Germanicus led back his army to the
relief of Segestes, and was rewarded with success. He fought the
besiegers, and rescued him with a great train of his relations and
followers; amongst them too were ladies of illustrious rank, particularly
the wife of Arminius, the same who was the daughter of Segestes: a lady
more of the spirit of her husband than that of her father; a spirit so
unsubdued, that from her eyes captivity forced not a tear, nor from her
lips a breath in the style of a supplicant: not a motion of her hands, nor
a look escaped her; but, fast across her breast she held her arms, and
upon her heavy womb her eyes were immovably fixed. There were likewise
carried Roman spoils taken at the slaughter of Varus and his army, and
then divided as prey amongst many of those who were now prisoners: at the
same time appeared Segestes, of superior stature; and from a confidence in
his good understanding with the Romans, undaunted. In this manner he
spoke:
"It is not the first day this, that to the Roman People I have approved my
faith and adherence: from the moment I was by the deified Augustus
presented with the freedom of the city, I have continued by your interest
to choose my friends, by your interest to denominate my enemies; from no
hate of mine to my native country (for odious are traitors even to the
party they embrace), but because the same measures were equally conducing
to the benefit of the Romans and of the Germans; and I was rather for
peace than war.
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