PREFACE。
LordMacaulayalwayslookedforwardtoapublicationofhismiscellaneousworks，eitherbyhimselforbythosewhoshouldrepresenthimafterhisdeath。Andlatterlyheexpresslyreserved，wheneverthearrangementsastocopyrightmadeitnecessary，therightofsuchpublication。
Thecollectionwhichisnowpublishedcomprehendssomeoftheearliestandsomeofthelatestworkswhichhecomposed。Hewasbornon25thOctober，1800;commencedresidenceatTrinityCollege，Cambridge，inOctober，1818;waselectedCravenUniversityScholarin1821;graduatedasB。A。in1822;waselectedfellowofthecollegeinOctober，1824;wascalledtothebarinFebruary，1826，whenhejoinedtheNorthernCircuit;andwaselectedmemberforCalnein1830。Afterthislastevent，hedidnotlongcontinuetopractiseatthebar。HewenttoIndiain1834，whencehereturnedinJune，1838。HewaselectedmemberforEdinburgh，in1839，andlostthisseatinJuly，1847;andthis（thoughhewasafterwardsagainelectedforthatcityinJuly，1852，withoutbeingacandidate）maybeconsideredasthelastinstanceofhistakinganactivepartinthecontestsofpubliclife。Thesefewdatesarementionedforthepurposeofenablingthereadertoassignthearticles，nowandpreviouslypublished，totheprincipalperiodsintowhichtheauthor’slifemaybedivided。
Theadmirersofhislaterworkswillprobablybeinterestedbywatchingthegradualformationofhisstyle，andwillnoticeinhisearlierproductions，vigorousandclearastheirlanguagealwayswas，theoccurrenceoffaultsagainstwhichheafterwardsmostanxiouslyguardedhimself。Amuchgreaterinterestwillundoubtedlybefeltintracingthedateanddevelopmentofhisopinions。
ThearticlespublishedinKnight’sQuarterlyMagazinewerecomposedduringtheauthor’sresidenceatcollege，asB。A。Itmayberemarkedthatthefirsttwooftheseexhibittheearnestnesswithwhichhealreadyendeavouredtorepresenttohimselfandtoothersthescenesandpersonsofpasttimesasinactualexistence。OftheDialoguebetweenMiltonandCowleyhespoke，manyyearsafteritspublication，asthatoneofhisworkswhichherememberedwithmostsatisfaction。ThearticleonMitford’sGreecehedidnothimselfvaluesohighlyasothersthoughtitdeserved。Thisarticle，atanyrate，containsthefirstdistinctenunciationofhisviews，astotheofficeofanhistorian，viewsafterwardsmorefullysetforthinhisEssay，uponHistory，intheEdinburghReview。Fromtheprotest，inthelastmentionedessay，againsttheconventionalnotionsrespectingthemajestyofhistorymightperhapshavebeenanticipatedsomethinglikethethirdchapteroftheHistoryofEngland。ItmaybeamusingtonoticethatinthearticleonMitford，appearsthefirstsketchoftheNewZealander，afterwardsfilledupinapassageinthereviewofMrsAustin’stranslationofRanke，apassagewhichatonetimewasthesubjectofallusion，twoorthreetimesaweek，inspeechesandleadingarticles。Inthis，too，appear，perhapsforthefirsttime，theauthor’sviewsontherepresentativesystem。Theseheretainedtotheverylast;
theyarebroughtforwardrepeatedlyinthearticlespublishedinthiscollectionandelsewhere，andinhisspeechesinparliament;
andtheycoincidewiththeopinionsexpressedinthelettertoanAmericancorrespondent，whichwassooftencitedinthelatedebateontheReformBill。
Someexplanationappearstobenecessaryastothepublicationofthethreearticles"MillonGovernment，""WestminsterReviewer’sDefenceofMill"and"UtilitarianTheoryofGovernment。"
In1828MrJamesMill，theauthoroftheHistoryofBritishIndia，reprintedsomeessayswhichhehadcontributedtotheSupplementtotheEncyclopaediaBritannica;andamongthesewasanEssayonGovernment。ThemethodofinquiryandreasoningadoptedinthisessayappearedtoMacaulaytobeessentiallywrong。HeentertainedaverystrongconvictionthattheonlysoundfoundationforatheoryofGovernmentmustbelaidincarefulandcopioushistoricalinduction;andhebelievedthatMrMill’sworkresteduponaviciousreasoningapriori。Uponthispointhefeltthemoreearnestly，owingtohisownpassionforhistoricalresearch，andtohisdevoutadmirationofBacon，whoseworkshewasatthattimestudyingwithintenseattention。Therecan，however，belittledoubtthathewasalsoprovokedbythepretensionsofsomemembersofasectwhichthencommonlywentbythenameofBenthamites，orUtilitarians。Thissectincludedmanyofhiscontemporaries，whohadquittedCambridgeataboutthesametimewithhim。Ithadsucceeded，insomemeasure，tothesectoftheByronians，whomhehasdescribedinthereviewofMoore’sLifeofLordByron，whodiscardedtheirneckcloths，andfixedlittlemodelsofskullsonthesand—glassesbywhichtheyregulatedtheboilingoftheireggsforbreakfast。Themembersofthesesects，andofmanyothersthathavesucceeded，haveprobablylongagolearnedtosmileatthetemporaryhumours。ButMacaulay，himselfasincereadmirerofBentham，wasirritatedbywhatheconsideredtheunwarrantedtoneassumedbyseveraloftheclassofUtilitarians。"Weapprehend，"hesaid，"thatmanyofthemarepersonswho，havingreadlittleornothing，aredelightedtoberescuedfromthesenseoftheirowninferioritybysometeacherwhoassuresthemthatthestudieswhichtheyhaveneglectedareofnovalue，putsfiveorsixphrasesintotheirmouths，lendsthemanoddnumberoftheWestminsterReview，andinamonthtransformsthemintophilosophers;"andhespokeofthemas"smatterers，whoseattainmentsjustsufficetoelevatethemfromtheinsignificanceofduncestothedignityofbores，andtospreaddismayamongtheirpiousauntsandgrandmothers。"
Thesect，ofcourse，likeothersects，comprehendedsomepretenders，andthesethemostarrogantandintolerantamongitsmembers。He，however，wentsofarastoapplythefollowinglanguagetothemajority:——"Astothegreaterpartofthesect，itis，weapprehend，oflittleconsequencewhattheystudyorunderwhom。Itwouldbemoreamusing，tobesure，andmorereputable，iftheywouldtakeuptheoldrepublicancantanddeclaimaboutBrutusandTimoleon，thedutyofkillingtyrantsandtheblessednessofdyingforliberty。But，onthewhole，theymighthavechosenworse。TheymayaswellbeUtilitariansasjockeysordandies。And，thoughquibblingaboutself—interestandmotives，andobjectsofdesire，andthegreatesthappinessofthegreatestnumber，isbutapooremploymentforagrownman，itcertainlyhurtsthehealthlessthanharddrinkingandthefortunelessthanhighplay;itisnotmuchmorelaughablethanphrenology，andisimmeasurablymorehumanethancock—fighting。"
MacaulayinsertedintheEdinburghReviewofMarch，1829，anarticleuponMrMill’sEssay。Heattackedthemethodwithmuchvehemence;and，totheendofhislife，heneversawanygroundforbelievingthatinthishehadgonetoofar。ButbeforelonghefeltthathehadnotspokenoftheauthoroftheEssaywiththerespectduetosoeminentaman。In1833，hedescribedMrmill，duringthedebateontheIndiaBillofthatyear，asa"gentlemanextremelywellacquaintedwiththeaffairsofourEasternEmpire，amostvaluableservantoftheCompany，andtheauthorofahistoryofIndia，which，thoughcertainlynotfreefromfaults，is，Ithink，onthewhole，thegreatesthistoricalworkwhichhasappearedinourlanguagesincethatofGibbon。"
AlmostimmediatelyupontheappearanceofthearticleintheEdinburghReview，ananswerwaspublishedintheWestminsterReview。Itwasuntrulyattributed，inthenewspapersoftheday，toMrBenthamhimself。Macaulay’sanswertothisappearedintheEdinburghReview，June，1829。HewrotetheanswerunderthebeliefthathewasansweringMrBentham，andwasundeceivedintimeonlytoaddthepostscript。TheauthorofthearticleintheWestminsterReviewhadnotperceivedthatthequestionraisedwasnotastothetruthorfalsehoodoftheresultatwhichMrMillhadarrived，butastothesoundnessorunsoundnessofthemethodwhichhepursued;amisunderstandingatwhichMacaulay，whilehesupposedthearticletobetheworkofMrBentham，expressedmuchsurprise。ThecontroversysoonbecameprincipallyadisputeastothetheorywhichwascommonlyknownbythenameofTheGreatestHappinessPrinciple。AnotherarticleintheWestminsterReviewfollowed;andasurrejoinderbyMacaulayintheEdinburghReviewofOctober，1829。Macaulaywasirritatedatwhatheconceivedtobeeitherextremedullnessorgrossunfairnessonthepartofhisunknownantagonist，andstruckashardashecould;andhestruckveryhardindeed。
TheethicalquestionthusraisedwasafterwardsdiscussedbySirJamesMackintosh，intheDissertationcontributedbyhimtotheseventheditionoftheEncyclopaediaBritannica，page284—313
（Whewell’sEdition）。SirJamesMackintoshnoticestheparttakeninthecontroversybyMacaulay，inthefollowingwords:"A
writerofconsummateability，whohasfailedinlittlebuttherespectduetotheabilitiesandcharacterofhisopponents，hasgiventoomuchcountenancetotheabuseandconfusionoflanguageexemplifiedinthewell—knownverseofPope，’Modesofself—lovethePassionswemaycall。’
’Weknow，’sayshe，’nouniversalpropositionrespectinghumannaturewhichistruebutone——thatmenalwaysactfromself—
interest。’""Itismanifestfromthesequel，thatthewriterisnotthedupeoftheconfusion;butmanyofhisreadersmaybeso。
If，indeed，theword"self—interest"couldwithproprietybeusedforthegratificationofeveryprevalentdesire，hehasclearlyshownthatthischangeinthesignificationoftermswouldbeofnoadvantagetothedoctrinewhichhecontroverts。Itwouldmakeasmanysortsofself—interestasthereareappetites，anditisirreconcilablyatvariancewiththesystemofassociationproposedbyMrMill。""Theadmirablewriterwhoselanguagehasoccasionedthisillustration，whoatanearlyagehasmasteredeveryspeciesofcomposition，willdoubtlessholdfasttosimplicity，whichsurvivesallthefashionsofdeviationfromit，andwhichamanofgeniussofertilehasfewtemptationstoforsake。"
WhenMacaulayselectedforpublicationcertainarticlesoftheEdinburghReview，heresolvednottopublishanyofthethreeessaysinquestion;forwhichheassignedthefollowingreason:——
"TheauthorhasbeenstronglyurgedtoinsertthreepapersontheUtilitarianPhilosophy，which，whentheyfirstappeared，attractedsomenotice，butwhicharenotintheAmericaneditions。Hehashoweverdeterminedtoomitthesepapers，notbecauseheisdisposedtoretractasingledoctrinewhichtheycontain，butbecauseheisunwillingtoofferwhatmightberegardedasanaffronttothememoryofonefromwhoseopinionshestillwidelydissents，buttowhosetalentsandvirtuesheadmitsthatheformerlydidnotdojustice。SeriousasarethefaultsoftheEssayonGovernment，acritic，whilenoticingthosefaults，shouldhaveabstainedfromusingcontemptuouslanguagerespectingthehistorianofBritishIndia。ItoughttobeknownthatMrMillhadthegenerosity，notonlytoforgive，buttoforgettheunbecomingacrimonywithwhichhehadbeenassailed，andwas，whenhisvaluablelifeclosed，ontermsofcordialfriendshipwithhisassailant。"
Underthesecircumstances，considerabledoubthasbeenfeltastotheproprietyofrepublishingthethreeEssaysinthepresentcollection。Butithasbeendetermined，notwithoutmuchhesitation，thattheyshouldappear。ItisfeltthatnodisrespectisshowntothememoryofMrMill，whenthepublicationisaccompaniedbysofullanapologyforthetoneadoptedtowardshim;andMrMillhimselfwouldhavebeenthelasttowishforthesuppressionofopinionsonthegroundthattheywereinexpressantagonismtohisown。Thegravehasnowclosedupontheassailantaswellastheassailed。Ontheotherhand，itcannotbutbedesirablethatopinionswhichtheauthorretainedtothelast，onimportantquestionsinpoliticsandmorals，shouldbebeforethepublic。
Someofthepoemsnowcollectedhavealreadyappearedinprint;
othersaresuppliedbytherecollectionoffriends。Thefirsttwoarepublishedonaccountoftheirhavingbeencomposedintheauthor’schildhood。Inthepoems，aswellasintheproseworks，willbeoccasionallyfoundthoughtsandexpressionswhichhaveafterwardsbeenadoptedinlaterproductions。
Noalterationwhateverhasbeenmadefromtheforminwhichtheauthorlefttheseveralarticles，withtheexceptionofsomechangesinpunctuation，andthecorrectionofoneortwoobviousmisprints。
T。F。E。
London，June1860。
CONTENTS。
CONTRIBUTIONSTOKNIGHT’SQUARTERLYMAGAZINE。
FragmentsofaRomanTale。（June1823。）
OntheRoyalSocietyofLiterature。（June1823。）
Scenesfrom"AthenianRevels。"（January1824。）
CriticismsonthePrincipalItalianWriters。No。I。Dante。
（January1824。）
CriticismsonthePrincipalItalianWriters。No。II。Petrarch。
（April1824。）
SomeaccountoftheGreatLawsuitbetweentheParishesofStDennisandStGeorgeintheWater。（April1824。）
AConversationbetweenMrAbrahamCowleyandMrJohnMilton，touchingtheGreatCivilWar。（August1824。）
OntheAthenianOrators。（August1824。）
APropheticAccountofaGrandNationalEpicPoem，tobeentitled"TheWellingtoniad，"andtobePublishedA。D。2824。（November1824。）
OnMitford’sHistoryofGreece。（November1824。）
MISCELLANEOUSWRITINGSOFLORDMACAULAY。
CONTRIBUTIONSTOKNIGHT’SQUARTERLYMAGAZINE。
FRAGMENTSOFAROMANTALE。
（June1823。）
Itwasanhourafternoon。LigariuswasreturningfromtheCampusMartius。HestrolledthroughoneofthestreetswhichledtotheForum，settlinghisgown，andcalculatingtheoddsonthegladiatorswhoweretofenceattheapproachingSaturnalia。
Whilethusoccupied，heovertookFlaminius，who，withaheavystepandamelancholyface，wassaunteringinthesamedirection。
Thelight—heartedyoungmanpluckedhimbythesleeve。
"Good—day，Flaminius。AreyoutobeofCatiline’spartythisevening？"
"NotI。"
"Whyso？YourlittleTarentinegirlwillbreakherheart。"
"Nomatter。CatilinehasthebestcooksandthefinestwineinRome。Therearecharmingwomenathisparties。Butthetwelve—
lineboardandthedice—boxpayforall。TheGodsconfoundmeifIdidnotlosetwomillionsofsesterceslastnight。MyvillaatTibur，andallthestatuesthatmyfatherthepraetorbroughtfromEphesus，mustgototheauctioneer。Thatisahighprice，youwillacknowledge，evenforPhoenicopters，Chian，andCallinice。"
"Highindeed，byPollux。"
"Andthatisnottheworst。Isawseveraloftheleadingsenatorsthismorning。Strangethingsarewhisperedinthehigherpoliticalcircles。"
"TheGodsconfoundthepoliticalcircles。IhavehatedthenameofpoliticianeversinceSylla’sproscription，whenIwaswithinamomentofhavingmythroatcutbyapolitician，whotookmeforanotherpolitician。WhilethereisacaskofFalernianinCampania，oragirlintheSuburra，Ishallbetoowellemployedtothinkonthesubject。"
"Youwilldowell，"saidFlaminiusgravely，"tobestowsomelittleconsiderationuponitatpresent。Otherwise，Ifear，youwillsoonrenewyouracquaintancewithpoliticians，inamannerquiteasunpleasantasthattowhichyouallude。"
"AvertingGods！whatdoyoumean？"
"Iwilltellyou。Therearerumoursofconspiracy。TheorderofthingsestablishedbyLuciusSyllahasexcitedthedisgustofthepeople，andofalargepartyofthenobles。Someviolentconvulsionisexpected。"
"Whatisthattome？Isupposethattheywillhardlyproscribethevintnersandgladiators，orpassalawcompellingeverycitizentotakeawife。"
"Youdonotunderstand。Catilineissupposedtobetheauthoroftherevolutionaryschemes。Youmusthaveheardboldopinionsathistablerepeatedly。"
"Ineverlistentoanyopinionsuponsuchsubjects，boldortimid。"
"Looktoit。Yournamehasbeenmentioned。"
"Mine！goodGods！IcallHeaventowitnessthatIneversomuchasmentionedSenate，Consul，orComitia，inCatiline’shouse。"
"Nobodysuspectsyouofanyparticipationintheinmostcounselsoftheparty。Butourgreatmensurmisethatyouareamongthosewhomhehasbribedsohighwithbeauty，orentangledsodeeplyindistress，thattheyarenolongertheirownmasters。Ishallneversetfootwithinhisthresholdagain。Ihavebeensolemnlywarnedbymenwhounderstandpublicaffairs;andIadviseyoutobecautious。"
ThefriendshadnowturnedintotheForum，whichwasthrongedwiththegayandelegantyouthofRome。"Icantellyoumore，"
continuedFlaminius;"somebodywasremarkingtotheConsulyesterdayhowlooselyacertainacquaintanceofourstiedhisgirdle。’Lethimlooktohimself;’saidCicero，’orthestatemayfindatightergirdleforhisneck。’"
"GoodGods！whoisit？Youcannotsurelymean"——
"Thereheis。"
FlaminiuspointedtoamanwhowaspacingupanddowntheForumatalittledistancefromthem。Hewasintheprimeofmanhood。
Hispersonaladvantageswereextremelystriking，andweredisplayedwithanextravagantbutnotungracefulfoppery。Hisgownwavedinloosefolds;hislongdarkcurlsweredressedwithexquisiteart，andshoneandsteamedwithodours;hisstepandgestureexhibitedanelegantandcommandingfigureineverypostureofpolitelanguor。Buthiscountenanceformedasingularcontrasttothegeneralappearanceofhisperson。Thehighandimperialbrow，thekeenaquilinefeatures，thecompressedmouth;
thepenetratingeye，indicatedthehighestdegreeofabilityanddecision。Heseemedabsorbedinintensemeditation。Witheyesfixedontheground，andlipsworkinginthought，hesaunteredroundthearea，apparentlyunconscioushowmanyoftheyounggallantsofRomewereenvyingthetasteofhisdress，andtheeaseofhisfashionablestagger。
"GoodHeaven！"saidLigarius，"CaiusCaesarisasunlikelytobeinaplotasIam。"
"Notatall。"
"Hedoesnothingbutgame;feast，intrigue，readGreek，andwriteverses。"
"YouknownothingofCaesar。ThoughherarelyaddressestheSenate，heisconsideredasthefinestspeakerthere，aftertheConsul。Hisinfluencewiththemultitudeisimmense。HewillservehisrivalsinpubliclifeasheservedmelastnightatCatiline’s。Wewereplayingatthetwelvelines。（Duodecimscripta，agameofmixedchanceandskill，whichseemstohavebeenveryfashionableinthehighercirclesofRome。ThefamouslawyerMuciuswasrenownedforhisskillinit。——（"Cic。Orat。"i。
50。）——Immensestakes。Helaughedallthetime，chattedwithValeriaoverhisshoulder，kissedherhandbetweeneverytwomoves，andscarcelylookedattheboard。IthoughtthatIhadhim。AllatonceIfoundmycountersdrivenintothecorner。
Notapiecetomove，byHercules。Itcostmetwomillionsofsesterces。AlltheGodsandGoddessesconfoundhimforit！"
"AstoValeria，"saidLigarius，"Iforgottoaskwhetheryouhaveheardthenews。"
"Notaword。What？"
"Iwastoldatthebathsto—daythatCaesarescortedtheladyhome。UnfortunatelyoldQuintusLutatiushadcomebackfromhisvillainCampania，inawhimofjealousy。Hewasnotexpectedforthreedays。Therewasafinetumult。Theoldfoolcalledforhisswordandhisslaves，cursedhiswife，andsworethathewouldcutCaesar’sthroat。"
"AndCaesar？"
"Helaughed，quotedAnacreon，trussedhisgownroundhisleftarm，closedwithQuintus，flunghimdown，twistedhisswordoutofhishand，burstthroughtheattendants，ranafreed—manthroughtheshoulder，andwasinthestreetinaninstant。"
"Welldone！Herehecomes。Good—day，Caius。"
Caesarliftedhisheadatthesalutation。Hisairofdeepabstractionvanished;andheextendedahandtoeachofthefriends。
"Howareyouafteryourlastnight’sexploit？"
"Aswellaspossible，"saidCaesar，laughing。
"IntruthweshouldratheraskhowQuintusLutatiusis。"
"He，Iunderstand，isaswellascanbeexpectedofamanwithafaithlessspouseandabrokenhead。Hisfreed—manismostseriouslyhurt。Poorfellow！heshallhavehalfofwhateverI
winto—night。Flaminius，youshallhaveyourrevengeatCatiline’s。"
"Youareverykind。IdonotintendtobeatCatiline’stillI
wishtopartwithmytown—house。Myvillaisgonealready。"
"NotatCatiline’s，basespirit！Youarenotofhismind，mygallantLigarius。Dice，Chian，andtheloveliestGreeksinginggirlthatwaseverseen。Thinkofthat，Ligarius。ByVenus，shealmostmademeadoreher，bytellingmethatItalkedGreekwiththemostAtticaccentthatshehadheardinItaly。"
"Idoubtshewillnotsaythesameofme，"repliedLigarius。"I
amjustasabletodecipheranobeliskastoreadalineofHomer。"
"YoubarbarousScythian，whohadthecareofyoureducation？"
"Anoldfool，——aGreekpedant，——aStoic。Hetoldmethatpainwasnoevil，andfloggedmeasifhethoughtso。Atlastoneday，inthemiddleofalecture，Isetfiretohisenormousfilthybeard，singedhisface，andsenthimroaringoutofthehouse。Thereendedmystudies。FromthattimetothisIhavehadaslittletodowithGreeceasthewinethatyourpooroldfriendLutatiuscallshisdeliciousSamian。"
"Welldone，Ligarius。IhateaStoic。IwishMarcusCatohadabeardthatyoumightsingeitforhim。ThefooltalkedhistwohoursintheSenateyesterday，withoutchangingamuscleofhisface。HelookedassavageandasmotionlessasthemaskinwhichRosciusactedAlecto。Idetesteverythingconnectedwithhim。"
"Excepthissister，Servilia。"
"True。Sheisalovelywoman。"
"Theysaythatyouhavetoldherso，Caius"
"SoIhave。"
"Andthatshewasnotangry。"
"Whatwomanis？"
"Aye——buttheysay"——
"Nomatterwhattheysay。CommonfamelieslikeaGreekrhetorician。Youmightknowsomuch，Ligarius，withoutreadingthephilosophers。Butcome，Iwillintroduceyoutolittledark—
eyedZoe。"
"ItellyouIcanspeaknoGreek。"
"Moreshameforyou。Itishightimethatyoushouldbegin。Youwillneverhavesuchacharminginstructress。OfwhatwasyourfatherthinkingwhenhesentforanoldStoicwithalongbeardtoteachyou？Thereisnolanguage—mistresslikeahandsomewoman。WhenIwasatAthens，IlearntmoreGreekfromaprettyflower—girlinthePeiraeusthanfromallthePorticoandtheAcademy。ShewasnoStoic，Heavenknows。ButcomealongtoZoe。
Iwillbeyourinterpreter。WooherinhonestLatin，andIwillturnitintoelegantGreekbetweenthethrowsofdice。Icanmakeloveandmindmygameatonce，asFlaminiuscantellyou。
"Well，then，tobeplain，Caesar，Flaminiushasbeentalkingtomeaboutplots，andsuspicions，andpoliticians。IneverplaguedmyselfwithsuchthingssinceSylla’sandMarius’sdays;andthenInevercouldseemuchdifferencebetweentheparties。AllthatIamsureofis，thatthosewhomeddlewithsuchaffairsaregenerallystabbedorstrangled。And，thoughIlikeGreekwineandhandsomewomen，Idonotwishtoriskmyneckforthem。Now，tellmeasafriend，Caius——istherenodanger？"
"Danger！"repeatedCaesar，withashort，fierce，disdainfullaugh:"whatdangerdoyouapprehend？"
"Thatyoushouldbestknow，"saidFlaminius;"youarefarmoreintimatewithCatilinethanI。ButIadviseyoutobecautious。
Theleadingmenentertainstrongsuspicions。"
Caesardrewuphisfigurefromitsordinarystateofgracefulrelaxationintoanattitudeofcommandingdignity，andrepliedinavoiceofwhichthedeepandimpassionedmelodyformedastrangecontrasttothehumorousandaffectedtoneofhisordinaryconversation。"Letthemsuspect。Theysuspectbecausetheyknowwhattheyhavedeserved。WhathavetheydoneforRome？——Whatformankind？Askthecitizens——asktheprovinces。Havetheyhadanyotherobjectthantoperpetuatetheirownexclusivepower，andtokeepusundertheyokeofanoligarchicaltyranny，whichunitesinitselftheworstevilsofeveryothersystem，andcombinesmorethanAthenianturbulencewithmorethanPersiandespotism？"
"GoodGods！Caesar。Itisnotsafeforyoutospeak，orforustolistento，suchthings，atsuchacrisis。"
"Judgeforyourselveswhatyouwillhear。IwilljudgeformyselfwhatIwillspeak。IwasnottwentyyearsoldwhenI
defiedLuciusSylla，surroundedbythespearsoflegionariesandthedaggersofassassins。DoyousupposethatIstandinaweofhispaltrysuccessors，whohaveinheritedapowerwhichtheynevercouldhaveacquired;whowouldimitatehisproscriptions，thoughtheyhaveneverequalledhisconquests？"
"PompeyisalmostaslittletobetrifledwithasSylla。Iheardaconsularsenatorsaythat，inconsequenceofthepresentalarmingstateofaffairs，hewouldprobablyberecalledfromthecommandassignedtohimbytheManilianlaw。"
"Lethimcome，——thepupilofSylla’sbutcheries，——thegleanerofLucullus’strophies，——thethief—takeroftheSenate。"
"ForHeaven’ssake，Caius！——ifyouknewwhattheConsulsaid"——
"Somethingabouthimself，nodoubt。Pitythatsuchtalentsshouldbecoupledwithsuchcowardiceandcoxcombry。Heisthefinestspeakerliving，——infinitelysuperiortowhatHortensiuswas，inhisbestdays;——acharmingcompanion，exceptwhenhetellsoverforthetwentiethtimeallthejokesthathemadeatVerres’strial。Butheisthedespicabletoolofadespicableparty。"
"Yourlanguage，Caius，convincesmethatthereportswhichhavebeencirculatedarenotwithoutfoundation。IwillventuretoprophesythatwithinafewmonthstherepublicwillpassthroughawholeOdysseyofstrangeadventures。"
"Ibelieveso;anOdyssey，ofwhichPompeywillbethePolyphemus，andCicerotheSiren。IwouldhavethestateimitateUlysses:shownomercytotheformer;butcontrive，ifitcanbedone，tolistentotheenchantingvoiceoftheother，withoutbeingseducedbyittodestruction。"
"Butwhomcanyourpartyproduceasrivalstothesetwofamousleaders？"
"Timewillshow。Iwouldhopethattheremayariseaman，whosegeniustoconquer，toconciliate，andtogovern，mayuniteinonecauseanoppressedanddividedpeople;——maydoallthatSyllashouldhavedone，andexhibitthemagnificentspectacleofagreatnationdirectedbyagreatmind。"
"Andwhereissuchamantobefound？"
"Perhapswhereyouwouldleastexpecttofindhim。Perhapshemaybeonewhosepowershavehithertobeenconcealedindomesticorliteraryretirement。Perhapshemaybeone，who，whilewaitingforsomeadequateexcitement，forsomeworthyopportunity，squandersontriflesageniusbeforewhichmayyetbehumbledtheswordofPompeyandthegownofCicero。Perhapshemaynowbedisputingwithasophist;perhapsprattlingwithamistress;perhaps"and，ashespoke，heturnedaway，andresumedhislounge，"strollingintheForum。"……
Itwasalmostmidnight。Thepartyhadseparated。CatilineandCetheguswerestillconferringinthesupper—room，whichwas，asusual，thehighestapartmentofthehouse。Itformedacupola，fromwhichwindowsopenedontheflatroofthatsurroundedit。
TothisterraceZoehadretired。Witheyesdimmedwithfondandmelancholytears，sheleanedoverthebalustrade，tocatchthelastglimpseofthedepartingformofCaesar，asitgrewmoreandmoreindistinctinthemoonlight。Hadheanythoughtofher？
Anyloveforher？He，thefavouriteofthehigh—bornbeautiesofRome，themostsplendid，themostgraceful，themosteloquentofitsnobles？Itcouldnotbe。Hisvoicehad，indeed，beentouchinglysoftwheneverheaddressedher。Therehadbeenafascinatingtendernesseveninthevivacityofhislookandconversation。ButsuchwerealwaysthemannersofCaesartowardswomen。Hehadwreathedasprigofmyrtleinherhairasshewassinging。Shetookitfromherdarkringlets，andkissedit，andweptoverit，andthoughtofthesweetlegendsofherowndearGreece，——ofyouthsandgirls，who，piningawayinhopelesslove，hadbeentransformedintoflowersbythecompassionoftheGods;
andshewishedtobecomeaflower，whichCaesarmightsometimestouch，thoughheshouldtouchitonlytoweaveacrownforsomeprouderandhappiermistress。
ShewasrousedfromhermusingsbytheloudstepandvoiceofCethegus，whowaspacingfuriouslyupanddownthesupper—room。
"MayalltheGodsconfoundme，ifCaesarbenotthedeepesttraitor，orthemostmiserableidiot，thateverintermeddledwithaplot！"
Zoeshuddered。Shedrewnearertothewindow。Shestoodconcealedfromobservationbythecurtainoffinenetworkwhichhungovertheaperture，toexcludetheannoyinginsectsoftheclimate。
"Andyoutoo！"continuedCethegus，turningfiercelyonhisaccomplice;"youtotakehispartagainstme！——you，whoproposedtheschemeyourself！"
"MydearCaiusCethegus，youwillnotunderstandme。Iproposedthescheme;andIwilljoininexecutingit。Butpolicyisasnecessarytoourplansasboldness。IdidnotwishtostartleCaesar——tolosehisco—operation——perhapstosendhimoffwithaninformationagainstustoCiceroandCatulus。Hewassoindignantatyoursuggestionthatallmydissimulationwasscarcelysufficienttopreventatotalrupture。"
"Indignant！TheGodsconfoundhim！——Hepratedabouthumanity，andgenerosity，andmoderation。ByHercules，IhavenotheardsuchalecturesinceIwaswithXenocharesatRhodes。"
"Caesarismadeupofinconsistencies。Hehasboundlessambition，unquestionedcourage，admirablesagacity。YetIhavefrequentlyobservedinhimawomanishweaknessatthesightofpain。Irememberthatonceoneofhisslaveswastakenillwhilecarryinghislitter。Healighted，putthefellowinhisplaceandwalkedhomeinafallofsnow。Iwonderthatyoucouldbesoill—advisedastotalktohimofmassacre，andpillage，andconflagration。Youmighthaveforeseenthatsuchpropositionswoulddisgustamanofhistemper。"
"Idonotknow。Ihavenotyourself—command，Lucius。Ihatesuchconspirators。Whatistheuseofthem？Wemusthaveblood——blood，——hackingandtearingwork——bloodywork！"
"Donotgrindyourteeth，mydearCaius;andlaydownthecarving—knife。ByHercules，youhavecutupallthestuffingofthecouch。"
"Nomatter;weshallhavecouchesenoughsoon，——anddowntostuffthemwith，——andpurpletocoverthem，——andprettywomentolollonthem，——unlessthisfool，andsuchashe，spoilourplans。I
hadsomethingelsetosay。TheessencedfopwishestoseduceZoefromme。"
"Impossible！Youmisconstruetheordinarygallantrieswhichheisinthehabitofpayingtoeveryhandsomeface。"
"Curseonhisordinarygallantries，andhisverses，andhiscompliments，andhissprigsofmyrtle！IfCaesarshoulddare——byHercules，IwilltearhimtopiecesinthemiddleoftheForum。"
"Trusthisdestructiontome。Wemustusehistalentsandinfluence——thrusthimuponeverydanger——makehimourinstrumentwhilewearecontending——ourpeace—offeringtotheSenateifwefail——ourfirstvictimifwesucceed。"
"Hark！whatnoisewasthat？"
"Somebodyintheterrace——lendmeyourdagger。"
Catilinerushedtothewindow。Zoewasstandingintheshade。
Hesteppedout。Shedartedintotheroom——passedlikeaflashoflightningbythestartledCethegus——flewdownthestairs——throughthecourt——throughthevestibule——throughthestreet。Steps，voices，lights，camefastandconfusedlybehindher;butwiththespeedofloveandterrorshegaineduponherpursuers。Shefledthroughthewildernessofunknownandduskystreets，tillshefoundherself，breathlessandexhausted，inthemidstofacrowdofgallants，who，withchapletsontheirheadsandtorchesintheirhands，werereelingfromtheporticoofastatelymansion。
Theforemostofthethrongwasayouthwhoseslenderfigureandbeautifulcountenanceseemedhardlyconsistentwithhissex。Butthefemininedelicacyofhisfeaturesrenderedmorefrightfulthemingledsensualityandferocityoftheirexpression。Thelibertineaudacityofhisstare，andthegrotesquefopperyofhisapparel，seemedtoindicateatleastapartialinsanity。
FlingingonearmroundZoe，andtearingawayherveilwiththeother，hedisclosedtothegazeofhisthrongingcompanionstheregularfeaturesandlargedarkeyeswhichcharacteriseAthenianbeauty。
"Clodiushasalltheluckto—night，"criedLigarius。
"Notso，byHercules，"saidMarcusCoelius;"thegirlisfairlyourcommonprize:wewillflingdiceforher。TheVenus（VenuswastheRomantermforthehighestthrowofthedice。）throw，asitoughttodo，shalldecide。"
"Letmego——letmego，forHeaven’ssake，"criedZoe，strugglingwithClodius。
"WhatacharmingGreekaccentshehas！Comeintothehouse，mylittleAtheniannightingale。"
"Oh！whatwillbecomeofme？Ifyouhavemothers——ifyouhavesisters"——
"Clodiushasasister，"mutteredLigarius，"orheismuchbelied。"
"ByHeaven，sheisweeping，"saidClodius。
"IfshewerenotevidentlyaGreek，"saidCoelius，"Ishouldtakeherforavestalvirgin。"
"Andifshewereavestalvirgin，"criedClodiusfiercely，"itshouldnotdeterme。Thisway;——nostruggling——noscreaming。"
"Struggling！screaming！"exclaimedagayandcommandingvoice;
"Youaremakingveryungentlelove，Clodius。"
Thewholepartystarted。Caesarhadmingledwiththemunperceived。
ThesoundofhisvoicethrilledthroughtheveryheartofZoe。
Withaconvulsiveeffortsheburstfromthegraspofherinsolentadmirer，flungherselfatthefeetofCaesar，andclaspedhisknees。Themoonshonefullonheragitatedandimploringface:
herlipsmoved;butsheutterednosound。Hegazedatherforaninstant——raisedher——claspedhertohisbosom。"Fearnothing，mysweetZoe。"Then，withfoldedarms，andasmileofplaciddefiance，heplacedhimselfbetweenherandClodius。
Clodiusstaggeredforward，flushedwithwineandrage，andutteringalternatelyacurseandahiccup。
"ByPollux，thispassesajest。Caesar，howdareyouinsultmethus？"
"Ajest！IamasseriousasaJewontheSabbath。Insultyou;
forsuchapairofeyesIwouldinsultthewholeconsularbench，orIshouldbeasinsensibleasKingPsammis’smummy。"
"GoodGods，Caesar！"saidMarcusCoelius，interposing;"youcannotthinkitworthwhiletogetintoabrawlforalittleGreekgirl！"
"Whynot？TheGreekgirlshaveusedmeaswellasthoseofRome。
Besides，thewholereputationofmygallantryisatstake。Giveupsuchalovelywomantothatdrunkenboy！Mycharacterwouldbegoneforever。Nomoreperfumedtablets，fullofvowsandraptures。Nomoretoyingwithfingersatthecircus。NomoreeveningwalksalongtheTiber。Nomorehidinginchestsorjumpingfromwindows。I，thefavouredsuitorofhalfthewhitestolesinRome，couldneveragainaspireaboveafreed—woman。
Youamanofgallantry，andthinkofsuchathing！Forshame，mydearCoelius！DonotletClodiahearofit。"
WhileCaesarspokehehadbeenengagedinkeepingClodiusatarm’s—length。Therageofthefranticlibertineincreasedasthestrugglecontinued。"Standback，asyouvalueyourlife，"hecried;"Iwillpass。"
"Notthisway，sweetClodius。Ihavetoomuchregardforyoutosufferyoutomakeloveatsuchdisadvantage。YousmelltoomuchofFalernianatpresent。Wouldyoustifleyourmistress？ByHercules，youarefittokissnobodynow，exceptoldPiso，whenheistumblinghomeinthemorningfromthevintners。"
Clodiusplungedhishandintohisbosomanddrewalittledagger，thefaithfulcompanionofmanydesperateadventures。
"Oh，Gods！hewillbemurdered！"criedZoe。
Thewholethrongofrevellerswasinagitation。Thestreetfluctuatedwithtorchesandliftedhands。Itwasbutforamoment。CaesarwatchedwithasteadyeyethedescendinghandofClodius，arrestedtheblow，seizedhisantagonistbythethroat，andflunghimagainstoneofthepillarsoftheporticowithsuchviolence，thatherolled，stunnedandsenseless，ontheground。
"Heiskilled，"criedseveralvoices。
"Fairself—defence，byHercules！"saidMarcusCoelius。"Bearwitness，youallsawhimdrawhisdagger。"
Heisnotdead——hebreathes，"saidLigarius。"Carryhimintothehouse;heisdreadfullybruised。"
TherestofthepartyretiredwithClodius。CoeliusturnedtoCaesar。
"ByalltheGods，Caius！youhavewonyourladyfairly。A
splendidvictory！Youdeserveatriumph。"
"WhatamadmanClodiushasbecome！"
"Intolerable。ButcomeandsupwithmeontheNones。YouhavenoobjectiontomeettheConsul？"
Cicero？Noneatall。Weneednottalkpolitics。OurolddisputeaboutPlatoandEpicuruswillfurnishuswithplentyofconversation。Soreckonuponme，mydearMarcus，andfarewell。"
CaesarandZoeturnedaway。Assoonastheywerebeyondhearing，shebeganingreatagitation:——
"Caesar，youareindanger。Iknowall。IoverheardCatilineandCethegus。Youareengagedinaprojectwhichmustleadtocertaindestruction。"
"MybeautifulZoe，Iliveonlyforgloryandpleasure。FortheseIhaveneverhesitatedtohazardanexistencewhichtheyalonerendervaluabletome。Inthepresentcase，Icanassureyouthatourschemepresentsthefairesthopesofsuccess。"
"Somuchtheworse。Youdonotknow——youdonotunderstandme。
Ispeaknotofopenperil，butofsecrettreachery。Catilinehatesyou;——Cethegushatesyou;——yourdestructionisresolved。
Ifyousurvivethecontest，youperishinthefirsthourofvictory。Theydetestyouforyourmoderation;theyareeagerforbloodandplunder。Ihaveriskedmylifetobringyouthiswarning;butthatisoflittlemoment。Farewell！——Behappy。"
Caesarstoppedher。"Doyouflyfrommythanks，dearZoe？"
"Iwishnotforyourthanks，butforyoursafety;——IdesirenottodefraudValeriaorServiliaofonecaress，extortedfromgratitudeorpity。Bemyfeelingswhattheymay，Ihavelearntinafearfulschooltoendureandtosuppressthem。Ihavebeentaughttoabaseaproudspirittotheclapsandhissesofthevulgar;——tosmileonsuitorswhounitedtheinsultsofadespicablepridetotheendearmentsofaloathsomefondness;——toaffectsprightlinesswithanachinghead，andeyesfromwhichtearswerereadytogush;——tofeignlovewithcursesonmylips，andmadnessinmybrain。Whofeelsformeanyesteem，——anytenderness？WhowillshedatearoverthenamelessgravewhichwillsoonshelterfromcrueltyandscornthebrokenheartofthepoorAtheniangirl？Butyou，whoalonehaveaddressedherinherdegradationwithavoiceofkindnessandrespect，farewell。
Sometimesthinkofme，——notwithsorrow;——no;Icouldbearyouringratitude，butnotyourdistress。Yet，ifitwillnotpainyoutoomuch，indistantdays，whenyourloftyhopesanddestiniesareaccomplished，——ontheeveningofsomemightyvictory，——inthechariotofsomemagnificenttriumph，——thinkononewholovedyouwiththatexceedinglovewhichonlythemiserablecanfeel。Thinkthat，whereverherexhaustedframemayhavesunkbeneaththesensibilitiesofatorturedspirit，——inwhateverhovelorwhatevervaultshemayhaveclosedhereyes，——whateverstrangescenesofhorrorandpollutionmayhavesurroundedherdyingbed，yourshapewasthelastthatswambeforehersight——
yourvoicethelastsoundthatwasringinginherears。Yetturnyourfacetome，Caesar。Letmecarryawayonelastlookofthosefeatures，andthen"——Heturnedround。Helookedather。
Hehidhisfaceonherbosom，andburstintotears。Withsobslongandloud，andconvulsiveasthoseofaterrifiedchild，hepouredforthonherbosomthetributeofimpetuousanduncontrollableemotion。Heraisedhishead;butheinvainstruggledtorestorecomposuretothebrowwhichhadconfrontedthefrownofSylla，andthelipswhichhadrivalledtheeloquenceofCicero。Heseveraltimesattemptedtospeak，butinvain;andhisvoicestillfalteredwithtenderness，when，afterapauseofseveralminutes，hethusaddressedher:
"MyowndearZoe，yourlovehasbeenbestowedononewho，ifhecannotmerit，canatleastappreciateandadoreyou。Beingsofsimilarloveliness，andsimilardevotednessofaffection，mingled，inallmyboyishdreamsofgreatness，withvisionsofcurulechairsandivorycars，marshalledlegionsandlaurelledfasces。SuchIhaveendeavouredtofindintheworld;and，intheirstead，Ihavemetwithselfishness，withvanity，withfrivolity，withfalsehood。Thelifewhichyouhavepreservedisaboonlessvaluablethantheaffection"——
"Oh！Caesar，"interruptedtheblushingZoe，"thinkonlyonyourownsecurityatpresent。Ifyoufeelasyouspeak，——butyouareonlymockingme，——orperhapsyourcompassion"——
"ByHeaven！——byeveryoaththatisbinding"——
"Alas！alas！Caesar，werenotallthesameoathsswornyesterdaytoValeria？ButIwilltrustyou，atleastsofarastopartakeyourpresentdangers。Flightmayhenecessary:——formyourplans。
Betheywhattheymay，thereisonewho，inexile，inpoverty，inperil，asksonlytowander，tobeg，todiewithyou。"
"MyZoe，Idonotanticipateanysuchnecessity。Torenouncetheconspiracywithoutrenouncingtheprinciplesonwhichitwasoriginallyundertaken，——toeludethevengeanceoftheSenatewithoutlosingtheconfidenceofthepeople，——is，indeed，anarduous，butnotanimpossible，task。Ioweittomyselfandtomycountrytomaketheattempt。Thereisstillampletimeforconsideration。AtpresentIamtoohappyinlovetothinkofambitionordanger。"
Theyhadreachedthedoorofastatelypalace。Caesarstruckit。
Itwasinstantlyopenedbyaslave。Zoefoundherselfinamagnificenthall，surroundedbypillarsofgreenmarble，betweenwhichwererangedthestatuesofthelonglineofJuliannobles。
"CallEndymion，"saidCaesar。
Theconfidentialfreed—manmadehisappearance，notwithoutaslightsmile，whichhispatron’sgoodnatureemboldenedhimtohazard，atperceivingthebeautifulAthenian。
"Armmyslaves，Endymion;therearereasonsforprecaution。Letthemrelieveeachotheronguardduringthenight。Zoe，mylove，mypreserver，whyareyourcheekssopale？Letmekisssomebloomintothem。Howyoutremble！Endymion，aflaskofSamianandsomefruit。Bringthemtomyapartments。Thisway，mysweetZoe。"