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[236]
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 violently by the soldiers, he rushed through
the crowd to him, and when he found that he was in disorder, and ready
to resign up the government to the senate, he encouraged him, and desired
him to keep the government; but when he had said this to Claudius, he retired
home. And upon the senate's sending for him, he anointed his head with
ointment, as if he had lately accompanied with his wife, and had dismissed
her, and then came to them: he also asked of the senators what Claudius
did; who told him the present state of affairs, and then asked his opinion
about the settlement of the public. He told them in words that he was ready
to lose his life for the honor of the senate, but desired them to consider
what was for their advantage, without any regard to what was most agreeable
to them; for that those who grasp at government will stand in need of weapons
and soldiers to guard them, unless they will set up without any preparation
for it, and so fall into danger. And when the senate replied that they
would bring in weapons in abundance, and money, and that as to an army,
a part of it was already collected together for them, and they would raise
a larger one by giving the slaves their liberty, - Agrippa made answer,
"O senators! may you be able to compass what you have a mind to; yet
will I immediately tell you my thoughts, because they tend to your preservation.
Take notice, then, that the army which will fight for Claudius hath been
long exercised in warlike affairs; but our army will be no better than
a rude multitude of raw men, and those such as have been unexpectedly made
free from slavery, and ungovernable; we must then fight against those that
are skillful in war, with men who know not so much as how to draw their
swords. So that my opinion is, that we should send some persons to Claudius,
to persuade him to lay down the government; and I am ready to be one of
your ambassadors."
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