are for the most part Sidonian which they retained with the more facility because they liued farre from the Kings Dominion For betweene them and the populous places of Numidia there lay vncultiued and waste grounds But because wee are arriued in these Regions by meane of the Leptitan affaires i◠seemeth worth the relation to remember the braue and memorable exploite of two Carthaginians The place intimated this vnto vs. At what time the Carthaginians ruled ouer most of Africke the Cyrenians also were rich and powerfull the Frontier betwixt them was sandy and vniforme there was neither mountaine nor riuer to distinguish their borders which cause kept them in a great and vndiscontinued warre After their Armies and Fleetes had beene often beaten and chased on both sides and that they had much impaired one anothers strength they fearing that a third party would inuade both the Conquerers conquered taking truce they make an agreemēt that vpon a day appointed their Ambassadors should depart from their seuerall homes at what place they met one another that should be the common border of both Nations Vpon this two brethren being sent from Carthage whose names were the Phileni made hast in their iourney the Cyrenians went more slowly Whether this happened by negligence or casualty I know nothing at all Besides in those places a tempest no otherwise then in the sea restraineth passage For when as the wind arising on plaine grounds and bare of trees hath raised vp the sand from the earth that being carried with great violence filleth both the mouth and eyes thus prospect being hindred the iourney is staid After the Cyrenians saw that they were somewhat the hindermost and because of their neglect feared punishment at home they taxed the Carthaginians that departing before their time from their place of habitation they had disturbed the Treaty finally they would rather doe any thing then depart vanquished But when the Carthaginians required any other condition so it were equall the Grecians put the Carthaginians to their choice that either they should bee buried there quicke whereas they desired borders for their people or that themselues vpon the same conditions might proceed whither they would The Philenians allowing the condition gaue vp themselues and their liues to the Common-wealth thus were they interred aliue In that place the Carthaginians consecrated Altars to the Philenian brethren and other honours were instituted for them in their Country Now I returne to my purpose CHAP. 22. Iugurth draweth the Getulians to his party He solliciteth King Bocchus He is aduertised of Marius comming IVgurth when after Thala lost he thought nothing strong enough to resist Metellus trauailing with some few through vast desarts he commeth to the Getulians a fierce and sauage kind of people and as then ignorant of the Romane name hee raiseth a multitude of them into one body and by degrees doth accustome them to keepe their rankes to followe their Ensignes to obey command and to performe other military duties Besides hee allureth those who were neerest vnto King Bocchus by great gifts and greater promises to fauour his cause with which Assistants going to the King hee doth perswade him that he should vndertake warre against the Romanes This by that aduantage became more facill and feasable for that Bocchus in the beginning of this warre had sent Ambassadours to Rome to desire a League and friendship which thing being most opportune for the enterprize of the warre some few hindred blinded with couetousnesse by whom all suites whether honest or dishonest were vsually set to sale Besides the daughter of Bocchus was formerly married to Iugurth but that bond is meanely regarded by the Moores and Numidians because that each of them according to their wealth haue euery man sundry wiues some 10. others more but Kings more then so Thus the mind is distracted with the multitude none of them is ranked in the place of an equall they are altogether held despicable Thereupon in a place chosen by both parties the Army meets then faith being giuen and receiued interchangeably Iugurth inflameth Bocchus with this speech That the Romanes were vniust of vnsatiable auarice the common enemies of all mankind that they had the same cause of warre with Bocchus as with himselfe and all other Nations euen the desire of rule vnto whom all Kings were opposites then he himselfe a little before the Carthaginians with King Perses after as euery man seemed most powerfull so he became enemy to the Romanes These and such like speeches passing they direct their iourney to the towne of Cirtha for that Q. Metellus had lodged there the prey prisoners and baggage Thus Iugurth thought that either the City being taken it would be a worke worth his labour or if the Roman Generall came to their succours they should come to the tryall of a maine battell for in cunming he made haste onely to disinable Iugurths peace lest by exercising delayes hee should desire some other course rather then warre The General when he had heard of the Confederacy of the Kings he doth not rashly neither as he was often accustomed to doe Iugurth being vanquished present in all places free meanes to fight but not farre from Cirtha his Camp being fortified he expecteth the Kings thinking it best after he had made some triall of the Moores because they came as fresh enemies to fight at his best aduantage In the meane time he is certified from Rome by letters that the Prouince of Numidia was giuen to Marius for he had heard before that he was made Consull with which tidings being troubled beyond al decency he neither could refraine teares nor moderate his tongue the man otherwise being of a most excellent temper too tenderly tooke this grieuance which some construed to bee pride in him others a good disposition prouoked with disgrace many men thought it was because the victory already gotten was wrested out of his hands to vs it is well enough knowne that hee was more vexed with Marius honour then with his proper iniury neither would he haue suffred it with so much anxiety if the Prouince taken away had beene assigned to any but Marius Therefore being diuerted with this griefe and because it seemed a foolish part to take care of anothers charge with his owne danger hee sends Ambassadours to King Bocchus to require him that without cause hee would not become an enemy to the people of Rome that he had a faire opportunity of contracting a League and friendship which would be better then warre Although he was confident in his owne strength yet hee ought not to change vncertainties for certainties al warre was vndertaken with ease but concluded with difficulty not in the same mans power lay the beginning ending of it it was lawfull for euery man yea for a coward to begin it was to be laid aside whē the Conquerours would therefore hee should prouide for himselfe and his Kingdome neither should he cōmixe his flourishing and
is vaine his hands are rauenous his throate is vnsatiable his feete are fugitiue And he when as he is such a man yet hee dares to say O happy Rome me being Consull borne Happy thee being Consull Cicero Yea rather vnhappy and wretched which suffredst as then the most cruell poscription of her Citizens when as thou the Commonwealth being disturbed didst inforce all good men amazed with terrour to obey thy Tyranny when all iudgements all Lawes were swayed by thy lust when as the Portian Law being remoued liberty taken away thou didst appropriate to thy selfe alone the power of all our liues and deaths Thou shalt doe I prethee Cicero thou shalt accomplish what thou wilt it is inough for vs that we haue suffered but as yet wilt thou loade our eares with thy hatred as yet wilt thou prosecute vs with these vnsufferable words Armes yeeld to Gownes Bayes to the tongue giue place As though forsooth gowned and not armed thou hadst performed those things of which thou doest glory and that there were any difference betwixt thee and Sylla the dictatour besides the name of command But what should I relate more of thy iusolency whom Minerua hath taught al her Arts whom the best and greatest Iuputer hath admitted into the Counsell of the gods whom Italy being banished brought backe on her shoulders I beseech thee O thou Romulus of ArpinuÌ„ what place at length obainest thou in the Citty what counterfeit and dissemble deepely greedy he was of other mens goods prodigall of his owne in lust vnsatiable He had eloquence enough but little wisedome His vast mind did euermore desire things immoderate incredible and ouer difficult After the tyrannicall gouernement of Silla he had a great desire to vsurpe vpon the Commonwealth neither did he care whether it were by right or wrong so that he might attaine the soueraigne rule His restlesse spirit was daily more and more disquieted through his priuate wants and guilty conscience both which increased in him by the meanes before recited besides the corrupted maÌ„ners of the Citty serued for incentiues to his ambition and these were turmoiled by the worst of opposite euils Luxury and Couetousnesse And now because wee haue related some thing of the States deprauation the opportunity it selfe seemes to inuite vs vnto the repetition of things forepast and in them to deliuer the institutions of our Ancestours both Ciuil and Military the forme of gouernment which they vsed in the CoÌ„monwealth and the greatnesse with which they left it to posterity and how this glorious Republique languishing by degrees did degenerate into a vile ignominious tyranny CHAP. 3. The beginning and declining of the Roman Empire the precedent times commended and the present taxed THe Troians as I haue heard first built and inhabited the Cittie of Rome who vnder the conduct of Aeneas liuing like fugitiues wandred vp and downe without any certaine place of habitation with these the Aborigines or natiues ioyned themselues who being a sauage kind of people liued free without lawes and dissolute without gouernment After both these were inuironed with one wall incredible it is to be thought on with what redinesse they complied together being different in linage language and customes But after their estate grew respectiue and powerfull enough being inlarged with inhabitants ciuilitie territory an euent most frequeÌ„t in humane affaires enuy did attend on prosperitie so that for this cause alone the Kings and bordering Nations assailed them with warre in this some few friends came to their ayde others being terrified remoued themselues from the danger But the Romans being regardfull of themselues both in ciuill militarie exigents neglected no opportunity they made great preparations incouraged one another issued forth to encounter the enemy reposing their liberties their Countries and parents safety in the protection of their Armes After when their vertue had giuen the repulse to danger they sent aydes to their friends and allies procuring new confederacies rather by giuing then receiuing benefits Their gouernment was regular and the name of it was termed Royall Certaine selected persons whose bodies were infeebled with age as their minds were fortâ—fied with wisedome did prouide for the Commonwealth these in regard of their yeeres or Office were called Fathers Afterwards when the Domination Royall which was first instituted for the maintenance of liberty and inlargement of territory did degenerate into pride and absolute soueraigenty the forme of policie being changed they erected an annuall Empire vnder the rule of two Consuls By this course they thought mens minds could best be strained from insolency But euen then more then before euery man began to ouerualue himselfe and to dispose his endeuours towards indirect ends as well knowing that Princes jealousies attend more vpon good men then bad and that the vertue of others administers to them alwayes an occasion of terrour Now it is a matter strange to be rehearsed how much the Cittie hauing regained her liberty inlarged her selfe in a short time So forcibly moued the desire of glory for now the youth as soone as they were capable of warlike sufferances with much exercise learned their military duties residing for the most part in Tents and these reposed more delight in the equipage of their Armes and horses of seruice then in bankets and whores Hence was it that to such men no labour was vncouth no place was too difficult for accesse or assault yea the armed enemy was not dreadfull their valour subdued all incountring opposites the controuersie of glory remaining especially amongst themselues Thus euery man stroue with emulation to inuade the enemy to scale the walles and to exploit such things in publicke view This they accounted riches Honour and true Nobilitie They were greedy of praise liberall of their coine They coueted glory without measure wealth with a competency Here I could relate in what places the Roman people haue defeated with small numbers puissant Armies of their aduersaries what Citties they haue taken by situation impregnable but I feare this digression would withdraw me too farre onely let me assure thus much that Fortune is predominant in all euents It is she that illustrates and obscures our actions being led more by will then reason The exploits of the Athenians in my opinion were ample and magnificent yet somewhat inferiour to their report for by reason of those admirable wits which liued in that State their actes were celebrated thorow the world with excesse of praise so that their vertue was prized in as high an estimate as the sufficiency of wit could deliuer in language But the ancient Romanes were necessitated in this the capablest spirits being the most actiue doers no man exercised his mind without reference to the body The best men preferred doing before speaking and desired rather to haue their owne deserts praised then to reate other mens exploits by which meanes discipline an irruption vnto him with their weapons The Consull hauing intelligence of these preparations and Guardes being disposed according as the occasion and time required he proposeth a Senate being called what their pleasure was to doe with them who were deliuered ouer vnto custody a frequent Senate hauing declared them not long before to haue vndertaken treasonably against the Common-wealth Thereupon D. Iunius Sillanus being first demanded his opinion because at that time he was Consull Elect gaue 〈◊〉 that condigne punishment was to bee taken vpon those who were kept in prison as also vpon L. Cassius P. Furius P. Vmbrenus and Q. Annius if they should be apprehended And being afterwards mooued with Caesars Oration he protested that hee would punctually concurre in opinion with Tiberius Nero in that hee had tbought it fit to make a reference concerning that particular and the reinforcement of the Guards but Caesar when it came to his turne being required his opinion by the Consull deliuered these or the like words All men that consult O ye conscript Fathers about doubtfull affaires ought to be free from hatred friendship anger and pitty for whereas these impediments are the mind can hardly discerne the truth neither is there any man who can serue at once both his pleasure profit whereas you bend your disposition there it preuailes If lust hath gotten the possession it predominates and Reason sways nothing at all I haue an ample subiect ye conscript Fathers to discourse what Kings and Nations haue done vncouncellably being forced by anger or compassion But I had rather relate those things which our Ancestours contrary to their naturall desires haue accomplished rightly and orderly In the Macedonian war which wee waged with King Perses the great and goodly Citty of Rhodes that grew powerfull by the support of the Romane people became vnfaithfull and ill-affected to vs. But afterwards the wars being ended when it was consulted vpon coÌ„cerning the Rhodians our Predecessours lest any man should report they vndertooke the warre more for wealth then wrong dismissed
I am compelled to be a burthen before I could be vsefull Other Kings either subdued by warre haue beene by you admitted into friendship or else in their doubtfull affaires haue required your alliance Our Family contracted friendship with the people of Rome in the Carthaginian warre at what time their faith was more to be valued then their fortune whose off-spring me and Massinissaes nephew doe not suffer ye Fathers Conscript to implore your Ayde in vaine If I had no other cause to require it besides my wretched fortune in that being not long since a King powerfull in linage renowne and forces now deformed with troubles and poore I doe expect other mens helpes yet had it concerned the Maiesty of the Romane people to repell this iniury and not to suffer any mans Kingdome to be inlarged by villany But I am expelled out of those territories which the Romane people gaue to my Ancestours from whence my father and grandfather ioyntly with you chased Siphat and the Carthaginians Your benefits are wrested from me ye Fathers Conscript you in my wrong are despised Ay me wretched man To this issue Micipsa my father are thy benefits come that whom thou hast made equall with thy children and partaker of the Kingdome he should be the chiefe suppresser of thy progeny neuer therefore shall our Family rest shall we alwayes conuerse with blood armes and flights Whilst the Carthaginians flourished in safety all grieuances we iustly suffered The enemy on each side you our friends were farre off all hope lay in our armes But after that plague was rid out of Africke we exercised peace securely as vnto whom there was no foe except perchaunce such a one whom you would inioyne But behold Iugurth aduancing himselfe with vnsufferable boldnesse pride and villany my brother and the same his kinsman being slaine first made his Kingdome the reward of his wickednesse after when he could not circumuent me with the same wiles expecting nothing lesse then warre or violence in your Empire as you see he hath made mee liue in exile from my house and Country being poore and ouerwhelmed with miseries so that any where my abode may be safer then within my owne Kingdome I thought so ye Conscript Fathers as I had heard my father relate that they who should obserue your friendship strictly vndertooke a laborious taske but that of all men they were the safest What lay in our families power it performed to assist you in al your wars it lyes in your hands ye Conscript Fathers to safeguard vs at your leisure Our father left vs two brethren this third Iugurth he thought by his benefits to allye vnto vs one of the two is slaine the other hath hardly escaped his impious hands What shall I doe or whither wretch that I am shall I addresse my selfe all supports of alliance are lost my Father by the decree of nature is deceased a kinsman whom it least beseemed hath villanously murthered my brother the rest of my Confederates friends and kinsmen this or that mischiefe hath seuerally oppressed Those whom Iugurth hath attached some haue beene crucified others haue beene exposed to wild beasts a few whose soules are onely left being shut vp in darkenesse with anguish and griefe leade a life more grieuous then death If all those proprieties which I haue either lost or from being vsefull are become hurtfull remained intire yet if any vnexpected calamity hapned I should implore you ye Fathers Conscript to whom for the Maiesty of your Empire all right and wrong ought to be regardfull But now being banished from my house and Country or â—orne and wanting an honest accommodations whither shall I goe or to whom shall I appeale vnto the Nations and Kings all of whom hate our family in regard of your friendship what can I goe to any place where there are not many hostile monuments of my Ancestours will any commiserate vs who was euer an enemy to you finally Massinissa taught vs thus ye Fathers Conscript that we should obserue none but the people of Rome that we should contract no new Confederacies and Leagues that in your friendship wee should haue sufficient assurance If the fortune of your state suffred alteration we must perish with you By your owne vertue and the fauour of the gods you are mighty powerfull all things are prosperous and obedient vnto you so that you may with more ease releeue the wrongs of your Confederates Onely this I feare that Iugurths priuate insinuation as yet not well discouered may peruert some mens iudgements who as I heare doe with all their power labour sue and sollicite you seuerally that you would not decree any thing of him being absent and his cause vnheard pretending that I disguise my speech and counterfeit flight who if I list might remaine in my Kingdome But would to God I might see him by whose vnnaturall treason I am throwne into these miseries dissembling after the same manner and that this care of humane affaires might be tooke by you or by the immortall gods that he who is nowe growne proud and honoured for his villanies being tortured with all kind of mischiefes might for his impiety towards my father for the murmer of my brother and for my calamities â—ender sufficient punishment Already brother most deare to my soule although thy life hath been taken from thee vntimely and by ill beseeming meanes yet I thinke this thy fortune to be rather reioyced at then lamented for not a Kingdome but flight exile want and all other miseries which vexe me thou hast lost together with thy life But I vnhappy man precipitated into such misfortunes and beaten out of my fathers Kingdome doe represent a spectacle of mans estate vnresolued what to doe whether I shall persecute thy wrongs being my selfe destitute of helpe or prouide for my Kingdomes good the power of whose life and death lyes at the mercy of others Would to God to dye were an end proper for my fortunes that I might not seeme to liue despised if tired with troubles I yeelded to iniury Now because I haue no pleasure to liue nor power to dye without disgrace ye Fathers Conscript coniured by your selues by your children your parents and the Maiestie of the Romane people releeue me a man distressed preuent my wrong and suffer not the Kingdome of Numidia which is yours to be polluted with Treason and the blood of our family After the King had finished his speech Iugurths Ambassadours more confident in their gifts then goodnesse of cause answere briefly that Hiempsal for his cruelty was slaine by the Numidians that Adherbal of his owne accord making war being ouercome complained because he was disinabled to doe wrong that Iugurth requested the Senate that they would take him for no other then he was knowne at Numantia nor that they would value his enemies words before his deeds Vpon this both of them depart the Court foorthwith the Senate takes counsell the Patrones of the
hee should demand his Kings intention Hee being ioyfull goes to Iugurths Campe. Then in structed in all things by him hee returnes hauing hastened his iourney after eight dayes vnto Bocchus and bring tidings that Iugurth waâ— willing to doe whatsoeuer was commanded but hee was diffident of Marius that heretofore â—eace being contracted with the Romanes had â—eene frustrated but if â—â—â—chus would haue a â—â—â—hing done conncellable â—or both and a peace â—stablished hee should â—â—deauour that all parâ—â—es might meet togeâ—â—er as if they were to â—â—eate about it and â—â—ere hee should deliuer â—â—lla into his hands â—hen hee had such a 〈◊〉 in his power then 〈◊〉 League would bee 〈◊〉 by order from the â—â—â—nate and people of Rome neither would they forsake a Nobleman being in the enemies power not by the default of his own cowardise but for the Common-wealths cause The Moore pondering this long with himselfe at length hee ingageth his promise But whether he delayed the excution out of cunning 〈◊〉 sincerity wee find little certainety But the wills of Kings are for the most part as vehement as inconstant often contrary to themselues Afterwards a time and place being appointed as if it had beeâ— to meet vpon a Treaty of peace Bocchus sometimes calls for Sylla sometimes for Iugurths Ambassadour hee intertaineth â—hem curteously he promiseth the same to both They were ioyfull alike â—nd full of good hope But on that night which was the next before the â—ay appointed for emâ—â—rlance the Moore some friends being admitted and forthwith remoued his resolution â—hanging hee is said to â—aue deliberated much with himselfe expressing â—ariety in his counteâ—â—ance colour and moâ—on of body euen as he â—â—id in his mind which signes hee himselfe being silent reuealed has inward secrets yet at length hee commandeth Sylla to bee sent for and by his aduice he prepareth snares for the Numidian Then when the day came and a message was deliuered vnto him of Iugurths approach with some few friends and our Treasurer as if hee went to meet him for honours sake hee aduaâ—ceth vnto a little hâ—ll that was easily to bee seene by the Ambusheers Thither the Numidiaâ— comes vnarmed with some few attendants as it was ordered and suddenly a signall being giuen hee is inuaded on all sides out of the ambushments The rest are slaine Iugurth is deliuered bound to Sylla and by him conueyed to Marius In the interspace of this our men fought vnfortunately against the Gaules vnder the conduct of their Generals L. Scipio and M. Manlius with the terrour whereof all Italy trembled and both they and the Romanes euen to our memory were of this opinion that all things were prone to their proper vertue with the Gaules they coÌ„tended for safety not for glory But after the warre was finished in Numidia and tidings came that Iugurth was brought bound to Rome Marius being absent was chosen Consull and Gaule was decreed for his Prouince and he in the Kalends of Ianuary triumphed with great glory being Consull From that time the hopes and helps of the Citty relyed on him FINIS HISTORICALL FRAGMENTS AND ORATIONS OF CAIVS CRISPVS SALVSTIVS Englished by WI. CROSSE LONDON Printed for Thomas Walkley and are to be sold at his shop at the Signe of the Eagle and Child in Brittaines Bursse 1629. To the honourable Gentleman Master Walter Montague second Sonne to the Earle of Manchester William Crosse wisheth first the increase and afterwards the fulnesse of all happinesse HOnourable Sir the knowledge of your Iudgement in the point of Historicall Iudicature ioyned with the remembrance of your gracious favours haue incouraged me to consecrate those intire Fragments which are extant in the fiue Bookes of Salusts Histories together with two Orations to Caesar and one against Cicero to your learned and Iuditious censure rendred as I hope they are without losse of the Latine salt If your Noblenesse shall accept this first mite of his thankefull offrings you shall incourage him to higher attempts and oblige him to remaine for euer Your deuoted Seruant William Crosse A DESCRIPTION of the Roman Common-wealth in her integrity and declining THe Romane State most flourished in power Ser. Sulpitius and M. Marcellus being Consuls All Gaule on this side the Rheine and that which lyes betwixt the Ocean and Mediterrane an Seas being subdued except that which was inaccessible by reason of the Marishes But with best manners and greatest concord the Romane people liued betweene the second and last Carthaginian warre But discord auarice and ambition with other mischiefes which are wont to proceed from prosperity after the destruction of Carthage were most increased For the iniuries of the stronger and for that a disunion of the Commonalty from the Fathers and other ciuill dissensions had beene euen from the beginning Neither longer then whilst the Kings being expelled there was a feare of Tarquine and a dangerous warre ingaged with Hetruria were things gouerned after an vpright and modest course Vpon this the Fathers held the Commonalty vnder a seruile subiection they determined of life and limbe after a Regall manner they expelled men out of their possessions and others being voided they alone liued in command With which cruelties but most specially with the burthen of vsury the Commonalty being oppressed when as in the continuall warres they suffred both taxes and military duties taking Armes they surprized the holy mountaine and the Auentine and then they procured for themselues Tribunes of the people and other priuiledges Of the discords and controuersie on both sides the second Punicke warre made an end Afterwards the Punicke feare being remoued they had leisure to exercise factions From which time the manners of our Ancestours were precipitated not by degrees as formerly but like the course of a torrent so much was the youth corrupted with riot and couetousnesse that not without cause it might be said that such men were borne who could not keepe their owne estates nor suffer others to haue any Then many troubles seditions and last of all ciuill warres did arise whilst some few mighty men on whose fauour many relyed vnder the honest name of the Fathers and Commonalty affected a tyrannicall command And they were called good and euill Cittizens not for their merits towards the Commonwealth all men being corrupted alike but as any man was most rich and stronger in doing wrong because he maintained his present vndertakings he was accounted good The Oration of M. Aemilius Lepidus the Consull against Lu. Sylla YOur clemency and integrity O yee Romanes by which you are most great and famous amongst other Nations minister much cause of feare to me in the contemplation of L. Syllaes tyranny lest that either you be circumuented by others being incredulous of these things which you esteeme most wicked especially when all his hope relie on villany and persidiousnesse neither can he thinke himselfe otherwise safe except he growes worse and more detestable from your feare by meanes whereof misery may take
thy good fortunes together The storme of a new warre falling vpon Tigranes and my vnprosperous estate if thou shalt ballance them truely will serue for a most speciall incouragement For he being offended will entertaine Aliance as thou wilt fortune to me after the losse of many things hath giuen the benefit of aduising well and that which is to be wished for of men that flourish I being the weakest represent an example by which thou mayest compose thy affaires more orderly For this hath beene the onely and ancient cause with the Romanes of warring with Nations Kings and People the profound desire of rule and riches out of which they first ingaged warre with Philip King of the Macedonians Whilst they were pressed by the Carthaginians counterfeiting friendship with a guile they diuerted Antiochus comming to his succours by the intire graunt of Asia And forthwith after Philip Antiochus was despoiled of all the territory on this side Taurus and of ten thousand talents Then Perses the Sonne of Philip being receyued into protection by the Samothracian gods after many and various conflicts they being cunning and inuenters of the trecherie killed him sleeping because they had granted him life by compromise Eâ—â—menes of whose friendship they gloriously vaunt at first they betrayed to Antiochus as the price of peace Afterwards they made Attalus being Gardian onely of a captiued Country from a King to become the miserablest of slaues by the taxes and contumelies layd vpon him and an impious testament being forged they led his Sonne Aristonicus in triumph after a hostill manner because he sought his Fathers Kingdome They haue besieged Asia finally Nicomedes being dead they haue surprized all Bithynia when as the sonne of Nusa whom they called Queene was borne without all doubt For what should I name my selfe whom being disioyned euery where by Kingdomes and Tetrarchies from their Empire because the report was that I was rich and would not serue they prouoked with warre by Nicomedes not altogether ignorant of their villany as hauing giuen test of those things which happened afterwards that onely amongst all men the Cretensians and King Ptolomie were free at that season But I reuenging my wrongs expelled Nicomedes out of Bithynia and recouered Asia the spoile of King Antiochus and freed Greece from a grieuous seruitude My proceedings Archelaus the basest of my seruants hindred by betraying my Army and they whom cowardice or mischieuous cunning restrained from Armes thinking that they should be safe-garded by my labours suffer now most cruell punishments Ptolomie for a price delayes the day of warre The Cretensians assaulted once already are to expect no end but ruine Truely when I was informed that by reason of their owne intestine miseries warre was rather deferred then peace granted Tigranes condescending who approues my words too late thou being farre remoued and all others obnoxious for all this I vndertooke the warre againe and defeated Marcus Cotta Generall of the Romanes at Chalcedon in a Land-battell at Sea I despoiled him of a most goodly Fleet. Staying at the siege of Cicicus with a great Army corne failed no man all about bringing reliefe withall the winter debarred the benefit of the Sea Thus being constrained without the enemies force to returne into my natiue Kingdome I lost with wrackes at Para and Heraclea the best of my Souldiers together with my Fleetes Afterwards my Army being reinforced at Cabira and sundry battels passing betwixt me and Lucullus want inuaded both of vs againe He had for reliefe the Kingdome of Ariobarzuris not touched as yet by the warre I all the Regions adiacent being wasted came into Armenia and the Romanes following not me but their custome of subuerting all Kingdomes because in those fastnesses they restrained the multitude from fight they account Tigranes imprudence for a victory Now I pray consider whether after our conquest thou canst thinke thy selfe more firme for resistance or that the warre will be at an end I know for certaine that thou art abundantly stored with men Armes and money and for this cause thou art desired by vs for the society of the warre by them for a prey Besides it is the counsell of Tigranes his Kingdome being intire to finish the warre with little labour farre from home by the bodies of our well experienced Souldiers since we can neither vanquish nor be vanquished without thy danger Are you ignorant that the Romanes after the Ocean had limited their Conquests to the westward conuerted their Armes hither and that they had nothing froÌ„ the beginning which was their own not so much as their houses wiues fields nor Empire they were in times past a medley of strangers without Countrie without Parents created for the plague of the world whom not humane nor diuine Lawes can restraine but that they will force and ruine their friends and Alies whether liuing neere or remote poore or powerfull and all that are not their vassalls but specially Kingdomes they esteeme for enemies For few desire liberty the greatest part iust Masters we are suspected for emulatours and auengers in future time But thou who hast Seleucia the greatest of Citties and the Kingdom of Persia renowned for riches what dost thou expect from them but deceit for the present and warre afterwards The Romanes are armed against all men but most fiercely against those who being conquered can yeeld the greatest spoiles by daring and deceiuing and by raising warres out of warres they are growne mighty By this course they will ruine all or perish the last of which is not difficult if thou from Mesopotamia we from Armenia surround their Army wanting corne wanting aydes Fortune is as yet intire through our defaults And this fame will follow thee vndertaking the succour of mighty Kings that thou hast suppressed the robbers of the Nations Which thing we warne perswade thee to doe and that thou wouldest not with our destruction inlarge their onely Empire rather then by our Aliance to be the Conqerour Collections out of the fifth booke of SALVSTS Historicall Fragments The Oration of Ca. Cotta the Consull to the people MAny dangers O ye Romanes haue happened to me both at home and abroad many calamities some of which I haue suffered others I haue repelled by the ayde of the gods and my owne vertue in all which neither my minde was wanting to my businesse nor labour to my resolutions Aduerse and prosperous affaires changed wealth not my wit But contrariwise in these miseries all things haue forsaken me besides old age greeuous in it selfe doth redouble my care to whom being wretched it is not lawfull in these my last yeeres to hope for an honest death For if I am a Paricide of you and being borne for you haue vilified my houshold gods my Country and this most glorious Empire what torment is sufficient for me in my life or what punishment after death when with my wickednesse I haue exceeded all the punishments mentioned in hell From my first youth I
liued in your eye both a priuate person Magistrate those that would vsed my tongue counsell and money neither did I exercise my eloquence craftily nor my wit mischieuously being most couetous of priuate fauour I vndertooke great quarrells for the Commonwealth who being vanquished together with her when destitute of other helpe I expected farther miseries you O ye Romanes restored againe to me my Country and houshold gods with an exceeding great dignity For which benefits I should not seeme sufficiently thankfull if for them seuerally which I cannot doe I should expend my very soule For life and death are the rights of nature that thou mayest liue without disgrace with thy fellow Citizens thy fame and fortunes being intire that is neither giuen nor taken as a donatiue You haue made vs Consuls O ye Romanes the Common-wealth being much intangled both at home and abroade for the Generalls of Spaine require pay Souldiers Armes and corne and the occasion inforceth it for after the reuolt of our Confederates and the flight of Sertorius ouer the mountaines they can neither come to fight nor prouide necessaries Our Armies in regard of Mithridates great forces are maintained in Asia and Cilicia full of enemies is Macedonia no lesse the maritime regions of Italy and the Prouinces when in the meane time our tributes being small and vncertainely ballanced for the warres scarce sustaine a part of the charges thus we saile with a lesse Fleet then formerly we did for the Conuoy of victuals If these things are contracted by our negligence and fraudulent dealing proceed and take punishment as you will but if the common fortune be in fault wherefore doe you vndertake things vnworthy of your selues of vs and the Commonwealth And I ouer whose age death is impendent doe pray for it if by that you can quit any inconuenience neither can any thing more honest this ingenious body then if it cease to liue for your safety Behold I C. Cotta the Consull am here I doe that which our ancestours haue often done in dangerous warres I vow and abandon my selfe for the Common-wealth the which to whom you may commit bee circumspectiue from hence forwards for no good man will desire that honour when as of the fortune of peace and warre transacted an account is to be giuen or an ignominious death to be suffred Onely reserue this in your mindes that I was not slain for lewdnesse or auarice but for the requitall of your greatest benefits I gaue vp my soule as a free-wil offring Coniured therefore by your selues and the glory of your ancestours O ye Romanes be patient in aduersities and prouide for the Common-wealth much care attends the châ—efest command and many vast labours which you refuse in vaine and seeke the plenty of peace when all Prouinces Kingdomes Seas and Lands are indangered and harraged with the warres SALVSTS ORATIONS The first Oration of the institution of a Common-wealth directed to C. Caesar THe Romane people got formerly Kingdomes and Empires it gaue fortune for a donatiue and other things which are greedily desired by mortals because as if it had beene out of meere lust they were often conferred vpon vnworthy persons neither remained they vncorrupted with any But experience hath taught that to be true which Appius in his verses saith That euery man is a forger of his owne fortune and this is verified especially in thee who hast so farre outgone others that men are first wearied with praising thy deeds then thou art of doing things praise-worthy But vertuous acquisitions like edifices ought to be preserued with very much industry lest they be deformed with negligence or ruined through weakenesse For no man willingly resignes rule to another and although hee bee good and milde who can doe most yet because it is lawfull for him to bee wicked he is feared This happeneth for that many men who are powerfull in authority counsell peruersly and thinke themselues by so much the more fortified by how much those ouer whom they command haue beene the more wicked But this ought to be indeuoured against that thou being vertuous and valiant mayst command ouer the best For euery man that is most lewde with most difficulty suffreth a gouernour But this is more laborious for thee then for all men before thee to settle an estate gotten by Armes Thou hast managed a warre more gentle then the peace of others besides the conquered are Cittizens Amongst these difficulties thou must make an euasion and for euer hereafter the Commonwealth is to be confirmed not by armes onely nor against enemies but which is greater and harder by farre with the profitable Arts of peace Therefore the occasion summons hither all who are much and meanely wise that euery man should aduise the best he can And this seemes so to me that in that manner as thou shalt settle the victory all things will succeed But now that thou mayest dispose this more readily and easily receiue in few words what my minde tells me Thou hast had a warre O Emperour with a famous man of great wealth greedy of rule of greater fortune then wisedome whom some few haue followed being made thy enemies by their owne iniury withall whom affinity or any other aliance hath incited For neither was any man partaker of his domination nor if he could haue suffred it had the whole world beene shaken with warre The rest of the multitude rather out of the vulgar custome then Iudgement followed him one after another as if he had beene the prudenter person About that time some men being possessed with hope by the suggestions of the wicked of vsurping vpon the Common-wealth made thy Campe their place of Concourse hauing first polluted all things with lewdnesse and luxury and openly menaced vnto the peaceable death rapines and finally all outrages which their depraued nature vrged A great part of whom after they saw neither debt to be remitted nor thy selfe to vse Cittizens as thou wouldst enemies shrunke away from thee a few stayd who were likely to haue more security in the Campe then at Rome So egerly did the Creditours pursue them But for the same causes it is incredible to be spoken what great persons and how many departed afterwards vnto Pompey and vsed him all the time of the warre as a sacred and vnuiolated Sanctuary Therefore because peace and warre must be agitated by thee the Conquerour this that thou mayst leaue it ciuilly that that it may be most iust and diâ—â—urnall first of all thinke with thy selfe because thou art to compose them what is best to bee done Verily my opinion is that all tyrannicall gouernments are more grieuous then lasting neither can any man be feared by many but feare from many must reflect on him that kinde of life wageth a continuall and doubtfull warre because thou canst neither be assured from before behind or either side thou must liue alwaies in danger and feare Contrariwise they who with bounty and clemencie haue
Sentences which he kept as a Breuiate for his proper vse Concerning his workes Catilines conspiracie and his Iugurthine warre are the two master-peeces of those that are exstant Besides these he wrote the History of Marius and Sylla vnto which he annexed the atchieuements of Pompeie in the Mithridaticke warre this work he finished diuided into sundry Tomes the reliques whereof as yet remaine to posterity and like the parcels of a broken picture expresse the Authours grauitie and diligence He applyed himselfe so studiously vnto the writing of the Punicke History that for that purpose alone he trauailed into the African Regions to finde out the truth with more assurance which industrious diligence of his is much commended by Autenus Rufus Gellius a Roman borne who for his Criticisme was held the Aristarchus of ancient learning deliuers thus much of Salusts stite His elegancie saith he eloquence of speech and affectation of noueltie were accompanied with much enuy In so much that diuers able wits who were his Contemporaries did reprehend and detract his writings But this aspersion proceeded either from ignorance or a preiudicate malice Gellius iudgement being cleere in this point that he was a strict obseruer of the proprietie of the Latine Language Titus Liuius was so vniust to Salust by the testimony of Annaeus Seneca that he accused him for intrenching vpon Theucidides and for vsurping many parcels of his History which he translated out of the Greeke and applyed for himselfe with a borrowed elegancy Neither doth Asinius Pollio spare the brand of his censure but layes diuers imputations vpon Salusts workes especially because with too forced an affectatioÌ„ he traced the steps of the ancient writers Quintilian a man of a most solid iudgement affirmes that in the censure of learned and vnprepossessed Readers nothing can be added to Salusts speech and briefe deliuerie Neither was he scrupulous to parallell Salust with Thucidides the Father and Prince of the Grecian Historiographers as he did Titus Liuius with Herodotus In respect of our Authours vnusuall Dialect it came to passe that many imitated but few attained to his perfection for his phrase is pithie chaste and innocent so that not without cause it is termed by some A diuine Breuitie In regard whereof Aâ—untius who wrote the History of the Carthaginian warre honoured him with his strictest imitation as being a Paterne that had nothing defectiue nothing superfluous He had these friends renowned for their wit and learning Cor Nepos Messala and Nigidius Figulus the last of whom dyed in exile Hee honoured Iulius Caesar with much respect by whose meanes he was inuested with the dignity of a Prouinciall Lord Deputy This incited Lenaeus the GraÌ„marian Pompeies freed-man to compose certaine inuectiue Satyres against Sallust in which bitter and virulent Poem he calls him a glutton leacher varlet and debaucht person a moÌ„ster of contrarieties both in his life and writings and an illiterate theefe of Catoes fragments The mortall hatred and vnreconciled opposition betwixt him and Mar. Cicero is a subiect so well knowne to the world that it needs no farther coÌ„memorationâ— their inuectiue Orations bearing witnesse against both of them that they more then seemed to neglect their owne whilest they detracted from each others credit But most certaine it is that Salusts manners were so corrupt his youthfull inclination so prone to Riot that hee sold his Patrimony in his fathers life-time at a low and vnderualued rate a fault which amongst others was obiected against him by his aduersaries Hee had often beene honoured with publicke imployments and amongst the rest hee had beene Treasurour and Tribune but hee was so wedded to his desires that these dignities procured him more enuy then glory He was a great Fauorite of Ca. Caesar who preferred him to a Pretourship in the inland Countries of Africk by which Office he was so inriched that returning to Rome hee purchased the village of Tiburte together with those richand delightfull Gardens which lye in the same territorie neere to the Pomegranate-tree He married Terentia Ciceroes wife after her diuorcement from her former husband who remarried afterwards Salust being dead with Messala Coruinus a man much reuowned for eloquence hee liued vntill hee was three score yeeres old and deceased not long after Cesaers death that Countrie giuing him his sepulture which gaue him his natiuitie This Panegyricall Disticke was published of him at Rome after his death Hic-erit vt perhibent doctorum corda virorum Crispus Romanâ primus in historiâ Here by consent of learned mens decree Shall Crispus chiefe mongst Romes Historians be CHAP. 1. Catilines Conspiracie The Proeme or Introduction to Catilines conspiracie ALL men who desire to excell other liuing creatures ought to striue with their chiefest indeiour that they passe nor ouer this life in obscuritie like beasts whom nature hath framed prone and slaues to their bellies But all our sufficiency resides both in the soule and body we vse the sway of the soule the seruice more oâ— the body the one of them makes vs to communicate with the gods that other with beasts From whence it seemes to me the directest course to pursue glory rather with the abilities of wit then those of strength and since the life it selfe which we enioy is short to extend our memories to the greatest length For the renowne of riches and beautie is fleeting and fraile vertue is accounted illustrious and eternall Yet hath it beene for a long time a great controuersie amongst mortals whether Militarie Affaires were more managed by the strength of the body then the vertue of the mind For first of all counsell before you begin and after consultation had mature execution is most needfull Thus both of them being incompleat by themselues they stand in need of each others helpe Therefore the Kings of the first times for that title of command was the first on earth differing in their wayes some of them exercised the mind others the body Yea then the life of man was not troubled with couetuous desires euery mans owne pleased sufficiently But after that Cyrus in Asia the Lacedemonians and Athenians in Greece surprised Citties conquered Nations then the desire of rule became the ground of warre the largest Empire being reputed the greatest glory then at length it was found by danger experiments that wisedome in war was of most preualeÌ„ce But if the vertue of mind in Kings and Emperours were as powerfull in peace as it is in warre humane affaires would be more Ieuell constant neither should you see this transferred thither nor all things changed and confounded together For rule is easily preserued by those Arts by which it was gotten at first But whereas for industrie sloth for moderation and equity lust and pride haue entred themselues Fortune together with manners suffers alteration Thus dominion is generally translated from him that is least good to him who excels in goodnes Whether men plant saile or build all successe depends
all the house husht at his speech calling him Traitour parricide publickly Then all inraged hee replies because being circumuented I am ouerborne by mine enemies nothing but ruine shall determine my reuenge Thereupon from the Court hee poasteth to his owne dwelling house there pondering many things seriously with himselfe as that his plots against the Coâ—sull did not succeed and that his Intelligencers assured him that the Citty by reason of the Guardes was secured from firing he thinking it the best expedient to reinforce his Army before more Legions were inrolled and to anticipate all aduantages which might be vsefull for him in the warre he takes his iourney late in the night towards Manlius Camp with some few persons in his retenue But before this he had charged Cethegus Lentulus and others whose courage he knewe to be most actiue that by all meanes possible they should assure the strength of the faction that they should hasten their treacheries designed against the Consull and dispose before-hand slaughter firings and other mischiefes incident to warre as for himselfe he would martch speedily to the Citty with an Army of sufficient force Whilst these things wer acted at Rome C. Manlius sends certaine Agents of his owne retinue vnto Q. Martius ex with this message following We call both gods and men to witnes most noble Generall that wee haue not taken Armes against our Countrie nor that we might heape danger vpon other men but onely to secure our bodies from violence who being wretched and wanting through the oppression and cruelty of vsurious creditours haue for the most part lost our Countrie as all of vs haue our Fame and fortunes Neither is it permitted to any of vs to take the benefit of the Lawe according to the custome of our Ancestours nor to keepe our bodies free our Patrimonies being forfeited So great hath beene the rigour of the Vsurers and Praetour Our Predecessours oftentimes taking compassion of the Plebeâ— an Romanes by publicke Decrees releeued their pouerty and of late euen in our memories in regard of them excessiue debts it was agreed vpon by the consent of all good men that they should be paid out of the common stocke Oftentimes hath the very Commonalty disivnited themselues from the Fathers either induced by the desire of superiority or otherwise armed through the pride of the Magistrates But we affect neither rule nor Riches by whose causing all warres and quarrels arise amongst mortals we onely desire liberty which no free nature can indure to lose except it be with the losse of life We importune both thee and the Senate that you would releeue vs your miserable fellow Citizens and restore vnto vs the benefit of the Law from which the iniustice of the Praetour seekes to debarre vs not imposing vpon vs the last of all extremities that we should seeke the meanes by which we should die hauing first fully reuenged our deaths To these demands Q. Martius replied that they would request any fauour from the Senate they should surcease from Armes and goe to Rome in the nature of suppliants that there both the Senate and people were of such clemencie and compassion that neuer any man required their helpe in vaine But Catilene being vpon his iourney wrote to diuers of the Confular order and to sundry other persons of quality His letters imported that he was wronged by false aspersions that because he could not resist the powerfulnesse of his enemies he gaue way to his hard fortune that he would goe to Marselles to liue in exile not because he was conscious to himselfe of so hainous a crime but that the State might remaine vndisturbed and that no sedition might proceed from his quarrell farre contrarie to the tenure of these Q. Catâ—lus did reade others letters in the Senate which he auouched to be deliuered vnto him in Catilines name The Copie of them is here vnderwritten Lu. Catiline to Qu. Catulus wisheth health Thy remarkable constancy confirmed by experience which hath come acceptably to me in my greatest dangers warrants confidence to these my commendations For what cause I did not resolue to vndertake my owne defence in that new Counsell I meane to giue thee satisfaction yet not out of the guiltinesse of any crime This so God helpe mee you may receiue for a truth being prouoked with iniuries and disgraces withall depriued of the fruite of my labour and industrie because I failed in obtaining the Consular dignity I haue vndertaken according to my custome the protection of distressed men Not because I was vnsufficient to satisfie my debts vpon my owne credit and out of my owne Reuenues since vpon other mens credit the meere liberality of Aurelia Orestilla was able to discharge them all out of her owne and her daughters store But for that I saw vnworthy persons dignified with honour and my selfe reiected vpon false suspitions for this cause I haue prosecuted these hopes of preseruing the remainder of my reputation they being honest enough for my present fortune Being willing to write more it is related to me that prouisions are made to force me Now I commend Orestilla to thee and deliuer her to thy trust Defend her from wrong being coniured by the loue of thy children Farewell CHAP. 11. Catiline arriues in Manlius Campe. Orders are giuen out for his pursuite BVt Catiline himselfe hauing stayed some few dayes with C. Flaminius in the Reatine territory whilst he be fortified that Citty with Armes being before sollicited to his party he speedes from thence to Manlius Campe with the branches of rods and other Ensignes of the Consular coÌ„mand These things were no sooner knowne at Rome but the Senate proclaimes Catiline and Manlius Traitours to all besides them a prefixed day is limitted before which time it might be lawfull for them to lay downe their Armes without any faudulent reseruation excepting such who were condemned of capitall offences Moreouer it was decreed that the Consuls should make a newe Leuy that Antonius should pursue Catiline with an Army volant and that Cicero should guarde the Citty At that time the face of the Roman Empire seemed most miserable vnto me for although al places were subiected by their Armes from the rising of the Sunne to the setting thereof and that they wallowed at home in ease and wealth things which mans nature doth most affect yet did the Citty nourish some ill members who were obstinately bent to 〈◊〉 themselues and the Republike For after two Decrees of the Senate published there was not one man of to great a multitude so farre moued with the promised reward that he would discouer any thing concerning the conspiracie neither was there any fugitiue knowne to flie from Catilines Campe so great was the violence of this malady which like a pestilent contagion had disperst it selfe almost through the generality Neither were their minds alienated alone who were knowing of this complot but euen the whole body of the Commonalty being desirous of innouation
supported such great enterprises I knew that with small Forces they haue oftentimes incountred great Armies of their enemies I knew that with contemptible numbers they haue warred against mighty Kings besides they haue frequently suffred the violence of fortune The Greekes in eloquence the Gaules in military renowne excelled the Romanes Yet vnto me pondering many things it appeareth plainely that the remarkable vertue of a fewe Cittizens brought all these things to passe and so it befell that pouerty ouercame riches the few the multitude But after when the Citty was corrupted with Riot and sloth the Common-wealth againe through her proper greatnesse sustained the vices of her Generals and Magistrates as though she had lately brought forth all her Patriots there was not any man found at Rome for a long season of eminent vertue But in my memory there liued two men of much vertue yet of different conditions M. Cato and C. Caesar whom because the occasion presents it selfe I doe not resolue to passe ouer in silence but will deliuer their liues and manners as farre as my wit will inable me Therefore the parentage yeeres and eloquence of these men were almost equall their greatnesse of mind and glory were alike but other things they pursued otherwise Caesar for his benefits and munificence was reputed great Cato for the integrity of his life the one was renowned for his meekenesse and mercy to this man seuerity added dignity Caesar by giuing releeuing and pardoning Cato by parsimony got renowne The one of them was a Sanctuary to the oppressed the other the ruine of malefactours This mans facility that mans constancy was commended Last of all Caesar was resolued in mind to labour watch to be intentiue on his friends affaires with neglect of his owne to deny nothing that was worth the giuing he desired excessiuely a great command Army and new warres where his vertue might expresse it selfe But Catoes study was modesty seemelinesse and aboue all seuerity He did not striue with the rich man in riches nor with the factious man in faction but with the valiant in valour with the modest in modesty and with the innocent in abstinence He had rather be then seeme good so that by how much the lesse he pursued glory by so much the more he purchased it CHAP. 18. The Senate resoluing to follow Catoes counsell commandes execution to be done vpon the Traitours AFter the Senate as I haue said condescended to Catoes opinion the Consull thinking it the best expedient to anticipate the next night lest any thing might be innouated in the meane time hee commands the Triumuirs to prepare prouisions needfull for the execution he himselfe the Guardes being disposed conducts Lentulus vnto the prison the like is done to the rest by the Praetours There is a place in the prison called Tullianum as soone as you are ascended a little towards the left hand it stands about twelue foot deep in the ground the walls fortifie it round about and aboue a vault bound together with stone Arches but the aspect of it is filthy fearefull through darkenesse stench and neglect of cleansing Lentulus being brought thither the Executioners for capitall crimes to whom this was inioyned strangled him with a halter Thus this man being a Patrician of the most Noble Cornâ—lian Family hauing born Consular command in Rome found out a death worthy of his conditions and actions the like punishment was taken vpon Cethegus Statilius Gabinius and Ceparius CHAP. 19. Catiline ioyneth his Forces with Manlius He deuides his Army into two Legions Being pursued by Antonius he takes the Mountaines VVHilest these things passe at Rome Catiline out of all the Forces which himselfe brought and Manlius had ordaines two Legions hee makes his Cohorts compleat for the number of Souldiers and as any of the Voluntiers or of the Confederates came into the CaÌ„p he distributed them equally and in a short space had filled vp his Legions to the iust numbers whereas at the first hee had no more then two thousand But of all this multitude there was about a fourth part furnished with military armes the rest as chance armed each one carried Iauelines Lances or sharpe-pointed staues But after Antonius approached with his Army Catiline marched through the monntaines hee remoued his Tents sometimes towards the Citty sometimes towards Gaule hee presented no occasion of fighting to the enemies Hee did hope that forthwith he should haue great Forces if his associates at Rome could effect their designes In the meane time he cassiereth the slaues of whom at first great numbers repaired vnto him relying on the Aydes of the Confederacy Besides it seemed vnexpedient for his ends to communicate the cause of Cittizens with fugitiue slaues But when a Messenger came to the Campe with tidings that the Conspiracy was detected at Rome that vpon Lentulus Cethegus and the rest whom wee haue before remembred punishment was inflicted the most part of those whom hope of pillage or the desire of innouation had allured to the warre stole away secretly the residue Catiline leades through the rough mountaines with large marches into the Pistorian territory of purpose that by Deuious wayes he might vnperceiued flie into Gaule But Q. Metellus Celer commanded with three Legions in the Picenian tract who thought that Catiline through the difficulty of his affaires did meditate that meanes of escape which we haue formerly rehearsed Therefore as soone as he was informed of his iourney by the fugitiues he remoues his Camp in haste and sits downe vnder the very foot of the mountaines whereas the others descent was flying into Gaule Neither yet was Antonius farre off as following with a great Army through more euen wayes those that were wholly disposed for flight But Catiline after he saw himselfe inclosed with the mountaines and Forces of his enemies that in the Citty things were aduerse that there was neither hope of flight nor aide thinking it the best course in this case to hazzard the fortune of warre he resolues to fight with Antonius vpon the first occasion therefore an assembly being called he makes this Oration CHAP. 20. Catilines Oration to the Rebels A description of the battaile I Haue found by experience fellow Souldiers that words infuse not valour into men nor that an Army becomes strenuous from dastardly nor valiant from fearefull by the Oration of a Generall How much courage is seated in each mans soule either by nature or custome so much manifests it selfe in war whom neither glory nor danger excite him you may perswade in vaine the feare of the mind hinders attention But I haue called you together with intent to admonish some few things and withall that I might vnfold the reasons of my counsell You know full well my Souldiers what mischiefe the solution and cowardice of Lentulus brought to himselfe and vs and by what meanes whilst I expected Aydes from the Citty I was hindred from going into Gaule But now you perceiue all as well
Castle Island William Crosse wisheth the fulnesse of temporall and eternall happinesse RIght Honourable your gracious though vndeserued favours incourage me to present this piece of the Iugurthine war to your most Noble hand and able Iudgement The Royall pen of Queene Elizabeth hath beene formerly Verst in this Translation but this being like to herselfe and too good for the world was neuer published The subiect is high copious and full of variety such are the sallies of the Authours wit such his expressions of language both which are so well suited together that without any Hyperbole or excesse of speech I may boldly say if there be any difference Materiam superabat opus the Worke-man-ship exceeds the matter If this Worke may passe to publicke view thrugh the fauour of your Patronage the Labourer thinks his indeuours recompenced with a faire Haruest and will for euer remaine Your Honours deuoted Seruant William Crosse The Proeme or Introduction FAlsely mankinde complaines of his nature that being feeble and of short continuance it is ruled more by fortune then vertue For by a contrary estimation you can find nothing more great nor excellent and rather to nature humane industry is wanting then time or abilitie But the guide and ruler of mans life is the minde which when it pursues glory by the way of vertue it becommes abundantly able powerfull and illustrious Neither stāds it in need of fortune for because honesty industry and other good Arts she can neither giue nor take from any man But if seduced with euill desires it inclines lewdly to slouth and bodily pleasures vsing pernicious lust for a season when through idlenesse strong the time and wit are decayed in vaine is natures infirmity accused All Authours impute their faults to the occasions But if men had as much regard of goodnesse as with earnestnesse they pursue things impertinent profitlesse yea exceeding dangerous neither should they be more gouerned then gouerne chaunces and should proceed to that pitch of greatnesse whereas for mortals they should be eternized with glory For as mankind is composed of body and soule so all our actions and indeauours follow some the disposition of the body some of the soule Therefore a faire face great riches corporall strength and all other things of this kind fade away in a short time but the glorious monuments of wit like as the soule are immortall Finally for the indowments of the body and fortune as there is a beginning so there is an end and all of them being borne dye and increased waxe old The mind is vncorrupted eternall the gouernour of mankind it doeth and possesseth all things neither is it selfe possessed By how much the more their wickednesse is to be wondred at who being addicted to carnall delights waste their time in slouth and riot but the wit then which there is nothing better nor greater in humane nature they suffer to rust through idlenesse and want of manuring when especially there are so many and so different Arts of the minde by which the chiefest renowne is procured But amongst these Magistracies commands and all care of publicke imployments seeme not fit to be desired of me at this present for that neither honour is giuen to vertue nor they who by falshood haue got any power were thereby the more secured or honested For by violence to rule your Countrie and parents although you can and may reforme abuses yet is it vnseasonable when especially all alterations doe forboade murder flight and other hostilities But to labour in vaine and to purchase nothing else but hatred for our paines is a part of extreme follie vnlesse perchance in such a man whom a dishonest and hurtfull desire doth inforce to prostitute his honour and freedome vnto the power of some few Now amongst other imployments exercised by the wit the memory of things done serues for most speciall vse of whose worth because many men haue treated I resolue to passe it ouer withall lest any man might thinke me to commend my owne study And I doe beleeue there will be some who for that I haue decreed to spend my remaining yeeres far from the Common-wealth will impose the name of idlenesse on this my so great and profitable worke such verily to whom it seemes a chiefe point of industry to salute the common people and by feasting to procure fauour who if they did but throughly consider in what times I obtained the Magistracy and what men could not attaine it then and after what persons came to be Senators truely they would coniecture that rather deseruedly then out of slouth I had altred my determination and that more profit would redound to the Common-wealth wealth out of my retirements then other mens imployments For I haue often heard Qu. Maximus P. Scipio with many other famous men of this Citty vsually say when they beheld the statues of their Ancestours that their minds were most vehemently inflamed to vertue Certainly not that waxe nor figure had such efficacy in it but through the memory of things formerly done this flame was kindled in these braue mens brests neither could it be first allayed before their owne worthinesse had equallized the others renowne glory But contrariwise who amongst you all is of this condition but would rather contend with his Ancestours in wealth and expence then in goodnesse or industry yea vpstarts who by vertue were wont to vsher home nobility by stealth nay plaine robbery rather aduance themselues to commands and honours as though the Praetourship Consulship and other like dignities were in themselues worthy and magnificent and were not esteemed according to their vertue which mannage them But I haue ranged too freely and too farre whilst the manners of the Citty greeue and irke me Now I returne to the matter in hand CHAP. 1. Micipsa sends his nephew Massinissa to Numantia he behaues himselfe worthily in that seruice He is accepted and made coheire with his sons Micipsa dieth I Am writing the warre which with Iugurth King of the Numidians the Romane people waged first because it was great and cruell and doubtfull for the victory Secondly because then the pride of the Nobility was first opposed which contention confounded all diuine and humane respects and proceeded to that height of madnesse that to these ciuill broiles warre and the wasting of Italy must set a period But before I begin to treate of this subiect let me repeate some fewe things more ancient that so to your knowledge all the sequele may appeare more plaine and manifest In the second Punicke warre in which Hannibal the Carthaginian Captaine had after the greatnesse of the Romane name much wasted the wealth of Italy Massinissa King of the Numidians being receiued into friendship by P. Scipio whose surname from his vertue was afterwards the African atchieued many glorious exploits of warre in regard whereof the Carthaginians being vanquished and Siphax taken whose Empire was great in Africke and of large extent the people of
Rome gaue for a donatiue to the King whatsoeuer Citties and territories they had got in this conquest for which cause Massinissaes friend-ship remained firme and faithfull vnto vs. But his life and Empire ended together After him his son Micipsa obtained the Kingdome alone Mastanabal and Gulussa his brethren being dead of sickenesse He begot Adherbal and Hiempsal and brought vp Iugurth the sonne of his brother Mastanabal whom because borne of a Concubine Massinissa had left priuate with the same education that he did his owne children who assoone as hee came to ripe yeeres excelling with strength and comelinesse of countenance but most of all with an able wit he gaue not himselfe ouer to the corruptions of luxurie and slouth but as the custome of that Nation is to riding darting and in race matches to contend with his equals and though hee out-went all men in glory yet was hee deare to them all Besides he spent most of his time in hunting he would assaile the Lion and other wild beasts first or with the first he did the most and spake least of himselfe For which causes although Micipsa reioyced at the beginning as deeming that Iugurths vertue would be an honour to his Kingdome yet when he considered that this young man he himselfe being old and his children little improued himselfe more and more being much moued with the occasion hee pondered many things in his mind The nature of men being couetous of command and prone to fulfill their owne desires besides the opportunity of his owne and his childrens age which also for hope of gaine alters the course of temperate men afforded him matter of terrour as likewise did the Numidians affections wholy bent vpon Iugurth from whom he was doubtfull that some sedition or warre would proceed if he should treacherously kill so worthy a person Being inuironed with these difficulties when he saw that neither by force nor fraude he could oppresse a man so popularly beloued he resolues for that Iugurth was valiant of hand and desirous of military glory to expose him to dangers and that way to try his fortunes Thereupon in the Numantine warre when as Micipsa was to send Aydes of Horse and Foote vnto the people of Rome hoping that either by the ostentation of his valour or the enemies furie he would be soone slaine he giues him the chiefe command ouer those Numidians which he sent into Spaine But the euent of this was farre otherwise then he expected For Iugurth as he was of an actiue and sharpe conceite when he found out the disposition of Pu. Scipio Generall as then for the Romanes and withall the enemies behauiour by much labour and much care besides by obeying modestly and incountring dangers willlingly hee came to that renoune in a short time that to our men he was very deare to the Numantines very dreadfull and for certaine which is a thing most difficult he was valiant in battle and wise in counsell one of which commonly out of prouidence begets feare the other out of boldnesse begets temerity Therefore the Generall performed for the most part all difficult affaires by Iugurth he rankt him amongst his friends and honoured him euery day more then other as one whose counsell and vndertaking neuer failed To these were adioined munificence of mind and dexterity of wit by which qualities he aduantaged himselfe with the familiar friendship of many Romanes At that time sundry vpstarts and Noblemen serued in our Armie who preferred riches before that which was good and decent being factious and powerfull at home more popular amongst their companions then honest in themselues who by promises had kindled great hopes in Iugurth that when King Micipsa once dyed he alone should inioy the Kingdome of Numidia in him there was a large portion of vertue at Rome all things were to be sold But after that when Numantia being destroyed P. Scipio resolued to dismisse his Aydes and to returne home himselfe he brought Iugurth with intent to reward and honour him before the assembly into the Praetorian Tent And there in secret gaue him these admonitions that he should rather publickly then priuately obserue the friendship of the Roman people that he should not accustome himselfe to particular largesses those fauours would be bought dangerously from some few in which many were interessed if he would be constant to his owne courses renowne and the Kingdome would come to him freely but if hee should proceed with too much haste he and his money would be ruined together Hauing spoken thus he dismissed him with letters which hee was to deliuer vnto Micispa The contents of them were these The valour of thy Iugurth in the Numantine warre hath beene most remarkable which for certaine I know reioyceth thee hee is for his merits deare to vs that hee may be so to the Senate and people of Rome we shall endeuour with all our power I am sincerely thankfull to thee for our friendship Behold you haue a man worthy of your selfe and his grandfather Massinissa Therefore the King as soone as hee saw those things confirmed by the Generals letters which he had formerly heard by a common fame moued with the worth and respect of the man resolues to winne Iugurth with his bounty thereupon he adopted him by his testament ordained him coheire with his sonnes But he himselfe after some few yeeres being spent with sickenesse and old age when he perceiued his end of life to approach was said to haue had these words with Iugurth his friends and kinsmen and his sonnes being present I entertained thee into my Kingdome O Iugurth being a child left without hope without fortunes conceiuing that I should be as much indeared to thee for my benefits as if I had beene thy naturall father neither hath this opinion deceiued me For to omitte others of thy great and glorious exploits returning lately from Numantia thou hast honoured both me and my Kingdome with glory and by thy vertue hast made the Romans of Confederates most intimate friends The name of our family is renewed in Spaine finally which is a thing most difficult amongst mortals with glory thou hast vanquished enuy Now because nature doth an end to my life I doe warne and coniure thee by this right hand and the Kingdomes allegeance that thou wilt regard louingly these my children who are thy kinsmen by birth thy brethren by the benefit of my adoption nor that thou wouldst rather adioyne strangers vnto thee then retaine them conioyned in blood Not Armies nor treasure are the safeguards of a Kingdome but friends whom thou canst neither force by Armes nor get with gold by good offices fidelity they are procured But who can be more a friend then a brother to a brother or what strāger shall you find faithfull when you shall be an enemie to your owne flesh and blood Surely I leaue you a Kingdome strong if you be good weake if you be wicked for by concord small things increase bydiscord
hinder he commands Bomilcar one who was neerest and faithfullest vnto him that for reward the meanes by which he had accomplished many things hee should procure some insidiously to murther Massiua and to doe it with great secrecy but if this plot did not succeede he should howsouer kill this Numidian Bomilcar speedily executes his masters commands and by men exercised in such feates he discouers his iourneies and out-goings finally all the circumstance of times and places Then as soone as occasion required he layes his snares for him VpoÌ„ this one of them who were prepared for the murther something vnaduisedly assaults Massiua and kills him but being taken in the very act many men exhorting him but chiefly the Consull Albinus he makes a free confession Bomilcar is found guilty rather by the prescription of honesty and equity then by the Lawe of Nations as being one of his retinue who came to Rome vnder the assurance of the publike faith But Iugurth being detected of so hainous a crime did not first omit to striue against the truth before he perceiued that the hatred of the fact did exceed both his fauour and mony Therefore although in the former treaty he had giuen fifty of his friends for hostages yet regarding more his Kingdome then them he dismisseth priuily Bomilcar into Numidia doubting that the rest of his CoÌ„federates would be fearefull to obey him if vpon this man punishment should haue beene inflicted He himselfe also within some few dayes takes his iourney thither being commanded by the Senate to depart from Italy But after hee was gone forth of Rome often silently looking backe vnto it at length he said That the Citty was to be sold and would quickly be lost if it could but find a Chapman In the meane time Albinus the warre being renewed hasteth to transport into Africke victuals pay and all other prouisions which might be vsefull for the Souldiers and forthwith hee himselfe followes of purpose that before the Assembly for the election of new Magistrates which time was not farre off hee might by Armes surrender or some other meanes finish the warre But Iugurth contrariwise drawes out all his proceedings in length hee pretends now these then those causes of delay hee promiseth to yeeld and then faineth fearefulnesse to him pursuing he giues way and forthwith lest his owne men should grow diffident he pursues thus sometimes by protracting the time of warre sometimes that of peace he deludeth the Consull so that there were some who thought as then that Albinus was not altogether ignorant of the Kings Counsell neither could they well conceiue how from so much haste at first the warre should now be prolonged more through negligence then cunning CHAP. 11. Albinus goes to Rome leauing his brother Aulus to command the Army He is beaten by Iugurth and makes a dishonorable peace with him BVt when as time passing away the dayes appointed for the election of Magistrates did approach Albinus leauing his brother Aulus Propraetour in the Campe departed to Rome At that time the Common-wealth was grieuously troubled with the Tribunitiall tumults of the Citty P. Lucullus and L. Annius Tribunes of the people their Colleagues opposing them laboured to coÌ„tinue in their Office which dissension hindred the Comitiall meetings for all that yeere Through this delay Aulus growing full of hope whoÌ„ we haue said to haue bin left Propraetour in the Camp either to finish the warre or to procure money by the terrour of his Army calls forth his Souldiers in the month of Ianuary out of their Winter Garrisons and with great marches the season being cold he arriues at the Towne of Suthul where the Kings treasures were Which Peece although through the vnseasonablenesse of the time and the aduantage of situation it could neither be surprised nor besieged for round about the wall seated in the steepe extremity of a mountaine a slimy plaine with winter waters had caused a marish yet either that by his fained pretence he might terrifie the King or being blinded with the desire of gaining the towne for the treasures sake he raiseth Vine-workes casteth vp a Trench and hasteneth al prouisions which might be vsefull for this enterprise But Iugurth hauing perceiued the vanity and vnskilfulnesse of the Propraetour out of cunning hee confirmeth his folly he sends Ambassadours in suppliant mannner he himselfe as though hee shunned him through forests and by-wayes leades his Army Finally he ingaged Aulus through the hope of agreement that Suthul being disassieged he pursued him as one that fled into vnknowne Regions thus his errours were the more coÌ„cealed In the meane time by crafty emissaries day and nigbt he assayes the Army some of the Centurions and Captaines of Horse-troups he subornes to flie ouer vnto him others that vpon a signall giuen they should quitte their stations Which things being ordered according to his mind late in the night at vnawares he enuironeth Aulus Camp with a multitude of Numidians The Romane Souldiers being terrified with the vnusuall tumult some of them tooke Armes some of them hid themselues others confirmed the fearfullâ— others feared the Aire was obscured with night and cloudes the danger was doubtfull finally whether to flie or stay it were more safe it was vncertaine But of that number which we haue mentioned a little before to haue beene corrupted one Cohort of Ligurians with two Troupes of Thracian Horse-men and some few common Souldiers reuolted vnto the King and the eldest Centurion of the Piles of the third Legion through that worke which he had vndertooke to defend gaue meanes of entrance vnto the enemy through which all the Numidians made an irruption Our men with a dishonourable flight most of them hauing cast away their Armes seazed on the next hillocke Night and the spoile of the Camp arrested the Enemies from making further vse of the victory Then Iugurth the next day vpon an emparlance deliuered these words to Aulus That although hee held him together with his Army inclosed with sword and famine yet that being mindfull of humane chances if hee would make a League with him hee would dismisse them all in safety passing vnder the yoake withall that within tenne dayes hee should depart out of Numidia Which conditions although they were grieâ—ous and full of dishonour yet for that they wauered through the feare of death peace was concluded according to the Kings pleasure But as soone as these â—idings were knowne at Rome feare and griefe inuaded the Citty some greeued for the glory of the Empire others vnacquainted with warlicke euents feared their liberty with Aulus all men were offended especially those who had beene often honoured in warre because that being armed he procured his safety rather by disgrace then by fighting manfully For these considerations the Confull Albinus mistrusting hatred and danger in regard of his brothers fault demands counsell of the Senate concerning the League and yet in the meane while he inrolles Supplyes for the Army he sends
desire O ye Romanes that the Commonwealth were vndisturbed or being indangered it were defended by the fittest Agents finally that naughty designes might proue hurtfull to the Counsellers But contrarywise all things are disturbed with seditions and by them whom it behoued rather to restraine them Last of all what the worst and foolishest haue decreed that must be executed by wise and good men For warre and Armes although they are hatefull to you yet because they please Lepidus are to be vndertaken except perchance it may be any mans counsell to make peace and suffer warre Out alas yee good gods which gouerne as yet this Citty the care of it being neglected M. Aemilius the worst of all wicked men of whom it may be deliberated whether he be more â—ewde or cowardly hath an Army on foote for oppressing our Liberty and hath made himselfe from contemptible to become terrible you wauering and retracting through the words and verses of the Prophets rather wish for peace then defend it neither are you sensible that out of the lenity of your decrees dignity from your selues feare from him is detracted And this happeneth iustly because out of his rapines he hath gotten a Consulship for his sedition a Prouince together with an Army What should he haue receiued for his well doings vnto whose villanies you haue giuen such greatâ—rewardes But forsooth they who euen to the last decreed Ambassadours peace concord and other conditions of the same nature procured fauour from him Yes truely they being held despicable and vnworthy of the Commonwealth are esteemed no better thâ—n a prey as requiring peace out of feare by which they lost it being once had Verily from the beginning when I saw Etruria to conspire the proscribed sent for the Commonwealth rent in sunder with bribes I thought it high time to preuent and followed Catulus counsell with some few But they who extolled the deserts of the Aemilian Family and by pardoning his offence would increase the Maiestie of the Romane people did not then see Lepidus drifts when he had taken priuate Armes for the opressing of liberty by seeking riches or protections seuerally for themselues euery man corrupted the publicke counsell But then Lepidus was a theefe with some few Campe-drudges and Ruffians amongst whom there was none that would not haue sold his life for daily hire now he is a Proconsull with authority not bought but freely giuen by you with Lieutenants as yet obeying lawfully and to him there resort the lewdest men of all degrees inflamed with pouerty and lust perplexed with the conscience of their crimes whose rest is in seditions whose troubles are in peace These raise tumult out of tumult warre out of warre being once of Saturninus afterwards of Sulpitius then of Marius and Damasippus now of Lepidus retinue Moreoâ—er Etruria and all the reliques of the warre are in commotion both Spaines are sollicited to Armes Mithridates frontiering vpon our tributaries by whom we are as yet sustained expecteth opportunity for the warre so that besides a â—itting Leader nothing wants for the subuerting of the Empire Which I desire and intreate you O ye Conscript Fathers to take into your consideration and that you would not suffer the licence of ill doing to infect the sound like a pestilent contagion For whereas rewards attend the wicked hardly is any man found good for bare thankes onely What doe you expect whilst his Army falling on againe he shall inuade the Citty with fire and sword which issue is by far lesse remoued from the present state then ciuill armes are from peace and concord Which he hath taken against all diuine and humane rights not for his owne nor the pretended wrongs of others but for the ouerthrowing of Lawes and liberty For he is vexed and tormented with the desire of mind and feare of punishment being restlesse and deuoyd of counsell making tryall of this and that he feareth peace he hateth warre he seeth that he must fall into wants with his luxury and licentiousnesse and in the meane time abuseth your slacknesse Neither am I well resolued whether I shall call this feare cowardice or folly who seeme to wish that the intended euils fall not like lightening on you but to preuent them no man doth as much as indeuour And consider I beseech you how much the condition of things is altered before the publicke mischiefe was contriued secretly the remedies openly and in that good men were aduantaged beyond the wicked Now peace and concord are disturbed openly they are defended secretly The men to whom these things are pleasing are in Armes you in feare What doe you expect further except perchance you are ashamed or greeued to doe as you should Can Lepidus orders moue your mindes who sayth it is his will that euery mans proprieties should be restored to him when as he detaineth other mens that the Lawes of warre should be annihilated when as he inforceth them by Armes that the freedome of the City should be confirmed when as he denyes it to them from whom it hath beene taken that the Tribunitiall authority should be restored to the Commons from which occasion all discords haue beene kindled Thou that art the worst and most impudent of all men are the pouertie and griefes of the Citty thy care who hast nothing of thy owne but what hath been gotten by Armes and iniurie Thou suest for another Consulship as if thou hadst resigned the first by warre thou seekest concord by which it was disturbed when it was gotten thou art a Traitor to vs hatefull to them an Enemie to all good men so that thou art not ashamed of God nor man whom thou hast wronged with treachery and periury Whom since thou art such a one I doe exhort that thou wouldst continue in thy resolution and prosecute the warres and that thy selfe being disturbed with delaying of tumults wouldst not detain vs in anguish Neither the Prouinces Lawes nor houshold gods accept thee for a Cittizen Goe on as thou hast begun that suddenly thou mayst finde a deserued punishment But you yee Conscript Fathers how long by your delayes will yee suffer the Common-wealth to be vndefended and will incounter Armes with words Musters are made against you â—oneyes are publickly and priuately extorted Garrisons are drawne forth and imposed lust commands ouer the Lawes when you in the interspace prouide Ambassadours and decrees And beleeue me by how much the more earnestly you shall sue for peace by so much the warre will be more violent when he shall vnderstand that he is more supported by feare then by goodnesse and equitie For that man who saith that he hateth tumults and ciuill slaughter and for that cause detaines you from arming against armed Lepidus what vanquished men must indure he thinkes it fitter you should suffer when as it lyes in your power to inflict it vpon others Thus peace is perswaded for him from you for you warre from him If these things please if your mindes are
although it happened beyond hope as thy dignity is a griefe who hold it more acceptable to hazard their owne liberty out of thy calamitie then that by thee the Empire of the Romane people of great should be made greatest For which cause thou oughtest to be more and more prouident how thou mayst establish and strengthen the State As for me what my minde suggesteth I shall not be doubtfull to speake In two parts I take this Citty to be diuided as I haue heard from my Ancestours into the Fathers and Commonalty In former times the chiefest authority was in the Fathers the greatest power by far was in the Commonalty Thereupon disunion happened frequently in the Citty and alwaies the Nobilities strength was lessened and the right of the people amplified But by this meanes the Commonalty liued freely because no mans power was aboue the Lawes neither in riches nor pride but in a good fame and valiant exploites the Noble excelled the ignoble Euery man of the inferiour ranke in Armes or military imployment wanting no honest accomodation was inough for himselfe inough for his Country But when as being expelled by degrees out of their possessions slouth and pouerty inforced them to haue vncertaine habitations they began to couet other mens wealth and to account their liberty with the Republicke salable Thus the people by little and little which was the Lord and ruler of all Nations fell from his first greatnesse and for a common command euery man procured for himselfe a priuate seruitude Therefore this multitude being first infected with euill manners then dispersed into sundry Arts and courses of life no waies agreeing amongst themselues seeme not fit men vnto me to vndertake the Commonwealth But new Citizens being added a great hope doth possesse me that all of them will be rozud vp for the cause of liberty for that both a care will grow in them for retaining their freedome as well as in those for quitting their seruitude My censure is that these being commixed the new with the old thou shouldst place them in the Colonies thus both the military estate will be strengthned and the Commonalty being detained with good imployments will cease from committing publike euill But I am not ignorant nor imprudent when this thing shall be what insolencie what outrages of the Nobilitie will follow when as they shall be incensed that all things are confounded together that this seruitude is imposed on ancient Citizens finally that of a free State it will become a Kingdome when by one mans gift a mighty multitude shal haue the freedome of the Citty As for my selfe this verily is my opinion That hee commits an euill offence against himselfe that would procure fauour for himselfe with the disprofit of the Common-wealth whereas the publicke good serues also for priuat vse there to be doubtfull to vndertake I hold it a point of slacknesse and cowardice This was alwayes the counsell of M. Liuius Drusus in his Tribuneship to striue for the Nobility to the vtmost of his power neither did he intend to doe any thing else from the beginning if some factious persons had not suggested it vnto him vnto whom deceit and malice were dearer then faith When as they vnderstood that by one man the greatest benefit would be communicated to many men and withall euery one of them being conscious to himselfe that he was of an euill and faithlesse disposition they conceiued of Drusus alike as of themselues Therefore out of a feare lest he through so great a fauour should inioy the sole command contending against that they disturbed their owne counsels For which cause O Emperor friends mony and Aydes are to be procured by thee with greater care and constancie To suppresse an opposed enemie it is no difficulty for a valiant man neither to plot nor auoid couert dangers is a thing proper to good men Therefore when thou shalt haue brought them into the City and that by this meanes the Commonalty shall be renewed in this thou oughtest to exercise thy minde especially that good manners may be had in estimation that concord may be confirmed betwixt the old and new Cittizens But by farre shalt thou procure the greatest of all other benefits for thy Country Cittizens thy selfe thy children lastly for all mankind if thou shalt either take away the loue of money or lessen it as farre as occasion will serue Otherwise neither priuate nor publicke estate neither at home nor abroad will be well gouerned For whereas the desire of money is once entred neither discipline nor good Arts nor any ingenuitie is polished inough but the minde more or lesse maturely yet finally is ouercome Often haue I heard what Kings what Citties and Nations haue lost great Empires by opulencie which being poore they got by vertue This is not much to be maruelled at For whereas a good man sees one that is worse to become more renowned and acceptable by his riches he stormes at first and agitateth many things in his minde but whenas euery day more then other glory ouerballanceth honour opulency vertue the minde from truth reuolts to pleasure For with glory industry is cherished when as you shall take away that vertue in it selfe is rough and vnpleasant Last of all where riches are valued all good things are vilified faith honesty shamefastnesse and modesty For to vertue there is one and that a difficult way to get money euery man endeuoureth as he pleaseth it is created both out of euill and good meanes For this cause first of all take away the Authority of money neither in point of life nor honor will any man iudge more or lesse from a mans estate if neither Praetour nor Consull be made out of the regard of wealth but dignity Yet in the choice of Magistrates let the peoples iudgement bee free To haue Iudges allowed by some few is an argument of Royalty to haue them chosen for money is dishonest Wherefore it is my will that all those of the first Classicall order doe iudge but more in number then now iudge Neither did the Rhodians nor any other Citties euer repent of their iudgements whereas promiscuously the rich and the poore as euery mans turne comes consult alike about the greatest and least affaires But in the creation of Magistrates that Law pleaseth me and that not absurdly which C. Gracchus diuulged in his Tribuneship that out of the fiue Classicall Orders blended together at all peraduentures Centuries should be called forth Thus they being coequalled in dignity and money one will striue to excell another in vertue Neither doe I prescribe difficult remedies against riches For accordingly all things are praised and desired as the vse of those things is Wickednesse is exercised for rewards when you shall barre that no man amongst all will be wicked for thankes onely Besides auarice is a cruell fieree and vnprofitable beast where it intends it wasteth Townes Fieldes Temples and Houses it confounds diuine and humane Lawes
neither Armes nor walles can hinder her from penetrating with her Force Of fame modesty children Country and parents she dispoyleth all mortals But if thou shalt take away the reputation of money that mighty force of auarice will easily be vanquished by good manners And although all men both iust and vniust remember these things to bee thus yet thou shalt haue no meane controuersie with the faction of the Nobility of whose deceite if thou shalt be cautelous all things else will succeede with facility For these men if they excelled with vertue inough would rather be emulous then enuious of good men Because slouth and vnactiuenesse stupidity and dulnesse haue inuaded them they clamour they detract they esteeme another mans good name to be their disgrace But what should I make any farther relation as if it were of an vnknowne subiect The fortitude of M. Bibulus and the vertue of his minde hath made the way open to a Consulship he being a man dull of language rather euill then cunning of wit What may this man dare vnto whom the Consulship the greatest of all other commands became the greatest dishonour what is L. Domitius a person of much ability no member of whom is free from lewdnesse or villany his tongue is vaine his hands bloody his feete fugitiue things most dishonest which cannot be named honestly Yet I doe not contemne the onely various talkatiue and subtill wit of M. Cato These are procured by the Grecian discipline But vertue vigilancy and labour are not found amongst the Greekes For since they haue lost their liberty at home by slouth thinke you that by their precepts command may be gotten The rest of the faction are most vnactiue Noblemen in whom as in a statue there is no addition of worth besides the name L. Posthumus and M. Fauonius resemble in my opinion the superfluous ballast of a Ship when they seeme to arriue safe at their ends when any aduerse thing doth happen the first losse is of them for that they are of the lowest estimation Because now as it seemeth to me I haue spoken at large of renewing and reforming the Commonalty I will speake of the Senate what may seeme fit to be done by thee After my age and wit grew ripe I did not altogether exercise my body with Armes and Horses but imployed my minde in litterature because by nature it was firme in the sufferance of labours and in that course of life I found out this by frequent reading and hearing that all Kingdomes Citties and Nations so long inioyed a prosperous Empire as solid counsels preuailed amongst them wheresoeuer fauour feare and pleasure corrupted them not long after their power was lessened then command taken away last of all seruitude was imposed Verily this is my resolution that whosoeuer hath a more ample and illustrious place in a Citty then others hath an especiall care of the Commonwealth for to the rest the Citty being safe onely liberty is assured those who by vertue haue gotten riches renowne and honour for themselues as soone as the State inclining a little begins to be turmoiled their minde is variously troubled with cares and toiles it either meditates the defence of glory or liberty or of priuate meanes in all places it is present it hastneth by how much more it flourished in prosperity by so much the more in aduersity is it full of anxiety and griefe Therefore when the Commonalty obeys the Senate as the body doth the soule and doth execute its counsels it behoueth the Fathers to be able in counsell In the people cunning is superfluous For this cause our Ancestours when they were pressed with most dangerous warres horses men and money being lost they were neuer weary to contend armed for the Empire not the wants of the Treasury not the force of the Enemies no aduerse fortune could deiect theiâ— mighty Spirits but that those things which they had gotten by vertue they would maintaine together with life And this was done more by sound counsell then fortunate fights In regard that with them there was one Commonwealth for that they prouided saction was prepared against forraigne Foes euery man exercised body and soule for his country not for his owne greatnesse But contrariwise at this time Noblemen whose mindes slouth and cowardice hath inuaded being ignorant of labour of enemies of warfare instructed with home-bred faction rule with pride ouer all Nations By this meanes the Fathers by whose counsell the doubtfull Commonwealth was formerly established being oppressed rauing vp and downe at anothers pleasure are agitated hither and thither Sometimes they make these then those decrees as the faction and arrogance of them inclines who beare rule so they esteeme good good and publicke euill But if either the liberty of all were equall or the opinion of it more obscure the Common-wealth would be farre stronger and the Nobility lesse potent But because it is difficult to make the respect of all coequall for that to them the vertue of their ancestours left an acquired glory dignity and clientels the rest of the multitude for the most part being ignorant people let them in their opinion be frec from feare Thus it being concealed from themselues anothers power will be dearer to euery man Libertie is desiderable alike of the good and bad of the valiant and the cowardly But most men abandon that out of feare Most foolish mortals that which is doubtfull in the conflict how it will happen out of cowardice like men vanqushed they take vpon themselues Therefore I thinke by two meanes the Senate may be confirmed if augmented in number they deliuered their Votes in a written table The table will serue for an incouragement to make them dare with greater freedome in the multitude there is more assurance and ampler vse For in these times for the most part some being intagled in publicke Iudgements others in their owne or their friends affaires haue not beene present at the Counsels of State neither did imployment detaine them more then the proud commands of others The Noblemen with some few of the Senatorian order whom they haue for additions of faction what things soeuer please them they reprehend allow and decree them they execute as their lust inciteth But as some as the number of Senâ—tours being increased the Votes shall be deliuered in a written table they will dismisse their former pride when they must obey those ouer whom before they commanded most tyrannously Perchance O Emperour these letters being read thou wilt decree what number of Senatours it may pâ—ease thee to haue and after what forme they shall be distributed into many and sundry Offices and since it is my opinion that the first Classicall order should deliuer their iudgements what description and what number is to be of euery kinde To describe all things generally had not beene a matter difficult in doing but first it seemed good to labour about the summe of the Counsell and to proue that to be
the greatest are dissolued Besides it becomes thee O Iugurth since thou art their elder in yeeres and wisedome to foresee that nothing fall out otherwise then well For in euery controuersie he that is most powerfull although he receiues the wrong yet because hee is most able hee is thought to doe it But as for you Adherbal and Hiempsal loue and obserue this so worthy a man imitate his vertue and indeauour to the vtmost that I may not seeme to haue adopted better children then I haue begotten To this Iugurth although he knew the King dissembled in his speech and his owne thoughts were farre otherwise answered respectiuely for the present within some few dayes Micipsa dies CHAP. 2. The three Kings assemble about the partition of the Kingdome Iugurth is disgraced by Hiempsal his reuenge and victory AFter they according to the manner of Kings had performed his obsequies magnificently the Princes met all together that they might consult amongst themselues of their affaires But Hiempsal who was the yongest of them all being proud by nature and formerly despising Iugurths ignobilitie because on the mothers side his descent was meane sate downe on the right hand of Adherbal left Iugurth should be the middlemost of the three which is accounted the place of honour amongst the Numidians Yet at length being importuned by his brother to yeeld it to the elder he was hardly remooued from thence to the other side There when many things were discussed for the administration of the Kingdome Iugurth amongst other assertions maintaines that all their consultations and decrees for fiue yeeres last past ought to be nullified for during all that time Micipsa being-spent with age was scarce sound in mind Then Hiempsal answered that this pleased him for that he himselfe within these last three yeeres came by adoption to be coheire of the Kingdome which speech sunke deeper into Iugurths brest then any man thought Therefore from that time being perplexed with anger and feare he labours prepares and onely plots the meanes by which Hiempsal might be treacherously surprised The proceedings whereof being slowe and his fierce mind vnappeased he resolues howsoeuer to execute his purpose In the first assembly before mentioned it was agreed vpon by the Kings in regard of their dissension that the treasures should be deuided and that the bounds of each ones Dominion should be limited Thereupon a time for both â—hese is prefixed but the mony was to be soonest distributed The Kings in the meane time remoued seuerally into places adioyning neere to the treasures But Hiempsal by chance tooke vp his lodging in ones house in the towne of Thermida who being chiefest Sergeant at Armes to Iugurth was much beloued and esteemed of him whom being offered for an instrument by fortune he loades with promises and perswades that vnder the colour of visiting his house he should forge false keyes for the gates for the true ones were deliuered to Hiempsal Moreouer when occasion should serue he himselfe would come with sufficient Forces The Numidian speedily executeth his commands and as he was instructed brings in Iugurths Souldiers by night they dispersing themselues seek the King they kill some sleeping others incountring them they search the secretest places breake vp the barred doores and confound all things with noise and tumult when in the meane time Hiempsal is found out being hid in the cottage of a woman seruant whither at the first being frighted and ignorant of the place he was fled The Numidians as they were commanded brought his head to Iugurth Now the fame of so great an outrage is quickly divulged throughout all Africke a sudden feare surpriseth Adherbal and all those who had beene vnder Micipsaes gouernment The Numidians are diuided into two parts the most follow Adherbal but that other the best men of warre whereupon Iugurth leuyeth the greatest Forces that he could the Citties partly by force and partly by voluntary surrender he adioines to his owne Dominions and makes preparations to subiect all Numidiaâ— Bâ—t Adherbal although he had sent Ambassadours to Rome which were to informe the Senate of his brothers murthers and his owne estate yet trusting in the multitude of his Souldiers he prouides a tryall by Armes when the matter came to debatement being ouercome he flies out of the battell into his Prouince and from thence hee poasteth to Rome Then Iugurth his designes being compassed after he got the Soueraignety of all Numidia considering at leisure the fact by him committed he much feared the people of Rome nor against their indignation could he assure any hope except it were from the auarice of the Nobility and his owne money Therefore some few dayes after he sends his Ambassadours to Rome with much gold and siluer to whom hee gaue in charge that first with gifts they should satisfie his old friends then they should procure new finally that they should not delaye to corrupt with bribes whomsoeuer they could But as soone as the Ambassadours were arriued at Rome and according to their Kings command had sent rich presents vnto their Patrons and others whose authority as then was most powerfull in Senate such an alteration forthwith insued that Iugurth from their highest displeasure was receiued into the grace and fauour of the Nobility Part of whom being induced with hopes part with rewards laboured by suing to the Senatours seuerally that no rigorous Decree might passe against him Thereupon as soone as the Ambassadours were fully confirmed an Audience in Senate vpon an appointed day is granted to both parties Then Adherbal as we haue heard spake after this manner CHAP. 3. Adherbals Oration to the Senate The reply of Iugurths Ambassadours YE Fathers Conscript Micipsa my father inioyned me that I should thinke the deputed Gouernment of the Kingdome of Numidia to be onely mine that the right and Soueraignty was intirely yours withall that I should striue to the vtmost both in peace and â—â—arre to be most seruiceaâ—â— vnto you That I 〈◊〉 esteeme you in the place of kinsmen and Allies If I did thus I should possesse by your friendship Armies riches and the fortresses of my Kingdome Which precepts of my faâ—then whilst obserued Iugurth a man of all whom the earth beares the most wicked hath thrust out me Massenissaes nephew and your Confederate and friend as it were by inheritance out of my Kingdome and all my fortunes And since ye Fathers Conscript I was to arriue at this point of misery I would that rather for my owne then my Ancestours I could claimâ—â—â—â—â—sistance from you But especially that good offices might be due to me from the Romane people of which I stood not any wayes necessitated next to this I would if they were to be wisht for that I might vse them as debts of duty But because goodnesse is hardly safe in itselfe neither was I assured what Iugurths demeanour would be I fled to you for refuge ye Fathers Conscript vnto whom which is the greatest misery to me