Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/535

 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 527 notice of that action, ran off at once to the senate house, and declared, that Tiberius desired the people to bestow a crown upon him, as if this were the meaning of hia touching his head. This news created general confu- sion in the senators, and Nasica at once called upon the consul to punish this tyrant, and defend the government. The consul mildly replied, that he would not be the first to do any violence ; and as he would not suffer any free- man to be put to death, before sentence had lawfully passed upon him, so neither would he allow any measure to be carried into effect, if by persuasion or compulsion on the part of Tiberius the people had been induced to pass any unlawful vote. But Nasica, rising from his seat, " Since the consul," said he, " regards not the safety of the commonwealth, let every one who will defend the laws, follow me." He, then, casting the skirt of his gown over his head, hastened to the capitol ; those who bore him company, wrapped their gowns also about their arms, and forced their way after him. And as they were per- sons of the greatest authority in the city, the common people did not venture to obstruct their passing, but were rather so eager to clear the way for them, that they tum- bled over one another in haste. The attendants they brought with them, had furnished themselves with clubs and staves from their houses, and they themselves picked up the feet and other fragments of stools and chairs, which were broken by the hasty flight of the common people. Thus armed, they made towards Tiberius, knock- ing down those whom they found in front of him, and those were soon wholly dispersed, and many of them slain. Ti- berius tried to save himself by flight. As he was running, he was stopped by one who caught hold of him by the gown ; but he threw it off, and fled in his under-garments only. And stumbling over those who before had been knocked down, as he was endeavoring to get up again,