ing an harangue to the people. And these
were the conjectural reports of those that were so unreasonable as to
endeavor to raise tumults, which they turned different ways, according
to the opinions of the bearers. Yet did they not leave their seats, for
fear of being accused, if they should go out before the rest; for they
should not be sentenced according to the real intention with which they
went out, but according to the supposals of the accusers and of the
judges.

17. But now a multitude of Germans had surrounded the theater with their
swords drawn: all the spectators looked for nothing but death, and at
every one coming in a fear seized upon them, as if they were to be
cut in pieces immediately; and in great distress they were, as neither
having courage enough to go out of the theater, nor believing themselves
safe from dangers if they tarried there. And when the Germans came
upon them, the cry was so great, that the theater rang again with the
entreaties of the spectators to the soldiers, pleading that they
were entirely ignorant of every thing that related to such seditious
contrivances, and that if there were any sedition raised, they knew
nothing of it; they therefore begged that they would spare them, and not
punish those that had not the least hand in such bold crimes as belonged
to other persons, while they neglected to search after such as had
really done whatsoever it be that hath been done. Thus did these people
appeal to God, and deplore their infelicity with shedding of tears, and
beating their faces, and said every thing that the most imminent danger
and the utmost concern for their lives could dictate to them. This brake
the fury of the soldiers, and made them repent of what they minded to
do to the spectators, which would have been the greatest instance of
cruelty. And so it appeared to even these savages, when they had once
fixed the heads of those that were slain with Asprenas upon the altar;
at which sight the spectators were sorely afflicted, both upon the
consideration of the dignity of the persons, and out of a commiseration
of their sufferings; nay, indeed, they were almost in as great disorder
at the prospect of the danger themselves were in, seeing it was still
uncertain whether they should entirely escape the like calamity. Whence
it was that such as thoroughly and justly hated Caius could yet no
way enjoy the pleasure of his death, because they were themselves in
jeopardy of perishing tog