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！
father of a family if about a private concern； after he has solemnly
invoked the Gods； with eyes lifted up to heaven； takes up every piece
thrice； and having done thus forms a judgment according to the marks
before made。 If the chances have proved forbidding； they are no more
consulted upon the same affair during the same day； even when they are
inviting； yet； for confirmation； the faith of auguries too is tried。
Yea； here also is the known practice of divining events from the
voices and flight of birds。 But to this nation it is peculiar； to
learn presages and admonitions divine from horses also。 These are
nourished by the State in the same sacred woods and grooves； all milk…
white and employed in no earthly labour。 These yoked in the holy
chariot； are accompanied by the Priest and the King； or the Chief of
the community； who both carefully observed his actions and neighing。
Nor in any sort of augury is more faith and assurance reposed； not by
the populace only； but even by the nobles； even by the Priests。 These
account themselves the ministers of the Gods； and the horses privy to
his will。 They have likewise another method of divination； whence to
learn the issue of great and mighty wars。 From the nation with whom
they are at war they contrive； it avails not how； to gain a captive：
him they engage in combat with one selected from amongst themselves；
each armed after the manner of his country； and according as the
victory falls to this or to the other； gather a presage of the whole。
Affairs of smaller moment the chiefs determine： about matters of
higher consequence the whole nation deliberates； yet in such sort；
that whatever depends upon the pleasure and decision of the people； is
examined and discussed by the chiefs。 Where no accident or emergency
intervenes； they assemble upon stated days； either； when the moon
changes； or is full： since they believe such seasons to be the most
fortunate for beginning all transactions。 Neither in reckoning of time
do they count； like us； the number of days but that of nights。 In this
style their ordinances are framed； in this style their diets
appointed； and with them the night seems to lead and govern the day。
From their extensive liberty this evil and default flows； that they
meet not at once； nor as men commanded and afraid to disobey； so that
often the second day； nay often the third； is consumed through the
slowness of the members in assembling。 They sit down as they list；
promiscuously； like a crowd； and all armed。 It is by the Priests that
silence is enjoined； and with the power of correction the Priests are
then invested。 Then the King or Chief is heard； as are others； each
according to his precedence in age； or in nobility； or in warlike
renown； or in eloquence； and the influence of every speaker proceeds
rather from his ability to persuade than from any authority to
command。 If the proposition displease； they reject it by an
inarticulate murmur： if it be pleasing； they brandish their javelins。
The most honourable manner of signifying their assent； is to express
their applause by the sound of their arms。
In the assembly it is allowed to present accusations； and to prosecute
capital offences。 Punishments vary according to the quality of the
crime。 Traitors and deserters they hang upon trees。 Cowards； and
sluggards； and unnatural prostitutes they smother in mud and bogs
under an heap of hurdles。 Such diversity in their executions has this
view； that in punishing of glaring iniquities； it behooves likewise to
display them to sight； but effeminacy and pollution must be buried and
concealed。 In lighter transgressions too the penalty is measured by
the fault； and the delinquents upon conviction are condemned to pay a
certain number of horses or cattle。 Part of this mulct accrues to the
King or to the community； part to him whose wrongs are vindicated； or
to his next kindred。 In the same assemblies are also chosen their
chiefs or rulers； such as administer justice in their villages and
boroughs。 To each of these are assigned an hundred persons chosen from
amongst the populace； to accompany and assist him； men who help him at
once with their authority and their counsel。
Without being armed they transact nothing； whether of public or
private concernment。 But it is repugnant to their custom for any man
to use arms； before the community has attested his capacity to wield
them。 Upon such testimonial； either one of the rulers； or his father；
or some kinsman dignify the young man in the midst of the assembly；
with a shield and javelin。 This amongst them is the /manly robe/； this
first degree of honour conferred upon their youth。 Before this they
seem no more than part of a private family； but thenceforward part of
the Commonweal。 The princely dignity they confer even upon striplings；
whose race is eminently noble； or whose fathers have done great and
signal services to the State。 For about the rest； who are more
vigorous and long since tried； they crowd to attend； nor is it any
shame to be seen amongst the followers of these。 Nay； there are
likewise degrees of followers； higher or lower； just as he whom they
follow judges fit。 Mighty too is the emulation amongst these
followers； of each to be first in favour with his Prince； mighty also
the emulation of the Princes； to excel in the number and valour of
followers。 This is their principal state； this their chief force； to
be at all times surrounded with a huge band of chosen young men； for
ornament and glory in peace； for security and defence in war。 Nor is
it amongst his own people only； but even from the neighbouring
communities； that any of their Princes reaps so much renown and a name
so great； when he surpasses in the number and magnanimity of his
followers。 For such are courted by Embassies； and distinguished with
presents； and by the terror of their fame alone often dissipate wars。
In the day of battle； it is scandalous to the Prince to be surpassed
in feats of bravery； scandalous to his followers to fail in matching
the bravery of the Prince。 But it is infamy during life； and indelible
reproach； to return alive from a battle where their Prince was slain。
To preserve their Prince； to defend him； and to ascribe to his glory
all their own valorous deeds； is the sum and most sacred part of their
oath。 The Princes fight for victory； for the Prince his followers
fight。 Many of the young nobility； when their own community comes to
languish in its vigour by long peace and inactivity； betake themselves
through impatience in other States which then prove to be in war。 For；
besides that this people cannot brook repose； besides that by perilous
adventures they more quickly blazon their fame； they cannot otherwise
than by violence and war support their huge train of retainers。 For
from the liberality of their Prince； they demand and enjoy that /war…
horse/ of theirs； with that /victorious javelin/ dyed in the blood of
their enemies。 In the place of pay； they are supplied with a daily
table and repasts； though grossly prepared； yet very profuse。 For
maintaining such liberality and munificence； a fund is furnished by
continual wars and plunder。 No