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NOW Claudius, as I said before, went out of that way along which
Caius was gone; and as the family was in a mighty disorder upon the sad
accident of the murder of Caius, he was in great distress how to save himself,
and was found to have hidden himself in a certain narrow place,
1
though he had no other occasion for suspicion of any dangers, besides the
dignity of his birth; for while he was a private man, he behaved himself
with moderation, and was contented with his present fortune, applying himself
to learning, and especially to that of the Greeks, and keeping himself
entirely clear from every thing that might bring on any disturbance. But
as at this time the multitude were under a consternation, and the whole
palace was full of the soldiers' madness, and the very emperor's guards
seemed under the like fear and disorder with private persons, the band
called
pretorian, which was the purest part of the army, was in
consultation what was to be done at this juncture. Now all those that were
at this consultation had little regard to the punishment Caius had suffered,
because he justly deserved such his fortune; but they were rather considering
their own circumstances, how they might take the best care of themselves,
especially while the Germans were busy in punishing the murderers of Caius;
which yet was rather done to gratify their own savage temper, than for
the good of the public; all which things disturbed Claudius, who was afraid
of his own safety, and this particularly because he saw the heads of Asprenas
and his partners carried about. His station had been on a certain elevated
place, whither a few steps led him, and whither he had retired in the dark
by himself. But when Gratus, who was one of the soldiers that belonged
to the palace, saw him, but did not well know by his countenance who he
was, because it was dark, though he could well judge that it was a man
who was privately there on some design, he came nearer to him; and when
Claudius desired that he would retire, be discovered who he was, and owned
him to be Claudius. So he said to his followers, "This is a Germanicus;
2
come on, let us choose him for our emperor." But when Claudius saw
they were making preparations for taking him away by force, and was afraid
they would kill him, as they had killed Caius, he besought them to spare
him, putting them in mind how quietly he had demeaned himself, and that
he was unacquainted with what had been done. Hereupon Gratus smiled upon
him, and took him by the right hand, and said, "Leave off, sir, these
low thoughts of saving yourself, while you ought to have greater thoughts,
even of obtaining the empire, which the gods, out of their concern for
the habitable world, by taking Caius out of the way, commit to thy virtuous
conduct. Go to, therefore, and accept of the throne of thy ancestors."
So they took him up and carried him, because he was not then able to go
on foot, such was his dread and his joy at what was told him.