Moral essays. With an English translation by J.W. Basore

ON MERCY, I. IX. 2-6and when and how he meant to attack him ; one ofthe accomplices gave the information. Augustusresolved to revenge himself upon the fellow, andordered a council of his friends to be called. Hespent a restless night, reflecting that it was a youngman of noble birth, blameless but for this act, thegrandson of Gnaeus Pompeius, who was to be condemned.He could not now bear to kill one man,he to whom Mark Antony had dictated the edict ofproscription while they dined. He moaned, and nowand then would burst forth into fitful and inconsistentspeech ": What then ? shall I let my murderer walkabout in unconcern while I am filled with fear ?What ! Shall he not pay the penalty who, soughtin vain as my life has been in so many civil wars,saved unhurt in so many battles of fleets and armies,now that peace prevails on land and sea, is determiningnot to murder but to immolate me ? " (for the planwas to attack him while off"ering sacrifice). Again,after an interval of silence, in louder tone he wouldexpress much greater indignation at himself thanat Cinna ": Why do you live on if so many areconcerned to have you die ? What end vriW there beof punishments, and of bloodshed ? I am the ob\iousvictim for whom young men of noble birth shouldwhet their swords. If so many must perish in orderthat I may not, my life is not worth the price." Atlength Livia, his wife, broke in and said :" Will youtake a woman's advice ? Follow the practice ofphysicians, who when the usual remedies do notwork try just the opposite. So far you have accompUshednothing by severity. SaMdienus " was followedby Lepidus, Lepidus by Murena, Murena byCaepio, Caepio by Egnatius,** to say nothing of the383