sertorius-第8章
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voluntarily waiting upon him。 Some of these cities he set at
liberty; and others he freed from taxes; signifying to them that these
privileges were granted to them by the favour of Sertorius; and hereby
Asia; which had been miserably tormented by the revenue farmers; and
oppressed by the insolent pride and covetousness of the soldiers;
began to rise again to new hopes and to look forward with joy to the
expected change of government。
But in Spain; the senators about Sertorius; and others of the
nobility; finding themselves strong enough for their enemies; no
sooner laid aside fear; but their minds were possessed by envy and
irrational jealousies of Sertorius's power。 And chiefly Perpenna;
elevated by the thoughts of his noble birth; and carried away with a
fond ambition of commanding the army; threw out villainous
discourses in private amongst his acquaintance。 〃What evil genius;〃 he
would say; 〃hurries us perpetually from worse to worse? We who
disdained to obey the dictates of Sylla; the ruler of the sea and
land; and thus to live at home in peace and quiet; are come hither
to our destruction; hoping to enjoy our liberty; and have made
ourselves slaves of our own accord; and are become the contemptible
guards and attendants of the banished Sertorius; who; that he may
expose us the further; gives us a name that renders us ridiculous to
all that hear it; and calls us the Senate; when at the same time he
makes us undergo as much hard labour; and forces us to be as subject
to his haughty commands and insolences; as any Spaniards and
Lusitanians。〃 With these mutinous discourses he seduced them; and
though the greater number could not be led into open rebellion against
Sertorius; fearing his power; they were prevailed with to endeavour to
destroy his interest secretly。 For by abusing the Lusitanians and
Spaniards; by inflicting severe punishments upon them; by raising
exorbitant taxes; and by pretending that all this was done by the
strict command of Sertorius; they caused great troubles; and made many
cities to revolt; and those who were sent to mitigate and heal these
differences did rather exasperate them; and increase the number of his
enemies; and left them at their return more obstinate and rebellious
than they found them。 And Sertorius; incensed with all this; now so
far forgot his former clemency and goodness as to lay hands on the
sons of the Spaniards educated in the city of Osca; and; contrary to
all justice; he cruelly put some of them to death; and sold others。
In the meantime; Perpenna; having increased the number of his
conspirators; drew in Manlius; a commander in the army; who; at that
time being attached to a youth; to gain his affections the more;
discovered the confederacy to him; bidding him neglect others; and
be constant to him alone; who; in a few days; was to be a person of
great power and authority。 But the youth having a greater
inclination for Aufidius; disclosed all to him; which much surprised
and amazed him。 For he was also one of the confederacy; but knew not
that Manlius was anyways engaged in it; but when the youth began to
name Perpenna; Gracinus; and others; whom he new very well to be sworn
conspirators; he was very much terrified and astonished; but made
light of it to the youth; and bade him not regard what Manlius said; a
vain; boasting fellow。 However; he went presently to Perpenna; and
giving him notice of the danger they were in; and of the shortness
of their time; desired him immediately to put their designs in
execution。 When all the confederates had consented to it; they
provided a messenger who brought feigned letters to Sertorius; in
which he had notice of a victory obtained; it said; by one of his
lieutenants; and of the great slaughter of his enemies: and as
Sertorius; being extremely well pleased; was sacrificing and giving
thanks to the gods for his prosperous success; Perpenna invited him;
and those with him; who were also of the conspiracy; to an
entertainment; and being very importunate; prevailed with him to come。
At all suppers and entertainments where Sertorius was present; great
order and decency was wont to be observed; for he would not endure
to hear or see anything that was rude or unhandsome; but made it the
habit of all who kept his company to entertain themselves with quiet
and inoffensive amusements。 But in the middle of this entertainment;
those who sought occasion to quarrel fell into dissolute discourse
openly; and making as if they were very drunk; committed many
insolences on purpose to provoke him。 Sertorius; being offended with
their ill…behaviour; or perceiving the state of their minds by their
way of speaking and their unusually disrespectful manner changed the
posture of his lying; and leaned backward; as one that neither heard
nor regarded them。 Perpenna now took a cup full of wine; and; as he
was drinking; let it fall out of his hand and made a noise; which
was the sign agreed upon amongst them; and Antonius; who was next to
Sertorius; immediately wounded him with his sword。 And whilst
Sertorius; upon receiving the wound; turned himself; and strove to get
up; Antonius threw himself upon his breast; and held both his hands;
so that he died by a number of blows; without being able even to
defend himself。
Upon the first news of his death; most of the Spaniards left the
conspirators; and sent ambassadors to Pompey and Metellus; and yielded
themselves up to them。 Perpenna attempted to do something with those
that remained; but he made only so much use of Sertorius's arms and
preparations for war as to disgrace himself in them; and to let it
be evident to all that he understood no more how to command than he
knew how to obey; and when he came against Pompey; he was soon
overthrown and taken prisoner。 Neither did he bear this last
affliction with any bravery; but having Sertorius's papers and
writings in his hands; he offered to show Pompey letters from
persons of consular dignity; and of the highest quality in Rome;
written with their own hands; expressly to call Sertorius into
Italy; and to let him know what great numbers there were that
earnestly desired to alter the present state of affairs; and to
introduce another manner of government。 Upon this occasion; Pompey
behaved not like a youth; or one of a light inconsiderate mind; but as
a man of a confirmed; mature; and solid judgment; and so freed Rome
from great fears and dangers of change。 For he put all Sertorius's
writings and letters together and read not one of them; nor suffered
any one else to read them; but burnt them all; and caused Perpenna
immediately to be put to death; lest by discovering their names
further troubles and revolutions might ensue。
Of the rest of the conspirators with Perpenna; some were taken and
slain by the command of Pompey; others fled into Africa; and were
set upon by the Moors; and run through with their darts: and in a
short time not one of them was left alive; except only Aufidius; the
rival of Manlius; who; hiding himself; or not being much inquired
after; died an old man; in an obscure village in Spain; in extreme
poverty; and hated by all。
THE END