so that for eight years after bis trial he had lived in seclusion in his country seat, taking no part in any affairs of state. Latterly the Censors had compelled him to come to Rome and resume his place in the senate, where he used to sit gloomily apart, giving only a silent vote. At last an unjust accusation, against one of his near kinsmen, made him break silence, and he harangued the house in words of weight and sense, which drew attention to him; and taught the senators that a strong spirit dwelt beneath that unimposing exterior. Now, while they were debating on what Noble of a plebeian house was fit to assume the perilous honours of the consulate, some of the elder of them looked on Marcus Livius, and remembered that in the very last triumph which had been celebrated in the streets of Rome, this grim old man had sat in the car of victory; and that he had offered the last thanksgiving sacrifice for the success of the Roman arms, which had bled before Capitoline Jove. There had been no triumphs since Hannibal came into Italy. The Illyrian campaign of Livius was the last that had been so honoured; perhaps it might be destined for him now to renew the long-interrupted series. The senators resolved that Livius should be put in nomination as consul with Nero; the people were willing to elect him: the only opposition came
