But Germanicus, the nearer he stood to supreme rule, the more vigour he
exerted to secure it to Tiberius: to him he obliged the Sequanians, a
neighbouring people, as also the several Belgic cities, to swear present
allegiance; and the moment he learnt the uproar of the legions, posted
thither: he found them advanced without the camp to receive him, with eyes
cast down, in feigned token of remorse. After he entered the
entrenchments, instantly his ears were filled with plaints and grievances,
uttered in hideous and mixed clamours: nay, some catching his hand, as if
they meant to kiss it, thrust his fingers into their mouths, to feel their
gums destitute of teeth; others showed their limbs enfeebled, and bodies
stooping under old age. As he saw the assembly mixed at random, he
commanded them "to range themselves into companies, thence more distinctly
to hear his answers; as also to place before them their several ensigns,
that the cohorts at least might be distinguished."
With slowness and reluctance it was, that they obeyed him; then beginning
with an encomium upon the "venerable memory of Augustus," he proceeded to
the "many victories and many triumphs of Tiberius," and with peculiar
praises celebrated the "glorious and immortal deeds, which with these very
legions in Germany he had accomplished;" he next boasted the quiet state
of things, the consent of all Italy, the loyal faith of both the Gauls:
and every quarter of the Roman State exempt from disaffection and
turbulence.
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