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DUringe the Reigne of Augu∣stus Cesar, men might yet wt muche more liberty, and safe∣tye talke their fancies then they myght vnder Tiberius, for that he was not replenished with suche furye and Tyrannye. In that tyme it chaun∣ced that one Ruffus a manne of good honour, who had sometime bene Consul of Rome•• as he sate at supper on a tyme
and was ouer gone with drinke, suffred this vnwise wish folishly to escape hym. That Augustus myght not safelye re∣tourne frō a viage whiche he was about to make, but that he might miscary in it, adding moreouer that the very oxen and calues about Rome had cause to wishe the same. There wanted not to be those that harkned and marked well his wor∣des as they past him. On the morowe morning very early in ye dawning of the daye a seruaunt of his that stode by the night afore and herd al his talke recoun∣ted orderly vnto him what he hadde vn∣wisely amōg his cuppes suffred to scape him, and soberlye aduised him (to preuēt all mischéefes) with all spéede to get him to Augustus, there accuse himself, and put him in his grace•• When after a litle deliberating with himself he was fullie perswaded that his seruaunt councelled him for the best, determined with him∣self to follow it. Wherevppon makyng him readye with s••éed, got him on hys
way to Augustus ward, and there atten∣ded to méet him at his firste comming a∣brode. And hauinge done firste his obe∣dience, put himself wholly in his grace, and exponing to him all the discourse of the matter and his disloyaltie, with ear∣nest repentaunce for his folly so sowlye ouer shot, wishing it might rather hap on himself and his, besought him hum∣blie of his gracious pardon which. Au∣gustus as he was bountifull and debo∣nayre graunted immediately. But none quod Ruffus will credit that I stande in your fauour except it may appere to thē that you gaue me something, and there∣vpon besought him that he would graūt him a resonable some of money as he then requested, whyche Augustus gaue charge should be deliuered him. And far∣ther quod Cesar of my more ample gra∣ce this I promise thée that on my parte there shalbe no cause geuen why wee twayne will euer hereafter fall out a∣gain. Did not Cesar graciously so light∣ly
to remit the fact? but more worthie of commendacion was it in that he annexed to hys clemencie such liberalitie. Who that shall but heare this Historie repor∣ted can not chose but highly commende Augustus, and yet can he not chose but praise this bondman before him. But would you not now loke that I shold tel you that he was manumitted and made Frée for his labour? I thinke you wold, and that woorthely also. He was so and Augustus himself paid the money for his redemption.
An histo∣ry greate pr••yese woorthy of ye sober wyt and aduise of boūdmen