Of the story of
Cleopatra's presence in Rome at the time of his murder, more will be
said hereafter.
[3] Legend is more absurd than usual over this incident. It pretends that
he swam with one hand, and carried his Commentaries, holding them
above water, with the other. As if a general would take his MSS. with
him into a hot action!
[4] "Neque provinciarum injurias condonari iis posse qui fuissent in se
officiosi."--_De Bello Alexandrino_, 70.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Cicero considered that the Civil War ought to have ended with Pharsalia;
and in this opinion most reasonable men among the conservatives were
agreed. They had fought one battle; and it had gone against them. To
continue the struggle might tear the Empire to pieces, but could not
retrieve a lost cause; and prudence and patriotism alike recommended
submission to the verdict of fortune. It is probable that this would have
been the result, could Caesar have returned to Italy immediately after his
victory. Cicero himself refused to participate in further resistance. Cato
offered him a command at Corcyra, but he declined it with a shudder, and
went back to Brindisi; and all but those whose consciences forbade them to
hope for pardon, or who were too proud to ask for it, at first followed
his example. Scipio, Cato, Labienus, Afranius, Petreius, were resolute to
fight on to the last; but even they had no clear outlook, and they
wandered about the Mediterranean, uncertain what to do, or whither to
turn.
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