按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
entreaty； but pleaded for pardon by their silent tears； till
Cerialis at last soothed their minds by declaring that destiny had
brought about all that had happened through the discords of soldiers
and generals or through the treachery of the foe。 They must consider
that day as the first of their military service and of their
allegiance。 Their past crimes would be remembered neither by the
Emperor nor by himself。 They were thus admitted into the same camp
with the rest； and an order was read in every company； that no soldier
was in any contention or altercation to reproach a comrade with mutiny
or defeat。
Cerialis then convoked an assembly of the Treveri and Lingones；
and thus addressed them： 〃I have never cultivated eloquence； it is
by my sword that I have asserted the excellence of the Roman people。
Since； however； words have very great weight with you； since you
estimate good and evil； not according to their real value； but
according to the representations of seditious men； I have resolved
to say a few words； which； as the war is at an end； it may be useful
for you to have heard rather than for me to have spoken。 Roman
generals and Emperors entered your territory； as they did the rest
of Gaul； with no ambitious purposes； but at the solicitation of your
ancestors； who were wearied to the last extremity by intestine strife；
while the Germans； whom they had summoned to their help； had imposed
their yoke alike on friend and foe。 How many battles we have fought
against the Cimbri and Teutones； at the cost of what hardships to
our armies； and with what result we have waged our German wars； is
perfectly well known。 It was not to defend Italy that we occupied
the borders of the Rhine； but to insure that no second Ariovistus
should seize the empire of Gaul。 Do you fancy yourselves to be
dearer in the eyes of Civilis and the Batavi and the Transrhenane
tribes； than your fathers and grandfathers were to their ancestors？
There have ever been the same causes at work to make the Germans cross
over into Gaul； lust； avarice； and the longing for a new home；
prompting them to leave their own marshes and deserts； and to
possess themselves of this most fertile soil and of you its
inhabitants。 Liberty； indeed； and the like specious names are their
pretexts； but never did any man seek to enslave his fellows and secure
dominion for himself； without using the very same words。
〃Gaul always had its petty kingdoms and intestine wars； till you
submitted to our authority。 We； though so often provoked； have used
the right of conquest to burden you only with the cost of
maintaining peace。 For the tranquillity of nations cannot be preserved
without armies； armies cannot exist without pay； pay cannot be
furnished without tribute； all else is common between us。 You often
command our legions。 You rule these and other provinces。 There is no
privilege； no exclusion。 From worthy Emperors you derive equal
advantage； though you dwell so far away； while cruel rulers are most
formidable to their neighbours。 Endure the passions and rapacity of
your masters； just as you bear barren seasons and excessive rains
and other natural evils。 There will be vices as long as there are men。
But they are not perpetual； and they are compensated by the occurrence
of better things。 Perhaps； however； you expect a milder rule under
Tutor and Classicus； and fancy that armies to repel the Germans and
the Britons will be furnished by less tribute than you now pay。 Should
the Romans be driven out （which God forbid） what can result but wars
between all these nations？ By the prosperity and order of eight
hundred years has this fabric of empire been consolidated； nor can
it be overthrown without destroying those who overthrow it。 Yours will
be the worst peril； for you have gold and wealth； and these are the
chief incentives to war。 Give therefore your love and respect to the
cause of peace； and to that capital in which we； conquerors and
conquered； claim an equal right。 Let the lessons of fortune in both
its forms teach you not to prefer rebellion and ruin to submission and
safety。〃 With words to this effect he quieted and encouraged his
audience； who feared harsher treatment。
The territory of the Treveri was occupied by the victorious army；
when Civilis and Classicus sent letters to Cerialis； the purport of
which was as follows： 〃Vespasian； though the news is suppressed； is
dead。 Rome and Italy are thoroughly wasted by intestine war。
Mucianus and Domitian are mere empty and powerless names。 If
Cerialis wishes for the empire of Gaul； we can be content with the
boundaries of our own States。 If he prefers to fight； we do not refuse
that alternative。〃 Cerialis sent no answer to Civilis and Classicus；
but despatched the bearer and the letter itself to Domitian。 The enemy
advanced from every quarter in several bodies。 Cerialis was
generally censured for allowing them to unite； when he might have
destroyed them in detail。 The Roman army surrounded their camp with
a fosse and rampart； for up to that time they had been rash enough
to occupy it without any defence。 Among the Germans there was a
conflict of opinions。
Civilis said： 〃We must await the arrival of the Transrhenane tribes；
the terror of whose name will break down the shattered strength of
Rome。 As for the Gauls； what are they but the prey of the conqueror？
And yet the chief strength of the nation； the Belgae； are with us；
either openly； or in heart。〃 Tutor maintained that the power of Rome
would only increase with delay； as her armies were assembling from all
quarters。 〃One legion；〃 he said； 〃has already been brought over from
Britain； others have been summoned from Spain； or are advancing from
Italy。 Nor are these troops newly raised levies； but they are
veteran soldiers； experienced in war。 But the Germans； whom we are
expecting； do not obey orders； and cannot be controlled； but always
act according to their own caprice。 The money too and other presents
by which alone they can be bribed are more plentiful among the Romans；
and no one can be so bent on fighting as not to prefer repose to
peril； when the profit is the same。 But if we at once meet the foe；
Cerialis has no legions but those that survive from the wreck of the
German army； and these are bound by treaties to the States of Gaul。
And the very fact of their having； contrary to their expectations；
lately routed the undisciplined force of Valentinus will confirm in
their rashness both them and their general。 They will venture again；
and will find themselves in the hands； not of an ignorant stripling；
whose thoughts were of speeches and harangues rather than of battle
and the sword； but in those of Civilis and Classicus； whom when they
once behold they will be reminded of panic