what I at present am nor does he hope Your friendship and my Kingdom both together and which he deems of most importance there 's no Man but may easily discern For First he murder'd Hiempsal my Brother then chac'd me from my Native Kingdom What were our private Injuries was no concern indeed of Yours but now with Armed Force he usurps your Kingdom and Me whom you appointed Governour of Numidia he closely keeps penn'd up in Misery How much he regarded the Commissioners Message my dangers fully evince What remains but only your own Power to remove him I must confess I could heartily wish that what I have written and all my former Complaints in the Senate had rather then been feign'd and idle Stories then that now my misfortune should verify my words But seeing I was only born to be the Sport of Jugurth's wicked Insolence I deprecate neither Calamity nor Death but only the Tyranny of my Enemy and the Torture of my Body Provide as you please your selves for the good of the Kingdom of Numidia which is your own But by the Majesty of the Empire by the Fidelity of you Friendship wrest me out of Impious hands if yet there be remaining among ye any remembrance of my Grandfather Massinissa 24. This being read some were of opinion that an Army should be forthwith sent into Africa and that Adherbal should be speedily reliev'd and that in the mean time they should consider what was to be done with Jugurth for disobeying the Commissioners But Jugurth's Party labour'd might and main against the passing such a Decree Thus the Public good as it happens in most Affairs was overcome by Private Favour Nevertheless they sent into Africa some of the Senior Nobility who had been advanc'd to the highest Honours Among the rest was the above mentioned Scaurus a Consular Person and then President of the Senate They because the the Senate were in a heat and besides being earnestly importun'd by the Numidians took Shipping in three days and soon after Landed at Vtica whence they sent Letters to Jugurth that he should repair forth with to the Province for that they were sent to him by the Senate He when he heard that Men of that Note whose Authority was great in the Senate were arriv'd contrary to his Expectation at first distracted between Fear and Ambition was virously turmoyl'd He dreaded the Anger of the Senate should he disobey the Embassadors on the other side his Mind blinded by Ambition hurry'd him to compleat the Outrage he had begun However the worst Result obtain'd the Victory in his covetous Inclinations To that purpose surrounding the whole City with his Army he endeavours by main force to break into the City chiefly hoping that while the Besieged were divided to defend many Posts at once some lucky Chance would give him either by force or Stratagem a Victorious opportunity Which not succeeding to his mind and finding he could not effect what he intended which was to get Adherbal into his Clutches before he met the Embassadors least by longer delay he should incense Scaurus with a small Retinue He hasten'd into the Province But notwithstanding he was sharply reprov'd severely rebuk'd and smartly threaten'd in the Name of the Senate unless he rais'd his Siege nevertheless after much Altercation to no purpose the Embassadors departed without effecting any thing 26. The News of which arriving at Cirta the Italians whose Courage had defended the Walls not doubting but that after a Surrender in Consideration of the Roman Grandeur they should be secure and safe perswaded Adherbal to surrender himself and the Town to Jugurth upon Quarter for his Life and that for other things the Senate would take care Upon which though he knew nothing more false then Jugurth's word nevertheless because he knew himself in the hands of those who if he refus'd had power to constrain him he submitted to the pleasure of the Italians and yielded up the Town Presently Jugurth in the first place tortures Adherbal to death then he slew all the Numidian Youth and Merchants promiscuously as they fell in the Souldiers way 27. Which after it was known at Rome and that the matter came to be debated in the Senate the Kings Stipendiaries interposing partly by favour partly by unnecessary wrangling qualify'd the hainousness of the Fact So that unless C. Memmius Tribune of the People Elect a Person vehement and a great stickler against the Power of the Nobility had not inform'd the Roman People what contrivances were a brewing that Jugurth's Villany might be pardon'd all the Heat and Passion of the Senate had vanish'd into nothing through delay of Consultation But the Senate Conscious of their miscarriage were afraid of the People and therefore according to the Sempronian Law Provinces are decreed the succeeding Consuls the Consuls Elect were P. Scipio Nasica and L. Bestia Calpurnius Numidia fell to Calpurnius and Italy to Scipio Thereupon an Army is rais'd to be Transported into Africa Money Provision and Ammunition decreed for the support of the War 28. Of which when Jugurth had intelligence contrary to his Expectation as one who was fully perswaded that all things were to be bought at Rome he sends Embassadors to the Senate his own Son and two of his familiar Friends with the same Instructions as he gave to those which he sent after the Murder of Hiempsal that they should not spare to tempt all Persons whatsoever with their Money Upon their approach near Rome Bestia mov'd the Senate whether it were their Pleasure that Jugurth's Embassadors should be admitted within the Walls of the City who thereupon made a Decree that unless they came to surrender the Kingdom and the King's Person they should depart Italy within ten days which Decree the Consul order'd to be carry'd to the Numidians so that they were forc'd to return without performing any thing In the mean time Calpurnius having got his Army in readiness chooses for his Legates Persons noble and factious whose Authority might guard him should he happen to commit any miscarriage in which number was Scaurus whose Qualities and Conditions we have already describ'd For indeed the Consul was endu'd with many excellent Qualities both of Body and Mind though pester'd all and incumbr'd with Avarice Patient of Labour a sharp and penetrating Wit sufficiently provident a good Souldier resolute in danger and most wary of Stratagem The Legions were Shipp'd from Rhegium for Sicily and thence for Africa And then it was that Calpurnius having made Provision of Victuals smartly enter'd Numidia takes a great number of Prisoners and several Cities by main force 29. But when Jugurth by his Embassadors began to dazle him with Money and then to lay before him the difficulty of the War which he had undertaken his Mind sick with Avarice easily suffer'd an Alteration However he did nothing without Scaurus whom he made his bosom Companion and sharer of his Counsels Who though at first he fiercely oppos'd
to fall upon the back of the Enemies In the mean time Sylla who was first Attacqu'd after some few Exhortations to his Men with several single Troops joyning Horse head to Horse head he and several others charge the Moors the rest keeping firm in their Places cover their Bodies from the Darts that were flung at a distance and if any of the Enemy came within their reach he was sure to pay for his venturing While the Horse were thus engag'd Bocchus with the Forces which his Son Volux had brought to reinforce his Army and which were not in the last Fight having stay'd by the way charges the Rear of the Romans Then was Marius in the Front where Jugurth found him play with a numerous Body but the Numidian understanding that Bocchus had charg'd the Romans in the Rear privately with a small Company conveighs himself to the Foot and their crys out in Latine which he had learnt to speak at Numantia that our Souldiers fought to no purpose for that he had slain Marius but a little before with his own hand and at the same time brandish'd his Sword all besmear'd with the blood of a Common Trooper whom after he had long fought him hand to hand at length he slew Which when the Souldiers heard they were more astonish'd at the Cruelty of the Fact then the Relation of the Messenger at what time the Enemy resuming fresh Courage press in more eagerly upon the Romans And indeed they were within a very little of betaking themselves to their Heels when Sylla returning from the Rout of those which he first encounter'd and charging the Moors in Front put Bocchus immediately to flight As for Jugurth while he labours to support his own Men and to keep the advantage of a Victory almost gain'd being surrounded on every side by the Horse and all his followers slain breaks through the thickest of his Enemies alone Marius in the mean time having put the Horse to flight hastens to the Relief of his own Men who as he was told were ready to give ground But then the Enemy being utterly broken and routed on every side hideous was the Tragic Spectacle that presented it self over all the Field Pursuing flying killing taking many wounded bleeding striving and staggering along till fainting down they fell the surface of the Earth as far as you could see all strew'd with Weapons Arms and mangl'd Carcases and all the spaces between fill'd up with clotted gore 102. Thus the Consul after two great Victories obtain'd arriv'd at Cirta where about five days after the last Battel he was attended by Embassadors from Bocchus who in the Name of the King their Master request the General to send him two Commissioners of his most faithful Friends with whom he had a desire to treat of several things that concern'd both his own and the welfare of the Roman People Thereupon the Consul presently orders L. Sylla and A. Manlius to go along with the Embassadors These Gentlemen though they were sent for by the King and ought first to have heard his proposals yet they were clearly for speaking first either to abate his Courage if they found him incens'd against the Romans or else render him more plyable to their Conditions if they perceiv'd him inclinable to Peace Whereupon Sylla to whose Eloquence not his years Manlius gave the precedency in few words deliver'd himself to this effect King Bocchus more then ordinary has been our joy for that the Gods have inspir'd the Breast of such a Man at length rather to make choice of Peace then War nor any longer to contaminate thy Dignity by intermixing Interests thy self the best of Men with the worst of Caitiffs Jugurth while we at the same time are freed from a bitter necessity of prosecuting as well Thee beguil'd and led astray as Him debauch'd in Villany Besides that from the very Infancy of their State the Romans have always deem'd it much more noble to covet Friends then Slaves as thinking it more safe to Rule the wilingly submissive then such as they constrain'd to forc'd Subjection Nor can any Mortal reap a greater benefit from our Friendship then thy self as being in the first place far remote So that the occasions of injury can seldom or never happen but the opportunities of mutual assistance will be as equally balanc'd as if we were near at hand In the next place we have Subjects enow but neither we nor any Potentate living can boast to have more friends then are needful And I wish to Heav'n thou hadst follow'd those determinations at the beginning for certainly by this time thou hadst reap'd far greater Advantages from the Roman People then hitherto thou hast suffer'd prejudice But in regard that Fortune governs the greatest part of human Affairs and since it has been her Pleasure Thou shouldst make tryal as well of our Force as of our Favour now since she affords the Opportunity make hast to embrace it as thou hast begun proceed Thou hast many and fair Advantages to redeem thy former oversights by succeding Kindnesses Lastly let this descend into thy Breast that the Roman People were never out-done in Gratitude For what their Courage is in War thou knowest thy self To this Bocchus briefly returns a fair and plausible Answer in extenuation of his former Errors That he did not take Arms with any Hostile design but only to secure the Kingdom for that he could not brook that Part of Numidia whence Jugurth had been expell'd being his own by right of War should be laid wast by Marius besides that having sent his Embassadors formerly to Rome his friendship was rejected but that now laying aside all past Grudges with the good liking of Marius he would send another Embassy to the Senate But after he had obtain'd leave the Barbarian alter'd his Resolutions overrul'd by the Importunity of his Friends whom Jugurth understanding of Manlius and Sylla's being sent to the King and mistrusting their Errand had Brib'd with great Presents 103. Marius in the mean while haing dispos'd of his Army into their Winter Quarters with the Light Armed Cohorts and part of the Cavalry takes a swift March toward the Desarts to besige the Royal Tower where Jugurth had plac'd all his Fugitives in Garrison And then again it was that Bocchus either considering with himself what had befallen him in the two last Battels or else being better advis'd by his Friends and Favourites whom Jugurth had left unbrib'd or else scorn'd his Pensions out of the vast variety of his Kindred and Relations of which he had a numerous Train he picks five the most Trusty and the most able he could make choice of These he sends his Embassadors first to Marius and from thence if he thought fit orders likewise to go in the same Quality to Rome with Plenipotentiary power upon any Terms to put an end to the War and in all other Matters to act and conclude at their Discretion They make hast to the Winter
word by the By That it was but reasonable that all the Decrees and Acts for the five Years last past should be made void in regard that during all that time Micipsa being wasted with Age had not had the right Use of his Understanding To which Hiempsal made Answer That the Proposal pleas'd him well for that it was but three years ago since he had obtain'd his share of the Kingdom by Adoption Which Expression descended deeper into Jugurth's Breast then they that heard it were aware of Therefore from that time turmoyl'd with Indignation and Fear he toyls provides and in perpetual agitation of Thought sets all his Trains and Engines at work by Treachery to ruine Hiempsal Which in regard they had but slow Success and yet his cruel Mind could no way be appeas'd he resolv'd to accomplish his Design whatever it cost him 12. At the first Meeting of the three Princes already mention'd in regard they could not agree it was adjudg'd requisite That the Treasures should be divided and that the Limits of their Territories should be setled For the Execution of which Decrees a Time was prefixt but first of all for the distribution of the Money Now it happen'd that Hiempsal had hir'd a House in a Town call'd Thirmida which belong'd to Jugurth's chief Gentleman-Vsher but a Person greatly caress'd belov'd by himself This Officer so opportunely in his Service Jugurth loads with rich Presents and constrains him to go under pretence of viewing his House and get false Keys made to all the Doors for the true ones were in Hiempsal's possession and to let him know when all things were ready for that then he would come with a sufficient Strength The Numidian fulfill'd his Commands and as he was instructed in the Night-time let in Jugurth's Souldiers who were no sooner rusht into the House but several ran to seek out the young Prince some kill'd those that were asleep others slew all they met all the private Corners were ransack'd Doors broke open nothing but Noise and Tumult every where at length Hiempsal is found in a Cottage belonging to a young Woman his Servant whither at first in fear and ignorant of the Countrey he had fled for shelter The Numidians as they were commanded carry'd his Head to Jugurth 13. But the Report of such a Bloody Fact was soon spred over all Africa so that all that were under the Dominion of Micipsa were in a dreadful consternation The Numidians divide themselves into two Parties More adher'd to Adherbal but to the other the more strenuous in War Therefore Jugurth arms all the Forces he could raise and adds to his Territories several Cities some by Force others by willing Surrender and prepares to make himself Master of all Numidia Adherbal although he had sent Embassadors to Rome to inform the Senate of the Murther of his Brother yet confiding in the Number of his Souldiers resolves upon a decision of the Quarrel by the Sword But when the Business came to Battel constrain'd to quit the Field he fled into the Roman Province and thence made haste to Rome Then Jugurth having accomplish'd his Designs and now Lord of all Numidia revolving more at leisure in his Mind the Fact he had committed began to dread the Roman People nor had he any hopes of appeasing their displeasure but in the Avarice of the Nobility and his own Money Therefore within a few days he sent his Embassadors to Rome loaden with Gold and Silver with his Instructions first to cram the Purses of his old Friends then to purchase new and lastly by scattering their Bribes to make sure of all they could for fear of haesitation Upon this when the Embassadors came to Rome and had dispers'd their Presents according to their Master's Instructions among the King's Friends and others that bore the greatest Sway in the Senate there was such a Change ensu'd so that whereas no man before had more incurr'd their displeasure then Jugurth no man was more in their favour 14. Thereupon when the Embassadors thought their Game sure a Senate was appointed to hear both Sides and then it was that Adherbal as we have heard thus deliver'd himself Conscript Fathers Micipsa my Father upon his Death-bed gave me in charge that I should look upon the Kingdom of Numidia so far as concern'd the Administration only to be mine but that the Right of Jurisdiction and Dominion was vested in your selves and that I should make it my business both in Peace and War to be as serviceable as possible I could be to the Roman People That I should value and respect you as my Parents and nearest Kindred and Relations which if I did I should find in your Friendship Armies Riches and the safety of my Kingdom These Instructions of my Father while I was meditating carefully to put in Practice Jugurth a Man of all men upon the Face of the Earth most Impious contemning your Authority me Massinissa's Grandchild and consequently by Lineal Descent an Allie and friend of the Roman People has expell'd his Kingdom and depriv'd of all his Fortunes I must confess Conscript Fathers since Fate had destin'd me to these Calamities I could have wish'd that rather for the sake of my own then the services of my Ancestors I might have implor'd your Aid and that the People of Rome might have ow'd me those favours which I had no need of that then if occasion requir'd I might have reap'd the advantage of my Debts But in regard Integrity is not secure of it self neither was it in my power to foresee what sort of person Jugurth would prove I fled to you for Succour to whom which is my worst misfortune I am constrain'd to be a burthen before I could be useful Other Princes either vanquish'd in War have been admitted into your Protection or in the tottering condition of their Affairs have sought your Alliance Our Family engag'd in Amity with the Roman People in the time of the Carthaginian War at such a Conjuncture when their Fidelity rather then their Fortune was to be desir'd Whose Off-spring Conscript Fathers my own self tâ—â— Grand-child of Massinissa permit not to implore your Aid in vain Had I no other reason for my Suit but only my Misfortune that deserves Commiseration lately a Potent Prince no less Illustrious in Birth and Fame now disfigur'd with Calamity reduc'd to Poverty and begging Aid of others yet it became the Majesty of the Roman People to prohibet Injury and not to suffer any Man whatever to enlarge his Kingdom by Sacrilegious Acts. But I alas am here expell'd those very Confines which the Roman People bestow'd upon my Ancestors from whence my Father and Grand-father assisting your Victorious Arms ejected Syphax and the Carthaginians Your Favours Conscript Fathers are wrested out of my hands and you are contemn'd in the wrongs I suffer Wretch that I am Are thy kindnesses come to this Father Micipsa that he whom thou mad'st equal with thy Children and
though they look'd upon it as a sufficient recompence to be disturbers of Public Tranquillity nevertheless the greatest Part desir'd him to declare the Conditions of the War what rewards the success of their Arms might Challenge how their wants and how their expectations might every way be satisfi'd Then Cataline promis'd 'em New Tables or the Cancelling of their Debts the Proscription of the Wealthy Offices Priesthoods Rapines Plunder and all those Advantages which War and the Victors Fury render lawful Moreover he assur'd 'em that Piso possess'd the Hither Province of Spain that in Mauritania P. Sitius Nucerinus was lodg'd with an Army Both privy to his design That C. Antonius stood for the Consulship and as he hop'd would happen to be his Collegue his Familiar Friend and a Person under the burthen of utmost Indigency That being Consul with him he would then begin to act Moreover all whom he thought Honest he loaded with Invectives and Reproaches then calling every one of his own Confederates by their Names some he applauded others he put in mind of their Penury several of the danger of Punishment and the ignominy that attended 'em and many of Sylla's Victory especially those who had tasted the sweets of Pillage and Rapine Then beholding a chearful unanimity in their Countenances after he had admonish'd 'em to be mindful of strengthening his Party against he stood for the Consulship he dismiss'd the Assembly Some there were who at that time reported that Cataline after he had concluded his Oration when he took the oath of secrecy from his Confederates caus'd Human Blood to be mingl'd with the wine and then to be given about to every man his Cup. Of which when after the Repetition of the Curse they had all sipp'd according to Custom at the Solemn Sacrifices then he reveal'd the depth of his design and told 'em the reason of his urging such a Ceremony which was to engage 'em to the greater Secrecy and Fidelity one among another while sodder'd thus together equal in Guilt and equal in their Fears Yet some there were who deem'd these Stories fain'd and many things invented besides by those who believ'd that the Antipathy conceiv'd against Cicero which brake out soon after might be asswag'd by improving the hainousness of their Crime who had suffer'd punishment However 't is my Opinion That had the Crime been so great as was reported it could not have escap'd our knowledge But notwithstanding these precautions there was in this Conspiracy Quintus Curius a Person of no mean Parentage tho' infamously branded with all manner of Lewdness and Villany whom therefore the Censors had expell'd the Senate as a Public Nuisance This Person was a Man no less vain-glorious than insolently bold He neither could contain the Secrets which he heard nor conceal the Crimes which he himself committed Among the rest he had been long familiar with Fulvia a Woman however of Noble Descent to whom at length when he became impertinent and troublesom by reason of his Indigency that could no longer present and treat her as he was wont of a sudden as if he had commanded all the World he began to promise her whole Seas and Mountains at other times threatning her with his drawn Sword unless She comply'd with his desires and in short to behave himself after a more Lordly and Domineering manner then formerly Fulvia therefore having sifted out the cause of this unsual swaggering of her Paramor ne'er went about to conceal a danger that so nearly threatn'd the Common-wealth but suppressing her Authors name recounted to several whatever She had heard concerning Catiline's Conspiracy This Rumor first of all stirr'd up the Favor and good Will of most Men to procure the Consulship for M. Tullius Cicero For before that time the greatest part of the Nobility burn'd with disdain and thought the Consulship defil'd by admitting a Person but newly known to the World though otherwise of soaring and egregious Parts to that degree of Honour But when Danger was so near their doors Malice and Pride were laid asleep Therefore upon the day of Election M. Tullius and C. Antonius were declar'd Consuls Which was the first thing that shook the Abetters of the Conspiracy However Cataline's Fury was nothing abated but every day made new Progresses to advance his Design making Provision of Arms in all Convenient Places all over Italy and taking up Money either upon his own or the Credit of his Friends sent it away to one Manlius then dwelling or residing at Faesulae and afterwards Captain General for the War At the same time he is reported to have purchas'd to himself several Men of all Sorts and Conditions nay and some Women too who first of all had maintain'd themselves at a prodigious Rate by the Prostitution of their Bodies but afterward decay of Youth and Beauty limiting their Gains though not their Luxury had vastly run themselves in Debt By their Assistance Catiline thought to sollicite and inveigle the City Rabble to set the houses on fire and either to gain or murder their Husbands In this Number was Sempronia who had frequently Committed several Facts of Masculine boldness This Woman was for her Birth and Beauty in her Husband also and her Children sufficiently happy well acquainted with the Greek and Latin Learning Sung and Danc'd with much more exactness and elegancy then was necessary for a Woman professing Chastity With many other Graces also that heighten Lasciviousness was she endow'd but still she priz'd all other things above her Modesty Whether she were more Prodigal of her Money or her Reputation you could not easily discern and such was the heat of her Lust that she more often courted Men then Men Her False to her Promise to her Trust Forsworn and Driving head-long where-ever the Torrent of her Luxury and Poverty carry'd her Otherwise a Woman of no mean Wit for she made Verses jested facetiously could vary her Discourse to Modest or Obscene according to her Company and in a word had all the Charms of Speech and Breeding All this Provision thus far made Catiline nevertheless put in to be Consul the next year hoping if he were elected that he should govern Antonius at his own pleasure Nor was he Idle in the mean while but laid all Ambushments imaginable for Cicero who on the other side wanted neither craft nor subtilty to guard himself for from the beginning of his Consulship making great Promises by Fulvia's means he had brought it to that pass that Quintus Curius had already laid open to him Catiline's Designs And besides that he had made sure of his Collegue Antony by confirming to him the Grant of his Province that he should not dissent in any thing from him to the Prejudice of the Common-wealth He had his Guards of Friends and Clients also alwaies within call Therefore so soon as the day of Election was past and that Catiline had not only miss'd of the Consulship but also fail'd in
after Bestia with Quintus Minucius Rufus in regard he was Descended in a direct Line from Massinissa to lay claim in the Senate to the Kingdom of Numidia while Jugurth's fears and the abomination of his Crimes lay heavy upon him The Consul thirsting after War was clearly for creating any disturbance rather then lie idle More especially because Numidia was fall'n to his Lot as Macedonia to that of Minucius So that when Massiva began to bestir himself and Jugurth found he was not safe enough in the Protection of his Friends for that in some their Guilt of Conscience in others their lost Reputation and Apprehensions of Mind had extinguish'd the heat of their Solicitations he orders Bomilcar his near Kinsman and his intimate and trusty Agent with a round sum of Money the main Instrument with which he had brought to pass all his mischievous Designs to procure certain Russians to watch Massiva and hurry him out of the City with all the privacy they could or if that Plot fail'd to murder him out-right Bomilcar swiftly puts in Execution the Kings commands and by fellows that understood their Trade observes his walks his goings out and commings in his haunts and seasons of being abroad and then when every thing was fix'd he lies perdue At what time one of those that were hir'd for the Murder somewhat over hastily setting upon Massiva struck off his Head so that being apprehended at the perswasions of many and chiefly of Albinus the Consul himself he makes a Confession upon which Bomilcar who accompany'd Jugurth to Rome upon the Public Faith is adjudg'd Guilty rather by the Law of Nature then of Nations by which he seem'd to be exempted from Punishment But as for Jugurth though no man were so well acquainted with the Fact as himself yet would he never give over labouring against the certainty of Truth until he found that the Abhorrency of the Fact had got the upper hand of Favour and his Gold Therefore though upon the former Information he had given in Fifty of his friends as Sureties for Bomilcar 's forth-coming however being more mindful to secure his Kingdom then careful to discharge his Bail with honour he privately sent away Bomilcar into Numidia afraid least Popular fears might shake the Loyalty of the rest if once they heard that he were put to death and he himself within a few days after follow'd being commanded by the Senate to depart Italy Of whom it is reported that as he was upon the Road still in view of the Walls he frequently turn'd his head not saying a word till at length casting a wistful look upon the City he brake forth into this Exclamation Adieu fair City to be sold and ripe for ruin could it find a Chapman 36. In the mean time Albinus the War being thus renew'd sends away Provisions Money and other necessaries for the Souldiers into Africa and swiftly also follows in Person that before the Election of new Magistrates which grew on apace he might conclude the War either by force of Arms upon Composition or by any other means On the other side Jugurth spun out the time to the utmost of his power pretending sometimes one sometimes another Excuse for his delay promis'd Surrender and then dissembl'd his fears sometimes he retires and by and by for fear of discouraging his own Men he makes a stand thus lingring out the War and sometimes with proposals of Peace he eluded and baffl'd the Consul And some there were who thought Albinus was not unacquainted with the Kings designs for considering the Hast he made at first they could not believe but that the War was rather prolong'd through the Remissness of the Consul then Policy of the Enemy But the season being spent in vain and the day of Elections at hand Albinus leaving his Brother Aulus Propretor in the Camp departed for Rome 37. At that time was Rome most terribly harrass'd by the Mutinies and Contentions of the Tribunes P. Lucullus and L. Annius Tribunes of the People who notwithstanding the Opposition of their Collegues obstinatly endeavour'd to continue in the Magistracy Which contention Prorogu'd the Elections for a whole Year Upon which delay Aulus who was left Propretor in the Camp as we have already declar'd building fair hopes either of putting an end to the War or by the terror of his Army to extort some considerable sum of Money from the King in the Month of January draws his Army out of their Winter Quarters into the Field and with long Marches in a sharp Season presents himself before the Walls of Suthul where the Kings Treasure lay Which although in regard of the hardness of the weather and the Situation of the place it could neither be taken nor besieg'd for that a Boggy Plain by reason of the Winter showers now become a spacious Marish surrounded the Walls that were built upon the Point of a Craggy Rock yet either in a Bravado to terrify the King or blinded with eager hopes of gaining the Treasures of the Town set up his Vines open'd his Trenches and in a word omitted nothing that might further his design 38. On the other side Jugurth perceiving the vanity of the Legate his want of Military experience craftily to heighten his Madness sent Messengers to him with offers of submission while he himself as it were to avoid his fury leads his Army through the Woods and Places of most difficult access Lastly upon hopes of Agreement he had so charm'd Aulus as to make him raise his Siege and follow him still feigning flight into Countries with which he was not in the least acquainted that so his oversights might be less subject to disclosure In the mean time he employ'd most active and cunning Gamesters Day and Night to sound the Army and to Bribe the Centurions and Captains of Horse either to revolt or upon Signal given to desert their Stations which when he had accomplish'd according to his desire of a suddain in a Tempestuous night he surrounds Aulus's Camp with a vast multitude of Numidians The Roman Souldiers amaz'd at such an unusual Alarum some stood to their Arms some ran to hide themselves others heartned up the Timerous some stood quivering while the Enemy thunder'd in upon 'em on all sides The Sky all over-cast with Clouds and darkness the danger doubtful nor could the most daring well resolve which was the safest course whether to fight or fly In this hurry among those whom the Kings Gold had poyson'd the Ligurian Cohort with two Troops of Thracians and some few Common Souldiers revolted to the King and the Primipile Centurion of the third Legion gave admittance to the Enemy at that Quarter which he had undertaken to defend and there all the Numidians pour'd in like a Torrent Shameful was the flight of our men of which the greatest part possessed themselves of the next Hill leaving their Arms behind ' em Night and the eagerness after Plunder prevented the Enemy from making
Quarters of the Romans But being met upon the Road by certain Getulian Free-booters and rob'd of all their Equipage frighted as they were and meanly habited they fly to Sylla's Quarters whom Marius upon his March into the Desarts had left Pretor in his room These Men did Sylla treat not as vain and fickle Enemies but Genteelly and Bountifully supply'd their wants So that the Barbarians finding Sylla so munificent and so friendly withal readily alter'd their Opinion of the Roman Avarice For in those very days many there were that understood not the reason of expensive Liberality only a Man was accounted munificent because his Bounty seem'd his voluntary Act and all Gifts were lookt upon as Retalliations or in expectation of Kindness Therefore they discover Bocchus's Instructions to Sylla and withal beseech him to stand both their Friend and their Adviser They extol the Strength the Integrity and Grandeur of the King their Master not omitting any thing that might be advantageous to their Negotiation or to gain the good will of the Pretor Nor did Sylla scruple to promise 'em all Assistance but gave 'em full Instructions how to manage their Affairs how to behave themselves as well toward Marius as before the Lords of the Senate and thus recruited and directed they waited about forty days for the Consuls return 104. At what time Marius not succeeding in his Design return'd for Cirta where being inform'd of the arrival of the Embassadors he sends for them and Sylla together with L. Bellienus the Pretor from Vtica as also from all other Parts for all that were of the Senatorian Degree In their presence he makes known the Commands of Bocchus to his Embassadors and gives 'em leave to repair to Rome but in the mean while the Consul demands a Cessation of Arms. These Proceedings were approv'd by Sylla and the greatest Part some few were more hot and furious in their Opinions ignorant of Human Affairs which being inconstant and subject to a thousand Accidents often alter for the worse At length the Mows having obtain'd all their desires three of 'em set forward toward Rome with Octavius Bufo who being Treasurer at War had brought the Money into Africa which was to pay the Army The other two return'd back to the King and gave him an account of their Proceedings in Conclusion highly magnifying Sylla's great civillity and kindness At Rome after the Embassadors had submissively confess'd the Kings oversights as being lead away by the Insinuations of Jugurth and humbly desir'd a League and mutual Amity the following Answer was return'd The Senate and People of Rome are mont to be no less mindful of Kindnesses then Injuries But as for Bocchus because they find him Penitent they pardon his Offence A League and Friendship shall be granted him when he deserves it These things being made known to Bocchus by Letters he desires Marius to send Sylla to him that according to his pleasure and good liking there might be a final Conclusion of all differences Thereupon he was dispatch'd away with a Guard of Horse and Foot the Balearic Slingers together with the Archers and the Pelignian Cohort with their Light Arms for expeditions sake with those slighter Arms as well defensive as offensive no less secur'd then by Arms of greater Force from the Darts of the Enemy which were as slight and easily avoided Upon the Road after they had travell'd five days of a sudden Volux shew'd himself in the open Field with about a Thousand Horse who riding scatter'd and without any Order not only seem'd to be more then they were but begot a kind of mistrust of Hostile Treachery both in Sylla and all the rest Thereupon every one began to make ready to fix their Weapons and put themselves into a Posture of defence Something of Fear but more of Hopes as being Victors and to fight against those whom they had often vanquish'd But in the midst of this hurry the Vancurriers that scouted before returning brought word that all were friends Then Volux coming up call'd to speak with the Questor and told him that he was sent by his Father Bocchus to meet him and attend him as his Convoy So that the Moors and Romans joyn'd together and March'd all the next day without any mistrust one of another But in the Evening so soon as the Camp was pitch'd Volux with fear and disorder in his Countenance comes galloping to Sylla and informs him that he was ascertain'd by his Spies that Jugurth was at hand and therefore with great Importunity intreats and beseeches him privately in the dead of the Night to consult his own safety by speedy flight But Sylla with an undaunted Courage denies that he fear'd the Numidian whom he had so often vanquish'd that he was sufficiently assur'd of the Valour of his Souldiers and though certain destruction star'd him in the face he would rather stand his ground then deserting those that were committed to his Conduct by shameful flight endeavour to spare a frail and uncertain Life which perchance soon after sickness might deprive him of However he follows his advice to dislodg by Night and to that purpose orders the Souldiers to take their Suppers make a great number of Fires and at the first Watch without Noise or Tumult to be ready to March The next morning by Sun rise the Souldiers being weari'd with travelling in the dark Sylla pitches his Tents at what time the Moorish Scouts bring Intelligence that Jugurth lay within two Miles before ' em Which news being spread in the Camp our Men were not a little terrify'd believing themselves betray'd by Volux and brought into an Ambuscado And some there were who cry'd out that such a Peice of Treachery ought not to escape unpunish'd but that they should revenge themselves upon the Traytor with their own hands But Sylla though he thought the same however he protected the Moor from any Injury encourages his Men to behave themselves Valiantly that it was not the first time a few Couragious and brave had Fought against a Multitude with Success that the less they spar'd themselves in Battel the more secure they were and that it no way became any Man who had Arms in his hands to expect safety from his unarmed feet or in the midst of certain danger to turn the naked part of his Body toward the Enemy After that invoking the mighty Jupiter to be a witness of the Treachery and Falshood of Bocchus he commands Volux to depart the Camp as one that might assist the Enemy He on the other side with tears in his Eyes beseeches the Legate not to have such mistrustful thoughts of him that there was nothing of deceit in Bocchus but that all proceeded from the subtilty of Jugurth who had by his Spics discover'd his March and therefore in regard that Jugurth had no great Forces with him besides that all his hopes and welfare depended upon his Father desir'd him to believe the Numidian durst