XXV.  Drusus  was  no  sooner  within  the  intrenchments,
than  the  malcontents  secured  the  gates.  Sentinels  were
posted  at  different  stations,  while  the  rest  in  a  body  gathered
round  the  tribunal.  Drusus  stood  in  act  to  speak,  with  his
hand  commanding  silence.  The  soldiers  felt  a  variety  of
contending  passions  :  they  looked  around,  and  viewing  their
numbers,  grew  fierce  at  the  sight :  they  rent  the  air  with
shouts  and  acclamations  :  they  turned  to  Drusus,  and  were
covered  with  confusion.  An  indistinct  and  hollow  murmur
was  heard ;  a  general  uproar  followed ;  and  soon  afterwards
a  deep  and  awful  silence.  The  behaviour  of  the  men  varied
with  their  passions  ;  by  turns  inflamed  with  rage,  or  depressed
with  fear.  Drusus  seized  his  moment,  and  read  his  father's
letter,  in  substance  stating,  that  Tiberius  had  nothing  so
much  at  heart,  as  the  interests  of  the  gallant  legions  with
whom  he  had  served  in  so  many  wars.  As  soon  as  his  grief
for  the  loss  of  Augustus  allowed  him  leisure,  it  was  his  inten-
tion to  refer  the  case  of  the  army  to  the  wisdom  of  the  senate.
In  the  meantime,  he  sent  his  son  to  grant  all  the  relief  that
could  then  be  applied.  Ulterior  demands  he  reserved  for
the  deliberation  of  the  fathers  ;  to  enforce  authority  or  to
relax  it,  was  the  lawful  right  of  that  assembly  ;  and  the  senate,
beyond  all  doubt,  would  distribute  rewards  and  punishments
with  equal  justice.
