He was
already covered with wounds and blood, and awaiting certain assassination,
when the troops attending Drusus flew to his assistance and saved him.
The following night had a formidable aspect, and threatened the speedy
eruption of some tragical vengeance; when a phenomenon intervened and
assuaged all. The Moon, in the midst of a clear sky, seemed to the
soldiers suddenly to sicken; and they, who were ignorant of the natural
cause, took this for an omen foreboding the issue of their present
adventures: to their own labours, they compared the eclipse of the planet;
and prophesied, "that if to the distressed Goddess should be restored her
wonted brightness and vigour, equally successful would be the issue of
these their struggles." Hence they strove to charm and revive her with
sounds, and by ringing upon brazen metal, and an uproar of trumpets and
cornets, made a vehement bellowing. As she appeared brighter or darker,
they exulted or lamented; but when gathering clouds had utterly bereft
them of her sight, and they believed her now buried in everlasting
darkness; then, as minds once thoroughly dismayed are pliant to
superstition, they bewailed "their own eternal sufferings thus portended,
and that against their misdeeds the angry Deities were contending.
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