Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/551

 CAIUS GRACCHUS. 543 where most of the humbler and poorer citizens lived. He then brought forward the remainder of his proposed laws, as intending to have them ratified by the popular vote; to support which a vast number of people collected from all quarters. But the senate persuaded Fannius, the consul, to command all persons who were not born Romans, to depart the city. A new and unusual proc- lamation was thereupon made, prohibiting any of the Allies or Confederates to appear at Rome during that time. Caius, on the contrary, published an edict, accusing the consul for what he had done, and setting forth to the Con- federates, that if they would continue upon the place, they might be assured of his assistance and protection. However, he was not so good as his word ; for though he saw one of his own familiar friends and companions drag- ged to prison by Fannius's officers, he notwithstanding passed by, without assisting him ; either because he was afraid to stand the test of his power, which was already decreased, or because, as he himself reported, he was un- willing to give his enemies an opportunity, which they very much desired, of coming to actual violence and fighting. About that time there happened likewise a difference between him and his fellow-officers upon this occasion. A show of gladiators was to be exhibited before the people in the market-place, and most of the magistrates expected scaffolds round about, with an inten- tion of letting them for advantage. Caius commanded them to take down their scaffolds, that the poor people might see the sport without paying any thing. But no- body obeying these orders of his, he gathered together a body of laborers, who worked for him, and overthrew all the scaffolds, the very night before the contest was to take place. So that by the next morning the market-place was cleared, and the common people had an opportunity of seeing the pastime. In this, the populace thought he