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L'ENVOI 573
body was left lying where it fell till a common soldier, returning
from harvesting, flung down his corn, cut off Galba's
head, and, since there was no hair to hold it by, first hid it in
his bosom, and then brought
it to Otho with horrible indignities.
OTHO, hurried to imperial dignity by his freedman and
a score of soldiers, was Emperor for ninety-five days, and then
was totally defeated by the German legions of Vitellius at the
bloody battle of Bedriacum. It happened that one of the
legionaries had brought evil tidings, and, being treated partly
as a liar and partly as a coward who had fled from batttle, drew
his sword, and, stabbing himself, fell dead at Otho's feet.
'
Otho shuddered and recoiled at the sight. Men so brave,
'
men so well-deserving,' he exclaimed, shall not be further
imperilled on my account.' He might still have held out; he
might still have been victorious but at the
; age of thirty-seven
lie had seen enough of He life. had drained to the dregs the
cup of its unsatisfying pleasures ; he had discounted its hopes
and fears. He wrote some kindly letters ; divided among his
servants what he had at hand ; pardoned some deserters ;
saw
any one who wished to see him ;
and then, hiding a daggei
under his pillow, closed the doors and fell fast asleep. He
awoke at dawn, and with one blow drove the dagger into
his heart. He felt his own total unfitness for Empire.
Ti