est honors decreed to him that
a free people could bestow; and by subjecting himself to the law, would
obtain this branch of commendation, that he acted like a man of virtue,
both as a ruler and a subject; but that if he would act foolishly, and
learn no wisdom by Caius's death, they would not permit him to go on;
that a great part of the army was got together for them, with plenty
of weapons, and a great number of slaves, which they could make use
of; that good hope was a great matter in such cases, as was also good
fortune; and that the gods would never assist any others but those that
undertook to act with virtue and goodness, who can be no other than such
as fight for the liberty of their country.

4. Now these ambassadors, Veranius and Brocchus, who were both of them
tribunes of the people, made this speech to Claudius; and falling down
upon their knees, they begged of him that he would not throw the
city into wars and misfortunes; but when they saw what a multitude of
soldiers encompassed and guarded Claudius, and that the forces that were
with the consuls were, in comparison of them, perfectly inconsiderable,
they added, that if he did desire the government, he should accept of it
as given by the senate; that he would prosper better, and be happier, if
he came to it, not by the injustice, but by the good-will of those that
would bestow it upon him.

CHAPTER 4. What Things King Agrippa Did For Claudius; And How Claudius
When He Had Taken The Government Commanded The Murderers Of Caius To Be
Slain.

1. Now Claudius, though he was sensible after what an insolent manner
the senate had sent to him yet did he, according to their advice, behave
himself for the present with moderation; but not so far that he could
not recover himself out of his fright; so he was encouraged [to claim
the government] partly by the boldness of the soldiers, and partly
by the persuasion of king Agrippa, who exhorted him not to let such
a dominion slip out of his hands, when it came thus to him of its own
accord. Now this Agrippa, with relation to Caius, did what became one
that had been so much honored by him; for he embraced Caius's body after
he was dead, and laid it upon a bed, and covered it as well as he could,
and went out to the guards, and told them that Caius was still alive;
but he said that they should call for physicians, since he was very ill
of his wounds. But when he had learned that Claudius was carried away
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