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another； （as they had been used on former conversations to give
the upper hand to Minucianus； both on account of his eminent
dignity； for he was the noblest of all the citizens； and highly
commended by all men； especially when he made speeches to them；）
Minuetanus began first； and asked Cherea； What was the watchword
he had received that day from Caius； for the affront which was
offered Cherea； in giving the watchwords； was famous over the
city。 But Cherea made no delay so long as to reply to that
question； out of the joy he had that Minueianus would have such
confidence in him as to discourse with him。 〃But do thou；〃 said
he； 〃give me the watchword of liberty。 And I return thee my
thanks that thou hast so greatly encouraged me to exert myself
after an extraordinary manner； nor do I stand in need of many
words to encourage me； since both thou and I are of the same
mind； and partakers of the same resolutions； and this before we
have conferred together。 I have indeed but one sword girt on； but
this one will serve us both。 Come on； therefore； let us set about
the work。 Do thou go first； if thou hast a mind； and bid me
follow thee； or else I will go first； and thou shalt assist me；
and we will assist one another； and trust one another。 Nor is
there a necessity for even one sword to such as have a mind
disposed to such works； by which mind the sword uses to be
successful。 I am zealous about this action； nor am I solicitous
what I may myself undergo； for I can not at leisure to consider
the dangers that may come upon myself； so deeply am I troubled at
the slavery our once free country is now under； and at the
contempt cast upon our excellent laws； and at the destruction
which hangs over all men； by the means of Caius。 I wish that I
may be judged by thee； and that thou mayst esteem me worthy of
credit in these matters； seeing we are both of the same opinion；
and there is herein no difference between us。〃
10。 When Minucianus saw the vehemency with which Cherea delivered
himself； he gladly embraced him； and encouraged him in his bold
attempt； commending him； and embracing him； so he let him go with
his good wishes； and some affirm that he thereby confirmed
Minuclanus in the prosecution of what had been agreed among them；
for as Cherea entered into the court； the report runs； that a
voice came from among the multitude to encourage him； which bid
him finish what he was about； and take the opportunity that
Providence afforded； and that Cherea at first suspected that some
one of the conspirators had betrayed him； and he was caught； but
at length perceived that it was by way of exhortation。 Whether
somebody （3） that was conscious of what he was about； gave a
signal for his encouragement； or whether it was God himself； who
looks upon the actions of men； that encouraged him to go on
boldly in his design； is uncertain。 The plot was now communicated
to a great many； and they were all in their armor； some of the
conspirators being senators； and some of the equestrian order；
and as many of the soldiery as were made acquainted with it； for
there was not one of them who would not reckon it a part of his
happiness to kill Caius； and on that account they were all very
zealous in the affair； by what means soever any one could come at
it； that he might not be behindhand in these virtuous designs；
but might be ready with all his alacrity or power； both by words
and actions； to complete this slaughter of a tyrant。 And besides
these； Callistus also； who was a freed…man of Caius； and was the
only man that had arrived at the greatest degree of power under
him； … such a power； indeed； as was in a manner equal to the
power of the tyrant himself； by the dread that all men had of
him； and by the great riches he had acquired； for he took bribes
most plenteously； and committed injuries without bounds； and was
more extravagant in the use of his power in unjust proceedings
than any other。 He also knew the disposition of Caius to be
implacable； and never to be turned from what he had resolved on。
He had withal many other reasons why he thought himself in
danger； and the vastness of his wealth was not one of the least
of them； on which account he privately ingratiated himself with
Claudius； and transferred his courtship to him； out of this hope；
that in case； upon the removal of Caius； the government should
come to him； his interest in such changes should lay a foundation
for his preserving his dignity under him； since he laid in
beforehand a stock of merit； and did Claudius good offices in his
promotion。 He had also the boldness to pretend that he had been
persuaded to make away with Claudius； by poisoning him； but had
still invented ten thousand excuses for delaying to do it。 But it
seems probable to me that Callistus only counterfeited this； in
order to ingratiate himself with Claudius； for if Caius had been
in earnest resolved to take off Claudius； he would not have
admitted of Callistus's excuses； nor would Callistus； if he had
been enjoined to do such an act as was desired by Caius； have put
it off； nor if he had disobeyed those injunctions of his master；
had he escaped immediate punishment； while Claudius was preserved
from the madness of Caius by a certain Divine providence； and
Callistus pretended to such a piece of merit as he no way
deserved。
11。 However； the execution of Cherea's designs was put off from
day to day； by the sloth of many therein concerned； for as to
Cherea himself； he would not willingly make any delay in that
execution； thinking every time a fit time for it； for frequent
opportunities offered themselves； as when Caius went up to the
capitol to sacrifice for his daughter； or when he stood upon his
royal palace； and threw gold and silver pieces of money among the
people； he might be pushed down headlong； because the top of the
palace； that looks towards the market…place； was very high； and
also when he celebrated the mysteries； which he had appointed at
that time； for he was then no way secluded from the people； but
solicitous to do every thing carefully and decently； and was free
from all suspicion that he should be then assaulted by any body；
and although the gods should afford him no divine assistance to
enable him to take away his life； yet had he strength himself
sufficient to despatch Caius； even without a sword。 Thus was
Chorea angry at his fellow conspirators； for fear they should
suffer a proper opportunity to pass by； and they were themselves
sensible that he had just cause to be angry at them； and that his
eagerness was for their advantage； yet did they desire he would
have a little longer patience； lest； upon any disappointment they
might meet with； they should put the city into disorder； and an
inquisition should be made after the conspiracy； and should
render the courage of those that were to attack Caius without
success； while he would then secure himself more carefully than
ever against them； that it would therefore be the best to set
about the work when the shows were exhibited in the palace。 These
shows were acted in honor of that Caesar （4） who first of all
changed the popular government； and transferred it to himself；
galleries being fixed before the palace； where the Romans that
were patricians became spectators； together with their children
and their wives； and Caesar himself was to be also a spectator；
and they reckoned； among those many ten thousands who would there
be crowded into a narrow compass； they should have a favorable
opportunity to make their attempt upon him as he came in； because
his guards that should protect him； if any of them should have a
mind to do it； would not here be able to give him any assistance。
12。 Cherea consented to this delay； and when the shows were
exhibited； it was resolved to do the work the first day。 But
fortune； which allowed a further delay to his slaughter； was too
hard for their foregoing resolution； and as three days of the
regular times for these shows were now over； they had much ado to
get the business done on the last day。 Then Cherea called the
conspirators together； and spake thus to them： 〃So much time
passed away without effort is a reproach to us； as delaying to go
through such a virtuous design as we are engaged in； but more
fatal will this delay prove if we be discovered； and the design
be frustrated； for Caius will then become more cruel in his
unjust proceedings。 Do we not see how long we deprive all our
friends of their liberty； and give Caius leave still to tyrannize
over them？ while we ought to have procured them security for the
future； and； by laying a foundation for the happiness of others；
gain to ourselves great admiration and honor for all time to
come。〃 Now while the conspirators had nothing tolerable to say by
way of contradiction； and yet did not quite relish what they were
doing； but stood silent and astonished； he said further； 〃O my
brave comrades！ why do we make such delays？ Do not you see that
this is the last day of these shows； and that Caius is about to
go to sea？ for he is preparing to sail to Alexandria； in order to
see Egypt。 Is it therefore for your honor to let a man go out of
your hands who is a reproa