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AFter they, according to the manner of Kings, had performed his obsequies magnificently, the Princes met all toge∣ther, that they might con∣sult amongst themselues
of their affaires. But Hi∣empsal, who was the yong∣est of them all, being proud by nature, and for∣merly despising Iugurths ig∣nobilitie, because on the mothers side, his descent was meane, sate downe on the right hand of Adherbal, left Iugurth should be the middlemost of the three, which is accounted the place of honour amongst the Numidians. Yet at length being importuned by his brother to yeeld it to the elder, he was hard∣ly remooued from thence to the other side.
There when many things were discussed for the ad∣ministration of the King∣dome, Iugurth amongst o∣ther
assertions maintaines, that all their consultations and decrees for fiue yeeres last past ought to be nulli∣fied: for during all that time, Micipsa being-spent with age, was scarce sound in mind. Then Hiempsal answered, that this pleased him: for that he himselfe within these last three yeeres came by adoption to be coheire of the King∣dome: which speech sunke deeper into Iugurths brest, then any man thought. Therefore from that time being perplexed with an∣ger and feare, he labours, prepares, and onely plots the meanes, by which Hi∣empsal might be treache∣rously surprised. The pro∣ceedings
whereof being slowe, and his fierce mind vnappeased, he resolues howsoeuer to execute his purpose.
In the first assembly be∣fore mentioned, it was a∣greed vpon by the Kings, in regard of their dissensi∣on, that the treasures should be deuided, and that the bounds of each ones Dominion should be limited. Thereupon a time for both ••hese is pre∣fixed, but the mony was to be soonest distributed: The Kings in the meane time remoued seuerally into places adioyning neere to the treasures. But Hiemp∣sal by chance tooke vp his lodging in ones house in
the towne of Thermida, who being chiefest Serge∣ant at Armes to Iugurth, was much beloued and e∣steemed of him: whom being offered for an instru∣ment by fortune, he loades with promises, and per∣swades: that vnder the co∣lour of visiting his house, he should forge false keyes for the gates, for the true ones were deliuered to Hiempsal: Moreouer, when occasion should serue, he himselfe would come with sufficient Forces.
The Numidian speedi∣ly executeth his com∣mands: and as he was in∣structed, brings in Iugurths Souldiers by night: they dispersing themselues, seek
the King: they kill some sleeping, others incoun∣tring them: they search the secretest places, breake vp the barred doores, and confound all things with noise and tumult: when in the meane time Hiempsal is found out, being hid in the cottage of a woman seruant, whither at the first being frighted, and ignorant of the place, he was fled. The Numidians, as they were commanded, brought his head to Iu∣gurth.
Now the fame of so great an outrage is quick∣ly divulged throughout all Africke: a sudden feare surpriseth Adherbal and all those, who had beene vn∣der
Micipsaes gouern∣ment. The Numidians are diuided into two parts: the most follow Adherbal, but that other the best men of warre. whereupon Iugurth leuyeth the greatest Forces that he could▪ the Citties, part∣ly by force, and partly by voluntary surrender he adioines to his owne Do∣minions: and makes pre∣parations to subiect all Numidia••
B••t Adherbal, although he had sent Ambassadours to Rome, which were to informe the Senate of his brothers murthers, and his owne estate, yet trusting in the multitude of his Souldiers, he prouides a
tryall by Armes: when the matter came to debate∣ment, being ouercome he flies out of the battell in∣to his Prouince, and from thence hee poasteth to Rome. Then Iugurth his designes being compas∣sed, after he got the Soue∣raignety of all Numidia, considering at leisure the fact by him committed, he much feared the peo∣ple of Rome; nor against their indignation could he assure any hope, except it were from the auarice of the Nobility, and his owne money. Therefore some few dayes after, he sends his Ambassadours to Rome with much gold and siluer, to whom hee
gaue in charge; that first with gifts they should sa∣tisfie his old friends: then they should procure new: finally, that they should not delaye to corrupt with bribes, whomsoeuer they could.
But as soone as the Am∣bassadours were arriued at Rome, and according to their Kings command had sent rich presents vn∣to their Patrons and o∣thers, whose authority as then was most powerfull in Senate: such an altera∣tion forthwith insued, that Iugurth from their highest displeasure, was re∣ceiued into the grace and fauour of the Nobility: Part of whom being in∣duced
with hopes, part with rewards, laboured by suing to the Senatours seuerally, that no rigo∣rous Decree might passe against him. Thereupon as soone as the Ambassa∣dours were fully confir∣med, an Audience in Se∣nate, vpon an appointed day is granted to both parties: Then Adherbal (as we haue heard) spake after this manner.