The workes of Caius Crispus Salustius contayning the Conspiracie of Cateline The Warre of Iugurth. V. bookes of historicall fragments. II orations to Cæsar for the institution of a co[m]monwealth and one against Cicero.

CHAP. 15.

The Commons measuring all things by the euent, detest the Conspiracie.

IN the meane time, the Commons, the Con∣spiracy being detected, (who at the first, longing after innouatiō too much fauoured the warre) re∣tracting their opinions detested Catilines coun∣sells; they extolled Cicero euen to the skies, and like men freed from bon∣dage, gaue themselues to ioye and frollicknesse:

for that they esteemed other outrages of warre to be bent more vpon pil∣lage then ruine, but the execution of fire was held cruell, extreme, and most hurfull to them, all whose wealth serued but for quotidian vse, and their bodies sustenance.

After this, one Lucius Tarquinus was brought be∣fore the Lords of the Se∣nate, being fetcht backe (as they said) as he was vpon his iourney towards Catiline. When this man promised to discouer the Conspiracy, if the pu∣blicke faith were assured vnto him: being com∣manded by the Consull to deliuer what he knew,

he confesseth almost the same in effect vnto the Lords of the Senate, that Vulturtius did: about the preparation of fire, the slaughter of the good, and the Rebels expedi∣tion. Moreouer, that he was sent by M. Crassus to tell Catiline, that he shonld not be terrified with the apprehension of Lentu∣lus, Cethegus and other Con∣spiratours; but should the rather make speed in his iourney, towards the Citty, to the intent he might reuiue the cou∣rage of the residue, and that their deliuery from danger might be the soo∣ner accomplished.

But as soone as Tarqui∣nius

had appeached Cras∣sus, a man of noble des∣cent, great wealth, and much power, some thought it a matter incre∣dible, others, although they esteemed it for a truth, yet because the powerfulnesse of such a man, seemed fitter to be reconciled, then exaspera∣ted at such a season, (most of them also being inga∣ged to Crassus for priuate respects) they cryed out all together that the accu∣ser lyed, and required, that there might be a re∣ference of this matter. Whereupon by the ad∣uice of Cicero, a frequent Senate decreed, that Tar∣quinius accusation seemed

false, that he should be kept in bonds, neither should he haue any further power granted to himselfe, except he would reueale him, by whose suggestion he had forged this noto∣rious scandall. There were some in those times, who thought this accusa∣tion, to be first deuised by P. An••ronius, of pur∣pose, that Crassus being appeached, his power might portect the rest through the Community of the danger: others re∣ported, that Tarquinus was suborned by Cicero; lest Crassus, according to his custome, should di∣sturbe the Common∣wealth, by vndertaking

the protection of wicked persons. I heard Crassus himselfe afterwards pu∣blish, that this great dis∣grace was imposed vpon him by Cicero. yet at the same time Q. Catulus, and Cn. Piso could not per∣swade Cicero, either with request or reward, that by the Allobroges, or any o∣ther accuser, C. Cesar should be wrongfully questioned: for both these were at mortall en∣mity with him: Piso for that he was ouerthrowne in Iudgement, for the ex∣tortion of money in his Prouince, vpon the vn∣iust punishment of a cer∣taine Transpadan: Catulus was offended about his

suite for the Pontificacy, because in his old age, ha∣uing borne many honora∣ble Offices, he receiued the repulse from Cesar, being but a yong man. Besides, the occasion seemed op∣portune, for that he by his great liberality in pri∣uate, and by his excessiue largesses in publicke, did owe great summes of mo∣ney. But when as they could not drawe the Con∣full to such a crime, they themselues by solliciting seuerally, and by faining such things as they were to say, they had heard from Vulturtius, and the Allobroges, had procured him much enuy: in so∣much, that some Romane

Knights, who with their Armes had the Guard about the Temple of Concord, either moued with the greatnesse of the danger, or the forward∣nesse of their minds, so to make their zeale to the Common-wealth to ap∣peare more cleerely, threatened Cesar with their swords, as he went forth of the Senate.