Wonderful was the contrast between the army and the
Emperor. The army was all eagerness; they cried out war, while
Gaul yet wavered, and
Spain
hesitated. "The winter," they said, "the delays of a cowardly inaction must
not stop us. We must invade
Italy, we must seize the
capital; in civil strife, where action is more needed than deliberation,
nothing is safer than haste." Vitellius, on the contrary, was sunk in sloth,
and anticipated the enjoyment of supreme power in indolent luxury and
prodigal festivities. By mid-day he was half-intoxicated, and heavy with
food; yet the ardour and vigour of the soldiers themselves dis-
charged all the duties of a general as well
as if the Emperor had been present to stimulate the energetic by hope and
the indolent by fear. Ready to march and eager for action, they loudly
demanded the signal for starting; the title of Germanicus was at once
bestowed on Vitellius, that of Cæsar he refused to accept, even after
his victory. It was observed as a happy omen for Fabius Valens and the
forces which he was conducting to the campaign, that on the very day on
which they set out an eagle moved with a gentle flight before the army as it
advanced, as if to guide it on its way. And for a long distance so loudly
did the soldiers shout in their joy, so calm and unterrified was the bird,
that it was taken as no doubtful omen of great and successful
achievements.
