Lustrum

you first.'
    'So this inner commission would, in effect, act as the executive government of the state?'
    'Precisely.'
    'And how long would it exist?'
    'I am sorry?'
    'When will it dissolve?'
    'It will never dissolve. It will be permanent.'
    'But this is outrageous! There is no precedent in our history for such a body. It would be the first step on the road to a dictatorship!'
    'My dear Cicero, really!'
    'Our annual elections would become meaningless. The consuls would be puppets, the senate might as well not exist. This inner group would control the allocation of all land and taxes—'
    'It would bring stability—'
    'It would be a kleptocracy!'
    'Are you actually
rejecting
Caesar's offer?'
    'Tell your master I appreciate his consideration and I have no desire to be anything other than his friend, but this is not something I can countenance.'
    'Well,' said Balbus, plainly shocked, 'he will be disappointed – indeed he will be sorrowful – and so will Pompey and Crassus. Obviously they would like your assurance that you will not oppose them.'
    'I am sure they would!'
    'Yes, they would. They desire no unpleasantness. But if opposition is offered, you must understand, it will have to be met.'
    With great effort, Cicero controlled his temper. 'You can tell them I have struggled for more than a year on Pompey's behalf to secure a fair settlement for his veterans – in the teeth, I might add, of strenuous opposition from Crassus. You can tell them I won't go back on that. But I want no part of any secret deal to establish a government by cabal. It would make a mockery of everything I have ever stood for in my public life. You can see yourself out, I think.'
    After Balbus had gone, Cicero sat silent in his library as I tiptoed around him arranging his correspondence into piles. 'Imagine,' he said eventually, 'sending that Mediterranean carpet salesman to offer me a fifth share of the republic at a knockdown price! Our Caesar fancies himself to be a great gentleman, but really he is the most awful vulgar crook.'
    'There may be trouble,' I warned.
    'Well then, let there be trouble. I am not afraid.' But clearly he was afraid, and suddenly here it was again, that quality I admired the most about him – his reluctant, nervous resolution in the end to do the right thing. Because he must have known that from this time on his position in Rome would start to become untenable. After another long period of reflection, he said: 'All the time that Spanish pimp was talking, I kept thinking of what Calliope says to me in my poetic autobiography. Do you recall her lines?' He closed his eyes and recited:
    'Meantime the paths which you from earliest days did seek –
    Yes, and when consul too, as mood and virtue called –
    These hold, and foster still your fame and good men's praise.
    'I have my faults, Tiro – you know them better than any man: no need to point them out – but I am not like Pompey, or Caesar or Crassus. Whatever I've done, whatever mistakes I've made, I've done for my country; and whatever they do, they do for themselves, even if it means helping a traitor like Catilina.' He gave a long sigh. He seemed almost surprised at his own principled stand. 'Well, there it all goes, I suppose – a peaceful old age, reconciliation with my enemies, power, money, popularity with the mob …' He folded his arms and contemplated his feet.
    'It's a lot to throw away,' I said.
    'It is a lot. Perhaps you should run after Balbus and tell him I've changed my mind.'
    'Shall I?' My tone was eager – I was desperate for a quiet life – but Cicero did not seem to hear me. He continued to brood on history and heroism, and after a while I went back to arranging his correspondence.
    I had thought that 'The Beast with Three Heads', as the triumvirate of Caesar, Pompey and Crassus came to be known, might renew its offer, but Cicero heard no more. The following week Caesar became consul and quickly laid his land bill before the senate. I was watching from the door with a large crowd of jostling spectators when he started asking the senior members for their opinions on the proposed law. He began with Pompey. Naturally the great man approved at once, and so did Crassus. Cicero was called on next, and with Caesar watching him keenly, and with many reservations, added his assent. Hortensius rejected it. Lucullus rejected it. Celer rejected it. And when eventually Caesar worked his way down the list of the great and the good and came to Cato, he