Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/179

 ANTONY. 171 since his defeat ; in this guise, and with a dark colored cloak flung over him, he came into the trenches of Lepi- dus, and began to address the army. Some were moved at his habit, others at his words, so that Lepidus, not lik- ing it, ordered the -trumpets to sound, that he might be heard no longer. This raised in the soldiers yet a greater pity, so that they resolved to confer secretly with him, and dressed Laelius and Clodius in women's clothes, and sent them to see him. They advised him without delay to attack Lepidus's trenches, assuring him that a strong party would receive him, and, if he wished it, would kill Lepidus. Antony, however, had no msh for this, but next morning marched his army to pass over the river that parted the two camps. He was himself the first man that stepped in, and, as he went through towards the other bank, he saw Lepidus's soldiers in great numbers reaching out their hands to help him, and beating down the works to make him way. Being entered into the camp, and finding himself absolute master, he neverthe- less treated Lepidus with the greatest civility, and gave him the title of Father, when he spoke to him, and, though he had every thing at his own command, he left him the honor of being called the general. This fair usage brought over to him Munatius Plancus, who was not far off with a considerable force. Thus m great strength he repassed the Alps, leading with him into Italy seventeen legions and ten thousand horse, besides six legions which he left in garrison imder the command of Varius, one of his familiar friends and boon com- panions, whom they used to call by the nickname of Coty- lon.* Caesar, perceiving that Cicero's wishes were for liberty, had ceased to pay any further regard to him, and was • From Cotyle, a cup.