Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/92

 84 CICERO. was no further need of arms, now Antony was put to flight. This giving Ca?sar an affright, he privately sends some friends to entreat and persuade Cicero to procure the con- sular dignity for them both together ; saying he should manage the affairs as he pleased, should have the supreme power, and govern the young man who Avas only desirous of name and glory. And Caesar himself confessed, that in fear of ruin, and in danger of being deserted, he had sea- sonably made use of Cicero's ambition, persuading him to stand with him, and to accept the offer of his aid and interest for the consulship. And now, more than at any other time, Cicero let him- self be carried away and deceived, though an old man, by the persuasions of a boy. He joined him in soliciting votes, and procured the good-will of the senate, not with- out blame at the time on the part of his friends; and he, too, soon enough after, saw that he had ruined himself, and betrayed the liberty of his country. For the young man, once established, and possessed of the office of consul, bade Cicero farewell ; and, reconciling himself to Antony and Lepidus, joined his power with theirs, and divided the government, like a piece of property, with them. Thus united, they made a schedule of above two hundred persons who Avere to be put to death. But the greatest contention in all their debates was on the ques- tion of Cicero's case. Antony would come to no con- ditions, unless he should be the first man to be killed. Lepidus held with Antony, and Caesar opposed them both. They met secretly and by themselves, for three days together, near the toAvn of Bononia. The spot was not far from the camp, with a river surrounding it. Caesar, it is said, contended earnestly for Cicero the first two days ; but on the third day he yielded, and gave him up.