For there was no likelihood
that, if they suffered less than death, they would be reconciled,
but, rather, adding new rage to their former wickedness, they
would rush into every kind of audacity, while he himself, whose
character for courage already did not stand very high with the
multitude, would be thought guilty of the greatest cowardice and
want of manliness.
While Cicero was in doubt what course to take, a portent happened
to the women in their sacrificing. For on the altar, where the
fire seemed wholly extinguished, a great and bright flame issued
forth from the ashes of the burnt wood; at which others were
affrighted, but the holy virgins called to Terentia, Cicero's
wife, and bade her hasten to her husband, and command him to
execute what he had resolved for the good of his country, for the
goddess had sent a great light to the increase of his safety and
glory. Terentia, therefore, as she was otherwise in her own nature
neither tender-hearted nor timorous, but a woman eager for
distinction (who, as Cicero himself says, would rather thrust
herself into his public affairs than communicate her domestic
matters to him), told him these things, and excited him against
the conspirators.
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