Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/89

 CICERO. 81 commonwealtl), and knowing how closely he was con- nected with Brutus, was ill-pleased to have him in the city. Besides, there had been some former jealousy between them, occasioned by the difference of their man- ners. Cicero, fearing the event, Avas inclined to go as lieutenant with Dolabella into Syria. But Hirtius and Pansa, consuls elect as successors of Antony, good men and lovers of Cicero, entreated him not to leave them, undertaking to put down Antony if he would stay in Rome. And he, neither distrusting wholly, nor trusting them, let Dolabella go without him, promising Hirtius that he would go and spend his summer at Athens, and return again when he entered upon his office. So he set out on his journey ; but some delay occurring in his pas- sage, new intelligence, as often happens, came suddenly from Rome, that Antony had made an astonishing change, and was doing all things and managing all public affairs at the will of the senate, and that there wanted nothing but his presence to bring things to a happy set^ tlement. And therefore, blaming himself for his cow- ardice, he returned again to Rome, and was not deceived in his hopes at the beginning. For such multitudes flocked out to meet him, that the compliments and civili- ties which were paid him at the gates, and at his entrance into the* city, took up almost one whole day's time. On the morrow, Antony convened the senate, and sum- moned Cicero thither. He came not, but kept his bed, pretending to be ill with his journey ; but the true reason seemed the fear of some design against him, upon a sus- picion and intimation given him on his way to Rome. Antony, however, showed grent offence at the affi'ont, and sent soldiers, commanding them to bring him or burn his house ; but many interceding and supplicating for him, he was contented to accept sureties. Ever after, when they met, they passed one another with silence, and con- VOL. V. 6