Alarmed at that, he abandoned his intention of submitting a motion to the senate respecting Caesar.  He departed not by the regular roads, but by the by-lanes, in the robe of a general; and on that very self-same day he trumped up a countless number of resolutions of the senate; all of which he published even before they were drawn up.  From thence it was not a journey, but a race and flight into Gaul.  He thought that Caesar was pursuing him with the fourth legion, with the martial legion, with the veterans, whose very name he could not endure for fright.  Then, as he was making his way into Gaul, Decimus Brutus opposed him; who preferred being himself surrounded by the waves of the whole war, to allowing him either to retreat or advance; and who put Mutina on him as a sort of bridle to his exultation.  And when he had blockaded that city with his works and fortifications, and when the dignity of a most flourishing colony, and the majesty of a consul elect, were both insufficient to deter him from his parricidal treason, then, (I call you, and the Roman people, and all the gods who preside over this city, to witness,) against my will, and in spite of my resistance and remonstrance, three ambassadors of consular rank were sent to that robber, to that leader of gladiators, Marcus Antonius.

Who ever was such a barbarian?  Who was ever so savage? so brutal?  He would not listen to them; he gave them no answer; and he not only despised and showed that he considered of no importance those men who were with him, but still more us, by whom these men had been sent.  And afterwards what wickedness, or what crime was there which that traitor abstained from?  He blockaded your colonists, and the army of the Roman people, and your general, and your consul elect.  He lays waste the lands of a nation of most excellent citizens.  Like a most inhuman enemy he threatens all virtuous men with crosses and tortures.

X. Now what peace, O Marcus Lepidus, can exist with this man? when it does not seem that there is even any punishment which the Roman people can think adequate to his crimes?

But if any one has hitherto been able to doubt the fact, that there can be nothing whatever in common between this order and the Roman people and that most detestable beast, let him at least cease to entertain such a doubt, when he becomes acquainted with this letter which I have just received, it having been sent to me by Hirtius the consul.  While I read it, and while I briefly discuss each paragraph, I beg, O conscript fathers, that you will listen to me most attentively, as you have hitherto done.

“Antonius to Hirtius and Caesar.”

He does not call himself imperator, nor Hirtius consul, nor Caesar pro-praetor.  This is cunningly done enough.  He preferred laying aside a title to which he had no right himself, to giving them their proper style.

“When I heard of the death of Caius Trebonius, I was not more rejoiced than grieved.”