第 57 节
作者:向前      更新:2021-04-30 17:17      字数:9322
  which any conspiracy could be discovered。 After his death;
  messengers passed to and fro between Civilis and Classicus;
  commander of the cavalry of the Treveri。 Classicus was first among his
  countrymen in rank and wealth; he was of a royal house; of a race
  distinguished both in peace and war; and he himself claimed to be by
  family tradition the foe rather than the ally of the Romans。 Julius
  Tutor and Julius Sabinus joined him in his schemes。 One was a
  Trever; the other a Lingon。 Tutor had been made by Vitellius
  guardian of the banks of the Rhine。 Sabinus; over and above his
  natural vanity; was inflamed with the pride of an imaginary descent;
  for he asserted that his great…grandmother had; by her personal
  charms; attracted the admiration of the divine Julius; when he was
  campaigning in Gaul。 These two men held secret conferences to sound
  the views of the rest of their countrymen; and when they had secured
  as accomplices such as they thought suitable for their purpose; they
  met together in a private house in the Colonia Agrippinensis; for
  the State in its public policy was strongly opposed to all such
  attempts。 Some; however; of the Ubii and Tungri were present but the
  Treveri and Lingones had the greatest weight in the matter。 Nor
  could they endure the delay of deliberation; they rivalled each
  other in vehement assertions that the Romans were in a frenzy of
  discord; that their legions had been cut to pieces; that Italy was
  laid waste; that Rome itself was at that very moment undergoing
  capture; while all her armies were occupied by wars of their own。 If
  they were but to secure the passes of the Alps with bodies of
  troops; Gaul; with her own freedom firmly established; might look
  about her; and fix the limits of her dominion。
  These views were no sooner stated than approved。 As to the survivors
  of the Vitellianist army; they doubted what to do; many voted for
  putting to death men so turbulent and faithless; stained too with
  the blood of their generals。 Still the policy of mercy prevailed。 To
  cut off all hope of quarter might provoke an obstinate resistance。
  It would be better to draw them into friendly union。 If only the
  legates of the legions were put to death; the remaining multitude;
  moved by the consciousness of guilt and the hope of escape; would
  readily join their cause。
  Such was the outline of their original plan。 Emissaries were
  likewise despatched throughout Gaul to stir up war; while they
  themselves feigned submission; that they might be the better able to
  crush the unsuspecting Vocula。 Persons; however; were found to
  convey information to him; but he had not sufficient strength to
  suppress the movement; as the legions were incomplete in numbers and
  disloyal。 So; what with soldiers of doubtful fidelity and secret
  enemies; he thought it best; under the circumstances; to make his
  way by meeting deceit with deceit; and by using the same arts with
  which he was himself assailed。 He therefore went down to the Colonia
  Agrippinenses。 Thither Claudius Labeo; who; as I have related; had
  been taken prisoner and sent out of the province into the country of
  the Frisii; made his escape by bribing his gaolers。 This man
  undertook; if a force were given him; to enter the Batavian
  territory and bring back to the Roman alliance the more influential
  part of that State; but; though he obtained a small force of
  infantry and cavalry; he did not venture to attempt anything among the
  Batavi; but only induced some of the Nervii and Betasii to take up
  arms; and made continual attacks on the Canninefates and the Marsaci
  more in the way of robbery than of war。
  Lured on by the treacherous representations of the Gauls; Vocula
  marched against the enemy。 He was near the Old Camp; when Classicus
  and Tutor; who had gone on in advance under the pretence of
  reconnoitring; concluded an agreement with the German chiefs。 They
  then for the first time separated themselves from the legions; and
  formed a camp of their own; with a separate line of entrenchment;
  while Vocula protested that the power of Rome was not so utterly
  shaken by civil war as to have become contemptible even to Treveri and
  Lingones。 〃There are still;〃 he said; 〃faithful provinces;
  victorious armies; the fortune of the Empire; and avenging Gods。
  Thus it was that Sacrovir and the Aedui in former days; Vindex and the
  Gauls in more recent times; were crushed in a single battle。 The
  breakers of treaties may look for the vengeance of the same Deities;
  and the same doom。 Julius and Augustus understood far better the
  character of the people。 Galba's policy and the diminution of their
  tribute have inspired them with hostile feelings。 They are now
  enemies; because their yoke is easy; when they have been plundered and
  stripped; they will be friends。〃 After uttering this defiance; finding
  that Classicus and Tutor persisted in their treachery; he changed
  his line of march; and retired to Novesium。 The Gauls encamped at a
  distance of two miles; and plied with bribes the centurions and
  soldiers who visited them there; striving to make a Roman army
  commit the unheard of baseness of swearing allegiance to foreigners;
  and pledge itself to the perpetration of this atrocious crime by
  murdering or imprisoning its officers。 Vocula; though many persons
  advised him to escape; thought it best to be bold; and; summoning an
  assembly; spoke as follows:
  〃Never; when I have addressed you; have I felt more anxious for your
  welfare; never more indifferent about my own。 Of the destruction
  that threatens me I can hear with cheerfulness; and amid so many evils
  I look forward to death as the end of my sufferings。 For you I feel
  shame and compassion。 Against you indeed no hostile ranks are
  gathering。 That would be but the lawful course of war; and the right
  which an enemy may claim。 But Classicus hopes to wage with your
  strength his war against Rome; and proudly offers to your allegiance
  an empire of Gaul。 Though our fortune and courage have for the
  moment failed us; have we so utterly forgotten the old memories of
  those many times when the legions of Rome resolved to perish but not
  to be driven from their post? Often have our allies endured to see
  their cities destroyed; and with their wives and children to die in
  the flames; with only this reward in their death; the glory of
  untarnished loyalty。 At this very moment our legions at the Old Camp
  are suffering the horrors of famine and of siege; and cannot be shaken
  by threats or by promises。 We; besides our arms; our numbers; and
  the singular strength of our fortifications; have corn and supplies
  sufficient for a campaign however protracted。 We had lately money
  enough even to furnish a donative; and; whether you choose to refer
  the bounty to Vitellius or Vespasian; it was at any rate from a
  Roman Emperor that you received it。 If you; who have been victorious
  in so many campaigns; who have so often routed the enemy at Gelduba
  and at the Old Camp; yet shrink from battle; this indeed is an
  unworthy fear。 Still you have an entrenched camp; you have
  fortifications and the means of prolonging the war; till succouring
  armies pour in from the neighbouring provinces。 It may be that I do
  not satisfy you; you may fall back on other legates or tribunes; on
  some centurion; even on some common soldier。 Let not this monstrous
  news go forth to the whole world; that with you in their train Civilis
  and Classicus are about to invade Italy。 Should the Germans and the
  Gauls lead you to the walls of the capital; will you lift up arms
  against your Country? My soul shudders at the imagination of so
  horrible a crime。 Will you mount guard for Tutor; the Trever? Shall
  a Batavian give the signal for battle? Will you serve as recruits in
  the German battalions? What will be the issue of your wickedness
  when the Roman legions are marshalled against you? Will you be a
  second time deserters; a second time traitors; and brave the anger
  of heaven while you waver between your old and your new allegiance?
  I implore and entreat thee; O Jupiter; supremely good and great; to
  whom through eight hundred and twenty years we have paid the honours
  of so many triumphs; and thou; Quirinus; father of Rome; that; if it
  be not your pleasure that this camp should be preserved pure and
  inviolate under my command; you will at least not suffer it to be
  polluted and defiled by a Tutor and a Classicus。 Grant that the
  soldiers of Rome may either be innocent of crime; or at least
  experience a repentance speedy and without remorse。〃
  They received his speech with feelings that varied between hope;
  fear; and shame。 Vocula then left them; and was preparing to put an
  end to his life; when his f