360

THE DECLINE AND FALL

CHAP.

IX.

“ in war. The glory of such distinguished“ heroes diffused itself beyond the narrow li-“ mits of their own tribe. Presents and embas-“ sies solicited their friendship, and the fame of“ their arms often ensured victory to the party“ which they espoused. In the hour of danger“ it was shameful for the chief to be surpassed“ in valour by his companions; shameful for the“ companions not to equal the valour of their“ chief. To survive his fall in battle, was in-“ delible infamy. To protect his person, and to“ adorn his glory with the trophies of their own“ exploits, were the most sacred of their duties.“ The chiefs combated for victory, the compa-“ nions for the chief. The noblest warriors,“ whenever their native country was sunk in the“ laziness of peace, maintained their numerous“ bands in some distant scene of action, to ex-“ ercise their restless spirit, and to acquire re-“ nown by voluntary dangers. Gifts worthy of“ soldiers, the Avarlike steed, the bloody and“ ever victorious lance, were the rewards whicli“ the companions claimed from the liberality of“ their chief. The rude plenty of his hospitable“ board was the only pay that he could bestow,“ or they would accept. War, rapine, and the“ freewill offerings of his friends, supplied the“ materials of this munificence.” s This institu-tion, however it might accidentally Aveaken theseveral republics, invigorated the general charac-ter of the Germans , and even ripened amongst

8 Tacit. Germ. 13, 14.