Nero upon this, without sufficiently examining the credibility
of the author of the story, or of the matter itself, or sending persons
through whom he might ascertain whether the intelligence was true, himself
actually encouraged the report and despatched men to bring the spoil, as
if it were already acquired. They had triremes assigned them and crews
specially selected to promote speed. Nothing else at the time was the subject
of the credulous gossip of the people, and of the very |