Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/169

 ANTONY. 161 against the legions that Pompey had in Spain, and then cross over and follow hira with the fleet that should be pi'epared during his absence, in the mean time leaving the government of Eome to Lepidus, as praetor, and the com- mand of the troops and of Italy to Antony, as tribune of the people. Antony was not long in getting the hearts of the soldiers, joining with them in their exercises, and for the most part living amongst them, and making them presents to the utmost of his abilities ; but with all others he was unpopular enough. He was too lazy to pay atten- tion to the complaints of persons who were injured ; he listened impatiently to petitions ; and he had an ill name for familiarity with other people's wives. In short, the government of Caesar (which, so for as he was concerned himself, had the appearance of any thing rather than a tyranny), got a bad reroute through his friends. And of these friends, Antony, as he had the largest trust, and committed the greatest errors, was thought the most deeply in fault. Ctesar, however, at his return from Spain, overlooked the charges against him, and had no reason ever to com- plain, in the employments he gave him in the war, of any want of courage, energy, or militaiy skill. He himself, going aboard at Brundusium, sailed over the Ionian Sea with a few troops, and sent back the vessels with orders to Antony and Gabinius to embark the army, and come over with all speed into Macedonia. Gabinius, having no mind to put to sea in the rough, dangerous weather of the winter season, was for marching the army round by the long land route ; but Antony, being more afraid lest Cossar might suffer from the number of his enemies, who pressed him hard, beat back Libo, who was watching with a fleet at the mouth of the haven of Brundusium, by attacking his galleys with a number of small boats, and, gaining thus an opportunity, put on board twenty VOL. v. 11