OF THE EOMAN EMPIRE 9 to be propitious, Valentinian showed himself from a lofty tribunal ; the judicious choice was applauded ; and the new prince was solemnly invested with the diadem and the purple, amidst the acclamations of the ti-oops, who were disposed in martial order round the tribunal. But, when he stretched forth his hand to address the armed multitude, a busy whisper was accidentally started in the ranks, and insensibly swelled into a loud and imperious clamour, that he should name, without delay, a colleague in the empire. The intrepid calmness of Valentinian obtained silence and commanded respect, and he thus addressed the assembly : " A few minutes since it was in yoiir power, fellow-soldiers, to have left me in the obscurity of a private station. Judging, from the testimony of my past life, that I desei'ved to reign, you have placed me on the throne. It is now my duty to consult the safety and interest of the re- public. The weight of the universe is undoubtedly too great for the hands of a feeble mortal. I am conscious of the limits of my abilities and the micertainty of my life ; and far from declining, I am anxious to solicit, the assistance of a worthy colleague. But, where discord may be fatal, the choice of a faithful friend requires mature and serious delibei-ation. That deliberation shall be my care. Let your conduct be dutiful and consistent. Retire to your quarters ; refresh your minds and bodies ; and expect the accustomed donative on the accession of a new emperor." 2<3 The astonished troops, with a mixture of pride, of satisfaction, and of terroi', confessed the voice of their master. Their angry clamours subsided into silent reverence ; and Valentinian, encompassed with the eagles of the legions and the various banners of the cavalry and infantry, was conducted, in warlike pomp, to the palace of Nice. As he was sensible, however, of the importance of preventing some rash declaration of the soldiers, he consulted the assembly of the chiefs : and their real sentiments were concisely expressed by the generous freedom of Dagalaiphus. " Most excellent prince," said that officer, " if you consider only your family, you have a brother ; if you love the republic, look round for the most deserving of the Romans." 2" The emperor, who suppressed his appellation of Bissextile, which marks the inauspicious year (Augustin. ad Januarium, Epist. 119), is derived from the repetitio7i of the sixth day of [i.e. before] the calends of March. [Both 24th Feb. and 25th Feb. were called A.D. vi. Kal. Mart.] 26 Valentinian's first speech is full in Ammianus (xxvi. 2) ; concise and sententi- ous in Philostorgius (1. viii. c. 8). 27 Si tuos amas, Imperator optime, habes fratrem ; si Rempublicam, quaere quern vestias. Ammian. xxvi. 4. In the division of the empire, Valentinian retained that sincere counsellor for himself (c. 6).
