"
In the beginning of night, he went out at the augural gate, with a single
attendant; himself disguised with the skin of a wild beast hanging over
his shoulders; and choosing secret ways, he escaped the notice of the
watch, entered the lanes of the camp, listened from tent to tent, and
enjoyed the pleasing display of his own popularity and fame; as one was
magnifying the imperial birth of his general; another, his graceful
person; and all, his patience, condescension, and the equality of his soul
in every temper, pleasant or grave: they confessed the gratitude due to so
much merit, and that in battle they ought to express it, and to sacrifice
at the same time to glory and revenge these perfidious Germans, who for
ever violated stipulations and peace. In the meantime one of the enemy who
understood Latin rode up to the palisades, and with a loud voice offered,
in the name of Arminius, to every deserter a wife and land, and as long as
the war lasted an hundred sesterces a day. [Footnote: 16s. 8d.] This
contumely kindled the wrath of the legions: "Let day come," they cried,
"let battle be given: the soldiers would seize and not accept the lands of
the Germans; take and not receive German wives; they, however, received
the offer as an omen of victory, and considered the money and women as
their destined prey.
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