The Library of History

Page 778 15. Lucius Scipio's Army being corrupted, Revolted, and went over to Sylla; Scipio now looking upon himself as a lost Man, Sylla sent to him a Party of Horse to conduct him whithersoever he pleas'd. Being therefore forc'd in a Moment to lay aside the Ensigns of his Authority, he was forthwith by the courtesie of Sylla, brought in a private Habit to the Place he desir'd. But presently after he resum'd the Ensigns of his Authority, and again Marcht forth with a considerable Army.

16. In the mean time the Persons of the greatest Quality at Rome, by false accusations, were put to death, amongst whom Quintus Mucius Scaevola, the chief Priest, a most honourable and virtuous Person, came to an unworthy End, only the Romans were fortunate in this, that the High Priest dy'd not in the most Sacred Place: For the cruelty of the Murderers was such, that they laid him upon the very Altar, and there cut his Throat, so that by his own Blood, he extinguish'd that Fire that out of a Religious Devotion, from Ancient times was ever kept Burning.

17. The Names of those that were proscrib'd, being fixt up in the Market-place, on a sudden a Multitude of People came flocking in to read it, of whom very many pity'd those that were thus Condemn'd to die. But one amongst the rest a most malicious and insolent Fellow, glory'd over the miserable Condition of the afflicted, and bawl'd out most spiteful words against them, whom some incens'd Deity forthwith repaid with a just Revenge. For by chance reading his own Name, as one proscrib'd at the bottom of the Roll, he presently threw his Gown over his Head, and began to fly through the thickest of the People, but being known to one that stood next to him, who discover'd him to be one condemn'd, he was instantly surrounded and seiz'd, and then put to death to the great joy of all that heard of it.

18. Cneius Pompeius being a long time Praetor in Sicily, appli'd himself to the business of the Courts of Justice, and deciding both publick and private Controversies, discharg'd his Office with so much diligence and integrity, that none ever merited more Commendation. For tho' he was but Two and twenty years of Age, a time which might have drawn him off by foolish youthful Lusts, yet he carri'd himself with so much gravity and sobriety all the while he was in Sicily, that the Virtue of the young Man was much admir'd by all the Sicilians.