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！
upon a signal given； made the acclamation used according to ancient
custom at marriages； Talasio。 The origin of which custom is related to
be this。 At the time when the daughters of the Sabines came to Rome；
to see the shows and sports there； and were violently seized upon by
the most distinguished and bravest of the Romans for wives； it
happened that some goatswains and herdsmen of the meaner rank were
carrying off a beautiful and tall maiden； and lest any of their
betters should meet them； and take her away； as they ran； they cried
out with one voice； Talasio； Talasius being a well…known and popular
person among them； insomuch that all that heard the name clapped their
hands for joy； and joined with them in the shout； as applauding and
congratulating the chance。 Now； say they； because this proved a
fortunate match to Talasius； hence it is that this acclamation is
sportively used as a nuptial cry at all weddings。 This is the most
credible of the accounts that are given of the Talasio。 And some few
days after this judgment； Pompey married Antistia。
After this he went to Cinna's camp； where； finding some false
suggestions and calumnies prevailing against him； he began to be
afraid； and presently withdrew himself secretly which sudden
disappearance occasioned great suspicion。 And there went a rumour
and speech through all the camp that Cinna had murdered the young man；
upon which all that had been anyways disobliged； and bore any malice
to him； resolved to make an assault upon him。 He； endeavouring to make
his escape； was seized by a centurion； who pursued him with his
naked sword。 Cinna； in this distress； fell upon his knees； and offered
him his seal…ring； of great value； for his ransom； but the centurion
repulsed him insolently； saying； 〃I did not come to seal a covenant；
but to be revenged upon a lawless and wicked tyrant；〃 and so
despatched him immediately。
Thus Cinna being slain； Carbo； a tyrant yet more senseless than
he； took the command and exercised it； while Sylla meantime was
approaching； much to the joy and satisfaction of most people； who in
their present evils were ready to find some comfort if it were but
in the exchange of a master。 For the city was brought to that pass
by oppression and calamities that； being utterly in despair of
liberty； men were only anxious for the mildest and most tolerable
bondage。 At that time Pompey was in Picenum in Italy； where he spent
some time amusing himself； as he had estates in the country there；
though the chief motive of his stay was the liking he felt for the
towns of that district； which all regarded him with hereditary
feelings of kindness and attachment。 But when he now saw that the
noblest and best of the city began to forsake their homes and
property； and fly from all quarters to Sylla's camp； as to their
haven； he likewise was desirous to go； not； however； as a fugitive；
alone and with nothing to offer； but as a friend rather than a
suppliant； in a way that would gain him honour； bringing help along
with him； and at the head of a body of troops。 Accordingly he
solicited the Picentines for their assistance； who as cordially
embraced his motion； and rejected the messengers sent from Carbo；
insomuch that a certain Vindius taking upon him to say that Pompey was
come from the school…room to put himself at the head of the people；
they were so incensed that they fell forthwith upon this Vindius and
killed him。
From henceforward Pompey； finding a spirit of government upon him；
though not above twenty…three years of age； nor deriving an
authority by commission from any man； took the privilege to grant
himself full power； and； causing a tribunal to be erected in the
market…place of Auximum； a populous city； expelled two of their
principal men； brothers； of the name of Ventidius； who were acting
against him in Carbo's interest； commanding them by a public edict
to depart the city； and then proceeding to levy soldiers； issuing
out commissions to centurions and other officers； according to the
form of military discipline。 And in this manner he went round all
the rest of the cities in the district。 So that those of Carbo's
faction flying； and all others cheerfully submitting to his command；
in a little time he mustered three entire legions； having supplied
himself besides with all manner of provisions； beasts of burden；
carriages； and other necessaries of war。 And with this equipage he set
forward on his march toward Sylla； not as if he were in haste； or
desirous of escaping observation； but by small journeys； making
several halts upon the road； to distress and annoy the enemy； and
exerting himself to detach from Carbo's interest every part of Italy
that he passed through。
Three commanders of the enemy encountered him at once； Carinna；
Cloelius； and Brutus； and drew up their forces； not all in the
front； nor yet together on any one part； but encamping three several
armies in a circle about him； they resolved to encompass and overpower
him。 Pompey was noway alarmed at this； but collecting all his troops
into one body； and placing his horse in the front of the battle； where
he himself was in person； he singled out and bent all his forces
against Brutus； and when the Celtic horsemen from the enemy's side
rode out to meet him； Pompey himself encountering hand to hand with
the foremost and stoutest among them； killed him with his spear。 The
rest seeing this turned their backs and fled； and breaking the ranks
of their own foot； presently caused a general rout； whereupon the
commanders fell out among themselves； and marched off； some one way；
some another； as their fortunes led them； and the town； round about
came in and surrendered themselves to Pompey； concluding that the
enemy was dispersed for fear。 Next after these； Scipio； the consul；
came to attack him； and with as little success； for before the
armies could join； or be within the throw of their javelins；
Scipio's soldiers saluted Pompey's； and came over to them； while
Scipio made his escape by flight。 Last of all； Carbo himself sent down
several troops of horse against him by the river Arsis； which Pompey
assailed with the same courage and success as before； and having
routed and put them to flight； he forced them in the pursuit into
difficult ground； unpassable for horse； where； seeing no hopes of
escape； they yielded themselves with their horses and armour； all to
his mercy。
Sylla was hitherto unacquainted with all these actions； and on the
first intelligence he received of his movements was in great anxiety
about him； fearing lest he should be cut off among so many and such
experienced commanders of the enemy； and marched therefore with all
speed to his aid。 Now Pompey； having advice of his approach； sent
out orders to his officers to marshal and draw up all his forces in
full array； that they might make the finest and noblest appearance
before the commander…in…chief； for he expected indeed great honours
from him； but met with even greater。 For as soon as Sylla saw him thus
advancing； his army so well appointed； his men so young and strong；
and their spirits so high and hopeful with their successes； he
alighted from his horse； and being first； as was his due； saluted by
them with the title of Imperator； he returned the salutation upon
Pompey； in the same term and style of Imperator； which might well
cause surprise； as none could have ever anticipated that he would have
imparted； to one so young in years and not yet a senator； a title
which was the object of contention between him and the Scipios and
Marii。 And indeed all the rest of his deportment was agreeable to this
first compliment； whenever Pompey came into his presence； he paid some
sort of respect to him； either in rising and being uncovered； or the
like； which he was rarely seen to do with any one else；
notwithstanding that there were many about him of great rank and
honour。 Yet Pompey was not puffed up at all； or exalted with these
favours。 And when Sylla would have sent him with all expedition into
Gaul； a province in which it was thought Metellus； who commanded in
it； had done nothing worthy of the large forces at his disposal；
Pompey urged that