And
having received the guilty to his mercy without distinction, upon the
following day he would unite _his_ joy with _their_ joy, and would chant
hymns of victory (_epinicia_)--"which by the way," said he, suddenly,
breaking off to his favorite pursuits, "it is necessary that I should
immediately compose." This caprice vanished like the rest; and he made an
effort to enlist the slaves and citizens into his service, and to raise by
extortion a large military chest. But in the midst of these vascillating
purposes fresh tidings surprised him--other armies had revolted, and the
rebellion was spreading contagiously. This consummation of his alarms
reached him at dinner; and the expressions of his angry fears took even a
scenical air; he tore the dispatches, upset the table, and dashed to
pieces upon the ground two crystal beakers--which had a high value as
works of art, even in the _Aurea Domus_, from the sculptures which adorned
them.
He now prepared for flight; and, sending forward commissioners to prepare
the fleet at Ostia for his reception, he tampered with such officers of
the army as were at hand, to prevail upon them to accompany his retreat.
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