Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/510

502 OTHO. uncertain rumors of the issue of the battle. But when some of the wounded that returned from the field informed him rightly of it, it is not, indeed, so much to be wondered at that his friends should bid him not give all up as lost or let his courage sink; but the feeling shown by the soldiers is something that exceeds all belief There was not one of them would either go over to the conqueror or show any disposition to make terras for himself, as if their leader's cause was desperate; on the contrary, they crowded his gates, called out to him with the title of emperor, and as soon as he ap- peared, cried out and entreated him, catching hold of his hand, and throwing themselves upon the ground, and with all the moving language of tears and persuasion, besought him to stand by them, not abandon them to their enemies, but employ in his service their lives and persons, which would not cease to be his so long as they had breath ; so urgent was their zealous and universal importunity. And one obscure and private soldier, after he had drawn his sword, addressed himself to Otho : " By this, Caesar, judge our fidelity ; there is not a man amongst us but would strike thus to serve you ; " and so stabbed himself Notwithstanding this, Otho stood serene and unshaken, and, with a face full of constancy and composure, turned himself about and looked at them, replying thus : " This day, my fellow-soldiers, which gives me such proofs of your affection, is preferable even to that on which 3'ou saluted me emperor ; deny me not, therefore, the yet higher satisfaction of laying down my life for the preservation of so many brave men ; in this, at least, let me be worthy of the empire, that is, to die for it. I am of opinion the enemy has neither gained an entire nor a decisive victory; I have advice that the Mcesian army is not many days' journey distant, on its march to the Adriatic ; Asia, Syria, and Egypt, and the