Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/508

500 OTIIO. aside, and avoided the soldiers, who had already charged the miscarriage upon their officers. Annius Gallus re- ceived into the town and rallied the scattered parties, and encouraged them with an assurance that the battle was a drawn one and the victory had in many parts been theirs. Marius Celsus, collecting the officers, urged the public interest ; Otho himself, if he were a brave man, would not, after such an expense of Roman blood, at- tempt any thing further ; especially since even Cato and Scipio, though the liberty of Rome was then at stake, had been accused of being too prodigal of so many brave men's lives as were lost in Africa, rather than submit to Caesar after the battle of Pharsalia had gone against them. For though all persons are equally subject to the caprice of fortune, yet all good men have one advantage she cannot deny, which is this, to act reasonably under misfortunes. This language was well accepted amongst the officers, who sounded the private soldiers, and found them desir- ous of peace ; and Titianus also gave directions that envoys should be sent in order to a treaty. And accord- ingly it was agreed that the conference should be be- tween Celsus and Gallus on one part, and Valens with Coecina on the other. As the two first were upon their journey, they met some centurions, who told them the troops were already in motion, marching for Bedriacum, but that they themselves were deputed by their generals to carry proposals for an accommodation. Celsus and Gallus expressed their approval, and requested them to turn back and carry them to C^Bcina. However, C-^ilsus, upon his appi'oach, was in danger from the vanguard, who happened to be some of the horse that had sufiered at the ambush. For as soon as they saw him, they hal- looed, and were coming down upon him ; but the centu- rions came forward to protect him, and the other officers