Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/407

CATO THE YOUNGER. 399 ate into the foruin, and assembled the people, to whom he made a bitter and invidious speech against Cato, cry- ing out, he was forced to fly from his tyranny, and this conspiracy against Pompey ; that the city would soon repent their having dishonored so great a man. And from hence he started to go to Asia, with the intention, as would be supposed, of laying before Pompey all the inju- ries that were done him. Cato was highly extolled for having delivered the state from this dangerous tribune- ship, and having in some measure defeated, in the person of Metellus, the power of Pompey ; but he was yet more commended when, upon the senate proceeding to disgrace Metellus and depose him from his office, he altogether opposed and at length diverted the design. The common people admired his moderation and humanity, in not trampling wantonly on an enemy whom he had over- thrown, and wiser men acknowledged his prudence and policy, in not exasperating Pompey. Lucullus soon after returned from the war in Asia, the finishing of which, and thereby the glory of the whole, was thus, in all appearance, taken out of his hands by Pompey. And he was also not far from losing his triumph, for Caius Memmius traduced him to the people, and threatened to accuse him; rather, however, out of love to Pompey, than for any particular enmity to him. But Cato, being allied to Lucullus, who had married his sister Servilia, and also thinking it a great injustice, opposed Memmius, thereby exposing himself to much slander and misrepresentation, insomuch that they would have turned him out of his office, pretending that he used his power tyrannically. Yet at length Cato so far prevailed against Memmius, that he was forced to let fall the accusations, and abandon the contest. And Lucullus having thus obtained his triumph, yet more sedulously cultivated Cato's friendship, which he looked upon as a great guard and defence for him against Pompey's power.