for the preservation of those that were to
be governed. Moreover, the people had been so harassed by their civil
miseries, that they were still more earnest for his coming immediately,
as supposing they should then be firmly delivered from their calamities,
and believed they should then recover their secure tranquillity and
prosperity; and for the soldiery, they had the principal regard to him,
for they were chiefly apprized of his great exploits in war; and since
they had experienced the want of skill and want of courage in other
commanders, they were very desirous to be free from that great shame
they had undergone by their means, and heartily wished to receive such
a prince as might be a security and an ornament to them. And as this
good-will to Vespasian was universal, those that enjoyed any remarkable
dignities could not have patience enough to stay in Rome, but made haste
to meet him at a very great distance from it; nay, indeed, none of the
rest could endure the delay of seeing him, but did all pour out of the
city in such crowds, and were so universally possessed with the opinion
that it was easier and better for them to go out than to stay there,
that this was the very first time that the city joyfully perceived
itself almost empty of its citizens; for those that staid within were
fewer than those that went out. But as soon as the news was come that he
was hard by, and those that had met him at first related with what good
humor he received every one that came to him, then it was that the whole
multitude that had remained in the city, with their wives and children,
came into the road, and waited for him there; and for those whom he
passed by, they made all sorts of acclamations, on account of the joy
they had to see him, and the pleasantness of his countenance, and styled
him their Benefactor and Savior, and the only person who was worthy to
be ruler of the city of Rome. And now the city was like a temple, full
of garlands and sweet odors; nor was it easy for him to come to the
royal palace, for the multitude of the people that stood about him,
where yet at last he performed his sacrifices of thanksgiving to his
household gods for his safe return to the city. The multitude did also
betake themselves to feasting; which feasts and drink-offerings they
celebrated by their tribes, and their families, and their neighborhoods,
and still prayed God to grant that Vespasian, his sons, and all their
posterity, might conti