is own side in slaying them. Are not you
and I, Jack, innocent men, and babes in swaddling-clothes, compared to
Caesar, and to his predecessor in heroism, Alexander, dubbed, for murders
and depredation, Magnus?

* Pliny gives this account, putting the number of men slain at 1,100,092.
See also Lipsius de Constandia.

The principal difference that strikes me in the comparison between us and
the mayor, the ambassador, the general, on their gawdies, is, that the
mob make a greater noise, a louder huzzaing, in the one case than the
other, which is called acclamation, and ends frequently in higher taste,
by throwing dead animals at one another, before they disperse; in which
they have as much joy, as in the former part of the triumph: while they
will attend us with all the marks of an awful or silent (at most only a
whispering) respect; their mouths distended, as if set open with gags,
and their voices generally lost in goggle-ey'd admiration.

Well, but suppose, after all, we are convicted; what have we to do, but
in time make over our estates, that the sheriffs may not revel in our
spoils?--There is no fear of being hanged for such a crime as this, while
we have money or friends.--And suppose even the worst, that two or three
were to die, have we not a chance, each man of us, to escape? The
devil's in them, if they'll hang five for ravishing three!

I know I shall get off for one--were it but for family sake: and being a
handsome fellow, I shall have a dozen or two young maidens, all dressed
in white, go to court to beg my life--and what a pretty show they will
make, with their white hoods, white gowns, white petticoats, white
scarves, white gloves, kneeling for me, with their white handkerchiefs
at their eyes, in two pretty rows, as his Majesty walks through them and
nods my pardon for their sakes!--And, if once pardoned, all is over: for,
Jack, in a crime of this nature there lies no appeal, as in a murder.

So thou seest the worst that can happen, should we not make the grand
tour upon this occasion, but stay and take our trials. But it is most
likely, that they will not prosecute at all. If not, no risque on our
side will be run; only taking our pleasure abroad, at the worst; leaving
friends tired of us, in order, after a time, to return to the same
friends endeared to us, as we to them, by absence.

This, Jack, is my scheme, at the first running. I know it is capable of
improvement--for example: I can la