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desperate thoughtes； hee departed thence； never meaning to see him any
more。
Now； in regard it was night； he having eaten nothing all that day；
nor provided of one penny to buy him any food； wandred he knew not
whether； desiring rather to die than live； hee came at last to an
old ruinous part of the City； over…spred with briers and bushes； and
seldome resorted unto by any： where finding a hollow Cave or vault； he
entred into it； meaning there to weare away the comfortlesse night；
and laying himselfe downe on the hard ground； almost starke naked； and
without any warme garments； over…wearied with weeping； at last he fell
into a sleepe。
It fortuned that two men； who had beene abroad the same night；
committing thefts and robberies together； somwhat very earlie in the
morning； came to the same Cave； intending there to share and divide
their booties； and difference happening betweene them about it； hee
that was the stronger person； slew there the other； and then went away
with the whole purchase。
Gisippus having heard and seene the manner of this accident； was not
a little joyfull； because he had now found a way to death； without
laying any violent hand on himselfe； for life being very loathsome
to him； it was his only desire to die。 Wherfore； he would not budge
from the place； but taried there so long； till the Sergeants and
Officers of justice （by information of him that did the deede） came
thither well attended； and furiously ledde Gisippus thence to prison。
Being examined concerning this bloudy fact； he plainly confessed；
that hee himselfe had committed the murder； and afterward would not
depart from the Cave； but purposely stayed for apprehension； as
being truely toucht with compunction for so foule an offence： upon
which eremptorie confession； Marcus Varro being then Praetor； gave
sentence that he should be crucified on a Crosse； as it was the usuall
manner of death in those dayes。 Titus chancing to come at the same
time into Praetorium； advisedly beholding the face of the condemned
man （as hee sate upon the bench） knew him to bee Gysippus； not a
little wondring at this strange accident； the povertie of his
estate； and what occasion should bring him thither； especially in
the questioning for his life； and before the Tribunall of justice。
His soule earnestly thirsting； by all possible meanes to helpe and
defend him； and no other course could now be taken for safetie of
his life； but by accusing himselfe； to excuse and cleare the other
of the crime： hee stept from off the judgement bench； and crouding
through the throng to the Barre； called out to the Praetor in this
manner。 Marcus Varro； recall thy sentence given on the condemned man
sent away； because hee is truely guiltlesse and innocent： With one
bloudie blow have I offended the Gods； by killing that wretched man；
whom the Serjeants found this morning slaine； wherefore Noble Praetor；
let no innocent mans bloud be shed for it； but onely mine that have
offended。
Marcus Varro stood like a man confounded with admiration； being very
sorrie； for that which the whole assistants had both seene and
heard； yet hee could not （with honour） desist from what must needs
be done； but would performe the Lawes severe injunction。 And sending
for condemned Gisippus backe againe； in the presence of Titus； thus he
spake to him。 How becamest thou so madly incensed； as （without any
torment inflicted on thee） to confesse an offence by thee never
committed？ Art thou wearie of thy life？ Thou chargest thy selfe
falsly； to be the person who this last night murdered the man in the
Cave； and there is another that voluntarily also doth confesse his
guiltinesse。
Gisippus lifting up his eyes； and perceiving it was Titus； conceived
immediately； that he had done this onely for his deliverance； as one
that remembred him sufficiently； and would not be ungratefull for
former kindnesses received。 Wherefore； the teares flowing abundantly
down his cheekes； he said to the Judge Varro； it was none but I that
murdered the man； wherefore； I commiserate the case of this Noble
Gentleman Titus； who speakes now too late for the safety of my life。
Titus on the other side； said。 Noble Praetor； this man （as thou seest）
is a stranger heere； and was found without any weapon； fast asleepe by
the dead body： thou mayst then easily perceive； that meerely the
miserable condition wherein he is； hath made him desperate； and he
would make mine offence the occasion of his death。 Absolve him； and
send me to the Crosse； for none but I have deserved to die for this
fact。
Varro was amazed； to observe with what earnest instance each of them
strove to excuse the other； which halfe perswaded him in his soule；
that they were both guiltlesse。 And as he was starting…up； with full
intent to acquaint them： a yong man； who had stood there all this
while； and observed the hard pleading on either side； he crowded
into the Barre； being named Publius Ambustus； a fellow of lewd life；
and utterly out of hopes； as being debauched in all his fortunes；
and knowne among the Romaines to be a notorious theefe； who verily had
committed the murder。 Well knew his conscience； that none of them were
guilty of the crime； wherewith each so wilfully charged himselfe：
being therefore truely toucht with remorse； he stept before Marcus
Varro； saying。
Honourable Praetor； mine owne horrid and abominable actions； have
induced me thus to intrude my selfe； for clearing the strict
contention betweene these two persons。 And questionlesse； some God
or greater power； hath tormented my wretched soule； and so
compunctually solicited me； as I cannot chuse； but make open
confession of my sinne。 Here therefore； I doe apparantly publish； that
neither of these men is guilty of the offence； wherewith so wilfully
each chargeth himselfe。 I am the villaine； who this morning murdered
the man in the Cave； one of no greater honesty then my selfe； and
seeing this poore man lie there sleeping； while we were dividing the
stolne booties betweene us； I slew my Companyon； because I would be
the sole possessor。 As for Noble Lord Titus； he had no reason thus
to accuse himselfe； because ＇he＇ is a man of no such base quality： let
them both then be delivered； and inflict the sentence of death on me。
Octavius Caesar； to whom tydings was brought of this rare
accident； commanding them al three to be brought before him； would
needs understand the whole History； in every particular as all had
happened； which was substantially related to him。 Whereupon；
Octavius pleased them all three： the two noble friendes； because
they were innocent； and the third； for openly revealing the very
truth。
Titus tooke home with him his friend Gisippus； and after he had
sharpely reproved him for his distrust； and cold credence of his
friendship： he brought him to Sophronia； who welcomed him as lovingly；
as if he had bin her naturall borne brother； bemoaning his hard and
disastrous fortune； and taking especiall care； to convert all passed
distresses； into as happy and comfortable a change； fitting him with
garments and attendants； beseeming his degree both in Nobility and
vertue。 Titus； out of his honoura