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the several opinions of the senators； how they would have them
punished； all who spoke before Caesar sentenced them to death； but
Caesar stood up and made a set speech； in which he told them that he
thought it without precedent and not just to take away the lives of
persons of their birth and distinction before they were fairly
tried； unless there was an absolute necessity for it； but that if they
were kept confined in any towns of Italy Cicero himself should
choose till Catiline was defeated； then the senate might in peace
and at their leisure determine what was best to be done。
This sentence of his carried so much appearance of humanity； and
he gave it such advantage by the eloquence with which he urged it；
that not only those who spoke after him closed with it； but even
they who had before given a contrary opinion now came over to his；
till it came about to Catulus's and Cato's turn to speak。 They
warmly opposed it； and Cato intimated in his speech the suspicion of
Caesar himself； and pressed the matter so strongly that the
criminals were given up to suffer execution。 As Caesar was going out
of the senate； many of the young men who at that time acted as
guards to Cicero ran in with their naked swords to assault him。 But
Curio； it is said； threw his gown over him； and conveyed him away； and
Cicero himself； when the young men looked up to see his wishes； gave a
sign not to kill him； either for fear of the people or because he
thought the murder unjust and illegal。 If this be true； I wonder how
Cicero came to omit all mention of it in his book about his
consulship。 He was blamed； however； afterwards； for not having made
use of so fortunate an opportunity against Caesar； as if he had let it
escape him out of fear of the populace； who； indeed； showed remarkable
solicitude about Caesar； and some time after； when he went into the
senate to clear himself of the suspicions he lay under； and found
great clamours raised against him； upon the senate in consequence
sitting longer than ordinary； they went up to the house in a tumult；
and beset it； demanding Caesar； and requiring them to dismiss him。
Upon this； Cato； much fearing some movement among the poor citizens；
who were always the first to kindle the flame among the people； and
placed all their hopes in Caesar； persuaded the senate to give them
a monthly allowance of corn； an expedient which put the commonwealth
to the extraordinary charge of seven million five hundred thousand
drachmas in the year； but quite succeeded in removing the great
cause of terror for the present； and very much weakened Caesar's
power； who at that time was just going to be made praetor； and
consequently would have been more formidable by his office。
But there was no disturbance during his praetorship； only what
misfortune he met with in his own domestic affairs。 Publius Clodius
was a patrician by descent； eminent both for his riches and eloquence；
but in licentiousness of life and audacity exceeded the most noted
profligates of the day。 He was in love with Pompeia； Caesar's wife；
and she had no aversion to him。 But there was strict watch kept on her
apartment； and Caesar's mother； Aurelia； who was a discreet woman；
being continually about her； made any interview very dangerous and
difficult。 The Romans have a goddess whom they call Bona； the same
whom the Greeks call Gynaecea。 The Phrygians； who claim a peculiar
title to her； say she was mother to Midas。 The Romans profess she
was one of the Dryads； and married to Faunus。 The Grecians affirm that
she is that mother of Bacchus whose name is not to be uttered； and；
for this reason； the women who celebrate her festival cover the
tents with vine…branches； and； in accordance with the fable； a
consecrated serpent is placed by the goddess。 It is not lawful for a
man to be by； nor so much as in the house； whilst the rites are
celebrated； but the women by themselves perform the sacred offices；
which are said to be much the same with those used in the
solemnities of Orpheus。 When the festival comes； the husband； who is
either consul or praetor； and with him every male creature； quits
the house。 The wife then taking it under her care sets it in order；
and the principal ceremonies are performed during the night； the women
playing together amongst themselves as they keep watch； and music of
various kinds going on。
As Pompeia was at that time celebrating this feast； Clodius； who
as yet had no beard； and so thought to pass undiscovered； took upon
him the dress and ornaments of a singing woman； and so came thither；
having the air of a young girl。 Finding the doors open； he was without
any stop introduced by the maid； who was in the intrigue。 She
presently ran to tell Pompeia； but as she was away a long time； he
grew uneasy in waiting for her； and left his post and traversed the
house from one room to another； still taking care to avoid the lights；
till at last Aurelia's woman met him； and invited him to play with
her； as the women did among themselves。 He refused to comply； and
she presently pulled him forward； and asked him who he was and
whence he Clodius told her he was waiting for Pompeia's own maid；
Abra； being in fact her own name also； and as he said so； betrayed
himself by his voice。 Upon which the woman shrieking； ran into the
company where there were lights； and cried out she had discovered a
man。 The women were all in a fright。 Aurelia covered up the sacred
things and stopped the proceedings； and having ordered the doors to be
shut； went about with lights to find Clodius； who was got into the
maid's room that he had come in with； and was seized there。 The
women knew him； and drove him out of doors； and at once； that same
night； went home and told their husbands the story。 In the morning； it
was all about the town； what an impious attempt Clodius had made；
and how he ought to be punished as an offender； not only against those
whom he had offended； but also against the public and the gods。 Upon
which one of the tribunes impeached him for profaning the holy
rites； and some of the principal senators combined together and gave
evidence against him； that besides many other horrible crimes； he
had been guilty of incest with his own sister； who was married to
Lucullus。 But the people set themselves against this combination of
the nobility； and defended Clodius； which was of great service to
him with the judges； who took alarm and were afraid to provoke the
multitude。 Caesar at once dismissed Pompeia； but being summoned as a
witness against Clodius； said he had nothing to charge him with。
This looking like a paradox； the accuser asked him why he parted
with his wife。 Caesar replied； 〃I wished my wife to be not so much
as suspected。〃 Some say that Caesar spoke this as hi