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friend； and in all the relations of life； he was ever the same；
despising wealth； steadily tenacious of right； and undaunted by
danger。
There were some who thought him too eager for fame； and indeed the
desire of glory is the last infirmity cast off even by the wise。 The
fall of his father…in…law drove him into exile； but he returned when
Galba mounted the throne； and proceeded to impeach Marcellus Eprius；
who had been the informer against Thrasea。 This retribution； as great
as it was just； had divided the Senate into two parties； for； if
Marcellus fell； a whole army of fellow culprits was struck down。 At
first there was a fierce struggle； as is proved by the great
speeches delivered by both men。 But afterwards； as the feelings of
Galba were doubtful； and many Senators interceded； Priscus dropped the
charge； amidst comments varying with the tempers of men； some praising
his moderation； and others deploring a lack of courage。 On the day；
however； that the Senate was voting about the Imperial dignities of
Vespasian； it had been resolved that envoys should be sent to the
new Emperor。 Hence arose a sharp altercation between Helvidius and
Eprius。 Priscus proposed that they should be chosen by name by the
magistrates on oath； Marcellus demanded the ballot； and this had
been the opinion expressed by the Consul elect。
It was the dread of personal humiliation that made Marcellus so
earnest； for he feared that； if others were chosen； he should
himself appear slighted。 From an angry conversation they passed by
degrees to long and bitter speeches。 Helvidius asked； 〃Why should
Marcellus be so afraid of the judgment of the magistrates？ He has
wealth and eloquence； which might make him superior to many； were he
not oppressed by the consciousness of guilt。 The chances of the ballot
do not discriminate men's characters； the voting and the judgment of
the Senate were devised to reach the lives and reputations of
individuals。 It concerns the interests of the Commonwealth； it
concerns the honour due to Vespasian； that he should be met by those
whom the Senate counts to be peculiarly blameless； and who may fill
the Emperor's ear with honourable counsels。 Vespasian was the friend
of Thrasea； Soranus； and Sextius； and the accusers of these men；
though it may not be expedient to punish them； ought not to be paraded
before him。 By this selection on the part of the Senate the Emperor
will； so to speak； be advised whom he should mark with approval； and
from whom he should shrink。 There can be no more effectual
instrument of good government than good friends。 Let Marcellus be
satisfied with having urged Nero to destroy so many innocent
victims； let him enjoy the wages of his crimes and his impunity； but
let him leave Vespasian to worthier advisers。〃
Marcellus declared； 〃It is not my opinion that is assailed； the
Consul elect has made a motion in accordance with old precedents；
which directed the use of the ballot in the appointment of envoys；
in order that there might be no room for intrigue or private
animosities。 Nothing has happened why customs of long standing
should fall into disuse； or why the honour due to the Emperor should
be turned into an insult to any man。 All Senators are competent to pay
their homage。 What we have rather to avoid is this； that a mind
unsettled by the novelty of power； and which will keenly watch the
very looks and language of all； should be irritated by the obstinacy
of certain persons。 I do not forget the times in which I have been
born； or the form of government which our fathers and grandfathers
established。 I may regard with admiration an earlier period； but I
acquiesce in the present； and； while I pray for good Emperors； I can
endure whomsoever we may have。 It was not through my speech any more
than it was through the judgment of the Senate that Thrasea fell。
The savage temper of Nero amused itself under these forms； and I found
the friendship of such a Prince as harassing as others found their
exile。 Finally； Helvidius may rival the Catos and the Bruti of old
in constancy and courage； I am but one of the Senate which bows to the
same yoke。 Besides； I would advise Priscus not to climb higher than
the throne； or to impose his counsels on Vespasian； an old man； who
has won the honours of a triumph； and has two sons grown to manhood。
For as the worst Emperors love an unlimited despotism； so the
noblest like some check on liberty。〃 These speeches； which were
delivered with much vehemence on both sides； were heard with much
diversity of feeling。 That party prevailed which preferred that the
envoys should be taken by lot； as even the neutral section in the
Senate exerted themselves to retain the old practice； while the more
conspicuous members inclined to the same view； dreading jealousy；
should the choice fall on themselves。
Another struggle ensued。 The praetors of the Treasury （the
Treasury was at this time managed by praetors） complained of the
poverty of the State； and demanded a retrenchment of expenditure。
The Consul elect； considering how great was the evil and how difficult
the remedy； was for reserving the matter for the Emperor。 Helvidius
gave it as his opinion that measures should be taken at the discretion
of the Senate。 When the Consuls came to take the votes； Vulcatius
Tertullinus； tribune of the people； put his veto on any resolution
being adopted in so important a matter in the absence of the
Emperor。 Helvidius had moved that the Capitol should be restored at
the public expense； and that Vespasian should give his aid。 All the
more moderate of the Senators let this opinion pass in silence； and in
time forgot it； but there were some who remembered it。
Musonius Rufus then made a violent attack on Publius Celer； accusing
him of having brought about the destruction of Barea Soranus by
perjury。 By this impeachment all the hatreds of the days of the
informers seemed to be revived； but the accused person was so
worthless and so guilty that he could not be protected。 For indeed the
memory of Soranus was held in reverence； Celer had been a professor of
philosophy； and had then given evidence against Barea； thus
betraying and profaning the friendship of which he claimed to be a
teacher。 The next day was fixed for the trial。 But it was not of
Musonius or Publius； it was of Priscus； of Marcellus； and his
brother informers； that men were thinking； now that their hearts
were once roused to vengeance。
While things were in this state； while there was division in the
Senate； resentment among the conquered； no real authority in the
conquerors； and in the country at large no laws and no Emperor；
Mucianus entered the capital； and at once drew all power into his
own hands。 The influence of Primus Antonius and Varus