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thoughts。 The cowards trembled to think of those who had been
massacred at the Old Camp； the better men blushed with shame at the
infamy of their position。 〃What a march is this before us！〃 they
cried； 〃Who will lead us on our way？ Our all is at the disposal of
those whom we have made our masters for life or death。〃 Others；
without the least sense of their disgrace； stowed away about their
persons their money and what else they prized most highly； while
some got their arms in readiness； and girded on their weapons as if
for battle。 While they were thus occupied； the time for their
departure arrived； and proved even more dismal than their
anticipation。 For in their intrenchments their woeful appearance had
not been so noticeable； the open plain and the light of day revealed
their disgrace。 The images of the Emperors were torn down； the
standards were borne along without their usual honours； while the
banners of the Gauls glittered on every side。 The train moved on in
silence like a long funeral procession。 Their leader was Claudius
Sanctus； one of his eyes had been destroyed； he was repulsive in
countenance and even more feeble in intellect。 The guilt of the troops
seemed to be doubled； when the other legion； deserting the camp at
Bonna； joined their ranks。 When the report of the capture of the
legions became generally known； all who but a short time before
trembled at the name of Rome rushed forth from the fields and
houses； and spread themselves everywhere to enjoy with extravagant
delight the strange spectacle。 The Picentine Horse could not endure
the triumph of the insulting rabble； and； disregarding the promises
and threats of Sanctus； rode off to Mogontiacum。 Chancing to fall in
with Longinus； the murderer of Vocula； they overwhelmed him with a
shower of darts； and thus made a beginning towards a future
expiation of their guilt。 The legions did not change the direction
of their march； and encamped under the walls of the colony of the
Treveri。
Elated with their success； Civilis and Classicus doubted whether
they should not give up the Colonia Agrippinensis to be plundered by
their troops。 Their natural ferocity and lust for spoil prompted
them to destroy the city； but the necessities of war； and the
advantage of a character for clemency to men founding a new empire；
forbade them to do so。 Civilis was also influenced by recollections of
kindness received； for his son； who at the beginning of the war had
been arrested in the Colony； had been kept in honourable custody。
But the tribes beyond the Rhine disliked the place for its wealth
and increasing power； and held that the only possible way of putting
an end to war would be； either to make it an open city for all
Germans； or to destroy it and so disperse the Ubii。
Upon this the Tencteri； a tribe separated by the Rhine from the
Colony； sent envoys with orders to make known their instructions to
the Senate of the Agrippinenses。 These orders the boldest spirit among
the ambassadors thus expounded： 〃For your return into the unity of the
German nation and name we give thanks to the Gods whom we worship in
common and to Mars； the chief of our divinities； and we congratulate
you that at length you will live as free men among the free。 Up to
this day have the Romans closed river and land and； in a way； the very
air； that they may bar our converse and prevent our meetings； or； what
is a still worse insult to men born to arms； may force us to
assemble unarmed and all but stripped； watched by sentinels； and taxed
for the privilege。 But that our friendship and union may be
established for ever； we require of you to strip your city of its
walls； which are the bulwarks of slavery。 Even savage animals； if
you keep them in confinement； forget their natural courage。 We require
of you to massacre all Romans within your territory； liberty and a
dominant race cannot well exist together。 Let the property of the
slain come into a common stock； so that no one may be able to
secrete anything； or to detach his own interest from ours。 Let it be
lawful for us and for you to inhabit both banks of the Rhine； as it
was of old for our ancestors。 As nature has given light and air to all
men； so has she thrown open every land to the brave。 Resume the
manners and customs of your country； renouncing the pleasures； through
which； rather than through their arms； the Romans secure their power
against subject nations。 A pure and untainted race； forgetting your
past bondage； you will be the equals of all； or will even rule over
others。〃
The inhabitants of the Colony took time for deliberation； and； as
dread of the future would not allow them to accept the offered
terms； while their actual condition forbade an open and contemptuous
rejection； they replied to the following effect： 〃The very first
chance of freedom that presented itself we seized with more
eagerness than caution； that we might unite ourselves with you and the
other Germans； our kinsmen by blood。 With respect to our
fortifications； as at this very moment the Roman armies are
assembling； it is safer for us to strengthen than to destroy them。 All
strangers from Italy or the provinces； that may have been in our
territory； have either perished in the war； or have fled to their
own homes。 As for those who in former days settled here； and have been
united to us by marriage； and as for their offspring； this is their
native land。 We cannot think you so unjust as to wish that we should
slay our parents； our brothers； and our children。 All duties and
restrictions on trade we repeal。 Let there be a free passage across
the river； but let it be during the day…time and for persons
unarmed； till the new and recent privileges assume by usage the
stability of time。 As arbiters between us we will have Civilis and
Veleda； under their sanction the treaty shall be ratified。〃 The
Tencteri were thus appeased； and ambassadors were sent with presents
to Civilis and Veleda； who settled everything to the satisfaction of
the inhabitants of the Colony。 They were not； however； allowed to
approach or address Veleda herself。 In order to inspire them with more
respect they were prevented from seeing her。 She dwelt in a lofty
tower； and one of her relatives； chosen for the purpose； conveyed；
like the messenger of a divinity； the questions and answers。
Thus strengthened by his alliance with the Colonia Agrippinensis；
Civilis resolved to attach to himself the neighbouring States； or to
make war on them if they offered any opposition。 He occupied the
territory of the Sunici； and formed the youth of the country into
regular cohorts。 To hinder his further advance； Claudius Labeo
encountered him with a hastily assembled force of Betasii； Tungri； and
Nervii； relying on the streng