Book VI.
Chap. 14.line bagsnen bags, to prevent their knowing which way they had passed; robberies were committed in all parts, the bellies of horses were ripped open to bring their riders to the ground, and coaches were overturned in order to strip the ladies. The Dutch, who were told they could not pass the night on the scaffolds without exposing themselves to the danger of being assassinated, came down, etc.
I shall I here give one instance more from the same nation. The emperor having abandoned himself to infamous pleasures, lived unmarried, and was consequently in danger of dying without issue. The Deyro sent him two beautiful young virgins; one he married out of respect, but would not meddle with her. His nurse caused the finest women of the empire to be sent for, but all to no purpose. At length an armorer's daughter having pleased his fancy[1] he determined to marry her, and had a son. The ladies belonging to court, enraged to see a person of such mean extraction preferred to themselves, stifled the child. The crime was concealed from the emperor; for he would have spilt a torrent of blood. The excessive severity of the laws hinders therefore their execution: when the punishment surpasses all measure, they are frequently obliged to prefer impunity to it.
CHAP. XIV.
Of the Spirit of the Roman Senate.
UNDER the consulate of Acilius Glabrio and Piso, the Acilian law[2] was made to
