ABSTRACT
Plutarch's Lives of Noble Grecians and ROlllalles 7 I safetie. This their departure being thus miserable, yet men esteemed their banishment (lor the love they bare unto Pompey) to bee their naturall contry, and reckoned Rome no better then C<esars campe . . . . Now C<esar having assembled a great and dreadfull power together, went straight where he thought to finde Pompey him selfe. But Pompey taried not his comming,l but fled into the citie of Brundusium, from whence he had sent the two Consuls before with that armie he had, unto Dyrrachium: and he him selfe also went thither afterwards, when he understoode that C<esar was come, as you shaH heare more amply hereafter in his life. C<esar lacked no good wiII to lollow him, but wanting shippes to take the seas, he returned forthwith to Rome: So that in lesse then three skore dayes, he was Lord of all Italy, without any blood shed. Who when he was come to Rome, and found it much quietter then he looked for, and many Senatours there also: he curteously intreated them, and prayed them to send unto Pompey, to pacifie all matters betweene them, apon reasonable conditions. But no man did attempt it, eyther bicause they feared Pompey for that they had forsaken him, or els for that they thought C<esar ment not as he spake, but that they were wordes of course, to culler his purpose withal!. And when Metellus also, one of the Tribunes, would not suffer him to take any of the common treasure out of the temple of Saturne, but tolde him that it was against the lawe: Tushe, sayd he, tyme of warre and lawe are two thinges.2 If this that I doe, quoth he, doe offende thee, then get thee hence for this tyme: for warre can not abyde this francke and bolde speeche. But when warres are done, and that we are all quiet agayne, then thou shalt speake in the pulpit what thou wilt: and yet I doe tell thee this of favor, impayring so much my right, for thou art myne, both thou, and all them that have risen against me, and whom I have in my hands. When he had spoken thus unto Metellus, he went to the temple dore where the treasure laye: and finding no keyes there, he caused Smythes to be sent for, and made them breake open the lockes.3 Metellus thereuppon beganne agayne to withstande him, and certen men that stoode by praysed him in his doing: but C<esar at length speaking biggely to him, threatned him he would kill him presently, if he troubled him any more: and told him furthermore, Younge man, quoth he, thow know est it is harder for me to tell it thee, than to doe it. That word made Metellus quake for feare, that he gotte him away rowndly: and ever after that, C.csar had all at his commaundement
