BOOK VII.] History of Nature. 243 



at Capua, there was one carried forth on his Bier who came 

 home again upon his Feet. Also, that the like happened at 

 Aquinum. Likewise, that in Rome one Corfidius, who had 

 married his own Aunt by the Mother's side, after his 

 Funeral had been set in order, revived again ; and the 

 Orderer of his Funeral was by him carried out to the 

 same. Varro also addeth some surprising things, which 

 are worth the rehearsal at large. There were two Brethren 

 of the Equestrian order, of whom the elder, named Corfidius, 

 happened in all appearance to die; and when his last Will 

 was opened, the younger Brother, who was appointed his 

 Heir, gave orders for his Funeral. In the meanwhile the 

 Man that seemed Dead, by clapping one Hand against the 

 other, 1 raised the Servants in the House ; and he recounted 

 to them that he was come from his younger Brother, who 

 had recommended his Daughter to him ; and, moreover, that 

 he had shewed to him in what place he had buried his 

 Gold, without the knowledge of any Man : requesting him 

 also to employ that Provision which he had prepared for 

 him about his own Funeral. As he was relating this matter, 

 his Brother's domestic Servants came in great haste to the 

 House, and brought word that their Master was dead ; and 

 the Gold was found in the place he had pointed out. And 

 truly life is full of these Divinations ; but they are not to be 

 compared with these, as for the most part they are mere 

 lies, as we will prove by one notable example : in the 

 Sicilian War, Gabienus, one of the bravest Officers of 

 CcBsars Fleet, was taken prisoner by Sex. Pompey, and by 

 commandment from him his Head was almost stricken off, 

 so that it scarcely hung to the Neck by the Skin, and in this 

 condition he lay all day on the Shore. When it grew 

 toward the Evening, and a Company were flocked about 

 him, with a groan and prayers he requested that Pompey 

 would come to him, or at least send some one of those who 



1 Clapping the hands together appears to have been an ordinary 

 method of summoning the attendants before bells came into use for that 

 purpose. Wern. Club. 



