Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 2.djvu/406

 388 THE DECLINE AND FALL CHAP, at Sens, in the centre of Gaul, tlian he was surrounded XIX ^ and besieged by a numerous host of Germans. Re- duced in this extremity to the resources of his own mind, he displayed a prudent intrepidity which com- pensated for all the deficiencies of the place and gar- rison ; and the barbarians, at the end of thirty days, were obliged to retire with disappointed rage. His second The conscious pride of Julian, who was indebted aT/'^'I^? ^^^y ^^ ^^^^ sword for this signal deliverance, was im- bittered by the reflection, that he was abandoned, be- trayed, and perhaps devoted to destruction, by those who were bound to assist him by- every tie of honour and fidelity. Marcellus, master general of the cavalry in Gaul, interpreting too strictly the jealous orders of the court, beheld with supine indifTerence the distress of Julian, and had restrained the troops under his command from marching to the relief of Sens. If the Cassar had dissembled in silence so dangerous an in- sult, his person and authority would have been ex- posed to the contempt of the world ; and if an action so criminal had been suffered to pass with impunity, the emperor would have confirmed the suspicions, which received a very specious colour from his past conduct towards the princes of the Flavian family. Marcellus was recalled, and gently dismissed from his office ^ In his room Severus was appointed general of the cavalry ; an experienced soldier, of approved courage and fidelity, who could advise with respect, and execute with zeal; and who submitted, without reluctance, to the supreme command which Julian, by the interest of his patroness Eusebia, at length ob- tained over the armies of Gaul ^ A very judicious plan of operations was adopted for the approaching campaign. Julian himself, at the head of the remains '' Ammian. xvi. 7. Libanius speaks rather more advantageously of the military talents of Marcellus, Oral. x. p. 272. And Julian insinuates, that he would not have been so easily recalled, unless he had given other rea- sons of offence to the court : p. 278. •^ Severus, non discors, non arrogans, sed longa militiae frugalitate com- pertus ; et eum recta praeeuntem secuturus, ut ductorem morigerus miles. Animian. xvi. 1 1 ; Zosimus, 1. iii. p. 140.