Chronicles (1 of 6): The Historie of England (4 of 8): The Fovrth Booke Of The Historie Of EnglandHolinshed, Raphael
History
Chronicles (1 of 6): The Historie of England (4 of 8): The Fovrth Booke Of The Historie Of England
Holinshed, Raphael
Great Britain -- History -- Roman period, 55 B.C.-449 A.D.
[Sidenote: _Cornelius Tacit. lib. 12_. Carataks name renowmed.]
The name of Caratacus being brought out of the Iles was alreadie
spred ouer the prouinces adioining, and began now to grow famous
through Italie. Men therefore were desirous to sée what maner of man
he was that had so manie yéeres set at naught the puissant force of
the empire. For in Rome the name of Caratacus was much spoken of,
insomuch that the emperour whilest he went about to preferre his owne
honour, aduanced the glorie of him also that was vanquished: for
the people were called foorth as vnto some great notable sight or
spectacle. The pretorian bands stood in order of battell armed in the
field that laie before their lodgings, through which field Caratake
shuld come. Then passed by the traine of his friends and seruants; and
such armor, riches, iewels, and other things as had béene gotten in
those warres, were borne forward, and openlie shewed, that all men
might behold the same.
After these followed his brethren, wife, and daughters: and last of
all came Caratacus himselfe, whose countenance was nothing like to
theirs that went afore him. For whereas they fearing punishment for
their rebellion with wailefull countenance craued mercie, he neither
by countenance nor words shewd anie token of a discouraged mind, but
being presented before the emperour Claudius sitting in his tribunall
seat, he vttered this speach as followeth.
"If there had béene in me so much moderation in time of prosperitie,
[Sidenote: _* Sic_.]
as there was nobilitie of birth and puissance, I had come to this
citie rather as a friend than as a capteine *: neither should I haue
thought scorne, being borne of most noble parents, and ruling ouer
many people, to haue accepted peace by waie of ioining with you in
league. My present estate as it is to me reprochfull, so to you it
is honorable. I had at commandement, horsses, men, armor, and great
riches; what maruell is it if I were loth to forgo the same? For if
you shall looke to gouerne all men, it must néeds follow that all men
must be your slaues. If I had at the first yéelded my selfe, neither
my power nor your glorie had béene set foorth to the world, & vpon
mine execution I should straight haue béene forgotten. But if you
now grant me life, I shall be a witnesse for euer of your mercifull
clemencie."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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