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in at the doors with a loud cry； in passionate distress； and
accusing themselves that they had been so negligent in looking after
that life which was laid down to preserve theirs。 Nor would a man of
them quit the body to secure his own safety with the approaching
enemy； but having raised a funeral pile； and attired the body； they
bore it thither； arrayed in their arms； those among them greatly
exulting who succeeded in getting first under the bier and becoming
its bearers。 Of the others； some threw themselves down before the body
and kissed his wound； others grasped his hand； and others that were at
a distance knelt down to do him obeisance。 There were some who；
after putting their torches to the pile； slew themselves； though
they had not； so far as appeared； either any particular obligations to
the dead； or reason to apprehend ill…usage from the victor。 Simply； it
would seem； no king； legal or illegal； had ever been possessed with so
extreme and vehement a passion to command others； as was that of these
men to obey Otho。 Nor did their love of him cease with his death； it
survived and changed ere long into a mortal hatred to his successor；
as will be shown in its proper place。
They placed the remains of Otho in the earth and raised over them
a monument which neither by its size nor the pomp of its inscription
might excite hostility。 I myself have seen it； at Brixillum； a plain
structure； and the epitaph only this： To the memory of Marcus Otho。 He
died in his thirty…eighth year； after a short reign of about three
months； his death being as much applauded as his life was censured；
for if he lived no better than Nero； he died more nobly。 The
soldiers were displeased with Pollio； one of their two prefects； who
bade them immediately swear allegiance to Vitellius； and when they
understood that some of the senators were still upon the spot； they
made no opposition to the departure of the rest； but only disturbed
the tranquillity of Virginius Rufus with an offer of the government；
and moving in one body to his house in town they first entreated
him； and then demanded of him to be head of the empire； or at least to
be their mediator。 But he； that refused to command them when
conquerors； thought it ridiculous to pretend to it now they were beat；
and was unwilling to go as their envoy to the Germans； whom in past
time he had compelled to do various things that they had not liked；
and for these reasons he slipped away through a private door。 As
soon as the soldiers perceived this； they owned Vitellius； and so
got their pardon； and served under Caecina。
THE END