tainty; for that it was a
dangerous case to have been once called to the empire. He added further,
that he would administer the government as a good prince, and not like
a tyrant; for that he would be satisfied with the honor of being called
emperor, but would, in every one of his actions, permit them all to
give him their advice; for that although he had not been by nature
for moderation, yet would the death of Caius afford him a sufficient
demonstration how soberly he ought to act in that station.

3. This
message was delivered by Agrippa; to which the senate replied, that
since they had an army, and the wisest counsels on their side, they
would not endure a voluntary slavery. And when Claudius heard what
answer the senate had made, he sent Agrippa to them again, with the
following message: That he could not bear the thoughts of betraying them
that had given their oaths to be true to him; and that he saw he must
fight, though unwillingly, against such as he had no mind to fight;
that, however, [if it must come to that,] it was proper to choose a
place without the city for the war, because it was not agreeable to
piety to pollute the temples of their own city with the blood of their
own countrymen, and this only on occasion of their imprudent conduct.
And when Agrippa had heard this message, he delivered it to the
senators.

4. In the mean time, one of the soldiers belonging to the senate drew
his sword, and cried out, "O my fellow soldiers, what is the meaning of
this choice of ours, to kill our brethren, and to use violence to our
kindred that are with Claudius? while we may have him for our emperor
whom no one can blame, and who hath so many just reasons [to lay claim
to the government]; and this with regard to those against whom we are
going to fight." When he had said this, he marched through the whole
senate, and carried all the soldiers along with him. Upon which all
the patricians were immediately in a great fright at their being thus
deserted. But still, because there appeared no other way whither they
could turn themselves for deliverance, they made haste the same way with
the soldiers, and went to Claudius. But those that had the greatest luck
in flattering the good fortune of Claudius betimes met them before the
walls with their naked swords, and there was reason to fear that those
that came first might have been in danger, before Claudius could know
what violence the soldiers were going to offer them, ha