Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/313

 3IARCUS BRUTUS. 305 ■where he then Wcos stajdug to refresh himself, being but just recovered of a fit of sickness. He obeyed his orders, but with a great deal of unwillingness, as well out of respect to Canidius, who was thrown out of this em- ployment by Cato with so much disgrace, as also because he esteemed such a commission mean, and unsuitable to him, who was in the prime of his youth, and given to books and study. Nevertheless. appl}ang himself to the business, he behaved himself so well in it that he was highly commended by Cato, and, having turned all the goods of Ptolemy into ready money, he sailed with the greatest part of it in his own ship to Rome. But upon the general separation into two factions, when, Pompey and Caesar taking up arms against one another, the whole empire was turned into confusion, it was commonly believed that he would take Ccesar's side ; for his father in past time had been put to death by Pompey. But he, thinkmg it his duty to prefer the interest of the public to his own private feelings, and judging Pompey's to be the better cause, took part with him ; though formerly he used not so much as to salute or take any notice of Pompey, if he happened to meet him, esteeming it a pollution to have the least conversation with the murderer of his father. But now, looking upon him as the general of his country, he placed himself under his command, and set sail for Cihcia in quahty of lieutenant to Sestius, who had the government of that province. But finding no opportu- nity thei'e of doing any great service, and hearing that Pompey and Caesar were now near one another and pre- paring for the battle upon which all depended, he came of his own nccord to Macedonia to partake in the danger. At his coming it is said that Pompey was so surprised and so pleased, that, rising from his chair in the sight of all who were about him, he saluted and embraced him, VOL. V. 20