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[11]
Nay, Caius's madness came to this height, that when he had a daughter
born, he carried her into the capitol, and put her upon the knees of the
statue, and said that the child was common to him and to Jupiter, and determined
that she had two fathers, but which of these fathers were the greatest
he left undetermined; and yet mankind bore him in such his pranks. He also
gave leave to slaves to accuse their masters of any crimes whatsoever they
pleased; for all such accusations were terrible, because they were in great
part made to please him, and at his suggestion, insomuch that Pollux, Claudius's
slave, had the boldness to lay an accusation against Claudius himself;
and Caius was not ashamed to be present at his trial of life and death,
to hear that trial of his own uncle, in hopes of being able to take him
off, although he did not succeed to his mind. But when he had filled the
whole habitable world which he governed with false accusations and miseries,
and had occasioned the greatest insults of slaves against their masters,
who indeed in a great measure ruled them, there were many secret plots
now laid against him; some in anger, and in order for men to revenge themselves,
on account of the miseries they had already undergone from him; and others
made attempts upon him, in order to take him off before they should fall
into such great miseries, while his death came very fortunately for the
preservation of the laws of all men, and had a great influence upon the
public welfare; and this happened most happily for our nation in particular,
which had almost utterly perished if he had not been suddenly slain. And
I confess I have a mind to give a full account of this matter particularly,
because it will afford great assurance of the power of God, and great comfort
to those that are under afflictions, and wise caution to those who think
their happiness will never end, nor bring them at length to the most lasting
miseries, if they do not conduct their lives by the principles of virtue.
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