se that had
conspired to take away the life of Caius, who put on at this time an
air of great assurance, and appeared with great magnanimity, as if the
administration of the public affairs were already devolved upon them.

CHAPTER 2. How The Senators Determined To Restore The Democracy; But The
Soldiers Were For Preserving The Monarchy, Concerning The Slaughter Of
Caius's Wife And Daughter. A Character Of Caius's Morals.

1. When the public affairs were in this posture, Claudius was on the
sudden hurried away out of his house; for the soldiers had a meeting
together; and when they had debated about what was to be done, they saw
that a democracy was incapable of managing such a vast weight of public
affairs; and that if it should be set up, it would not be for their
advantage; and in case any one of those already in the government should
obtain the supreme power, it would in all respects be to their grief,
if they were not assisting to him in this advancement; that it would
therefore be right for them, while the public affairs were unsettled, to
choose Claudius emperor, who was uncle to the deceased Caius, and of
a superior dignity and worth to every one of those that were assembled
together in the senate, both on account of the virtues of his ancestors,
and of the learning he had acquired in his education; and who, if once
settled in the empire, would reward them according to their deserts,
and bestow largesses upon them. These were their consultations, and
they executed the same immediately. Claudius was therefore seized upon
suddenly by the soldiery. But Cneas Sentins Saturninns, although he
understood that Claudius was seized, and that he intended to claim the
government, unwillingly indeed in appearance, but in reality by his own
free consent, stood up in the senate, and, without being dismayed, made
an exhortatory oration to them, and such a one indeed as was fit for men
of freedom and generosity, and spake thus:

2. "Although it be a thing incredible, O Romans! because of the great
length of time, that so unexpected an event hath happened, yet are
we now in possession of liberty. How long indeed this will last is
uncertain, and lies at the disposal of the gods, whose grant it is; yet
such it is as is sufficient to make us rejoice, and be happy for
the present, although we may soon be deprived of it; for one hour is
sufficient to those that are exercised in virtue, wherein we may live
with a mind accounta