Page:The Children's Plutarch, Romans.djvu/177

 The senators met to consider. Nearly all judged that the plotters ought to die. Young Julius Cæsar rose and said:

“No, let us be merciful. Send these men out of Rome. Keep them prisoners, but spare their lives.”

In his own heart he felt that Rome really did need new governors, though he did not think Catiline was the right man. The rich patrician families were no longer able to hold the mastery over the Roman world.

But Cicero was not of Caesar's mind. He had the five rebels brought out, and taken through crowds of people in the Holy Road (Via Sacra) and the forum, and so to the gloomy prison; and there all died at the hands of the executioner. It was now evening, and, as Cicero walked homeward with his lictors, the citizens ran at his side, shouting:

“Tully! Tully! The savior of Rome! The second founder of Rome!”

His full name, you must know, was Marcus Tullius Cicero, and he is often called Tully.

As the darkness deepened lamps and torches were fixed over doorways in all the streets. Many women went to the roofs of the houses and waved lights. Thus Rome was grandly illumined by the lamps of the people, instead of by the fires of Catiline.