The annales of Cornelius Tacitus. The description of Germanie

XV. Many souldiers punished. Fenius death. Flauius Su∣brius, and Sulpitius Afers answere to Nero.

THe conspiracie of the souldiers could be no longer kept close, the detecters being very eager to bewray Fenius Rufus, whom they could not indure should both be of counsell to the plot, and an examiner of others. Therefore vrging and threatning * Sceuinus, shewing himselfe obstinate, told him that no man knew more then himselfe: and exhorted him, that he would shew himselfe willing to re∣quite so good a Prince. Fenius could neither answere this, nor hold his toong, but entangling himselfe in his owne words, shewed a manifest feare; and the rest, but especially Ceruarius Proculus a gentleman, laboring all they could to conuict him, by commandement of the Emperour, Cassius a souldier which stoode by, and was of exceeding strength of bodie, laid hold on him, and bound him. Not long after, by their appeaching, Subrius Flauius Tribune was ouerthrowne, first alleaging the dis∣similitude of his maners and life for his defence, and that he being a man of armes, would neuer in so dangerous an enterprise, associate himselfe with vnarmed effemi∣nate persons: after that farther prest, imbracing the glory of confession, and de∣maunded of Nero for what reasons he had proceeded so farre as to forget his oath. I hated thee (quoth he:) neither was there any of the souldiers more faithfull vnto thee then I, whilest thou deseruedst to be loued. I began to hate thee after thou be∣camest a parricide of thy mother, and wife; a wagoner, a stage-player, and a setter of houses a fire. I haue reported his very words, because they were not published as Senecaes were: neither was it lesse conuenient to know the vnpolished, but waigh∣tie words of this souldier. It is certaine there hapned nothing in all that conspiracie more grieuous to Neroes eares: who as readie and prompt to all mischiefes, so vn∣accustomed to heare of that he had done. The punishment of Flauius was commit∣ted to Veianus Niger, Tribune. He in the next field commaunded a pit to be digged, which Flauius finding fault with as not deepe inough, sayd to the souldiers stan∣ding by, This is not according to the order of seruice. And being willed to stretch out his neck stoutly, I would to God (said he) thou wouldest strike so stoutly. Who

quaking very much, when he had scarse cut off his head at two blowes, bragged to Nero of his crueltie, saying, that he was killed with halfe a blow. The next example of constancie the Centurion Sulpitius Asper did shew; for Caesar asking him why he had conspired his death? answered briefely: That so many his villanies could not otherwise be redressed. Then he sustained the punishment commanded. Neither did the rest of the Centurions degenerate in bearing their punishments. But Fenius Rufus had not the like courage, but set downe his griefes and lamentations in his testament. Nero expected that Vestinus the Consull should also be drawen into the action, iudging him violent, and an enemie to him: but the conspirators would not communicate their deseignments with him; some by reason of old grudges; but more, because they thought him rash, headie, and insociable. Furthermore, Neroes hatred against Vestinus proceeded of their inward familiaritie, the one contemning the Princes knowne cowardlines; and the other fearing the fell courage of his friend, often iesting at him with bitter skoffes: which when they carry much truth with them, leaue behinde them a biting memorie. Besides, there was a fresh cause of malice betweene them, because Vestinus had married Statilia Messallina, not igno∣rant that Caesar kept vnlawfull companie with her. Therefore no crime, no accuser appearing, because he could put on no shew of accusation, he fled to his absolute power, & sendeth Gerelanus the Tribune with a band of souldiers, & inchargeth him to preuēt the Consuls deseignmēts, seise vpō his house, which was as it were his for∣tresse: and slew his chosen cōpanie of youth, because Vestinus had his house looking ouer the market place, and handsome slaues all of one age. He had fulfilled that day all the duties of a Consull, and making a banquet, fearing nothing, or else dissem∣bling his feare, the souldiers entred in; and when word was brought him that he was called by the Tribune, he rose without any delay, had all things prepared him in a trice, shut himself vp in his chamber, & had his Phisition at hand which cut his vaines; and being yet lustie, was caried to a bath, put in hot water, not once vtte∣ring a word, which could argue either griefe, or compassion on himselfe. Those which were at table with him, were in the meane time beset with a gard, and not dismissed till the night was farre spent; and then Nero imagining and laughing at the feare they were in, as looking for their imminent ruine, sayd, they had paied enough for the Consuls good cheere.