Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/423

CATO THE YOUNGER. 415 together, and with loud cries and maledictions reviled him, and threw stones at him. Those that were about the tribunal presently fled, and Cato himself being forced thence, and jostled about in the throng, very narrowly escaped the stones that were thrown at him, and with much difficulty got hold of the Rostra ; where, standing up with a bold and undaunted countenance, he at once mastered the tumult, and silenced the clamor; and ad- dressing them in fit terms for the occasion, was heard with great attention, and perfectly quelled the sedition. Afterwards, on the senate commending him for this, " But I," said he, " do not commend you for abandoning your praetor in danger, and bringing him no assistance." In the mean time, the candidates were in great per- plexity ; for every one dreaded to give money himself, and yet feared lest his competitors should. At length they agreed to lay down one hundred and twenty-five thousand drachmas apiece, and then all of them to can- vass fairly and honestly, on condition, that if any one was found to make use of bribery, he should forfeit the money. Being thus agreed, they chose Cato to keep the stakes, and arbitrate the matter ; to him they brought the sum concluded on, and before him subscribed the agree- ment. The money he did not choose to have paid for them, but took their securities who stood bound for them. Upon the day of election, he placed himself by the tri- bune who took the votes, and very watchfully observing all that passed, he discovered one who had broken the agreement, and immediately ordered him to' pay his money to the rest. They, however, commending his jus- tice highly, remitted the penalty, as thinking the discov- ery a sufficient punishment. It raised, however, as much envy against Cato as it gained him reputation, and many were offended at his thus taking upon himself the whole authority of the senate, the courts of judicature, and the