Then followed Galba's speech in the Senate,
which
ADOPTION PROCLAIMED; FINANCES |
was as plain and brief as his speech to the soldiery. Piso delivered a gracefuloration and was supported by the feeling of the Senate. Many who wished him
well, spoke with enthusiasm; those who had opposed him, in moderate terms;
the majority met him with an officious homage, having aims of their own and
no thought for the state. Piso neither said nor did anything else in public
in the following four days which intervened between his adoption and his
death. As tidings of the mutiny in
Germany were
arriving with daily increasing frequency, while the country was ready to
receive and to credit all intelligence that had an unfavourable character,
the Senate came to a resolution to send deputies to the German armies. It
was privately discussed whether Piso should go with them to give them a more
imposing appearance; they, it was said, would bring with them the authority
of the Senate, he the majesty of the Cæsar. It was thought expedient
to send with them Cornelius Laco, prefect of the Prætorian Guard, but
he thwarted the design. In nominating, excusing, and changing the deputies,
the Senate having entrusted the selection to Galba, the Emperor shewed a
disgraceful want of firmness, yielding to individuals, who made interest to
stay or to go, as their fears or their hopes prompted.
