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miseries ought to be imputed； but； in the opinion of such as are
able to judge uprightly； it is I； O Clement！ and this Papinius；
and before us thou thyself； who bring these tortures upon the
Romans； and upon all mankind。 It is not done by our being
subservient to the commands of Caius； but it is done by our own
consent； for whereas it is in our power to put an end to the life
of this man； who hath so terribly injured the citizens and his
subjects； we are his guard in mischief； and his executioners
instead of his soldiers； and are the instruments of his cruelty。
We bear these weapons； not for our liberty； not for the Roman
government； but only for his preservation； who hath enslaved both
their bodies and their minds； and we are every day polluted with
the blood that we shed； and the torments we inflict upon others；
and this we do； till somebody becomes Caius's instrument in
bringing the like miseries upon ourselves。 Nor does he thus
employ us because he hath a kindness for us； but rather because
he hath a suspicion of us； as also because when abundance more
have been killed； （for Caius will set no bounds to his wrath；
since he aims to do all； not out of regard to justice； but to his
own pleasure；） we shall also ourselves be exposed to his cruelty；
whereas we ought to be the means of confirming the security and
liberty of all； and at the same time to resolve to free ourselves
from dangers。
7。 Hereupon Clement openly commended Cherea's intentions； but bid
him hold his tongue； for that in case his words should get out
among many； and such things should be spread abroad as were fit
to be concealed； the plot would come to be discovered before it
was executed； and they should be brought to punishment； but that
they should leave all to futurity； and the hope which thence
arose； that some fortunate event would come to their assistance；
that； as for himself； his age would not permit him to make any
attempt in that case。 〃However； although perhaps I could suggest
what may be safer than what thou； Cherea； hast contrived and
said； yet trow is it possible for any one to suggest what is more
for thy reputation？〃 So Clement went his way home； with deep
reflections on what he had heard； and what he had himself said。
Cherea also was under a concern； and went quickly to Cornelius
Sabinus； who was himself one of the tribunes； and whom he
otherwise knew to be a worthy man； and a lover of liberty； and on
that account very uneasy at the present management of public
affairs； he being desirous to come immediately to the execution
of what had been determined； and thinking it right for him to
propose it to the other； and afraid lest Clement should discover
them； and besides looking upon delays and puttings off to be the
next to desisting from the enterprise。
8。 But as all was agreeable to Sabinus； who had himself； equally
without Cherea； the same design； but had been silent for want of
a person to whom he could safely communicate that design； so
having now met with one； who not only promised to conceal what he
heard； but who had already opened his mind to him； he was much
more encouraged； and desired of Cherea that no delay might be
made therein。 Accordingly they went to Minucianus； who was as
virtuous a man； and as zealous to do glorious actions； as
themselves； and suspected by Caius on occasion of the slaughter
of Lepidus； for Minucianus and Lepidus were intimate friends； and
both in fear of the dangers that they were under； for Caius was
terrible to all the great men； as appearing ready to act a mad
part towards each of them in particular； and towards all of： them
in general； and these men were afraid of one another； while they
were yet uneasy at the posture of affairs； but avoided to declare
their mind and their hatred against Caius to one another； out of
fear of the dangers they might be in thereby； although they
perceived by other means their mutual hatred against Caius； and
on that account were not averse to a mutual kindness one towards
another。
9。 When Minuetanus and Cherea had met together； and saluted one
another； （as they had been used on former conversations to give
the upper hand to Minucianus； both on account of his eminent
dignity； for he was the noblest of all the citizens； and highly
commended by all men； especially when he made speeches to them；）
Minuetanus began first； and asked Cherea； What was the watchword
he had received that day from Caius； for the affront which was
offered Cherea； in giving the watchwords； was famous over the
city。 But Cherea made no delay so long as to reply to that
question； out of the joy he had that Minueianus would have such
confidence in him as to discourse with him。 〃But do thou；〃 said
he； 〃give me the watchword of liberty。 And I return thee my
thanks that thou hast so greatly encouraged me to exert myself
after an extraordinary manner； nor do I stand in need of many
words to encourage me； since both thou and I are of the same
mind； and partakers of the same resolutions； and this before we
have conferred together。 I have indeed but one sword girt on； but
this one will serve us both。 Come on； therefore； let us set about
the work。 Do thou go first； if thou hast a mind； and bid me
follow thee； or else I will go first； and thou shalt assist me；
and we will assist one another； and trust one another。 Nor is
there a necessity for even one sword to such as have a mind
disposed to such works； by which mind the sword uses to be
successful。 I am zealous about this action； nor am I solicitous
what I may myself undergo； for I can not at leisure to consider
the dangers that may come upon myself； so deeply am I troubled at
the slavery our once free country is now under； and at the
contempt cast upon our excellent laws； and at the destruction
which hangs over all men； by the means of Caius。 I wish that I
may be judged by thee； and that thou mayst esteem me worthy of
credit in these matters； seeing we are both of the same opinion；
and there is herein no difference between us。〃
10。 When Minucianus saw the vehemency with which Cherea delivered
himself； he gladly embraced him； and encouraged him in his bold
attempt； commending him； and embracing him； so he let him go with
his good wishes； and some affirm that he thereby confirmed
Minuclanus in the prosecution of what had been agreed among them；
for as Cherea entered into the court； the report runs； that a
voice came from among the multitude to encourage him； which bid
him finish what he was about； and take the opportunity that
Providence afforded； and that Cherea at first suspected that some
one of the conspirators had betrayed him； and he was caught； but
at length perceived that it was by way of exhortation。 Whether
somebody （3） that was conscious of what he was about； gave a
signal for his encouragement； or whether it was God himself； who
looks upon the actions of men； that encouraged him to go on
boldly in his design； is uncertain。 The plot was now communicated
to a great many； and they were all in their armor； some of the
conspirators being senators； and some of the equestrian order；
and as many of the soldiery as were made acquainted with it； for
there