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VVHilst these af∣faires passe thus at Rome, those who being deputed by Bestia, commanded the Army in Numidia, following their Generalls custome, com∣mitted many, and most insolent outrages. There were some, who being corrupted with gold, re∣deliuered
the Elephants to Iugurth: others sold fugitiues: others made predatory excursions vp∣on those, who had former∣ly made their peace.
But Cassius the Praetour, (C. Memmius his demaund being reported, and all the Nobility being much terrified) passeth ouer to Iugurth: and perswades him being fearefull, and distrusting his owne estate out of the guilt of con∣science, that whereas he had yeelded himselfe to the people of Rome, hee would not make tryall of their force, rather then of their clemency.
Priuately besides, he in∣terposeth his owne faith,
which the other esteemed no lesse then the publike: such at that time was Cas∣sius reputation.
Thereupon Iugurth, con∣trary to his royall dignity, comes to Rome in a most wretched habit. And al∣though in him there was great confidence of spirit, (being incouraged by all those, by whose power or villany, he had mannaged all his former enterprises) he subornes with a mighty reward C. Baebius Tribune of the people, by whose impudence he might for∣tifie himselfe against all right, and wrongfull pro∣ceedings.
But C. Memmius, an as∣sembly being called; (al∣though
the Commons were much offended with the King, and some of them commanded him to be cast into bonds, others, that except he appeached his Confederates, punish∣ment should be taken of him as of an enemy, ac∣cording to the custome of their Ancestours:) re∣garding dignity more then anger, pacified the tu∣mult, and appeased their mindes: finally he gaue his assurance, that the pu∣blicke faith should in it selfe remaine inuiolable. Afterwards, when they began to be silent, Iugurth being produced, Memmius speakes. He relates his at∣tempts at Rome and Nu∣midia:
he declares his vil∣lanies against his father and brethren: by whose coassistance and ministery he did these things, al∣though the Romane peo∣ple knew full well, yet from him they would haue them manifested more plainely. If hee reuealed the truth, great hope was reposed for him, in the faith and clemencie of the people of Rome: but if he should conceale it, hee should not for all that saue his complices, but would ruine himselfe and his owne hopes.
Vpon this, when Mem∣mius had made an end of speaking, and Iugurth was commanded to make his
answer: C. Bebius Tribune of the people, (whom we haue formerly said to haue beene corrupted with mo∣ny) bids the King to be si∣lent: and although the multitude which was pre∣sent in the assembly, being much incensed, terrified him with their clamour, countenance, frequent ve∣hemency, and all other expressions, in the doing whereof anger delights: yet impudence ouercame. Thus the people being made a mockingstocke, departed out of the assem∣bly. To Iugurth, Bestiae, and the rest, whom that exami∣nation trouble, their minds became more inso∣lent.
There was at that time a certaine Numidian at Rome, Massiua by name, the sonne of Gulussa, the nephew of Massinissa: who because in the dissention of the Kings, he had beene opposite to Iugurth; Cirtha being surrendred, and Ad∣herbal slaine, escaping by flight, he forsooke Africke. This man Spurius Albinus perswades, (who the next yeere after Bestia, was Consull together with Q. Minutius Rufus) because he was a descendent from Massinissa, that he should prosecute Iugurth with ha∣tred and terrour: that the Kingdome of Numidia he should craue of the Se∣nate. The Consull was de∣sirous
to manage the war, he had rather all things should be disturbed, then confirmed. To him Nu∣midia, to Minutius Mace∣donia befell for Prouinces.
In which businesse when Massiua began to stir, and Iugurth was not sufficiently protected by his friends: because some of them a guiltie conscience, others infamy, and feare of mind did hinder: he commands Bomilcar, one who was neerest, and faithfullest vnto him, that for reward, (the meanes by which he had accomplished many things) hee should pro∣cure some insidiously to murther Massiua; and to doe it with great secrecy;
but if this plot did not succeede, he should how∣souer kill this Numidian.
Bomilcar speedily exe∣cutes his masters com∣mands: and by men, exercised in such feates, he discouers his iourneies, and out-goings; finally all the circumstance of times, and places. Then as soone as occasion required, he layes his snares for him. Vpō this, one of them who were prepared for the murther, something vn∣aduisedly assaults Massiua, and kills him: but being taken in the very act, ma∣ny men exhorting him, but chiefly the Consull Albinus, he makes a free confession▪ Bomilcar is
found guilty rather by the prescription of honesty and equity, then by the Lawe of Nations: as being one of his retinue, who came to Rome vnder the assurance of the publike faith.
But Iugurth being dete∣cted of so hainous a crime, did not first omit to striue against the truth, before he perceiued, that the ha∣tred of the fact did exceed both his fauour and mony. Therefore although in the former treaty he had giuen fifty of his friends for ho∣stages: yet regarding more his Kingdome, then them, he dismisseth priuily Bo∣milcar into Numidia, doubting, that the rest
of his Cōfederates would be fearefull to obey him, if vpon this man punish∣ment should haue beene inflicted. He himselfe also within some few dayes takes his iourney thither, being commanded by the Senate to depart from Italy. But after hee was gone forth of Rome, of∣ten silently looking backe vnto it, at length he said: That the Citty was to be sold, and would quickly be lost, if it could but find a Chapman.
In the meane time Al∣binus, the warre being re∣newed hasteth to trans∣port into Africke victuals, pay, and all other pro∣uisions, which might be
vsefull for the Soul∣diers: and forthwith hee himselfe followes; of purpose, that be∣fore the Assembly, for the election of new Magi∣strates, (which time was not farre off) hee might by Armes, surrender, or some other meanes finish the warre. But Iugurth con∣trariwise drawes out all his proceedings in length, hee pretends now these, then those causes of de∣lay: hee promiseth to yeeld, and then faineth fearefulnesse: to him pur∣suing he giues way, and forthwith, lest his owne men should grow diffi∣dent, he pursues: thus sometimes by protracting
the time of warre, some∣times that of peace, he de∣ludeth the Consull: so that there were some, who thought as then, that Al∣binus was not altogether ignorant of the Kings Counsell: neither could they well conceiue, how from so much haste at first, the warre should now be prolonged, more through negligence, then cunning.