第 6 节
作者:老山文学      更新:2021-02-20 17:41      字数:9322
  triumphal memorials and trophies; she was no pleasant or delightful
  spectacle for the eyes of peaceful or refined spectators; but; as
  Epaminondas named the fields of Boeotia the stage of Mars; and
  Xenophon called Ephesus the workhouse of war; so; in my judgment;
  may you call Rome; at that time (to use the words of Pindar); 〃the
  precinct of the peaceless Mars。〃 Whence Marcellus was more popular
  with the people in general; because he had adorned the city with
  beautiful objects that had all the charms of Grecian grace and
  symmetry; but Fabius Maximus; who neither touched nor brought away
  anything of this kind from Tarentum; when he had taken it; was more
  approved of by the elder men。 He carried off the money and
  valuables; but forbade the statues to be moved; adding; as it is
  commonly related; 〃Let us leave to the Tarentines these offended
  gods。〃 They blamed Marcellus; first for placing the city in an
  invidious position; as it seemed now to celebrate victories and lead
  processions of triumph; not only over men; but also over the gods as
  captives; then; that he had diverted to idleness; and vain talk
  about curious arts and artificers; the common people; which; bred up
  in wars and agriculture; had never tasted of luxury and sloth; and; as
  Euripides said of Hercules; had been…
  〃Rude; unrefined; only for great things good;〃
  so that now they misspent much of their time in examining and
  criticizing trifles。 And yet; notwithstanding this reprimand;
  Marcellus made it his glory to the Greeks themselves; that he had
  taught his ignorant countrymen to esteem and admire the elegant and
  wonderful productions of Greece。
  But when the envious opposed his being brought triumphant into the
  city; because there were some relics of the war in Sicily; and a third
  triumph would be looked upon with jealousy; he gave way。 He
  triumphed upon the Alban mount; and thence entered the city in
  ovation; as it is called in Latin; in Greek eua; but in this ovation
  he was neither carried in a chariot; nor crowned with laurel; nor
  ushered by trumpets sounding; but went afoot with shoes on; many
  flutes or pipes sounding in concert; while he passed along; wearing
  a garland of myrtle; in a peaceable aspect; exciting rather love and
  respect than fear。 Whence I am; by conjecture; led to think that;
  originally; the difference observed betwixt ovation and triumph did
  not depend upon the greatness of the achievements; but the manner of
  performing them。 For they who; having fought a set battle; and slain
  the enemy; returned victors; led that martial; terrible triumph;
  and; as the ordinary custom then was in lustrating the army; adorned
  the arms and the soldiers with a great deal of laurel。 But they who
  without force; by colloquy; persuasion; and reasoning; had done the
  business; to these captains custom gave the honour of the unmilitary
  and festive ovation。 For the pipe is the badge of peace; and myrtle
  the plant of Venus; who more than the rest of the gods and goddesses
  abhors force and war。 It is called ovation; not as most think; from
  the Greek euasmus; because they act it with shouting and cries of Eua:
  for so do they also the proper triumphs。 The Greeks have wrested the
  word to their own language; thinking that this honour; also; must have
  some connection with Bacchus; who in Greek has the titles of Euius and
  Thriambus。 But the thing is otherwise。 For it was the custom for
  commanders; in their triumph; to immolate an ox; but in their ovation;
  a sheep: hence they named it Ovation; from the Latin ovis。 It is worth
  observing; how exactly opposite the sacrifices appointed by the
  Spartan legislator are to those of the Romans。 For at Lacedaemon; a
  captain; who had performed the work he had undertook by cunning; or
  courteous treaty; on laying down his command; immolated an ox; he that
  did the business by battle; offered a cock; the Lacedaemonians; though
  most warlike; thinking exploit performed by reason and wisdom to be
  more excellent and more congruous to man; than one effected by mere
  force and courage。 Which of the two is to be preferred I leave to
  the determination of others。
  Marcellus being the fourth time consul; his enemies suborned the
  Syracusans to come to Rome to accuse him; and to complain that they
  had suffered indignities and wrongs; contrary to the conditions
  granted them。 It happened that Marcellus was in the capitol offering
  sacrifice when the Syracusans petitioned the senate; yet sitting; that
  they might have leave to accuse him and present their grievances。
  Marcellus's colleague; eager to protect him in his absence; put them
  out of the court。 But Marcellus himself came as soon as he heard of
  it。 And first; in his curule chair as consul; he referred to the
  senate the cognizance of other matters: but when these were
  transacted; rising from his seat; he passed as a private man into
  the place where the accused were wont to make their defence; and
  gave free liberty to the Syracusans to impeach him。 But they; struck
  with consternation by his majesty and confidence; stood astonished;
  and the power of his presence now; in his robe of state; appeared
  far more terrible and severe than it had done when he was arrayed in
  armour。 Yet; reanimated at length by Marcellus's rivals; they began
  their impeachment; and made an oration in which pleas of justice
  mingled with lamentation and complaint; the sum of which was; that
  being allies and friends of the people of Rome; they had;
  notwithstanding; suffered things which other commanders had
  abstained from inflicting upon enemies。 To this Marcellus answered
  that they had committed many acts of hostility against the people of
  Rome; and had suffered nothing but what enemies conquered and captured
  in war cannot possibly be protected from suffering: that it was
  their own fault they had been made captives; because they refused to
  give ear to his frequent attempts to persuade them by gentle means:
  neither were they forced into war by the power of tyrants; but had
  rather chosen the tyrants themselves for the express object that
  they might make war。 The orations ended; and the Syracusans; according
  to the custom; having retired; Marcellus left his colleague to ask the
  sentences; and; withdrawing with the Syracusans; stayed expecting at
  the doors of the senate…house; not in the least discomposed in spirit;
  either with alarm at the accusation; or by anger against the
  Syracusans; but with perfect calmness and serenity attending the issue
  of the cause。 The sentences at length being all asked; and a decree of
  the senate made in vindication of Marcellus; the Syracusans; with
  tears flowing from their eyes; cast themselves at his knees;
  beseeching him to forgive themselves there present; and to be moved by
  the misery of the rest of their city; which would ever be mindful
  of; and grateful for; his benefits。 Thus Marcellus; softened by
  their tears and distress; was not only reconciled to the deputies; but
  ever afterwards continued to find opportunity of doing kindness to the
  Syracusans。 The liberty which he had restored to them; and their
  rights; laws; and goods that were left; the senate confirmed。 Upon
  which account the Syracusans; besides other signal honours; made a
  law; that if Marcellus should at any time come into Sicily; or any
  of his posterity; the Syracusans should wear garlands and offer public
  sacrifice to the gods。
  After this he moved against Hannibal。 And whereas the other
  consuls and commanders; since the defeat received at Cannae; had all
  made use of the same policy against Hannibal; namely; to decline
  coming to a battle with him; and none had had the courage to encounter
  him in the field and put themselves to the decision by the sword;
  Marcellus entered upon the opposite course; thinking that Italy
  would be destroyed by the very delay by which they looked to wear
  out Hannibal; and that Fabius; who; adhering to his cautious policy;
  waited to see the war extinguished; while Rome itself meantime
  wasted away (like timid physicians; who; dreading to administer
  remedies; stay waiting; and believe that what is the decay of the
  patient's strength is the decline of the disease); was not taking a
  right course to heal the sickness of his country。 And first; the great
  cities of the Samnites; which had revolted; came into his power; in
  which he found a large quantity of corn and money; and three
  thousand of Hannibal's soldiers; that were left for the defence。 After
  this; the proconsul Cnaeus Fulvius with eleven tribunes of the
  soldiers being slain in Apulia; and the greatest part of the army also
  at the same time cut off; he despatched letters to Rome; and bade
  the people be of good courage; for that he was now upon the march
  against Hannibal; to turn his triumph into sadness。 On these letters
  being read; Livy writes that the people were not only not
  encouraged; but more discouraged than before。 For danger; they
  thought; was but the greater in proportion as Marcellus was of more
  value than Fulvius。 He; as he had written; advancing into the
  territories of the Lucanians; came up to him at Numistro; and; the
  enemy keeping himself upon the hills; pitched his camp in a level
  plain; and the next day drew f