Page 772
§. 7. Desperate boldness, and discreet.
In these so dangerous times of the City, and raging humors of the Emperor, it cannot be omitted for the strangeness of it, how two men came off, Marcus Terentius by a reso∣lute bravery before the Senate, and Lucius Sejanus by a desperate scoff and mocking of the Emperor.
In the sports and feasts of Flora, this Sejanus being Pretor, had caused all things to be* 1.1 performed by baldheaded men, and by no other, and this he did because Tiberius was baldheaded himself. And to make up the scorn to the full, at night, when the company was to depart, he caused five thousand boys with their heads shaven bare, to carry Links* 1.2 and Torches to light them away. And yet Tiberius would take no notice of all this though he knew it well enough, either because he would not second his own derision, by taking it to heart, or because he intended to revenge this scorn at some other time, un∣der some other title, or because by this toleration he would animate more to be saucy with him to their own confusion.
But far more brave, because far more necessary and discreet, was the courage of Te∣rentius, who had the sober and well guided valour, not to thrust himself into danger, but to bring him out. He was accused of dependence upon Sejanus, and of complying with him, and he denied not the accusation, but strengthned it, and came off better by extre∣mity of confession than others could do with the utmost of excusing. I loved, said he, and honoured Sejanus, because Tiberius loved him and did him honour: So that if he did well I did not amiss, and if the Emperor that knoweth all things exactly, were deceived, it is no wonder if I were deceived with him. It is not for us to regard or search, for what cause the Emperor promoteth such a man: to him belongeth the property of that judgment, to us the glory of obsequiousness. His treasons against the Commonwealth, and plots against the Empe∣rors life, let them bear the punishment they have deserved, but as for friendship and observance, the same end will acquit Tiberius and us, &c.
And in this strain and boldness proceeded he on, still driving on his affections to Seja∣nus thorow Sejanus to the Emperor, that he led the accusation the same way to light upon him also, insomuch that in an instant his accusers had changed place with him, for they were accused and he discharged.