They were howling and cheering for Pompeius and Lentulus, and cursing the absent proconsul.

As Drusus passed along at the side of Antonius, he could not fail to hear the execrations and vile epithets flung from every side at him and his friend.

He had always supposed the masses were on Caesar's side, but now every man's hand seemed turned against the conqueror of the Gauls.

Was there to be but a repetition of the same old tragedy of the Gracchi and of Marcus Drusus?
A brave man standing out for the people, and the people deserting him in his hour of need?
They reached the Temple.

The Senate was already nearly ready for business; every toothless consular who had been in public service for perquisites only, and who for years had been wasting his life enjoying the pickings of an unfortunate province--all such were in their seats on the front row of benches.