The party of Pompey and the Senate had done every thing to spread among the people the terror of Caesar's name, in order to arouse them to efforts for opposing his designs; and now, when he had broken through the barriers which had been intended to restrain him, and was advancing toward the city in an unchecked and triumphant career, they were overwhelmed with dismay.

Pompey began to be terrified at the danger which was impending.
The Senate held meetings without the city--councils of war, as it were, in which they looked to Pompey in vain for protection from the danger which he had brought upon them.

He had said that he could raise an army sufficient to cope with Caesar at any time by stamping with his foot.
They told him they thought now that it was high time for him to stamp.
[Sidenote: He leaves Rome.] In fact, Pompey found the current setting every where strongly against him.

Some recommended that commissioners should be sent to Caesar to make proposals for peace.

The leading men, however, knowing that any peace made with him under such circumstances would be their own ruin, resisted and defeated the proposal.