272 The Arch-Druid : [SEPT. 



said, of poison which had been administered to him in youth would 

 cover his lips, and give a lisping hesitation to his utterance. 



On entering the audience hall, the first person that met his eye was 

 Sergius, whom he instantly beckoned to stand forward. As the Dacian 

 approached, " You have been strongly recommended to my notice," 

 said Claudius, " as a general who, from past experience, is every way 

 qualified to keep up the terror of the Roman arms in Britain." 



Sergius bowed low, in acknowledgment of this flattering exordium. 



" Your departure," continued the emperor, " must take place within 

 the week. I have already recalled some of my best troops from the 

 provinces, for the purpose of striking one decisive blow, and annihilating, 

 if possible, the very name of the audacious rebels. Clemency/' he 

 added, in an altered* tone that made the courtiers tremble, " is clearly 

 of no avail. I tried it myself when in Britain ; and what has been the 

 result ? The Silures, the Ordovices, and I know not how many other 

 tribes, are again in arms. You should know something of these barba- 

 rians ; they have occasioned you no little annoyance, I hear/' 



" They have," said Sergius ; " but to the troops of Britannicus they 

 cannot fail to be an easy prey/' 



This well-timed allusion to an appellation which Claudius valued 

 even above the imperial title, served to give him no little satisfaction. 

 His reply was prompt and flattering. 



- ft You say true, Sergius : the troops of Britannicus" and he looked 

 proudly round the hall, " are, as I myself can attest, invincible. Under 

 your guidance, they shall reap fresh laurels, and you must finish what 

 Claudius Britannicus has begun. The armament will be ready in a few 

 days, when you will receive my final commands. At present, you may 

 retire/' 



With a respectful obeisance, Sergius quitted the imperial presence, 

 but had not reached the outer palace gates when the comptroller of the 

 household hastened after him, with a request from Claudius, conveyed 

 in the most flattering terms, that he would attend a grand banquet, 

 which, under the auspices of Messalina, was to be held that same even- 

 ing in the palace. 



The fortunes of the Dacian soldier seemed now at their full flood. He 

 had obtained all, and even more, than he could have anticipated ; and 

 when, on rejoining the gay throng of courtiers in the evening, he found 

 himself the observed of all eyes for the conquest of Britain was at this 

 period as popular among the Romans as with the court his triumph 

 was complete. 



Among the number of those who advanced to congratulate him on his 

 appointment, was Vitellius (afterwards emperor), who had recently 

 distinguished himself in Germany. This adventurer, the son of a cob- 

 bler, had raised himself step by step to eminence by adroit flattery of 

 his superiors, and subsequently by pandering to the caprices of Messa- 

 lina and her imperial spouse. He was now of middle age ; of an easy, 

 social turn ; devoted to the fair sex ; and, above all, renowned through- 

 out Rome, for his superlative epicurism. After complimenting Sergius 

 on his good fortune, " I am probably," said he, " the only one in this 

 place who does not detest you for your success. But my ambition is 

 luckily of a more pacific character. I had rather be the inventor of a 

 new sauce than the ruler of half the world. Lucullus is my model of a 

 hero: he could feast as well as fight. Were you ever in Germany ?" 



