The workes of Caius Crispus Salustius contayning the Conspiracie of Cateline The Warre of Iugurth. V. bookes of historicall fragments. II orations to Cæsar for the institution of a co[m]monwealth and one against Cicero.

CHAP. 8.

Catiline ministreth an oath to his Confederates, Cu∣rius bewrayes the Conspi∣racie, to his Concubine Fulura.

THere liued some in those times, who re∣ported, that Catiline ha∣uing finished his speech, when he rendred th•• oath

to the partakers of his Conspiracie, that he mi∣nistred to them round, bowles of wine brewed with humane blood. And when all of them had car∣rowsed of it with execra∣tions, according to the custome of solemne Sa∣crifices, he reuealed the depth of his Counsels: and to this end, they say, he did it, that being con∣scious alike of one ano∣thers ingagements, in so great a crime, they might be more faithfull amongst themselues, yet many men thought these and sundry others reports, to be purposely fained by them, who thought to extenuate the enuy, which

was afterwards raised against Cicero, by aggra∣uating the hainousnesse of their offence, who had formerly suffered for it. But in regard of the diffi∣cultie, wee know no cer∣taintie of this matter.

There was one Qu. Cu∣rius of this Conspiracie, a man of no obscure pa∣rentage; but otherwise debauched with all kind of lewdnesse and villany, whom the Censours, in regard of the scandall, had remoued out of the Se∣nate. This man had no lesse vanity then bold∣nesse, he could not be si∣lent of what he heard, nor conceale his owne delin∣quencies. Neither was he

regardfull of what he said or did. There had beene an ancient League of whoredome betwixt him and Fuluia, a noble Dame, vnto whom when he was lesse welcome then be∣fore, (because his pouer∣ty disinabled his bounty,) he presently vaunting of him selfe, began to pro∣mise her seas and moun∣taines. Then he menaced her with his drawne sword, to make her yeeld vnto his pleasure: and fi∣nally vsed her with more insolency, then hee was formerly wont to doe. But Fuluia hauing drawne the knowledge of the cause, from the insolent demeanour of Curius,

would not conceale from the State, such a dange∣rous secret: but the Au∣thour being vnmentio∣ned, she disclosed to di∣uers, what particulars she had heard, and after what manner concerning the Conspiracie of Catiline.

This occasion, first wrought the mindes of men to conferre the Con∣sular dignity on Mar. Tul. Cicero. For before the greatest part of the Nobi∣lity did swell with enuy against him, and thought that the honour of the Consul-ship would bee blemished, if a new vp∣start (although well de∣seruing) shold be inuested in the dignitie. But dan∣ger

making his approch, iniustice, & pride became disrespected. Where∣vpon the assembly, for the election being met, Mar. Tullius, and Ca. Antonius were declared Consuls, which Act did vnioynt the Confederates de∣signes: yet was not Cati∣lines fury any thing re∣mitted: but euery day he meditated new mis∣chiefes: he disposed armes throughout Italy in con∣uenient places, he con∣ueyed money taken vp vpon his owne, or his friends credit, to one Manlius at Fesulae, who af∣terwards proued a prin∣cipall party in the rebel∣lion. He is said to haue

wrought about this sea∣son, men of all conditions to his faction: yea and some women also, who in the prime of their youth, hauing made large profit, by prostituting their bodies; afterwards when their age had put a period to their lucre, but not to their luxury, were deepely ingaged in other mens debts. By these she-Agents, Cat••line was con∣fident to procure the Ro∣mane slaues to fire the Ci∣tie, to draw•• their hus∣bands into the Conspira∣cy, or otherwise to mur∣ther them.

In this list, there was one Sempronia, who had often committed many

masculine exploits: this woman was fortunate in her birth, beauty, hus∣band, and children: she was learned in the Greek and Latine languages: she could sing and dance more elegantly, then was fitting for a modest ma∣trone; she had sundrie o∣ther qualities, which ser∣ued as instruments for her luxurie. But vnto her all things were dearer, then the repute of Honour, and honestie. It were dif∣ficult for you to define, whether she were more lauish of her coyne or credit: so itchingly, lust∣full, that she would oft∣ner court men, then stay their courting: before this

she had dealt perfidious∣ly, had abiured her debts, had beene conscious of murther, and precipita∣ted her selfe into Riot, and want, yet was not her wit despicable: she could compose verses, breake iests, discourse of any subject, whether modest, loose, or abusiue; she was altogether made of mirth and iollity.