§. 5. Claudius.
Whilst they were thus in doubt and agitation, and better able to resolve what they would not have, than what they would, fortune seemed to offer them an umpirage and determination, winding an acceptance of a Monarch into their hearts before they were aware. Claudius an uncle of the Tyrant that now lay dead, hearing the tumult and hubbub that the Palace was in, and how the matter went with Caligula, he crept into an obscure hole to hide himself, not much guilty indeed of any other cause of such fear, but only because he was so near allied to the man so hated and now slain. When lo Gratus a common Souldier searching about, whether for a prey or for a conspirator, spieth his feet lying out of his skulking hole, and draws him out to see who it was; here might a stander by have laughed to have seen the different passions of Claudius and the Souldier meet together in one like and uniform action. Claudius, ready to kneel to the Souldier to beg for his life, and the Souldier already kneeling to Claudius to reverence his person. For being drawn out and brought into the light, and his face known by him and who he was, he presently shews him all reverence and homage, and crieth out An Emperor, an Emperor; with this cry they bring him out to some more of their fellows, who getting him on their shoulders bring him into their Garrison, the people as he went pitying him, as going unto execution. There he lodged that night, and you may suppose that he slept but little, being so divided betwixt hope and fear. The Consul and Senate the next day hearing what was done, send to him advise him to submit to their Government, and not to disturb the State with a Monarchy again, which had been so burdensom and tedious to it so long: which if he should go about to do they would oppose him to their utmost strength, and doubted not the assistance of the Gods in this their vindication of their liberty. Verrannius and Brachus, their two Legats upon this message, delivered their errand with as much moving Rhetorick and intreaty as they could invent, beseech∣ing him with all the vehemency they could, not to distemper the Republick again by af∣fecting and aspiring the Monarchy, which was now in a hopeful possibility of setling her tranquility and liberty to her own content. But the sight of the strength and forward∣ness of the Souldiers that were about him, made them to strain their Oratory one key higher than it may be they had either commission for at their coming sorth, or any thanks for at their return. For they besought him that if he would needs have the Empire, that he would rather receive it from the hands of the Senate than of the Souldiers, and make an entry to his Government by consent and approval and not by violence.
Claudius, howsoever his mind stood, gave a gentle answer, either dissembling till he could be sure to have his own party good, or indeed rather forced upon this pursuit than propense, and though affecting the Majesty of the Empire, yet not patient of the trouble.