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the wars of the jews-第71章

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hes rent; and ashes sprinkled on his head; with his hands behind him; and his sword hanging at his neck。 At this sight his friends; especially those of Tarichae; commiserated his condition; but those that came out of the country; and those in their neighborhood; to whom his government seemed burdensome; reproached him; and bid him produce the money which belonged to them all immediately; and to confess the agreement he had made to betray them; for they imagined; from the habit in which he appeared; that he would deny nothing of what they suspected concerning him; and that it was in order to obtain pardon that he had put himself entirely into so pitiable a posture。 But this humble appearance was only designed as preparatory to a stratagem of his; who thereby contrived to set those that were so angry at him at variance one with another about the things they were angry at。 However; he promised he would confess all: hereupon he was permitted to speak; when he said;〃 I did neither intend to send this money back to Agrippa; nor to gain it myself; for I did never esteem one that was your enemy to be my friend; nor did I look upon what would tend to your disadvantage to be my advantage。 But; O you people of Tariehete; I saw that your city stood in more need than others of fortifications for your security; and that it wanted money in order for the building it a wall。 I was also afraid lest the people of Tiberias and other cities should lay a plot to seize upon these spoils; and therefore it was that I intended to retain this money privately; that I might encompass you with a wall。 But if this does not please you; I will produce what was brought me; and leave it to you to plunder it; but if I have conducted myself so well as to please you; you may if you please punish your benefactor。〃  4。 Hereupon the people of Taricheae loudly commended him; but those of Tiberias; with the rest of the company; gave him hard names; and threatened what they would do to him; so both sides left off quarrelling with Josephus; and fell on quarrelling with one another。 So he grew bold upon the dependence he had on his friends; which were the people of Taricheae; and about forty thousand in number; and spake more freely to the whole multitude; and reproached them greatly for their rashness; and told them; that with this money he would build walls about Taricheae; and would put the other cities in a state of security also; for that they should not want money; if they would but agree for whose benefit it was to be procured; and would not suffer themselves to be irritated against him who procured it for them。

5。 Hereupon the rest of the multitude that had been deluded retired; but yet so that they went away angry; and two thousand of them made an assault upon him in their armor; and as he was already gone to his own house; they stood without and threatened him。 On which occasion Josephus again used a second stratagem to escape them; for he got upon the top of his house; and with his right hand desired them to be silent; and said to them; 〃I cannot tell what you would have; nor can hear what you say; for the confused noise you make;〃 but he said that he would comply with all their demands; in case they would but send some of their number in to him that might talk with him about it。 And when the principal of them; with their leaders; heard this; they came into the house。 He then drew them to the most retired part of the house; and shut the door of that hall where he put them; and then had them whipped till every one of their inward parts appeared naked。 In the mean time the multitude stood round the house; and supposed that he had a long discourse with those that were gone in about what they claimed of him。 He had then the doors set open immediately; and sent the men out all bloody; which so terribly aftrighted those that had before threatened him; that they threw away their arms and ran away。

6。 But as for John; his envy grew greater 'upon this escape of Josephus'; and he framed a new plot against him; he pretended to be sick; and by a letter desired that Josephus would give him leave to use the hot baths that were at Tiberias; for the recovery of his health。 Hereupon Josephus; who hitherto suspected nothing of John's plots against him; wrote to the governors of the city; that they would provide a lodging and necessaries for John; which favors; when he had made use of; in two days' time he did what he came about; some he corrupted with delusive frauds; and others with money; and so persuaded them to revolt from Josephus。 This Silas; who was appointed guardian of the city by Josephus; wrote to him immediately; and informed him of the plot against him; which epistle when Josephus had received; he marched with great diligence all night; and came early in the morning to Tiberias; at which time the rest of the multitude met him。 But John; who suspected that his coming was not for his advantage; sent however one of his friends; and pretended that he was sick; and that being confined to his bed; he could not come to pay him his respects。 But as soon as Josephus had got the people of Tiberias together in the stadium; and tried to discourse with them about the letters that he had received; John privately sent some armed men; and gave them orders to slay him。 But when the people saw that the armed men were about to draw their swords; they cried out; at which cry Josephus turned himself about; and when he saw that the swords were just at his throat; he marched away in great haste to the sea…shore; and left off that speech which he was going to make to the people; upon an elevation of six cubits high。 He then seized on a ship which lay in the haven; and leaped into it; with two of his guards; and fled away into the midst of the lake。

7。 But now the soldiers he had with him took up their arms immediately; and marched against the plotters; but Josephus was afraid lest a civil war should be raised by the envy of a few men; and bring the city to ruin; so he sent some of his party to tell them; that they should do no more than provide for their own safety; that they should not kill any body; nor accuse any for the occasion they had afforded 'of disorder'。 Accordingly; these men obeyed his orders; and were quiet; but the people of the neighboring country; when they were informed of this plot; and of the plotter; they got together in great multitudes to oppose John。 But he prevented their attempt; and fled away to Gischala; his native city; while the Galileans came running out of their several cities to Josephus; and as they were now become many ten thousands of armed men; they cried out; that they were come against John the common plotter against their interest; and would at the same time burn him; and that city which had received him。 Hereupon Josephus told them that he took their good…will to him kindly; but still he restrained their fury; and intended to subdue his enemies by prudent conduct; rather than by slaying them; so he excepted those of every city which had joined in this revolt with John; by name; who had readily been shown him by these that came from every city; and caused public proclamation to be made; that he would seize upon the effects of those that did not 
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