warlike renown superior to any about the person of Drusus, and thence
suspected to have hardened the Prince, and been himself the foremost to
despise these outrages in the soldiery: nor was it long after, that as he
was leaving Drusus, and from the foresight of danger returning to the
winter quarters, they surrounded him and demanded "whither he went? to the
Emperor or Senate? there also to exercise his enmity to the legions, and
oppose their interest?" and instantly assaulted him with stones. He was
already covered with wounds and blood, and awaiting certain assassination,
when the troops attending Drusus flew to his assistance and saved him.

The following night had a formidable aspect, and threatened the speedy
eruption of some tragical vengeance; when a phenomenon intervened and
assuaged all. The Moon, in the midst of a clear sky, seemed to the
soldiers suddenly to sicken; and they, who were ignorant of the natural
cause, took this for an omen foreboding the issue of their present
adventures: to their own labours, they compared the eclipse of the planet;
and prophesied, "that if to the distressed Goddess should be restored her
wonted brightness and vigour, equally successful would be the issue of
these their struggles." Hence they strove to charm and revive her with
sounds, and by ringing upon brazen metal, and an uproar of trumpets and
cornets, made a vehement bellowing. As she appeared brighter or darker,
they exulted or lamented; but when gathering clouds had utterly bereft
them of her sight, and they believed her now buried in everlasting
darkness; then, as minds once thoroughly dismayed are pliant to
superstition, they bewailed "their own eternal sufferings thus portended,
and that against their misdeeds the angry Deities were contending."
Drusus, who thought it behoved him to improve this disposition of theirs,
and to reap the fruits of wisdom from the operations of chance; ordered
certain persons to go round, and apply to them from tent to tent. For this
purpose, he called and employed the Centurion Julius Clemens, and whoever