There came thus to be a question which might prevail should there be a general fight.

The Senate was, as a body, on Cicero's side, but was quite unable to cope with the Triumvirate.

Caesar no doubt had resolved that Cicero should be made to go, and Caesar was lord of the Triumvirate.

On behalf of Cicero there was a large body of the conservative or oligarchical party who were still true to him; and they, too, all went into the usual public mourning, evincing their desire that the accused man should be rescued from his accusers.
The bitterness of Clodius would be surprising did we not know how bitter had been Cicero's tongue.

When the affair of the Bona Dea had taken place there was no special enmity between this debauched young man and the great Consul.