1This course of events, although it was not exaggerated by any boastful words in Agricola's dispatches, Domitian received, as was his habit, with joy on his face and anxiety in his heart. 2He was conscious that his recent sham triumph over Germany had been a laughing-stock, when men had been bought through trade whose dress and hair were made up to look like captives: but now a true and great victory, with so many thousands of the enemy slain, was being celebrated with immense acclaim. 3This was what he dreaded most, that the name of a private citizen should be raised above the emperor's: in vain had he driven the pursuits of the forum and the distinction of civil accomplishments into silence, if another were to seize military glory; 3and other merits could somehow be more easily overlooked, but the virtue of a good general belonged to the emperor.
4Tormented by such anxieties and, which was the sign of a savage purpose, brooding on them in his seclusion, he decided that for the present it was best to store away his hatred until the first burst of fame and the favour of the army should die down: for Agricola was still holding Britain at that time.