贝壳电子书 > 英文原著电子书 > pompey >

第1章

pompey-第1章

小说: pompey 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!



                                     POMPEY
                                  106…48 B。C。

                                  by Plutarch

                           translated by John Dryden




  THE people of Rome seem to have entertained for Pompey from his
childhood the same affection that Prometheus; in the tragedy of
Aeschylus; expresses for Hercules; speaking of him as the author of
his deliverance; in these words:…

         〃Ah cruel Sire! how dear thy son to me!
          The generous offspring of my enemy!〃

For on the one hand; never did the Romans give such demonstrations
of a vehement and fierce hatred against any of their generals as
they did against Strabo; the father of Pompey; during whose
lifetime; it is true; they stood in awe of his military power; as
indeed he was a formidable warrior; but immediately upon his death;
which happened by a stroke of thunder; they treated him with the
utmost contumely; dragging his corpse from the bier; as it was carried
to his funeral。 On the other side; never had any Roman the people's
good…will and devotion more zealous throughout all the changes of
fortune; more early in its first springing up; or more steadily rising
with his prosperity; or more constant in his adversity than Pompey
had。 In Strabo; there was one great cause of their hatred; his
insatiable covetousness; in Pompey; there were many that helped to
make him the object of their love; his temperance; his skill and
exercise in war; his eloquence of speech; integrity of mind; and
affability in conversation and address; insomuch that no man ever
asked a favour with less offence; or conferred one with a better
grace。 When he gave; it was without assumption; when he received; it
was with dignity and honour。
  In his youth; his countenance pleaded for him; seeming to anticipate
his eloquence; and win upon the affections of the people before he
spoke。 His beauty even in his bloom of youth had something in it at
once of gentleness and dignity; and when his prime of manhood came;
the majesty and kingliness of his character at once became visible
in it。 His hair sat somewhat hollow or rising a little; and this; with
the languishing motion of his eyes; seemed to form a resemblance in
his face; though perhaps more talked of than really apparent; to the
statues of the King Alexander。 And because many applied that name to
him in his youth; Pompey himself did not decline it; insomuch that
some called him so in derision。 And Lucius Philippus; a man of
consular dignity; when he was pleading in favour of him; thought it
not unfit to say; that people could not be surprised if Philip was a
lover of Alexander。
  It is related of Flora; the courtesan; that when she was now
pretty old; she took great delight in speaking of her early
familiarity with Pompey; and was wont to say that she could never part
after being with him without a bite。 She would further tell; that
Geminius; a companion of Pompey's; fell in love with her; and made his
court with great importunity; and on her refusing; and telling him;
however her inclinations were; yet she could not gratify his desires
for Pompey's sake; he therefore made his request to Pompey; and Pompey
frankly gave his consent; but never afterwards would have any converse
with her; notwithstanding that he seemed to have a great passion for
her; and Flora; on this occasion; showed none of the levity that might
have been expected of her; but languished for some time after under
a sickness brought on by grief and desire。 This Flora; we are told;
was such a celebrated beauty; that Caecilius Metellus; when he adorned
the temple of Castor and Pollux with paintings and statues; among
the rest dedicated hers for her singular beauty。 In his conduct also
to the wife of Demetrius; his freed servant (who had great influence
with him in his lifetime; and left an estate of four thousand
talents); Pompey acted contrary to his usual habits; not quite
fairly or generously; fearing lest he should fall under the common
censure of being enamoured and charmed with her beauty; which was
irresistible; and became famous everywhere。 Nevertheless; though he
seemed to be so extremely circumspect and cautious; yet even in
matters of this nature he could not avoid the calumnies of his
enemies; but upon the score of married women; they accused him; as
if he had connived at many things; and embezzled the public revenue to
gratify their luxury。
  Of his easiness of temper and plainness; in what related to eating
and drinking; the story is told that; once in a sickness; when his
stomach nauseated common meats; his physician prescribed him a
thrush to eat; but upon search; there was none to be bought; for
they were not then in season; and one telling him they were to be
had at Lucullus's; who kept them all the year round; 〃So then;〃 said
he; 〃if it were not for Lucullus's luxury; Pompey should not live;〃
and thereupon; not minding the prescription of the physician; he
contented himself with such meat as could easily be procured。 But this
was at a later time。
  Being as yet a very young man; and upon an expedition in which his
father was commanding against Cinna; he had in his tent with him one
Lucius Terentius; as his companion and comrade; who; being corrupted
by Cinna; entered into an engagement to kill Pompey; as others had
done to set the general's tent on fire。 This conspiracy being
discovered to Pompey at supper; he showed no discomposure at it; but
on the contrary drank more liberally than usual; and expressed great
kindness to Terentius; but about bedtime; pretending to go to his
repose; he stole away secretly out of the tent; and setting a guard
about his father; quietly expected the event。 Terentius; when he
thought the proper time come; rose with his naked sword; and coming to
Pompey's bedside stabbed several strokes through the bedclothes; as if
he were lying there。 Immediately after this there was a great uproar
throughout all the camp; arising from the hatred they bore to the
general; and an universal movement of the soldiers to revolt; all
tearing down their tents and betaking themselves to their arms。 The
general himself all this while durst not venture out because of the
tumult; but Pompey; going about in the midst of them; besought them
with tears; and at last threw himself prostrate upon his face before
the gate of the camp; and lay there in the passage at their feet
shedding tears; and bidding those that were marching off; if they
would go; trample upon him。 Upon which; none could help going back
again; and all; except eight hundred; either through shame or
compassion; repented; and were reconciled to the general。
  Immediately upon the death of Strabo; there was an action
commenced against Pompey; as his heir; for that his father had
embezzled the public treasure。 But Pompey; having traced the principal
thefts; charged them upon one Alexander; a freed slave of his
father's; and proved before the judges that he had been the
appropriator。 But he himself was accused of having in his possession
some hunting tackle; and books; that were taken at Asculum。 To this he
confessed thus far; that he received them from his father when he took
Asculum; but pleaded further; that he had lost them since; upon
Cinna's return to Rome; when his house was broken open and plundered
by Cinna's guards。 In this cause he had a great many preparatory
pleadings against his accuser; in which he showed in activity and
steadfastness beyond his years; and gained great reputation and
favour; insomuch that Antistius; the praetor and judge of the cause;
took a great liking to him; and offered him his daughter in
marriage; having had some communications with his friends about it。
Pompey accepted the proposal; and they were privately contracted;
however; the secret was not so closely kept as to escape the
multitude; but it was discernible enough; from the favour shown him by
Antistius in his cause。 And at last; when Antistius pronounced the
absolutory sentence of the judges; the people; as if it had been
upon a signal given; made the acclamation used according to ancient
custom at marriages; Talasio。 The origin of which 

返回目录 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的