第 7 节
作者:风格1      更新:2021-02-18 23:33      字数:9307
  empty title to places not in their power to dispose of; in
  recompense of which they should be supplied with what they then
  stood most in need of; Sertorius would by no means agree to it;
  declaring that he was willing that King Mithridates should exercise
  all royal power and authority over Bithynia and Cappadocia;
  countries accustomed to a monarchical government; and not belonging to
  Rome; but he could never consent that he should seize or detain a
  province; which; by the justest right and title; was possessed by
  the Romans; which Mithridates had formerly taken away from them; and
  had afterwards lost in open war to Fimbria; and quitted upon a
  treaty of peace with Sylla。 For he looked upon it as his duty to
  enlarge the Roman possessions by his conquering arms; and not to
  increase his own power by the diminution of the Roman territories。
  Since a noble…minded man; though he willingly accepts of victory
  when it comes with honour; will never so much as endeavour to save his
  own life upon any dishonourable terms。
  When this was related to Mithridates; he was struck with
  amazement; and said to his intimate friends; 〃What will Sertorius
  enjoin us to do when he comes to be seated in the Palatium in Rome;
  who at present; when he is driven out to the borders of the Atlantic
  Sea; sets bounds to our kingdoms in the east; and threatens us with
  war if we attempt the recovery of Asia?〃 However; they solemnly;
  upon oath; concluded a league between them; upon these terms: that
  Mithridates should enjoy the free possessions of Cappadocia and
  Bithynia; and that Sertorius should send him soldiers and a general
  for his army; in recompense of which the king was to supply him with
  three thousand talents and forty ships。 Marcus Marius; a Roman senator
  who had quitted Rome to follow Sertorius; was sent general into
  Asia; in company with whom; when Mithridates had reduced divers of the
  Asian cities; Marius made his entrance with rods and axes carried
  before him; and Mithridates followed in the second place;
  voluntarily waiting upon him。 Some of these cities he set at
  liberty; and others he freed from taxes; signifying to them that these
  privileges were granted to them by the favour of Sertorius; and hereby
  Asia; which had been miserably tormented by the revenue farmers; and
  oppressed by the insolent pride and covetousness of the soldiers;
  began to rise again to new hopes and to look forward with joy to the
  expected change of government。
  But in Spain; the senators about Sertorius; and others of the
  nobility; finding themselves strong enough for their enemies; no
  sooner laid aside fear; but their minds were possessed by envy and
  irrational jealousies of Sertorius's power。 And chiefly Perpenna;
  elevated by the thoughts of his noble birth; and carried away with a
  fond ambition of commanding the army; threw out villainous
  discourses in private amongst his acquaintance。 〃What evil genius;〃 he
  would say; 〃hurries us perpetually from worse to worse? We who
  disdained to obey the dictates of Sylla; the ruler of the sea and
  land; and thus to live at home in peace and quiet; are come hither
  to our destruction; hoping to enjoy our liberty; and have made
  ourselves slaves of our own accord; and are become the contemptible
  guards and attendants of the banished Sertorius; who; that he may
  expose us the further; gives us a name that renders us ridiculous to
  all that hear it; and calls us the Senate; when at the same time he
  makes us undergo as much hard labour; and forces us to be as subject
  to his haughty commands and insolences; as any Spaniards and
  Lusitanians。〃 With these mutinous discourses he seduced them; and
  though the greater number could not be led into open rebellion against
  Sertorius; fearing his power; they were prevailed with to endeavour to
  destroy his interest secretly。 For by abusing the Lusitanians and
  Spaniards; by inflicting severe punishments upon them; by raising
  exorbitant taxes; and by pretending that all this was done by the
  strict command of Sertorius; they caused great troubles; and made many
  cities to revolt; and those who were sent to mitigate and heal these
  differences did rather exasperate them; and increase the number of his
  enemies; and left them at their return more obstinate and rebellious
  than they found them。 And Sertorius; incensed with all this; now so
  far forgot his former clemency and goodness as to lay hands on the
  sons of the Spaniards educated in the city of Osca; and; contrary to
  all justice; he cruelly put some of them to death; and sold others。
  In the meantime; Perpenna; having increased the number of his
  conspirators; drew in Manlius; a commander in the army; who; at that
  time being attached to a youth; to gain his affections the more;
  discovered the confederacy to him; bidding him neglect others; and
  be constant to him alone; who; in a few days; was to be a person of
  great power and authority。 But the youth having a greater
  inclination for Aufidius; disclosed all to him; which much surprised
  and amazed him。 For he was also one of the confederacy; but knew not
  that Manlius was anyways engaged in it; but when the youth began to
  name Perpenna; Gracinus; and others; whom he new very well to be sworn
  conspirators; he was very much terrified and astonished; but made
  light of it to the youth; and bade him not regard what Manlius said; a
  vain; boasting fellow。 However; he went presently to Perpenna; and
  giving him notice of the danger they were in; and of the shortness
  of their time; desired him immediately to put their designs in
  execution。 When all the confederates had consented to it; they
  provided a messenger who brought feigned letters to Sertorius; in
  which he had notice of a victory obtained; it said; by one of his
  lieutenants; and of the great slaughter of his enemies: and as
  Sertorius; being extremely well pleased; was sacrificing and giving
  thanks to the gods for his prosperous success; Perpenna invited him;
  and those with him; who were also of the conspiracy; to an
  entertainment; and being very importunate; prevailed with him to come。
  At all suppers and entertainments where Sertorius was present; great
  order and decency was wont to be observed; for he would not endure
  to hear or see anything that was rude or unhandsome; but made it the
  habit of all who kept his company to entertain themselves with quiet
  and inoffensive amusements。 But in the middle of this entertainment;
  those who sought occasion to quarrel fell into dissolute discourse
  openly; and making as if they were very drunk; committed many
  insolences on purpose to provoke him。 Sertorius; being offended with
  their ill…behaviour; or perceiving the state of their minds by their
  way of speaking and their unusually disrespectful manner changed the
  posture of his lying; and leaned backward; as one that neither heard
  nor regarded them。 Perpenna now took a cup full of wine; and; as he
  was drinking; let it fall out of his hand and made a noise; which
  was the sign agreed upon amongst them; and Antonius; who was next to
  Sertorius; immediately wounded him with his sword。 And whilst
  Sertorius; upon receiving the wound; turned himself; and strove to get
  up; Antonius threw himself upon his breast; and held both his hands;
  so that he died by a number of blows; without being able even to
  defend himself。
  Upon the first news of his death; most of the Spaniards left the
  conspirators; and sent ambassadors to Pompey and Metellus; and yielded
  themselves up to them。 Perpenna attempted to do something with those
  that remained; but he made only so much use of Sertorius's arms and
  preparations for war as to disgrace himself in them; and to let it
  be evident to all that he understood no more how to command than he
  knew how to obey; and when he came against Pompey; he was soon
  overthrown and taken prisoner。 Neither did he bear this last
  affliction with any bravery; but having Sertorius's papers and
  writings in his hands; he offered to show Pompey letters from
  persons of consular dignity; and of the highest quality in Rome;
  written with their own hands; expressly to call Sertorius into
  Italy; and to let him know what great numbers there were that
  earnestly desired to alter the present state of affairs; and to
  introduce another manner of government。 Upon this occasion; Pompey
  behaved not like a youth; or one of a light inconsiderate mind; but as
  a man of a confirmed; mature; and solid judgment; and so freed Rome
  from great fears and dangers of change。 For he put all Sertorius's
  writings and letters together and read not one of them; nor suffered
  any one else to read them; but burnt them all; and caused Perpenna
  immediately to be put to death; lest by discovering their names
  further troubles and revolutions might ensue。
  Of the rest of the conspirators with Perpenna; some were taken and
  slain by the command of Pompey; others fled into Africa; and were
  set upon by the Moors; and run through with their darts: and in a
  short time not one of them was left alive; except only Aufidius; the
  rival of Manlius; who; hiding himself; or not being much inquired
  after; died an old man; in an obscure village in Spain; in extreme
  poverty; and hated by all。