For this reason to Varus, the then General, I applied,
with an accusation against Arminius, who from me had ravished my daughter,
and with you violated the faith of leagues: but growing impatient with the
slowness and inactivity of Varus, and well apprised how little security
was to be hoped from the laws, I pressed him to seize myself, and
Arminius, and his accomplices: witness that fatal night, to me I wish it
had been the last! more to be lamented than defended are the sad events
which followed. I moreover cast Arminius into irons, and was myself cast
into irons by his faction; and as soon as to you, Caesar, I could apply,
you see I prefer old engagements to present violence, and tranquillity to
combustions, with no view of my own to interest or reward, but to banish
from me the imputation of perfidiousness. For the German nation, too, I
would thus become a mediator, if peradventure they will choose rather to
repent than be destroyed: for my son, I intreat you, have mercy upon his
youth, and pardon his error; that my daughter is your prisoner by force I
own: in your breast it wholly lies under which character you will treat
her, whether as one by Arminius impregnated, or by me begotten.
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