I would then have
fallen happy; happy that my death would have hid from mine eyes so many
horrible crimes since committed by my own army; and for you, you would
have chosen another general, such a general, no doubt, as would have left
my death unpunished, but still one who would have sought vengeance for
that of Varus and the three legions; for the Gods are too just to permit
that ever the Belgians, however generously they offer their service, shall
reap the credit and renown of retrieving the glory of the Roman name, and
of reducing in behalf of Rome the German nations her foes. Filled with
this passion for the glory of Rome, I here invoke thy spirit now with the
Gods, oh deified Augustus; and thy image interwoven in the ensigns, and
thy memory, oh deceased father. Let thy revered spirit, oh Augustus, let
thy loved image and memory, oh Drusus, still dear to these legions,
vindicate them from this guilty stain, this foul infamy of leaving to
foreigners the honour of defending and avenging the Roman State. They are
Romans; they already feel the remorses of shame; they are already
stimulated with a sense of honour: improve, oh improve this generous
disposition in them; that thus inspired they may turn the whole tide of
their civil rage to the destruction of their common enemy.
Pages:
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118