Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/553

 CAIUS GRACCHUS. 545 When the day came in which Opimius designed to abro- gate the laws of Caius, both parties met very early at the capitol ; and the consul having performed all the rites usual in their sacrifices, one Quintus Antyllius, an attend- ant on the consul, carrying out the entrails of the victim, spoke to Fulvius, and his friends who stood about him, " Ye factious citizens, make way for honest men." Some report, that besides this provoking language, he extended his naked arm towards them, as a piece of scorn and con- tempt. Upon this he was presently killed with the strong stiles * which are commonly used in writing, though some say that on this occasion they had been manufactured for this purpose only. This murder caused a sudden conster- nation in the whole assembly, and the heads of each fac- tion had their different sentiments about it. As for Caius, he was much grieved, and severely reprimanded his own party, because they had given their adversaries a reason- able pretence to proceed against them, which they had so long hoped for. Opimius, immediately seizing the occa- sion thus offered, was in great delight, and urged the people to revenge ; but there happening a great shower of rain on a sudden, it put an end to the business of that day. Early the next morning, the consul summoned the sen- ate, and whilst he advised with the senators in the sen- ate-house, the corpse of Antyllius was laid upon a bier, and brought through the market-place, being there exposed to open view, just before the senate-house, with a great deal of crying and lamentation. Opimius was not at all ignorant that this was designed to be done ; however, he seemed to be surprised, and wondered what the meaning of it should be ; the senators, therefore, presently went out (whence our word style) was a for- end, and sharp at the other. VOL. IV. 35
 * The writing stilus or stylus midable piece of metal, flat at one