Читать книгу Yale Classics - Roman Classical Literature - Луций Анней Сенека - Страница 470

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At Rome, in the mean time, Lentulus, with the other heads of the conspiracy, presuming on a sufficient force, resolved that, as soon as Catiline arrived with his army in the territory of Fæsulæ, L. Bestia the tribune should assemble the people, inveigh against Cicero’s conduct, and lay the blame of so distressful a war on the best of consuls; that on this signal the whole body of the conspirators should, on the ensuing night, betake themselves to the discharge of their respective parts, which were said to be assigned them in the following manner. Statilius and Gabinius, with a considerable party, were to set fire at once to twelve of the most convenient places in the city, that in the general hurry they might the more easily reach the consul, and all those whom they designed to assassinate. Cethegus was to force Cicero’s house and put him to death; while others were employed elsewhere in the like manner: young men too there were, living as yet with their parents (mostly indeed from among the nobility), who were to kill their fathers: and when they had spread consternation and horror every where by flames and massacre, they were to march out and meet Catiline.

While they were thus resolving and forming their measures Cethegus was constantly complaining of want of spirit in his associates; that, by their irresolution and delay, they abused the fairest opportunities; that, in so dangerous an enterprise, action was more necessary than deliberation; that for himself, would a few only but support him, he would, notwithstanding the cowardice of others, attack the senate-house. As he was naturally of a daring, resolute spirit, and brave in his person, he thought the success depended on expedition.