GALEA. 481 danger, nevertheless, he was afraid to go on. But the soldiers that were present would not suffer him to re- cede, but came with their drawn swords about his chair, commanding the bearers to take him up, whom he has- tened on, saying several times over to himself, " I am a lost man." Several persons overheard the words, who stood by wondering, rather than alanned, because of the small number that attempted such an enterprise. But as they marched on through the forum, about as many more met him, and here and there three or four at a time joined in. Thus returning towards the camp, with their bare swords in their hands, they saluted him as Caesar; whereupon Martialis, the tribune in charge of the watch, who was, they say, noways privy to it, but was simply surprised at the unexpectedness of the thing, and afraid to refuse, pennitted him entrance. And after this, no man made any resistance ; for they that knew nothing of the design, being purposely encompassed by the conspirators, as they were straggling here and there, first submitted for fear, and afterwards were persuaded into compliance. Tidings came immediately to Galba in the Palatium, whilst the priest was still present and the sacrifices at hand, so that persons who were most entirely incredulous about such things, and most positive in their neglect of them, were astonished, and began to marvel at the divine event. A multitude of all sorts of people now began to run together out of the forum ; Vinius and Laco and some of Galba's freedmen drew their swords and placed themselves beside him ; Piso went forth and addressed himself to the guards on duty in the court; and Marius Celsus, a brave man, was despatched to the Illyrian le- gion, stationed in what is called the Vipsanian chamber,* to secure them.
- The Vipsanian Portico was edge of the Campus ISIartiu?,
away in the new region, on the taking its name from Vipsanius VOL. V. 31
