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put； though not without difficulty； to that rage which possessed
the Germans on account of Caius's death。
19。 But Cherea was so much afraid for Minucianus； lest he should
light upon the Germans now they were in their fury； that he went
and spike to every one of the soldiers； and prayed them to take
care of his preservation； and made himself great inquiry about
him； lest he should have been slain。 And for Clement； he let
Minucianus go when he was brought to him； and； with many other of
the senators； affirmed the action was right； and commended the
virtue of those that contrived it； and had courage enough to
execute it； and said that 〃tyrants do indeed please themselves
and look big for a while； upon having the power to act unjustly；
but do not however go happily out of the world； because they are
hated by the virtuous； and that Caius； together with all his
unhappiness； was become a conspirator against himself； before
these other men who attacked him did so； and by becoming
intolerable； in setting aside the wise provision the laws had
made； taught his dearest friends to treat him as an enemy；
insomuch that although in common discourse these conspirators
were those that slew Caius； yet that； in reality； he lies now
dead as perishing by his own self。〃
20。 Now by this time the people in the theatre were arisen from
their seats； and those that were within made a very great
disturbance； the cause of which was this； that the spectators
were too hasty in getting away。 There was also one Aleyon； a
physician； who hurried away； as if to cure those that were
wounded； and under that pretense he sent those that were with him
to fetch what things were necessary for the healing of those
wounded persons； but in reality to get them clear of the present
dangers they were in。 Now the senate； during this interval； had
met； and the people also assembled together in the accustomed
form； and were both employed in searching after the murderers of
Caius。 The people did it very zealously； but the senate in
appearance only； for there was present Valerius of Asia； one that
had been consul； this man went to the people； as they were in
disorder； and very uneasy that they could not yet discover who
they were that had murdered the emperor； he was then earnestly
asked by them all who it was that had done it。 He replied； 〃I
wish I had been the man。〃 The consuls （7） also published an
edict； wherein they accused Caius； and gave order to the people
then got together； and to the soldiers； to go home； and gave the
people hopes of the abatement of the oppressions they lay under；
and promised the soldiers； if they lay quiet as they used to do；
and would not go abroad to do mischief unjustly； that they would
bestow rewards upon them； for there was reason to fear lest the
city might suffer harm by their wild and ungovernable behavior；
if they should once betake themselves to spoil the citizens； or
plunder the temples。 And now the whole multitude of the senators
were assembled together； and especially those that had conspired
to take away the life of Caius； who put on at this time an air of
great assurance； and appeared with great magnanimity； as if the
administration of the public affairs were already devolved upon
them。
CHAPTER 2。
How The Senators Determined To Restore The Democracy； But The
Soldiers Were For Preserving The Monarchy； Concerning The
Slaughter Of Caius's Wife And Daughter。 A Character Of Caius's
Morals。
1。 When the public affairs were in this posture； Claudius was on
the sudden hurried away out of his house； for the soldiers had a
meeting together； and when they had debated about what was to be
done； they saw that a democracy was incapable of managing such a
vast weight of public affairs； and that if it should be set up；
it would not be for their advantage； and in case any one of those
already in the government should obtain the supreme power； it
would in all respects be to their grief； if they were not
assisting to him in this advancement； that it would therefore be
right for them； while the public affairs were unsettled； to
choose Claudius emperor； who was uncle to the deceased Caius； and
of a superior dignity and worth to every one of those that were
assembled together in the senate； both on account of the virtues
of his ancestors； and of the learning he had acquired in his
education； and who； if once settled in the empire； would reward
them according to their deserts； and bestow largesses upon them。
These were their consultations； and they executed the same
immediately。 Claudius was therefore seized upon suddenly by the
soldiery。 But Cneas Sentins Saturninns； although he understood
that Claudius was seized； and that he intended to claim the
government； unwillingly indeed in appearance； but in reality by
his own free consent； stood up in the senate； and； without being
dismayed； made an exhortatory oration to them； and such a one
indeed as was fit for men of freedom and generosity； and spake
thus：
2。 〃Although it be a thing incredible； O Romans！ because of the
great length of time； that so unexpected an event hath happened；
yet are we now in possession of liberty。 How long indeed this
will last is uncertain； and lies at the disposal of the gods；
whose grant it is； yet such it is as is sufficient to make us
rejoice； and be happy for the present； although we may soon be
deprived of it； for one hour is sufficient to those that are
exercised in virtue； wherein we may live with a mind accountable
only to ourselves； in our own country； now free； and governed by
such laws as this country once flourished under。 As for myself； I
cannot remember our former time of liberty； as being born after
it was gone； but I am beyond measure filled with joy at the
thoughts of our present freedom。 I also esteem those that were
born and bred up in that our former liberty happy men； and that
those men are worthy of no less esteem than the gods themselves
who have given us a taste of it in this age； and I heartily wish
that this quiet enjoyment of it； which we have at present； might
continue to all ages。 However； this single day may suffice for
our youth； as well as for us that are in years。 It will seem an
age to our old men； if they might die during its happy duration：
it may also be for the instruction of the younger sort； what kind
of virtue those men； from whose loins we are derived； were
exercised in。 As for ourselves； our business is； during the space
of time； to live virtuously； than which nothing can be more to
our advantage； which course of virtue it is alone that can
preserve our liberty； for as to our ancient state； I have heard
of it by the relations of others； but as to our later state；
during my lifetime； I have known it by experience； and learned
thereby what mischiefs tyrannies have brought upon this
commonwealth； discouraging all virtue； and depriving persons of
magnanimity of their liberty； and proving the teachers of
flattery and slavish fear； because it leaves the public
administration not to be governed by wise laws； but by the humor
of those that govern。 For since Julius Caesar took it into his
head to dissolve our democracy； and； by