Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/526

 518 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. and with tears in their eyes, begged of him to desist. Tiberius, considering the mischiefs that were all but now occurring, and having a great respect for two such emi- nent persons, demanded of them what they would advise him to do. They acknowledged themselves unfit to ad- vise in a matter of so great importance, but earnestly entreated him to leave it to the determination of the senate. But when the senate assembled, and could not bring the business to any result, through the prevalence of the rich faction, he then was driven to a course neither legal nor fair, and proposed to deprive Octavius of his tribuneship, it being impossible for him in any other way to get the law brought to the vote. At first he addressed him publicly, with entreaties couched in the kindest terms, and taking him by his hands, besought him, that now, in the presence of all the people, he would take this oppor- tunity to oblige them, in granting only that request which was in itself so just and reasonable, being but a small recompense in regard of those many clangers and hard- ships which they had undergone for the public safety. Octavius, however, would by no means be persuaded to compliance ; upon which Tiberius declared openly, that seeing they two were united in the same office, and of equal authority, it would be a difficult matter to compose their difference on so weighty a matter without a civil war; and that the only remedy which he knew, must be the deposing one of them from their office. He desired, therefore, that Octavius would summon the people to pass their verdict upon him first, averring that he would wil- lingly relinquish his authority if the citizens desired it. Octavius refused ; and Tiberius then said he would him- self put to the people the question of Octavius's deposi- tion, if upon mature deliberation he did not alter his mind ; and after this declaration, he adjourned the assem- bly till the next day.