Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/477

 GALEA. 469 The tribune having ended his harangue, the soldiers assented, and encouraged all they met with to persist in their fidelity to the emperor, and, indeed, brought over the greatest part. But presently hearing a great shout, Njnnphidius, imagining, as some say, that the soldiers called ftr him, or hastening to be in time to check any opposi- tion and gain the doubtful, came on with many lights, carrying in his hand a speech in writing, made by Cin- gonius Varro, which he had got by heart, to deliver to the soldiers. But seeing the gates of the camp shut up, and large numbers standing armed about the walls, he began to be afraid. Yet drawing nearer, he demanded what they meant, and by whose orders they were then inarms; but. hearing a general acclamation, all with one consent crying out that Galba was their emperor, advancing towards them, he joined in the cry, and likewise com- manded those that followed him to do the same. The guard notwithstanding permitted him to enter the camp only with a few, where he was presently struck with a dart, which Septimius, being before him, received on his shield ; othei's, however, assaulted him with their naked swords, and on his flying, pursued him into a soldier's cabin, where they slew him. And dragging his body thence, they placed a railing about it, and exposed it next day to public view. When Galba heard of the end which Nymphidius had thus come to, he commanded that all his confederates who had not at once killed them- selves should immediately be despatched ; amongst whom w^ere Cingonius, who made his oration, and Mithridates, formerly mentioned. It was, however, regarded as arbi- trary and illegal, and though it might be just, yet by no means popular, to take off men of their rank and quality without a hearing. For every one expected another scheme of government, being deceived, as is usual, by the first plausible pretences ; and the death of Petronius Tur-