nable to a
reconciliation, made always a favorable mention of him, and addressed
him with kind expressions, as one who felt no hatred or ill-will, but
who merely wished to urge his complaints in a moderate and friendly
way. By these artifices, he so freed Cicero of all his fears, that
he resigned his appointment to Caesar, and betook himself again to
political affairs. At which Caesar being exasperated, joined the party
of Clodius against him, and wholly alienated Pompey from him; he also
himself declared in a public assembly of the people, that he did not
think Lentulus and Cethegus, with their accomplices, were fairly and
legally put to death without being brought to trial. And this, indeed,
was the crime charged upon Cicero, and this impeachment he was summoned
to answer. And so, as an accused man, and in danger for the result, he
changed his dress, and went round with his hair untrimmed, in the attire
of a suppliant, to beg the people's grace. But Clodius met him in every
corner, having a band of abusive and daring fellows about him, who
derided Cicero for his change of dress and his humiliation, and often,
by throwing dirt and stones at him, interrupted his supplication to the
people.

However, first of all, almost the whole equestrian order changed
their dress with him, and no less than twenty thousand young gentlemen
followed him with their hair untrimmed, and supplicating with him to the
people. And then the senate met, to pass a decree that the people should
change their dress as in time of public sorrow. But the consuls opposing
it, and Clodius with armed men besetting the senate-house, many of the
senators ran out, crying aloud and tearing their clothes. But this sight
moved neither shame nor pity; Cicero must either fly or determine it by
the sword with Clodius. He entreated Pompey to aid him, who on purpose
had gone out of the way, and was staying at his country-house in the
Alban hills; and first he sent his son-in-law Piso to intercede with
him, and afterwards set out to go himself. But Pompey being informed,
would not stay to see him, being ashamed at the remembrance of the many
conflicts in the commonwealth which Cicero had undergone in his behalf,
and how much of his policy he had directed for his advantage. But being
now Caesar's son-in-law, at his instance he had set aside all former
kindness, and, slipping out at another door, avoided the interview.
Thus being forsaken by Pompey, and left alone to h