Cnaeus Pompeius, the son of Sextus, being consul, in my presence, when I was serving my first campaign in his army, had a conference with Publius Vettius Scato, the general of the Marsians, between the camps.  And I recollect that Sextus Pompeius, the brother of the consul, a very learned and wise man, came thither from Rome to the conference.  And when Scato had saluted him, “What,” said he, “am I to call you?”—­“Call me,” said he, “one who is by inclination a friend, by necessity an enemy.”  That conference was conducted with fairness; there was no fear, no suspicion; even their mutual hatred was not great; for the allies were not seeking to take our city from us, but to be themselves admitted to share the privileges of it.  Sylla and Scipio, one attended by the flower of the nobility, the other by the allies, had a conference between Cales and Teanum, respecting the authority of the senate, the suffrages of the people, and the privileges of citizenship; and agreed upon conditions and stipulations.  Good faith was not strictly observed at that conference; but still there was no violence used, and no danger incurred.

XII.  But can we be equally safe among Antonius’s piratical crew?  We cannot; or, even if the rest can, I do not believe that I can.  What will be the case if we are not to confer out of the camp?  What camp is to be chosen for the conference?  He will never come into our camp:—­much less will we go to his.  It follows then, that all demands must be received and sent to and fro by means of letters.  We then shall be in our respective camps.  On all his demands I shall have but one opinion; and when I have stated it here, in your hearing, you may think that I have gone, and that I have come back again.—­I shall have finished my embassy.  As far as my sentiments can prevail I shall refer every demand which Antonius makes to the senate.  For, indeed, we have no power to do otherwise; nor have we received any commission from this assembly, such as, when a war is terminated, is usually, in accordance with the precedents of your ancestors, entrusted to the ambassadors.  Nor, in fact, have we received any particular commission from the senate at all.

And, as I shall pursue this line of conduct in the council, where some, as I imagine, will oppose it, have I not reason to fear that the ignorant mob may think that peace is delayed by my means?  Suppose now that the new legions do not disapprove of my resolution.  For I am quite sure that the Martial legion and the fourth legion will not approve of anything which is contrary to dignity and honour.  What then? have we no regard for the opinion of the veterans?  For even they themselves do not wish to be feared by us.—­Still, how will they receive my severity?  For they have heard many false statements concerning me; wicked men have circulated among them many calumnies against me.  Their advantage indeed, as you all are most perfect witnesses of, I have always promoted by my opinion, by my authority, and by my