Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/57

 CICERO. 49 Rome. But the old soldiers of SjUa were Catiline's chief stimulus to action. They had been disbanded all about Italy, but the greatest number and the fiercest -of them lay scattered among the cities of Eti'uria, entertaining themselves with dreams of new plunder and rapine amongst the hoarded riches of Italy. These, having for their leader Manlius, who had served with distinction in the wars under Sylla, joined themselves to Catiline, and came to Eome to assist him with their suffrages at the election. For he again pretended to the consulship, hav- ing resolved to kill Cicero in a tumult at the elections. Also, the divine powers seemed to give intimation of the coming troubles, by earthquakes, thunderbolts, and strange appearances. Nor was human evidence wanting, certain enough in itself, though not sufficient for the conviction of the noble and powerful Catihne. Therefore Cicero, deferring the day of election, summoned Catiline into the senate, and questioned him as to the charges made against him. Catiline, believing there were many in the senate desirous of change, and to give a specimen of himself to the conspirators present, returned an audacious answer, " What harm," said he, " when I see two bodies, the one lean and consumptive with a head, the other great and strong without one, if I put a head to that body which wants one ? " This covert representation of the senate and the people excited yet greater apprehensions in Cicero. He put on armor, and was attended from his house by the noble citizens in a body ; and a number of the young men went with him into the Plain. Here, de- signedly letting his tunic slip partly off from his shoulders, he showed his armor underneath, and discovered his dan- ger to the spectators ; who, being much moved at it, gathered round about him for his defence. At length, Catiline was by a general suffrage again put by, and Silanus and Murena chosen consuls. VOL. V. 4