Page 777 upon the Bench, made it his daily care to reform and set all things right again in the Province.
9. In the Courts of Justice, he aim'd at the Publick Good, and clear'd the Court of all Sycophants, and false Accusers; and it was his chief care to relieve the poorest Man, and those that were less able to help themselves; for whereas the other Praetors committed the care of Orphans and Widows, that were destitute of Friends, to Tutors and Guardians that were Strangers, he lookt after them himself, and decided their Causes with all the care and diligence imaginable, and was a great Relief to the Oppressed. And as long as he was Governor of Sicily, continually using his utmost endeavour to Suppress both private and publick Injuries, he at length settled the Province in its former State of happiness and prosperity.
10. Marcus Livius Drusus, tho' he was very young, yet was adorn'd with whatever was commendable either in reference to his Body or Mind: For he was the Son of a renown'd Father, who was singularly belov'd of the People of Rome, both upon the account of his noble Birth, and virtuous Qualifications. And he himself for Eloquence excell'd all his equals in Age, and all his fellow Citizens in Wealth and Riches: And upon the account of his Faithfulness to his Word, he gain'd a very great Interest and Authority among the Citizens, and being likewise of a great Spirit, seem'd to be the only Patron of the Senate.
1. POmpoedius General of the Marsians, attempted indeed a Great, but a most Rash and inconsiderate Act; for he pickt out 10000 Soldiers from amongst them, that were afraid of suffering due punishment for their Offences, and commanding them to hide their Swords under their Coats, Marcht with them towards Rome, with a design to beset the Senate round with this Rabble, and to demand the Freedom of the City, and if he could not prevail, to lay the City Wast with Fire and Sword. Being by chance met upon the Road by Caius Domitius, he askt him, whither goest thou Pompedius with so great a Company? Who answer'd, to Rome, for that he was sent for by the Tribunes of the People, to be receiv'd into the Freedom of the City. But Domitius reply'd, saying, Thou mayest obtain what thou seek'st for, with far more ease and much more honesty, if thou didst not make up to the Senate in a Hostile manner; for the Senate will not be compelled, but intreated and petitioned to bestow that Grace and Favour upon the Latines, that are their Allies and Confederates. The Man being taken with this, as with a Divine Admonition from Heaven, and over-perswaded with what Domitius had said, forthwith return'd home. And thus Domitius by his seasonable and prudent advice, deliver'd his Country from dreadful Mischiefs that threatned it, addressing himself to Pompaedius, much better than Servilius the Proconsul did to the Picentians. For he spoke not to them as to Freemen and Allyes, but as to Slaves, and insulted over them with the greatest scorn and contempt imaginable, and threatn'd and terrifi'd them to that Degree, that he stirr'd up the Confederates, to the Ruin and Destruction both of himself and others. But Domitius on the contrary, by his Mild and calm Discourse, allay'd the Fury and Violence of the Inrag'd Multitude.
2. There was one Agamemnon a Cilician, for his many wicked pranks and slaughters of the Confederates, was committed to Prison in Asculum by the Romans. This Man being Releas'd by the Picentians, in gratitude for the kindness shew'd him, Fought resolutely on their side: And being enur'd to Robberies from a Boy, joyning with others of the like Gang, he Wasted and Spoil'd the Enemies Country.
3. The Inhabitants of the City Pinna, for their constant Fidelity to the Romans, fell into most dreadful calamities, for being obstinately resolv'd not to desert the Romans (without any touch or Sense of Natural affection) were forc'd to see their Children knockt on the Head before their Eyes.
4. Lucius Suila bravely and gallantly perform'd most noble Actions, and his Fame and Renown was Blazon'd all over the City: And the People of Rome judg'd him worthy of the Consulship, looking upon him as a Man Eminent, both for Valour and Conduct in Martial affairs: To conclude, it was apparent, he was likely to arrive at the highest pitch of Glory.
5. Mithridates having conquer'd the Roman Generals in Asia, and taken many Prisoners, sent them all home Cloth'd, and with provision in their Snapsacks. This mild Passage