" Rather prompt to
rigorous counsels was the genius of Drusus: Vibulenus and Percennius were
produced, and by his command executed; it is by many recounted, that in
his own tent they were secretly despatched and buried; by others, that
their bodies were ignominiously thrown over the entrenchments, for a
public spectacle of terror.
Search was then made for other remarkable incendiaries. Some were caught
skulking without the camp, and there by the Centurions or Praetorian
soldiers slain; others were by their several companies delivered up, as a
proof of their own sincere faith. The consternation of the soldiers was
heightened by the precipitate accession of winter, with rains incessant
and so violent, that they were unable to stir from their tents, or
maintain common intercourse, nay, scarce to preserve their standards,
assaulted continually by tempestuous winds and raging floods. Dread
besides of the angry Gods still possessed them; nor was it at random, they
thought, that such profane traitors were thus visited with black eclipses
and roaring tempests; neither against these their calamities was there
other relief than the relinquishing of a camp by impiety contaminated and
accursed, and after expiation of their guilt returning to their several
garrisons.
Pages:
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101