　and　the　gown　of　Cicero。　　Perhaps　he　may　now　be　disputing　with　a　sophist；　perhaps　prattling　with　a　mistress；　perhaps〃　and；　as　he　spoke；　he　turned　away；　and　resumed　his　lounge；　〃strolling　in　the　Forum。〃

。。。

It　was　almost　midnight。　　The　party　had　separated。　　Catiline　and　Cethegus　were　still　conferring　in　the　supper…room；　which　was；　as　usual；　the　highest　apartment　of　the　house。　　It　formed　a　cupola；　from　which　windows　opened　on　the　flat　roof　that　surrounded　it。　To　this　terrace　Zoe　had　retired。　　With　eyes　dimmed　with　fond　and　melancholy　tears；　she　leaned　over　the　balustrade；　to　catch　the　last　glimpse　of　the　departing　form　of　Caesar；　as　it　grew　more　and　more　indistinct　in　the　moonlight。　　Had　he　any　thought　of　her？　Any　love　for　her？　　He；　the　favourite　of　the　high…born　beauties　of　Rome；　the　most　splendid；　the　most　graceful；　the　most　eloquent　of　its　nobles？　　It　could　not　be。　　His　voice　had；　indeed；　been　touchingly　soft　whenever　he　addressed　her。　　There　had　been　a　fascinating　tenderness　even　in　the　vivacity　of　his　look　and　conversation。　　But　such　were　always　the　manners　of　Caesar　towards　women。　　He　had　wreathed　a　sprig　of　myrtle　in　her　hair　as　she　was　singing。　　She　took　it　from　her　dark　ringlets；　and　kissed　it；　and　wept　over　it；　and　thought　of　the　sweet　legends　of　her　own　dear　Greece；of　youths　and　girls；　who；　pining　away　in　hopeless　love；　had　been　transformed　into　flowers　by　the　compassion　of　the　Gods；　and　she　wished　to　become　a　flower；　which　Caesar　might　sometimes　touch；　though　he　should　touch　it　only　to　weave　a　crown　for　some　prouder　and　happier　mistress。

She　was　roused　from　her　musings　by　the　loud　step　and　voice　of　Cethegus；　who　was　pacing　furiously　up　and　down　the　supper…room。

〃May　all　the　Gods　confound　me；　if　Caesar　be　not　the　deepest　traitor；　or　the　most　miserable　idiot；　that　ever　intermeddled　with　a　plot！〃

Zoe　shuddered。　　She　drew　nearer　to　the　window。　　She　stood　concealed　from　observation　by　the　curtain　of　fine　network　which　hung　over　the　aperture；　to　exclude　the　annoying　insects　of　the　climate。

〃And　you　too！〃　continued　Cethegus；　turning　fiercely　on　his　accomplice；　〃you　to　take　his　part　against　me！you；　who　proposed　the　scheme　yourself！〃

〃My　dear　Caius　Cethegus；　you　will　not　understand　me。　　I　proposed　the　scheme；　and　I　will　join　in　executing　it。　　But　policy　is　as　necessary　to　our　plans　as　boldness。　　I　did　not　wish　to　startle　Caesarto　lose　his　co…operationperhaps　to　send　him　off　with　an　information　against　us　to　Cicero　and　Catulus。　　He　was　so　indignant　at　your　suggestion　that　all　my　dissimulation　was　scarcely　sufficient　to　prevent　a　total　rupture。〃

〃Indignant！　　The　Gods　confound　him！He　prated　about　humanity；　and　generosity；　and　moderation。　　By　Hercules；　I　have　not　heard　such　a　lecture　since　I　was　with　Xenochares　at　Rhodes。〃

〃Caesar　is　made　up　of　inconsistencies。　　He　has　boundless　ambition；　unquestioned　courage；　admirable　sagacity。　　Yet　I　have　frequently　observed　in　him　a　womanish　weakness　at　the　sight　of　pain。　　I　remember　that　once　one　of　his　slaves　was　taken　ill　while　carrying　his　litter。　　He　alighted；　put　the　fellow　in　his　place　and　walked　home　in　a　fall　of　snow。　　I　wonder　that　you　could　be　so　ill…advised　as　to　talk　to　him　of　massacre；　and　pillage；　and　conflagration。　　You　might　have　foreseen　that　such　propositions　would　disgust　a　man　of　his　temper。〃

〃I　do　not　know。　　I　have　not　your　self…command；　Lucius。　　I　hate　such　conspirators。　　What　is　the　use　of　them？　　We　must　have　blood　blood；　hacking　and　tearing　workbloody　work！〃

〃Do　not　grind　your　teeth；　my　dear　Caius；　and　lay　down　the　carving…knife。　　By　Hercules；　you　have　cut　up　all　the　stuffing　of　the　couch。〃

〃No　matter；　we　shall　have　couches　enough　soon；and　down　to　stuff　them　with；and　purple　to　cover　them；and　pretty　women　to　loll　on　them；unless　this　fool；　and　such　as　he；　spoil　our　plans。　　I　had　something　else　to　say。　　The　essenced　fop　wishes　to　seduce　Zoe　from　me。〃

〃Impossible！　　You　misconstrue　the　ordinary　gallantries　which　he　is　in　the　habit　of　paying　to　every　handsome　face。〃

〃Curse　on　his　ordinary　gallantries；　and　his　verses；　and　his　compliments；　and　his　sprigs　of　myrtle！　　If　Caesar　should　dareby　Hercules；　I　will　tear　him　to　pieces　in　the　middle　of　the　Forum。〃

〃Trust　his　destruction　to　me。　　We　must　use　his　talents　and　influencethrust　him　upon　every　dangermake　him　our　instrument　while　we　are　contendingour　peace…offering　to　the　Senate　if　we　failour　first　victim　if　we　succeed。〃

〃Hark！　what　noise　was　that？〃

〃Somebody　in　the　terrace　lend　me　your　dagger。〃

Catiline　rushed　to　the　window。　　Zoe　was　standing　in　the　shade。　He　stepped　out。　　She　darted　into　the　roompassed　like　a　flash　of　lightning　by　the　startled　Cethegusflew　down　the　stairsthrough　the　courtthrough　the　vestibulethrough　the　street。　　Steps；　voices；　lights；　came　fast　and　confusedly　behind　her；　but　with　the　speed　of　love　and　terror　she　gained　upon　her　pursuers。　　She　fled　through　the　wilderness　of　unknown　and　dusky　streets；　till　she　found　herself；　breathless　and　exhausted；　in　the　midst　of　a　crowd　of　gallants；　who；　with　chaplets　on　their　heads　and　torches　in　their　hands；　were　reeling　from　the　portico　of　a　stately　mansion。

The　foremost　of　the　throng　was　a　youth　whose　slender　figure　and　beautiful　countenance　seemed　hardly　consistent　with　his　sex。　　But　the　feminine　delicacy　of　his　features　rendered　more　frightful　the　mingled　sensuality　and　ferocity　of　their　expression。　　The　libertine　audacity　of　his　stare；　and　the　grotesque　foppery　of　his　apparel；　seemed　to　indicate　at　least　a　partial　insanity。　Flinging　one　arm　round　Zoe；　and　tearing　away　her　veil　with　the　other；　he　disclosed　to　the　gaze　of　his　thronging　companions　the　regular　features　and　large　dark　eyes　which　characterise　Athenian　beauty。

〃Clodius　has　all　the　luck　to…night；〃　cried　Ligarius。

〃Not　so；　by　Hercules；〃　said　Marcus　Coelius；　〃the　girl　is　fairly　our　common　prize：　we　will　fling　dice　for　her。　　The　Venus　（Venus　was　the　Roman　term　for　the　highest　throw　of　the　dice。）　throw；　as　it　ought　to　do；　shall　decide。〃

〃Let　me　golet　me　go；　for　Heaven's　sake；〃　cried　Zoe；　struggling　with　Clodius。

〃What　a　charming　Greek　accent　she　has！　　Come　into　the　house；　my　little　Athenian　nightingale。〃

〃Oh！　what　will　become　of　me？　　If　you　have　mothersif　you　have　sisters〃

〃Clodius　has　a　sister；〃　muttered　Ligarius；　〃or　he　is　much　belied。〃

〃By　Heaven；　she　is　weeping；〃　said