The pretorian bands stood in order of battell armed in the
field that laie before their lodgings, through which field Caratake
shuld come. Then passed by the traine of his friends and seruants; and
such armor, riches, iewels, and other things as had beene gotten in
those warres, were borne forward, and openlie shewed, that all men
might behold the same.
After these followed his brethren, wife, and daughters: and last of
all came Caratacus himselfe, whose countenance was nothing like to
theirs that went afore him. For whereas they fearing punishment for
their rebellion with wailefull countenance craued mercie, he neither
by countenance nor words shewd anie token of a discouraged mind, but
being presented before the emperour Claudius sitting in his tribunall
seat, he vttered this speach as followeth.
"If there had beene in me so much moderation in time of prosperitie,
[Sidenote: _* Sic_.]
as there was nobilitie of birth and puissance, I had come to this
citie rather as a friend than as a capteine *: neither should I haue
thought scorne, being borne of most noble parents, and ruling ouer
many people, to haue accepted peace by waie of ioining with you in
league. My present estate as it is to me reprochfull, so to you it
is honorable. I had at commandement, horsses, men, armor, and great
riches; what maruell is it if I were loth to forgo the same? For if
you shall looke to gouerne all men, it must needs follow that all men
must be your slaues.
Pages:
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36