For at first he murthered Hiempsal my brother then he droue me out of my fathers Kingdome What iniuries were solely ours did nothing pertaine to you But now hee vsurpeth my Kingdome by Armes me whom you haue appointed to rule ouer the Numidians he keepes shut vp and besieged How much he valued your Ambassadours speeches my dangers declare What remedy is left but your power by which he may be remoued for verily I could wish that those things which I now write and those of which I haue formerly complained in Senate were all false rather then my misery should giue credit to my words But because I was borne for this purpose that I should be the scoffe of Iugurths vilanies I doe not now deprecate death and miseries but only my enemies tyranny and bodily to ments For the Kingdome of Numidia which is yours prouide as you please deliuer me out of his impious hands by the Maiesty of your Empire by the faith of your friendship if any remembrance abides with you of my grand-father Massinissa CHAP. 7. Ambassadours of greater quality are commissioned to goe for Africke They are slacke in their charge Cirtha yeelds vpon composition Adherbal is slaine THese letters being read some were of opinion that an Army was to be sent into Africk and Adherbal was to be forthwith succoured that they should aduise themselues concerning Iugurth because he had disobeyed the Ambassadours But the very same fauourers of the King laboured with all their power that no such Decree should passe Thus the publicke good as it oftentimes falls out was ouercome by priuate fauour Yet were there sent into Afticke other Noble men elder then the first who had vndergone most honourable charges amongst whom was M. Scaurus of whom wee haue formerly spoken one who had beene Consull and was as then President of the Senate These because the foulenesse of the fact was subiect to much hatred and withall being importuned by the Numidians imbarked themselues the third day following then landing not long after at Vtica they dispatched letters to Iugurth importing that with all possible speed he should come to them into the Prouince He as soone as he vnderstood that men of honour whose authority he heard was powerfull at Rome came purposely to crosse his proceedings being at first much perplexed he was diuersly distracted with feare and desire He feared the displeasure of the Senate if he shewed himselfe disobedient to the Ambassadours againe his mind being blinded with ambition did violently transport him towards the intended treason yet euill counsell preuailed ouer his head-strong disposition Thereupon his Army hauing surrounded Cirtha he endeuours to force it to the vtmost of his power being very hopefull that the enemies Troupes being thus diuided he should by assault or stratagem find out some way of victory for himselfe which falling out otherwise and being vnable to effect what he intended about the surprizing of Adherbal before he visited the Ambassadours lest by further delayes he might offend Scaurus whoÌ„ he much feared with a few Horsemen hee comes into the Prouince And although to the orders of the Senate heauy comminations were added in case he should not desist from the siege yet after much talke in vaine they departed without any further effect After these things were related at Cirtha these Italians by whose valour the walls were defended being confident that vpon a surrender made they should in regard of the Maiesty of the Romane name be dismissed without any further hurt doe perswade Adherbal that he should yeeld himselfe and the towne to Iugurth onely he should condition with him for his life that as for the rest the Senate would be carefull But he although he deemed all things safer then Iugurths faith yet because they had power in themselues to force him if he should be refractory he makes a surrender Thereupon Iugurth hauing first tortur'd Adherbal puts him to death then hee murthers all the Numidian youth and marchants promiscuously as any man incountred his armed Souldiers After which massacre was published at Rome and the matter began to be debated in Senate the very same ministers of the King by interposing themselues and protracting time now by fauour then againe by their cauils did mitigate the foulenes of the fact so that except C. Memius Tribune of the people elect being a man of courage and much offended with the power of the Nobility had fully informed the people of Rome that a plot was layd for procuring Iugurths pardon by some few of his faction without question all the hatred of this his offence had vanished into nothing through their dilatory consultations So powerfully wrought the Kings fauour and money But as soone as the Senate through the conscience of their owne errour grew fearefull of the people by the Sempronian Law Numidia and Italy were decreed for Prouinces to the future Cousuls P. Scipio Nasica L. Bestia Calpurnius were declared Consuls to Calpurnius Numidia to Scipio Italy fell by lot forthwith an Army is inrolled to be transported into Africke paye and all other prouisions requisite for the warre are appointed But Iugurth contrary to his expectation being informed of this by a messenger for because he was fully perswaded that all things were venall at Rome he sends his sonne and with him two of his familiar friends Ambassadours to the Senate and giues them in charge as he had done to those whom he had sent after Hiempsal was slaine that they should corrupt whomsoeuer they could with money who when they were come to Rome the Senates aduice was demaÌ„ded of Bestia whether it were their pleasures that Iugurths Ambassadours should be receiued into the Citty and then the Lords decreed that except they came to surrender the Kingdome and Iugurth himselfe they should depart out of Italy within tenne dayes next following The Consull out of the Decree of the Senate commands this to be reported to the Numidians Thus they returne home without any successe in their suite CHAP. 8. Calpurnius is sent with an Army into Affricke He is corrupted by Iugurth IN the meane time Calpurnius an Army being leuyed substitutes vnder himselfe some Noble men giuen to faction by whose authority he hopes to fortifie his owne faultes amongst whom was Scaurus of whose nature and condition wee haue formerly spoken For in this our Consull there were many good indowmeÌ„ts of body and mind all which Auarice choaked He was patient of labour of a sharpe wit prouident enough no ill Souldier most firme against dangers and deceits But the Legions passing throâ—gh Italy to Rhegium and from thence into Sicily were finally transported from Sicily into Africke Thereupon Calpurnius hauing first made prouision of victuals inuaded Numidia fiercely many men and some Cities hee tooke there by plaine force But as soone as Iugurth by his Ambassadours began to tempt him with bribes and to remonstrate the difficulty of the warre which he now waged his weake mind was soone corrupted through Auarice Besides
now all of them being wearyed with that nights iourney Sylla euen with the rising of the Sunne measured out the ground for incamping when as the Moorish Horse-men bring tidings that Iugurth about the distance of two miles off had taken vp his Quarters iust before them After which report was heard then especially terrour inuadeth our Souldiers they beleeue that they are betrayed by Volux and circumuented by his treachery And there were some who said that reuenge was to be taken by the hand and so great a villany in him was not to passe without punishment But Sylla although he were of the same opinion yet he defends the Moore from iniury he perswades his owne men that they would carry a courageous mind a few valiant men had often fought fortunatly against a multitude by how much the lesse they spared themselues in fight by so much the more they would be safer neither did it beseeme any man who had taken armes in his hands to seeke succour from his vnarmed feet and in the greatest feare of all to expose the body naked and blind vnto the enemies mercy Then requiring Iupiter the greatest of the gods that he would be present as a witnesse of Bocchus villany and treachery he commands Volux because hee commited actions of hostility to depart the Camp He weeping intreateth him not to beleeue these things nothing was done fraudulently but rather out of Iugurths cunning who skowting abroad had discouered his iourney but because he had not any great Forces and all his hopes and helpes depended from his father hee was confident that hee durst enterprize nothing openly when as hee his sonne was present for a witnesse wherefore it seemed the best course to him to passe in full view through the middest of the enemies Campe himselfe the Moors being sent before or left there would stay alone with Sylla This counsell as it was requisite in such an exigent was allowed forthwith dismarching because they came vnexpected they passed in safety Iugurth being doubtfull sticking vpon delayes Then within a few dayes they arriued where they intended to goe There conuersed with Bocchus a Numidian called Aspar much and familiarly he being premitted by Iugurth after hee heard that Sylla was sent as an Agent and a discouerer in policy of Bocchus counsels besides there was Dabar the son of Massagrada of the race of Massinissa but vnequall by the mothers side for his father was borne of a Concubine being deare and gracious with the Moore for many good Arts with which his mind was indued whom Bocchus hauing formerly tryed by many occurrences to be faithfull to the Romanes he sendeth him presently with this message to Sylla that he was ready to doe whatsouer the Romane people would desire that himselfe should chuse a day time and place for imparlance that he would communicate all his counsels with him neither should he be afraid of lugurths Ambassadour for dealing a freely in their common affaires otherwise he could not preuent his trecheries But I find that Bocchus more out of a Punicke faith then for the regard of what he said detained with the hope of peace both the Romanes and the Numidian and was wont to ponder much with himselfe whether he should deliuer Iugurth to the Romanes or Sylla to him Desire against vs feare for vs did perswade Therefore Sylla answereth that he would speake some few words before Aspar the rest in secret none of a very few being present withall he instructeth him what answers should be made vnto himselfe After when they were met according to appointment he sayes that he was sent by the Consull to demand whether he would haue peace or warre Then the King according to his instructions commands him to returne after the tenth day and tells him that as yet he was resolued on nothing but on that day would giue him an answer Then both of them depart to their TeÌ„rs But when most of the night was spent Sylla is secretly sent for by Bocchus onely faithfull interpreters are admitted by them Besides Dabar an intermessenger a deuout man sweares sincerely to them both Then the King thus begins I neuer thought it would come to passe that I being the greatest King in all this Land and of all that I know the most opulent should owe a courtesie to a priuate man And verily Sylla before I knew thee to many men vpon request to others freely I haue giuen reliefe I my selfe wanted nothing I reioyce that I am difinabled in this which others are wont to greeue at It shall be precious to me that I sometimes haue wanted thy friendship then which I esteeme nothing dearer in my mind of this so farre thou maist make a tryall armes men and money finally whatsoeuer pleaseth thee take and vse and while thou liuest thou shalt neuer thinke the courtesie requited with me it shall remaine intire moreouer if I may know it thou shalt desire nothing in vaine For as I thinke it is lesse dishonour for a King to be ouercome by armes then by munificence But concerning your Commonwealth whose Agent thou art hither sent heare this in a few words I neuer made war with the people of Rome nor euer was willing that warre should be made with armes against armed men I defended my borders I passe ouer this Since it is your pleasure wage warre with Iugurth as you will I will not goe beyond the riuer Mulucha which was the Frontier betwixt me and Micipsa neither will I suffer Iugurth to attempt it Besides whatsoeuer you shall request that is worthy of me and your selues you shall not depart with repulse To this Sylla replyed briefly for himselfe for that which concerneth peace and the common affaires more at large finally hee reuealeth this secret to the King That he must assure him that the people of Rome in regard they had beene victorious in the warre would not receiue him into fauour hee must doe something which might seeme to concerne their profit more then his owne hee had a faire opportunitie of this as hauing Iugurth in his power whom if hee deliuered to the Romanes they should bee much indebted to him then friendshippe aliance and that part of Numidia which hee requested would freely fall vnto him The King at first refused alledging that kindred aliance and a League besides had passed betwixt them moreouer hee feared lest by the breach of his faith he should alienate the affections of his subiects vnto whom both Iugurth was deare and the Romanes hatefull At length being often sollicited he â—s reconciled and promiseth to doe all things â—hat Sylla would require But for the counterfeiting â—f peace of which the Numidian wearie of the warre was most desirous they framed pretences which seemed expedient Thus the deceite being composed they depart seuerally But the King on the next day calls for Asparâ— and tells him that hee vnderstood from Sylla by Dahar that the warre might be compounded vpon conditions wherefore
away the care of your captiued liberty or if you shall prouide against them you may be more ingaged in defending your selues from dangers then in reuenging them Truely his ministers being men of much renowne and no lesse honoured for the excellent examples of their Ancestours I cannot sufficiently wonder at it bestow their seruice for the reward of his tyranny ouer you and rather desire them both with iniury then to liue freely after the vprightest manner The illustrious progeny of the Bruti Aemilij and Lutatij borne to ruine that which their Ancestors got For what else was defended from Pyrrhus Hannibal Philip and Antiochus but liberty and euery mans proper habitation that we might be obedient to none but the Lawes all which this cruell Romulus detaines as spoiles from taken strangers not being glutted with the slaughter of so many Armies nor with that of the Consuls and other Princes whom the fortune of the warre hath consumed but euen then hee growes more mercilesse when as prosperity turneth most men from anger vnto compassion But he alone amongst all after the memory of man hath ordained punishments for those that are to be borne vnto whom iniury shall bee assured before life and being as yet protected by his monstrous villany he doth rage in most wicked manner whilst you out of the feare of a more grieuous feruitude are terrified from the recouering of liberty Something is to be done and he reincountred O ye Romans that your spoiles become not his prey delayes are not to bee made neither by vowes are helps to be procured except perchance you hope that out of the tediousnesse and shame of his tyranny he will quit those perquisites with more danger which he hath vsurped to himselfe by villany But he hath proceeded so far that he esteemeth nothing glorious but what is safe and all things to be honest that tend to the preseruation of his tyrannicall gouernment Therefore that peace and quietnesse with liberty which many good men haue imbraced before laborious honours haue no respect with him At this time we must either serue or command feare is either to be had or caused O ye Romanes For what remaines further or what diuine or humane rights are left vnpolluted the Romane people not long since the rulers of Nations being despoiled of glory Empire and priuiledges withall growne poore and despicable haue not seruill maintenance left A great number of Alies and Latines made free of the City for their many meritorious acts are restrained by one man alone and a few of his ministers haue possessed the ancient seates of the Commonalty for a reward of their villanies Lawes Iudicatures Treasures Prouinces and Kings are in one mans power finally the liberty of the death and life of Citizens Withall you haue seene humane sacrifices and Sepulchres polluted with ciuill blood Is there any thing left remaining for men but to quit thiâ— iniury and die valiantly For as much as nature hath certainly appointed the same end for all men euen for those who are hedged about with Iron neither doth any man that wants daring expect the last necessity but with a feminine resoluton But I am seditious as Sylla saith who complaine vpon the rewards of these tumults and seeke after warre because I require the priuiledges of peace Forsooth as though you could not be otherwise safe and secured inough vnder his gouernment except Vettius Picens and Cornelius the Scribe shall lauish out other mens lawfull acquisitions except you shall approue all the proscriptions of the innocent for their riches the tortures of illustrious persons the Citty wasted with fire and slaughters the goods of miserable Citizens sold or giuen away as if they were Cimbrian pillage But he obiecteth to me my possessions gotten out of the goods of the proscribed Which verily is the greatest argument of his wickednesse that neither I nor any man else should be sufficiently safe if wee should doe vprightly And those things which then I bought out of feare the price being paid I restore forthwith to the rightfull owners neither is it my counsell to suffer any prey to be made of Citizens Those calamities shal be sufficient which in the heate of madnesse we haue indured Romane Amies fighting one against another and Armes conuerted from strangers vpon our selues Of all mischiefes and reproches let there bee an end Of which Sylla is not so penitent but that hee glories in his wicked deedes and if it were lawfull would follow that course more egerly Neither now doe I feare what you esteeme of him but how much you dare to doe your selues lest one expecting another for chiefe you may be surprized not by his power which is weake and broken but by your owne cowardice before you could otherwise be surprized and before he durst appeare so happy For besides his debaucht ministers who desires the same with him and who would not haue all things changed but the victory his Souldiers forsooth whose blood hath beene the price of riches for Tarrula and Scirrus the worst of slaues Or will those by whom Fusidius is aduanced in gaining of Magistracies a base varlet the shame of all good men Therefore the victorious Army maketh me very confident by whom besides wounds and labours nothing hath beene procured but a Tyrant Except perchance they went about to subuert the Tribunitiall power founded by our Ancestours that so they might vsurpe Lawes and Iudicatures vnto themselues for a faire hire indeed when as being banished into marishes and woods they shall vnderstand that their disgrace and hatred remaine for rewards with some few Why therefore doth hee march with such a Troupe and such anelated mind because prosperity supports vice wonderfully which being decayed hee will be as much despised as he was feared before except perchance he doth this vnder the colour of peace and concord which names hee hath giuen to his villany and parricide Nor otherwise saith he can the Romane people haue an end of warre except the Commonalty be expelled out of their possessions the worst of all ciuill predation and the right and iudgement of all things remaine with him which belonged to the people of Rome Which if you should interpret to be peace and concord approue then the greatest disturbances and plagues of the Commonwealth Submit to imposed lawes imbrace idlenesse with seruitude and deliuer ouer an example to posterity of circumuenting the Romane people with the effusion of their owne blood For my selfe although by this highest command inough hath beene procured for the name of my Ancestours for my owne dignity and safety also yet it was not my resolution to ouer-value my priuate fortunes and a dangerous liberty seemed better to me then seruitude which if you allow ioyne with me O yee Romanes and the gods assisting happily follow Marcus Aemilius the Consull as Generall and Author for the recouering of your liberty The Oration of Lu. Philippus against M. Aemilius Lepidus MOst of all I would
so besotted that being forgetfull of Cinnaes mischiefes by whose returne into the Citty all orders and decency were ouerthrowne you will neuerthelesse submit your selues your wiues and children to Lepidus what need is there of decrees what need of Catulus assistance but that he and other good men must vndertake in vaine the charge of the Republicke Doe as you will prouide for your selues the patronages of Cethegus and other Traitours who desire to renew rapines and fierings and to arme their hands against their household gods But if liberty and warres delight you more institute decrees worthy of your name and giue incouragement to valiant men A new Army is at hand and besides the Colonies of the old Souldiers all the Nobility with the ablest Commanders Fortune followes the best men Now those succours which are raised will be dissolued through your negligence Wherefore my censure is this that since Lepidus out of his owne priuate counsell contrarie to the authority of this order leadeth an Army vnto the Citty composed of most wicked men and Enemies to the Common-wealth that Appius Claudius the Interregent with Q. Catulus the Proconsull and others who haue orders for it shall be carefull to gard the Citty and indeuour that the CoÌ„monwealth suffer no detriment Collections out of the second booke of SALVSTS Fragments The magnificent entertainment of Metellus in Spaine BVt Metellus returning after one yeere into the further Spaine is receiued with great honour both of men and women who ran forth to see him from the high wayes and house toppes when as C. Vrbinus the Treasuror and others knowing his minde inuited him to supper they regarded equally the custome of Romanes and men the houses being adorned with Tapistry and Ensignes and with Scaffolds raised for the shew of the Stage-plaiers withall the ground was strowed with Saffron and other Pageants were showne in the forme of a most magnificent Temple Moreouer the Image of victory being let downe with a fixt loupe-window after the counterfeited noise of thunder imposed a Crowne vpon his head then with Frankincense supplications were made to him as to some new-come god An imbroidred gowne was his vsuall garment when he sate downe to eate his bankets were most exquisite neither were they furnished onely out of the whole Prouince but diuers strange kindes of birds and beasts were fetcht out of Mauritania By meanes whereof he somewhat obscured his glory especially amongst the ancient and religious men who thought these courses to bee proud vnsufferable and vnworthy of the Romane Empire Collections out of the third booke of SALVSTS Historicall Fragments The Epistle of Cu. Pompeius to the Senate being necessitated in the Sertorian warre IF against you my Country and houshold gods I had as often vndertooke labours and dangers as from my first youth your mortallest enemies haue beene beaten vnder my conduct and safety hath beene procured for your selues you could determine nothing worse against me being absent then now yee doe O ye Conscript Fathers whom being thrust out contrary to my age into a most cruell warre with a most well deseruing Army you haue as much as lyeth in you consumed with hunger the wretchedst death of all others With this hope did the Roman people send forth their children vnto the warre Are these rewards for wounds and blood so often shed for the Common-wealth Being tyred with writing and sending of Agents I haue spent all my priuate hopes and fortunes when in the meane time for these three yeeres scarce one yeeres meanes hath beene supplied from you By the immortall gods what thinke you can I make good the Office of the Treasury or maintaine an Army without corne and pay Verily I confesse that I went to this warre with more desire then counsell because hauing onely receiued the name of command from you in forty dayes I raised an Army and remoued the enemie lying vpon the neâ—ke of Italy from the Alps into Spain Through them I discouered another passage from that of Hanâ—ibals being more opportune for vs. I recouered Gaule the Pyâ—enaean Lacetanian and Ilergeâ—an Regions and sustained the first assault of conquering Sâ—rtoâ—ius with new Souldiers and â—ewer by farre and spent all the winter in Campe amongst most fierce enemies not in townes nor out of my owne ambitious choice Besides what should I recount batells fought or winter expeditions townes rased oâ— recouered when as deedes are more to bee regarded theâ— words The Enemies Camp surprized at Sucro a battell fought at the Riuer Durius and Caius Herennius one of their chiefe Captaines being subdued together with the Citty of Valentia and his Armie are things sufficiently knowne vnto you For which seruices O yee thankefull Fathers yee requite me with want and famine So that the same condition attends mine and the Enemies Army for pay is giuen to neither Both of them may come victorious into Italy Which I doe admonish and intreate you to consider and that you would not inforce me with necessities to prouide priuately for my selfe The hither Spaine which is not possessed by the enemies we or Sertorius haue quite wasted except the greatest Citties which of themselues are both a charge and burthen to vs. Gaule all this last yeere releeued Metellus Army with pay and Corne and now hauing had an ill haruest she her selfe doth hardly subsist I haue not onely spent my owne estate but credit also You remaine as yet who except you afford succours in despite of me and all my premonitions the Army will march from hence and with it all the warre of Spaine will passe into Italy The Oration of M. Lepidus Tribune of the people vnto the people IF you should not well consider O yee Romanes what difference might be betwixt the gouernment left vnto vs by our Ancestours and this seruitude prepared by Sylla it were requisite for me to discourse at large and shew for what iniuries and how often the armed Commonalty disunited themselues from the Fathers and how they procured Tribunes of the people to vindicate their right That which remaines now is onely to exhort and to goe the direct way by which I thinke liberty may be regained Neither doth it ouerpasse me how great supports of the Nobility I being alone and impotent with the vaine shadow of Magistracy onely must vndertake to remoue from the gouernment and how much more securely the wicked liue then the forelorne innocent But besides the good hope conceiued of you which hath subdued feare it hath beene my resolution that the difficulties of contending in the case of liberty beseeme more a valiant man then not to haue contended at all Although all other Magistrates created for yoâ—r right haue conuerted all their power and commaunds against you induced with fauour hope or rewards and hold it better to offend for hire then to doe well for bare thankes Therefore all are inthralled vnder the tyranny of some few who vnder a military pretence haue vsurped the Treasury Kingdomes Armies and
to them Moreouer they who twice in a day are accustomed to loade their bellies and not to sleepe one night without a whore when as they haue oppressed the soule with seruitude which ought to command That being afterwards growne dull and lame vainely they seeke to exercise it For with imprudence they precipitate both themselues and many things besides But these and many other mischiefes will together end with the reputation of money if nei-Magistracies nor other things to be coueted by the vulgar shall be set to sale Besides prouision must bee made by thee how Italy and the Prouinces may be better secured the meanes whereof is not obscoure For the same men make a generall waste by forsaking their owne houses and by seizing wrongfully on others Withall that warrefare as it hath beene hitherto be not vniust nor vnequall when some serue out thirty payes others not so much as one and that corne which was formerly a reward of slouth it will be conuenient to distribute vnto them throughout the infranchised townes and Colonies when as they shall returne home after the expiration of their stipendary yeeres What things are necessary for the Commonwealth and glorious for thee I haue deliuered in a few words It seemes good to me now to speake something of this that I haue done Most men haue or faine themselues to haue wit inough to censure but to reprehend other mens doings and sayings the disposition of all men is earnestly bent the mouth seemes not sufficiently open nor the tongue prompt which can onely vtter things meditated in the minde To whose interpretation that I am subiect it doth not repent mee it would haue grieued me more to haue kept silence For whether thou shalt proceede in this or any other course surely I shall speake and assist thee to the best of my power That which remaines is to wish that what things shall please thee the immortall gods may approue and suffer them to succeed happily The second Oration of the institution of a Commonwealth to C. Caesar I Know how difficult and dangerous a thing it is to giue counsell to a King or Emperour finally to any man whose power is seated on high because they haue both abundance of counsellers neither can any man be circumspectiue and prudent inough of future euents Besides oftentimes euill counsels succeed more prosperously then good because fortune swayeth most things according to her pleasure But it was my desire from my first youth to vndertake the Commonwealth and in knowing it I tooke much and most speciall care not to that end alone that I might be capable of a magistracy which many haue gotten by euill Arts but that I might take a suruay of the State both at home and abroad and how powerfull shee might bee in Armes men and money Therefore by me as I meditated many things with my selfe this counsell was approued to esteeme my owne reputation and modesty after thy dignity and to hazard any thing so that any glory might accrue to thee from that And this I haue not resolued rashly nor because of thy fortune but for that amongst others I haue found in thee this one Art admirable aboue the rest that thy minde was alwaies greater in aduerse then prosperous fortunes But this amongst other mortals is most remarkable that men are also first wearied with praising and admiring thy munificence then thou art in doing things meriting glory Verily this is my resolution that nothing can be found out so difficult which thou doest not readily apprehend Neither haue I written these things to thee of the Commonwealth which seemed to concerne it because I approued my owne wit and counsell more then was fitting but amongst the labours of warfare amongst battailes victories and gouernment I resolued to admonish thee of ciuill affaires For if this counsell be lodged in thy brest that to vindicate thy selfe from the violence of thy enemies thou wouldst by any meanes opposed against the Consull retaine the fauours of the people thou must harbour thoughts vnworthy of thy vertue But if that spirit be within thee which from the beginning hath disturbed the faction of the Nobility hath restored the Romane Commonalty from a grieuous seruitude vnto liberty in thy Praetourship vnarmed hath broke the Armes of thy enemies at home and abroad hath atchieued so great and such glorious exploites that thy very aduersaries dare nor complaine of any thing but thy greatnesse then heare that which I shall speake of the summe of the Common-wealth which verily thou shalt finde to be true or not farre remoued from truth But because â—n Pompeius either out of his corrupt disposition or that he desired nothing more then that he might hinder thee fell into such an errour that he put weapons into his enemies hands by what meanes hee troubled the Commonwealth by the same thou oughtest to restore it First of all he gaue to a few Senatours the chiefe power of moderating about tributes expences and iudgements the Romane Commonalty whose power was formerly chiefest he left together with vs vnder the same conditions of seruitude Although the iudgements as before were restored to the three orders yet the selfesame factious men sway giue and take away what pleaseth them they circumuent the innocent they aduanceir their owne Fauourites to honour Not villany not scandall or lewdnesse doth hinder them from being capable of Magistracies what is commodious they force they take by violence finally as in a captiued Citty they vse lust and licence for Lawes And verily I should be somewhat grieued if they should exercise a victory gotten by vertue after this their seruile custome But these vnactiue persons all whose force and valour lyes in the tongue mannage insolently a domination thrust into their hands by fortune and anothers cowardice For what other sedition or ciuill dissension hath plucked vp from the roote so many and such illustrious Families or in whose victory euer was the minde so precipitated and immoderate Lu. Sylla vnto whom all things were lawfull in the victory by the Law of warre although he conceiued that the enemies party was fortified by Sulpitius yet some few being slaine he was desirous to retaine the rest with bountie rather then feare But now together with Cato L. Domitius and the rest of that faction forty Senators and many young men of good hope haue beene slaughtered like sacrifices when in the meane time this most mischieuous kinde of people could not be glutted with the blood of so many miserable Citizens not Orphants not Parents in the cloze of their age not the mourning of men the lamentation of women could mollifie their barbarous mindes But doing and speaking worse euery day more then other they went about to remoue some men out of their dignitie others out of the Citty For what should I speake of thee whose contumelie these most slothfull men would exchange for their owne life In regard that domination is not such a pleasure to them