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76 CICERO. acting successfully, and in a manner blockading Pompey, Lentulus was saying it was reported that Caesar's friends were out of heart; "Because," said Cicero, "they do not wish Caesar well." To one Marcius, who had just come from Italy, and told them that there was a strong report at Eome that Pompey was blocked up, he said, " And you sailed hither to see it with your own eyes." To Nonius, encouraging them after a defeat to be of good hope, because there were seven eagles still left in Pompey's camp, " Good reason for encouragement," said Cicero, " if we were going to fight with jack-daws." Labienus in- sisted on some prophecies to the effect that Pompey would gain the victory ; " Yes," said Cicero, " and the first step in the campaign has been losing our camp." After the battle of Pharsalia was over, at which be was not present for want of health, and Pompey was fled, Cato, having considerable forces and a great fleet at Dyrrachimn, would have had Cicero commander-in-chief, according to law, and the precedence of his consular dig- nity. And on his refusing the command, and wholly declining to take part in their plans for continuing the war, he was in the greatest danger of being killed, young Pompey and his friends calling him traitor, and drawing their swords upon him ; only that Cato interposed, and hardly rescued and brought him out of the camp. Afterwards, arriving at Brundusium, he tarried there sometime in expectation of Caesar, who was delayed by his afiairs in Asia and Egypt. And when it was told him that he was arrived at Tarentum, and was coming thence by land to Brundusiiun, he hastened towards him, not altogether without hope, and yet in some fear of making experiment of the temper of an enemy and conqueror in the presence of many witnesses. But there was no neces- sity for him either to speak or do any thing unworthy of himself; for Csesar, as soon as he saw him coming a good