20.
Divitiacus, embracing Caesar, begins to
implore him, with many tears, that "he would not pass any very severe sentence
upon his brother; saying, that he knows that those charges are true, and that
nobody suffered more pain on that account than he himself did; for when he
himself could effect a very great deal by his influence at home and in the rest
of Gaul, and he [Dumnorix] very little on account of his
youth, the latter had become powerful through his means, which power and
strength he used not only to the lessening of his [Divitiacus]
popularity, but almost to his ruin; that he, however, was influenced both by
fraternal affection and by public opinion. But if any thing very severe from
Caesar should befall him [Dumnorix],
no one would think that it had been done without his consent, since he himself
held such a place in Caesar's friendship: from which
circumstance it would arise, that the affections of the whole of Gaul would be estranged from him." As he was with tears begging
these things of Caesar in many words, Caesar takes his right hand, and, comforting him, begs him to make
an end of entreating, and assures him that his regard for him is so great, that
he forgives both the injuries of the republic and his private wrongs, at his
desire and prayers. He summons Dumnorix to him; he brings in his
brother; he points out what he censures in him; he lays before him what he of
himself perceives, and what the state complains of; he warns him for the future
to avoid all grounds of suspicion; he says that he pardons the past, for the
sake of his brother, Divitiacus. He sets spies over
Dumnorix that he may be able to know what he does, and with
whom he communicates.
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