proving from the Sibylline prophecies
that there were three of the name Cornelius designed by fate to be
monarchs of Rome; two of whom, Cinna and Sylla, had already fulfilled
the decree, and that divine fortune was now advancing with the gift of
monarchy for the remaining third Cornelius; and that therefore he
ought by all means to accept it, and not lose opportunity by delay, as
Catiline had done.

Lentulus, therefore, designed no mean or trivial matter, for he had
resolved to kill the whole senate, and as many other citizens as he
could, to fire the city, and spare nobody, except Pompey's children,
intending to seize and keep them as pledges of his reconciliation with
Pompey. For there was then a common report that Pompey was on his way
homeward from his great expedition. The night appointed for the design
was one of the Saturnalia; swords, flax, and sulphur they carried
and hid in the house of Cethegus; and providing one hundred men, and
dividing the city into as many parts, they had allotted to every one
singly his proper place, so that in a moment, many kindling the fire,
the city might be in a flame all together. Others were appointed to stop
up the aqueducts, and to kill those who should endeavor to carry water
to put it out. While these plans were preparing, it happened that there
were two ambassadors from the Allobroges staying in Rome; a nation at
that time in a distressed condition, and very uneasy under the Roman
government. These Lentulus and his party, judging useful instruments to
move Gaul to revolt, admitted into the conspiracy, and they gave them
letters to their own magistrates, and letters to Catiline; in those
they promised liberty, in these they exhorted Catiline to set all
slaves free, and to bring them along with him to Rome. They sent also
to accompany them to Catiline, one Titus, a native of Croton, who was to
carry those letters to him.

These counsels of inconsidering men, who conversed together over their
wine, Cicero watched with sober industry and forethought, and with most
admirable sagacity, having several emissaries abroad, who observed
and traced with him all that was done, and keeping also a secret
correspondence with many who pretended to join in the conspiracy. He
thus knew all the discourse which passed between them and the strangers;
and lying in wait for them by night, he took the Crotonian with his
letters, the ambassadors of the Allobroges acting secretly in concert
with him.