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220 the indignation of Italy will stir them up to violence." Bibulus' edicts, full of invective against Pompey and Cæsar were eagerly welcomed; "there is a block in the street, where they are posted up, from the numbers who stand to read them. They cut Pompey to the heart, so that he is viliely fallen away with fretting; and to myself they are, I confess, unpleasing, both because they give too much pain to one for whom I have always had a regard, and because I fear lest a man of his stubborn nature, who is so used to wear his hand on his sword-hilt and so unaccustomed to listen to abuse, should abandon himself to the dictates of vexation and displeasure." Cicero tells us in the same letter that he could not restrain his tears at sight of the abject figure which Pompey made, when in face of a hostile audience he tried to defend himself against these attacks at a public meeting. "It was a sight to please Crassus. . . for myself I felt as Apelles or Protogenes might feel if they saw their masterpieces dragged in the dirt."

At the games the young Curio, who had been bolder than others in his opposition, was heartily cheered alike by the equestrian benches and by the people, while Cæsar himself was received in dead silence. The audience caught up every line in the play which could be applied against their masters.

"The time shall come when thou shalt rue his valour,"

and

"If neither law nor duty can restrain you,"