ragged and curtailed, with backs utterly bare; as did all, their various
griefs, in the bitterness of reproach. At length to such excessive fury
they grew, that they proposed to incorporate the three legions into one;
nor by aught but emulation was the project defeated: for to his own legion
every man claimed the prerogative of swallowing and denominating the other
two. They took another method, and placed the three Eagles of the legions,
with the standards of the several cohorts, altogether without rank or
priority; then forthwith digged turf and were rearing a tribunal, one high
enough to be seen at a distance. In this hurry arrived Blesus, who,
falling into sore rebukes, and by force interrupting particulars, called
with vehemence to all: "Dip your hands rather in my blood: to murder your
General will be a crime less shameful and heinous than to revolt from your
Prince; for determined I am, either to preserve the legions in their faith
and obedience, if you kill me not for my intended good office; or my
death, if I fall by your hands, shall hasten your remorse."

For all this, turfs were accumulated, and the work was already breast
high, when, at last, overcome by his spirit and perseverance, they
forbore. Blesus was an able speaker: he told them "that sedition and
mutiny were not the methods of conveying to the Emperor the pretensions of
the soldiers; their demands too were new and singular; such as neither the
soldiers of old had ever made to the ancient Generals, nor they themselves
to the deified Augustus: besides, their claims were ill-timed, when the
Prince, just upon his accession, was already embarrassed with the weight
and variety of other cares. If, however, they meant to try to gain in full
peace those concessions, which, even after a civil war, the conquerors
never claimed; yet why trample upon duty and obedience, why reject the
laws of the army, and rules of discipline? And if they meant to petition,
why meditate violence? They might at least appoint deputies; and in his
presence trust them with their pretensions." Here they all cried out,