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Updated: May 23, 2025
And then they called on Quintus Fufius Calenus, who had been consul A.U.C. 707, and who was Pansa's father-in-law, to deliver his opinion first. He was known to be a firm friend of Antonius.
Calenus and Piso had given the Senate to understand that Antony was desirous of peace. Cicero had therefore assented, and had agreed to be one of the deputation. The twelfth Philippic was spoken with the object of showing that no such embassy should be sent. Cicero's condition at this period was most peculiar and most perilous.
The Consuls Hirtius and Pansa had been Cæsar's friends, and had also been the friends of Antony. They had not the trust in Antony which Cæsar had inspired; but they were anxious to befriend him or rather not to break with him. When the Senate met, they called on one Fufius Calenus who was Antony's friend and Pansa's father-in-law first to offer his opinion.
The single and pale lamp, which Arbaces bore, shed but an imperfect ray over the bare and rugged walls, in which the huge stones, without cement, were fitted curiously and uncouthly into each other. The disturbed reptiles glared dully on the intruders, and then crept into the shadow of the walls. Calenus shivered as he looked around and breathed the damp, unwholesome air.
Opposite to him sat the sturdy Burbo, carefully counting on a table between them a little pile of coins which the priest had just poured from his purse for purses were as common then as now, with this difference they were usually better furnished! 'You see, said Calenus, that we pay you handsomely, and you ought to thank me for recommending you to so advantageous a market.
He swept from his remembrance the thought of the priest's agonies and lingering death: he felt only that a great danger was passed, and a possible foe silenced; all left to him now would be to account to the priesthood for the disappearance of Calenus; and this he imagined it would not be difficult to do.
'Calenus, said the Egyptian to this fascinating flamen, 'you have improved the voice of the statue much by attending to my suggestion; and your verses are excellent. Always prophesy good fortune, unless there is an absolute impossibility of its fulfilment.
That awful solitude, what mysterious and preternatural being could penetrate! 'Who's there? he cried, in new alarm; 'what spectre what dread larva, calls upon the lost Calenus? 'Priest, replied the Thessalian, 'unknown to Arbaces, I have been, by the permission of the gods, a witness to his perfidy. If I myself can escape from these walls, I may save thee.
And when the darkness and the crowd separated the priest from his attendants, he hastened with trembling steps towards the temple of his goddess. As he crept along, and ere the darkness was complete, he felt himself suddenly caught by the robe, and a voice muttered in his ear: 'Hist! Calenus! an awful hour! 'Ay! by my father's head! Who art thou? thy face is dim, and thy voice is strange.
'Not know thy Burbo? fie! 'Gods! how the darkness gathers! Ho, ho! by yon terrific mountain, what sudden blazes of lightning! How they dart and quiver! Hades is loosed on earth! 'Tush! thou believest not these things, Calenus! Now is the time to make our fortune! 'Ha! 'Listen!
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