Scaevinus on being arrested by the soldiers began his defence with
the reply that the dagger about which he was accused, had of old been regarded
with a religious sentiment by his ancestors, that it had been kept in his
chamber, and been stolen by a trick of his freedman. He had often, he said,
signed his will without heeding the observance of particular days, and
had previously given presents of money as well as freedom to some of his
slaves, only on this occasion he gave more |