The answere of Bocchus.
HErevnto Bocchus in extenuation of his ouersights maketh a short, but a plausible reply: That hee made choice of Armes, not vppon any fancy that might moue him to make triall of warre, but only to secure the kingdome, k 1.1 which now after the expulsion of Iugurth, being by the law of conquest diuolued vnto him, he could not brooke to see harried by Marius. Secondly, he complained of the disgrace, and refusall of his friendship, offred vnto the Ro∣mans in former time, by his Ambassadors. But hee was content, now to silence olde greeuances, and promised a∣gaine to send his people in embassie to Rome, so it might stand with Marius his good liking.
Wherupon, leaue being granted, the mind of the Bar∣barian became againe distated, by the mediation of those his followers, whom Iugurth, vppon intelligence of the embassie of Silla and Manlius, and distrust of that, which in truth was l 1.2 intended, had already corrupted by guiftes and bribery.