fabius-第8章
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to have a funeral oration recited by some of the nearest relations； he
took upon himself that office； and delivered a speech in the forum；
which he committed afterwards to writing。
After Cornelius Scipio； who was sent into Spain； had driven the
Carthaginians； defeated by him in many battles； out of the country；
and had gained over to Rome many towns and nations with large
resources； he was received at his coming home with unexampled joy
and acclamation of the people； who； to show their gratitude； elected
him consul for the year ensuing。 Knowing what high expectation they
had of him； he thought the occupation of contesting Italy with
Hannibal a mere old man's employment； and proposed no less a task to
himself than to make Carthage the seat of the war； fill Africa with
arms and devastation； and so oblige Hannibal； instead of invading
the countries of others； to draw back and defend his own。 And to
this end he proceeded to exert all the influence he had with the
people。 Fabius； on the other side； opposed the undertaking with all
his might； alarming the city； and telling them that nothing but the
temerity of a hot young man could inspire them with such dangerous
counsels； and sparing no means； by word or deed； to prevent it。 He
prevailed with the senate to espouse his sentiments； but the common
people thought that he envied the fame of Scipio； and that he was
afraid lest this young conqueror should achieve some great and noble
exploit； and have the glory； perhaps； of driving Hannibal out of
Italy； or even of ending the war； which had for so many years
continued and been protracted under his management。
To say the truth； when Fabius first opposed this project of
Scipio； he probably did it out of caution and prudence； in
consideration only of the public safety； and of the danger which the
commonwealth might incur； but when he found Scipio every day
increasing in the esteem of the people； rivalry and ambition led him
further； and made him violent and personal in his opposition。 For he
even applied to Crassus； the colleague of Scipio； and urged him not to
yield the command to Scipio； but that； if his inclinations were for
it； he should himself in person lead the army to Carthage。 He also
hindered the giving money to Scipio for the war； so that he was forced
to raise it upon his own credit and interest from the cities of
Etruria； which were extremely attached to him。 On the other side；
Crassus would not stir against him； nor remove out of Italy； being； in
his own nature； averse to all contention； and also having； by his
office of high priest； religious duties to retain him。 Fabius；
therefore； tried other ways to oppose the design； he impeded the
levies； and he declaimed； both in the senate and to the people； that
Scipio was not only himself flying from Hannibal； but was also
endeavouring to drain Italy of all its forces； and to spirit away
the youth of the country to a foreign war； leaving behind them their
parents； wives； and children； and the city itself； a defenceless
prey to the conquering and undefeated enemy at their doors。 With
this he so far alarmed the people； that at last they would only
allow Scipio for the war the legions which were in Sicily； and three
hundred； whom he particularly trusted； of those men who had served
with him in Spain。 In these transactions； Fabius seems to have
followed the dictates of his own wary temper。
But； after that Scipio was gone over into Africa； when news almost
immediately came to Rome of wonderful exploits and victories； of which
the fame was confirmed by the spoils he sent home； of a Numidian
king taken prisoner； of a vast slaughter of their men； of two camps of
the enemy burnt and destroyed； and in them a great quantity of arms
and horses； and when； hereupon； the Carthaginians were compelled to
send envoys to Hannibal to call him home； and leave his idle hopes
in Italy； to defend Carthage； when； for such eminent and
transcending services； the whole people of Rome cried up and
extolled the actions of Scipio； even then； Fabius contended that a
successor should be sent in his place； alleging for it only the old
reason of the mutability of fortune； as if she would be weary of
long favouring the same person。 With this language many did begin to
feel offended； it seemed to be morosity and ill…will； the
pusillanimity of old age； or a fear； that had now become
exaggerated； of the skill of Hannibal。 Nay； when Hannibal had put
his army on shipboard； and taken his leave of Italy； Fabius still
could not forbear to oppose and disturb the universal joy of Rome；
expressing his fears and apprehensions； telling them that the
commonwealth was never in more danger than now； and that Hannibal
was a more formidable enemy under the walls of Carthage than ever he
had been in Italy； that it would be fatal to Rome whenever Scipio
should encounter his victorious army； still warm with the blood of
so many Roman generals； dictators； and consuls slain。 And the people
were； in some degree； startled with these declamations； and were
brought to believe that the further off Hannibal was； the nearer was
their danger。 Scipio； however； shortly afterwards fought Hannibal； and
utterly defeated him； humbled the pride of Carthage beneath his feet；
gave his countrymen joy and exultation beyond all their hopes； and…
〃Long shaken on the seas restored the state。〃
Fabius Maximus； however； did not live to see the prosperous end of
this war； and the final overthrow of Hannibal； nor to rejoice in the
re…established happiness and security of the commonwealth； for about
the time that Hannibal left Italy； he fell sick and died。 At Thebes；
Epaminondas died so poor that he was buried at the public charge；
one small iron coin was all； it is said； that was found in his
house。 Fabius did not need this； but the people； as a mark of their
affection； defrayed the expenses of his funeral by a private
contribution from each citizen of the smallest piece of coin； thus
owning him their common father； and making his end no less
honourable than his life。
THE END
