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[123]
Now all the soldiery marched out beforehand by companies, and in
their several ranks, under their several commanders, in the night time,
and were about the gates, not of the upper palaces, but those near the
temple of Isis; for there it was that the emperors had rested the foregoing
night. And as soon as ever it was day, Vespasian and Titus came out crowned
with laurel, and clothed in those ancient purple habits which were proper
to their family, and then went as far as Octavian's Walks; for there it
was that the senate, and the principal rulers, and those that had been
recorded as of the equestrian order, waited for them. Now a tribunal had
been erected before the cloisters, and ivory chairs had been set upon it,
when they came and sat down upon them. Whereupon the soldiery made an acclamation
of joy to them immediately, and all gave them attestations of their valor;
while they were themselves without their arms, and only in their silken
garments, and crowned with laurel: then Vespasian accepted of these shouts
of theirs; but while they were still disposed to go on in such acclamations,
he gave them a signal of silence. And when every body entirely held their
peace, he stood up, and covering the greatest part of his head with his
cloak, he put up the accustomed solemn prayers; the like prayers did Titus
put up also; after which prayers Vespasian made a short speech to all the
people, and then sent away the soldiers to a dinner prepared for them by
the emperors. Then did he retire to that gate which was called the Gate
of the Pomp, because pompous shows do always go through that gate; there
it was that they tasted some food, and when they had put on their triumphal
garments, and had offered sacrifices to the gods that were placed at the
gate, they sent the triumph forward, and marched through the theatres,
that they might be the more easily seen by the multitudes.
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