When the Senate met, Tiberius made a speech full of laboured moderation:
"That Piso had been his father's lieutenant and friend; and lately
appointed by himself, at the direction of the Senate, coadjutor to
Germanicus in administering the affairs of the East: whether he had there
by contumacy and opposition exasperated the young Prince, and exulted over
his death, or wickedly procured it, they were then to judge with minds
unprejudiced. For, if he who was the lieutenant of my son violated the
limits of his commission, cast off obedience to his general, and even
rejoiced at his decease and at my affliction; I will detest the man, I
will banish him from my house, and for domestic injuries exert domestic
revenge; not the revenge of an Emperor. But for you; if his guilt of any
man's death whatsoever is discovered, show your just vengeance, and by it
satisfy yourselves, satisfy the children of Germanicus, and us his father
and grandmother. Consider too especially, whether he vitiated the
discipline and promoted sedition in the army; whether he sought to debauch
the affections of the soldiers, and to recover the province by arms: or
whether these allegations are not published falsely and with aggravations
by the accusers, with whose over-passionate zeal, I am justly offended:
for, whither tended the stripping the corpse and exposing it to the eyes
and examination of the populace; with what view was it proclaimed even to
foreign nations, that his death was the effect of poison; if all this was
still doubtful, and remains yet to be tried? It is true I bewail my son,
and shall ever bewail him: but neither do I hinder the accused to do what
in him lies to manifest his innocence, even at the expense of Germanicus,
if aught blamable was in him.
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