28 On the ORIGIN and STRUCTURE of 



glory, and defend his perfon, at the expence even of their life *. 

 After mentioning, that the young men were folemnly intro- 

 duced into the diets, and there armed, TACITUS obferves in 

 fubftance f , that it was no mame to be numbered among the 

 retainers of a great man. Diflinc"Uon and power confifted in be- 

 ing always furrovtnded with a circle of chofen youths. They 

 were an ornament in peace, and in war a fafeguard. It was a 

 matter of great emulation among the chiefs, which fliould have 

 the braveft and mofl numerous retainers. The fame, merely 

 of a fuperiority in this refpec"l, was often decifive of a war. 

 It was alfo a matter of emulation among the retainers, which 

 mould be firfl in favour with his chief ; for there were diffe- 

 rent ranks among them according to that favour J. Their fer- 

 \ice was proportionably zealous. To have furvived their chief 

 in battle was an indelible difgrace. Their mofl facred obliga- 

 tion 



* I WILL not, however, prefume to determine, that, even fo early as TACITUS, the 

 principes vicorum may not, in general, have been retainers of the kings. It would, 

 no doubt, be a natural object of policy for the kings to extend their influence, by efta- 

 blifhiug a domeftic relation between them and the fons of the chiefs of tribes ; and thefe, 

 when promoted to be chiefs, might, though abfent, preferve their claim to this relation, 

 while younger men, or perfon s of lefs confequence, would attend in the royal houfehold. 



J- NEC rubor inter comites afpici. Gradus quinetiam et ipfe cotnitatus habet, judicio 

 ejus, quern feclantur : Magnaque et comitum emulatio, quibus primus apud principem 

 fuum locus ; et principum, cui plurimi et acerrimi somites. Haec dignitas, hoe vires, 

 magno femper ele&orum juvenum globo circumdari, in pace decus, in bello prsefidium. 

 Nee folum in fua gente cuique, fed apud finitimas quoque civitates id nomen, ea gloria 

 eft, fi numero ac virtute comitatus elnineat : Expetuntur enim legationibus, et muneri- 

 bus ornantur, et ipfa plerumque fama bella profligant. Cum ventum in aciem, turpe 

 principi virtute vinci ; turpe comitatui, virtutem principis non adsequare. Jam vero in- 

 fame in omnem vitam ac probrofum, fuperftitem principi fuo ex acie receffiiTe. Ilium de- 

 fendere, tueri, fua quoque fortia fafta gloria ejus adfignare, prsecipuum facramentum eft. 

 Magnumque comitatum non nifi vi belloque tuere : Exigunt enim principis fui liberali- 

 tate ilium bellatorem equum illam cruentam viclricemque frameam. Nam epulae, et 

 quamquam incompti, largi tamen apparatus pro flipendio cedunt. Materia munificentiae 

 per bella et raptus. Nee arare terrain, aut expe&are annum, tam facile perfuaferis, 

 quam vocare hoftes et vulnera mereri : Pigrum quinimmo et iners videtur fudore adqui- 

 rere, quod poflis fanguine parare. De Mor. Germ. c. 13. 14. 



J Somewhat probably like thofe of DAVID'S mighty men. 



