"For this," they
said, "he had been banished to the extremities of the Empire, for this the
province of Syria was committed to Piso, and these the fruits of Livia's
mysterious conferences with Plancina: truly had our fathers spoken
concerning his father Drusus; that the possessors of rule beheld with an
evil eye the popular spirit of their sons; nor for aught else were they
sacrificed, but for their equal treatment of the Roman People, and
studying to restore the popular state." These lamentations of the populace
were, upon the tidings of his death, so inflamed, that, without staying
for an edict from the magistrates, without a decree of Senate, they by
general consent assumed a vacation; the public courts were deserted,
private houses shut up, prevalent everywhere were the symptoms of woe,
heavy groans, dismal silence; the whole a scene of real sorrow, and
nothing devised for form or show; and, though they forbore not to bear the
exterior marks and habiliments of mourning; in their souls they mourned
still deeper. Accidentally some merchants from Syria, who had left
Germanicus still alive, brought more joyful news of his condition: these
were instantly believed, and instantly proclaimed: each, as fast as they
met, informed others, who forthwith conveyed their light information with
improvements and accumulated joy to more, and all flew with exultation
through the city; and, to pay their thanks and vows, burst open the temple
doors: the night too heightened their credulity, and affirmation was
bolder in the dark.
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