Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/501

 OTHO. 493 most of their time in theatres and at state-shows and on the stage ; while moreover they tried to cover their defi- ciencies by arrogance and vain display, pretending to de- cUne their duty not because they were unable to do the thing commanded but because they thought themselves above it. So that Spurina had like to have been cut in pieces for attempting to force them to their work ; they assailed him with insolent language, accusing him of a de- sign to betray and ruin Caesar's interest ; nay, some of them that were in drink forced his tent in the night, and demanded money for the expenses of their journey, which they must at once take, they said, to the emperor, to complain of him. However, the contemptuous treatment they met with at Placentia did for the present good service to Spurina, and to the cause of Otho. For Vitellius's men marched up to the walls, and upbraided Otho's upon the ramparts, calling them players, dancers, idle spectators of Pythian and Olympic games, but novices in the ai't of war, who never so much as looked on at a battle ; mean souls, that triumphed in the beheading of Galba, an old man un- armed, but had no desire to look real enemies in the face. Which reproaches so inflamed them, that they kneeled at Spurina's feet, entreated him to give his orders, and assured him no danger or toil should be too great or too difficult for them. Whereupon when Vitellius's forces made a vigorous attack on the town, and brought up nu- merous engines against the walls, the besieged bravely repulsed them, and, repelling the enemy with great slaughter, secured the safety of a noble city, one of tho most flourishing places in Italy. Besides, it was observed that Otho's officers were much more inoffensive, both towards the public and to private men, than those of Vitellius ^ among whom was Cjtcina, who used neither the language nor the apparel of a citizen,