CLAUDIAN

[2]PANEGYRICUS DICTUS PROBINO ET OLYBRIO CONSULIBUSISol, qui flammigeris mundum complexus habenisvolvis inexhausto redeuntia saecula motu,sparge diem meliore coma crinemque repexiblandius elato surgant temone iugalesefflantes roseum frenis spumantibus ignem.iam nova germanis vestigia torqueat annusconsulibus, laetique petant exordia menses.Scis genus Auchenium, nec te latuere potentesAnniadae; nam saepe soles ductoribus illisinstaurare vias et cursibus addere nomen.10his neque per dubium pendet Fortuna favoremnec novit mutare vices, sed fixus in omnescognatos procedit honos. quemcumque requirehac de stirpe virum: certum est de consule nasci.[3]PANEGYRIC ON THE CONSULS PROBINUS AND OLYBRIUSISun, that encirclest the world with reins of flame and rollest in ceaseless motion the revolving centuries, scatter thy light with kindlier beams and let thy coursers, their manes combed and they breathing forth a rosy flame from their foaming bits, climb the heavens more jocund in their loftier drawn chariot. Now let the year bend its new steps for the consul brothers and the glad months take their beginning.Thou wottest of the Auchenian[40]race nor are the powerful Anniadae unknown to thee, for thou oft hast started thy yearly journey with them as consuls and hast given their name to thy revolution. For them Fortune neither hangs on uncertain favour nor changes, but honours, firmly fixed, pass to all their kin. Select what man thou wilt from their family, ’tis certain he is a consul’s son. Their ancestors are[40]Probinus and Olybrius, the consuls for 395 (they were brothers), both belonged to the Anician gens, of which Auchenius became an alternative gentile name, Anicius becoming, in these cases, thepraenomen. Many members of this family had been, and were to be, consuls:e.g.Anicius Auchenius Bassus inA.D.408. The Annian gens was related by intermarriage to the Anician:e.g.Annius Bassus (cos. 331) who married the daughter of Annius Anicius Iulianus (cos. 322).

[2]

Sol, qui flammigeris mundum complexus habenisvolvis inexhausto redeuntia saecula motu,sparge diem meliore coma crinemque repexiblandius elato surgant temone iugalesefflantes roseum frenis spumantibus ignem.iam nova germanis vestigia torqueat annusconsulibus, laetique petant exordia menses.Scis genus Auchenium, nec te latuere potentesAnniadae; nam saepe soles ductoribus illisinstaurare vias et cursibus addere nomen.10his neque per dubium pendet Fortuna favoremnec novit mutare vices, sed fixus in omnescognatos procedit honos. quemcumque requirehac de stirpe virum: certum est de consule nasci.

Sol, qui flammigeris mundum complexus habenis

volvis inexhausto redeuntia saecula motu,

sparge diem meliore coma crinemque repexi

blandius elato surgant temone iugales

efflantes roseum frenis spumantibus ignem.

iam nova germanis vestigia torqueat annus

consulibus, laetique petant exordia menses.

Scis genus Auchenium, nec te latuere potentes

Anniadae; nam saepe soles ductoribus illis

instaurare vias et cursibus addere nomen.10

his neque per dubium pendet Fortuna favorem

nec novit mutare vices, sed fixus in omnes

cognatos procedit honos. quemcumque require

hac de stirpe virum: certum est de consule nasci.

[3]PANEGYRIC ON THE CONSULS PROBINUS AND OLYBRIUSISun, that encirclest the world with reins of flame and rollest in ceaseless motion the revolving centuries, scatter thy light with kindlier beams and let thy coursers, their manes combed and they breathing forth a rosy flame from their foaming bits, climb the heavens more jocund in their loftier drawn chariot. Now let the year bend its new steps for the consul brothers and the glad months take their beginning.Thou wottest of the Auchenian[40]race nor are the powerful Anniadae unknown to thee, for thou oft hast started thy yearly journey with them as consuls and hast given their name to thy revolution. For them Fortune neither hangs on uncertain favour nor changes, but honours, firmly fixed, pass to all their kin. Select what man thou wilt from their family, ’tis certain he is a consul’s son. Their ancestors are[40]Probinus and Olybrius, the consuls for 395 (they were brothers), both belonged to the Anician gens, of which Auchenius became an alternative gentile name, Anicius becoming, in these cases, thepraenomen. Many members of this family had been, and were to be, consuls:e.g.Anicius Auchenius Bassus inA.D.408. The Annian gens was related by intermarriage to the Anician:e.g.Annius Bassus (cos. 331) who married the daughter of Annius Anicius Iulianus (cos. 322).

[3]

Sun, that encirclest the world with reins of flame and rollest in ceaseless motion the revolving centuries, scatter thy light with kindlier beams and let thy coursers, their manes combed and they breathing forth a rosy flame from their foaming bits, climb the heavens more jocund in their loftier drawn chariot. Now let the year bend its new steps for the consul brothers and the glad months take their beginning.

Thou wottest of the Auchenian[40]race nor are the powerful Anniadae unknown to thee, for thou oft hast started thy yearly journey with them as consuls and hast given their name to thy revolution. For them Fortune neither hangs on uncertain favour nor changes, but honours, firmly fixed, pass to all their kin. Select what man thou wilt from their family, ’tis certain he is a consul’s son. Their ancestors are

[40]Probinus and Olybrius, the consuls for 395 (they were brothers), both belonged to the Anician gens, of which Auchenius became an alternative gentile name, Anicius becoming, in these cases, thepraenomen. Many members of this family had been, and were to be, consuls:e.g.Anicius Auchenius Bassus inA.D.408. The Annian gens was related by intermarriage to the Anician:e.g.Annius Bassus (cos. 331) who married the daughter of Annius Anicius Iulianus (cos. 322).

[4]per fasces numerantur avi semperque renata15nobilitate virent, et prolem fata sequunturcontinuum simili servantia lege tenorem.nec quisquam procerum temptat, licet aere vetustofloreat et claro cingatur Roma senatu,se iactare parem; sed, prima sede relicta20Aucheniis, de iure licet certare secundo:haud secus ac tacitam Luna regnante per Arctonsidereae cedunt acies, cum fratre retusoaemulus adversis flagraverit ignibus orbis;tunc iubar Arcturi languet, tunc fulva Leonis25ira perit, Plaustro iam rara intermicat Arctosindignata tegi, iam caligantibus armisdebilis Orion dextram miratur inertem.Quem prius adgrediar? veteris quis facta Probininesciat aut nimias laudes ignoret Olybri?30Vivit adhuc completque vagis sermonibus auresgloria fusa Probi, quam non ventura silebuntlustra nec ignota rapiet sub nube vetustas.ilium fama vehit trans aequora transque remotasTethyos ambages Atlanteosque recessus.35audiit et gelido si quem Maeotia pascitsub Iove vel calido si quis coniunctus in axenascentem te, Nile, bibit. virtutibus illeFortunam domuit numquamque levantibus alteintumuit rebus; sed mens circumflua luxu40noverat intactum vitio servare rigorem.hic non divitias nigrantibus abdidit antrisnec tenebris damnavit opes; sed largior imbresueverat innumeras hominum ditare catervas.[5]counted by the fasces (for each has held them), the same recurring honours crown them, and a like destiny awaits their children in unbroken succession. No noble, though he boast of the brazen statues of his ancestors, though Rome be thronged with senators, no noble, I say, dare boast himself their equal. Give the first place to the Auchenii and let who will contest the second. It is as when the moon queens it in the calm northern sky and her orb gleams with brightness equal to that of her brother whose light she reflects; for then the starry hosts give place, Arcturus’ beam grows dim and tawny Leo loses his angry glint, far-spaced shine the Bear’s stars in the Wain, wroth at their eclipse, Orion’s shafts grow dark as he looks in feeble amaze at his strengthless arm.Which shall I speak of first? Who has not heard of the deeds of Probinus of ancient lineage, who knows not the endless praise of Olybrius?The far-flung fame of Probus[41]and his sire lives yet and fills all ears with widespread discourse: the years to come shall not silence it nor time o’ercloud or put an end to it. His great name carries him beyond the seas, beyond Ocean’s distant windings and Atlas’ mountain caverns. If any live beneath the frozen sky by Maeotis’ banks, or any, near neighbours of the torrid zone, drink Nile’s stripling stream, they, too, have heard. Fortune yielded to his virtues, but never was he puffed up with success that engenders pride. Though his life was surrounded with luxury he knew how to preserve his uprightness uncorrupted. He did not hide his wealth in dark cellars nor condemn his riches to the nether gloom, but in showers more abundant than rain would ever enrich countless numbers of[41]Probus was born about 332 and died about 390. He was (among many other things) proconsul of Africa and praefectus of Illyricum.

[4]

per fasces numerantur avi semperque renata15nobilitate virent, et prolem fata sequunturcontinuum simili servantia lege tenorem.nec quisquam procerum temptat, licet aere vetustofloreat et claro cingatur Roma senatu,se iactare parem; sed, prima sede relicta20Aucheniis, de iure licet certare secundo:haud secus ac tacitam Luna regnante per Arctonsidereae cedunt acies, cum fratre retusoaemulus adversis flagraverit ignibus orbis;tunc iubar Arcturi languet, tunc fulva Leonis25ira perit, Plaustro iam rara intermicat Arctosindignata tegi, iam caligantibus armisdebilis Orion dextram miratur inertem.Quem prius adgrediar? veteris quis facta Probininesciat aut nimias laudes ignoret Olybri?30Vivit adhuc completque vagis sermonibus auresgloria fusa Probi, quam non ventura silebuntlustra nec ignota rapiet sub nube vetustas.ilium fama vehit trans aequora transque remotasTethyos ambages Atlanteosque recessus.35audiit et gelido si quem Maeotia pascitsub Iove vel calido si quis coniunctus in axenascentem te, Nile, bibit. virtutibus illeFortunam domuit numquamque levantibus alteintumuit rebus; sed mens circumflua luxu40noverat intactum vitio servare rigorem.hic non divitias nigrantibus abdidit antrisnec tenebris damnavit opes; sed largior imbresueverat innumeras hominum ditare catervas.

per fasces numerantur avi semperque renata15

nobilitate virent, et prolem fata sequuntur

continuum simili servantia lege tenorem.

nec quisquam procerum temptat, licet aere vetusto

floreat et claro cingatur Roma senatu,

se iactare parem; sed, prima sede relicta20

Aucheniis, de iure licet certare secundo:

haud secus ac tacitam Luna regnante per Arcton

sidereae cedunt acies, cum fratre retuso

aemulus adversis flagraverit ignibus orbis;

tunc iubar Arcturi languet, tunc fulva Leonis25

ira perit, Plaustro iam rara intermicat Arctos

indignata tegi, iam caligantibus armis

debilis Orion dextram miratur inertem.

Quem prius adgrediar? veteris quis facta Probini

nesciat aut nimias laudes ignoret Olybri?30

Vivit adhuc completque vagis sermonibus aures

gloria fusa Probi, quam non ventura silebunt

lustra nec ignota rapiet sub nube vetustas.

ilium fama vehit trans aequora transque remotas

Tethyos ambages Atlanteosque recessus.35

audiit et gelido si quem Maeotia pascit

sub Iove vel calido si quis coniunctus in axe

nascentem te, Nile, bibit. virtutibus ille

Fortunam domuit numquamque levantibus alte

intumuit rebus; sed mens circumflua luxu40

noverat intactum vitio servare rigorem.

hic non divitias nigrantibus abdidit antris

nec tenebris damnavit opes; sed largior imbre

sueverat innumeras hominum ditare catervas.

[5]counted by the fasces (for each has held them), the same recurring honours crown them, and a like destiny awaits their children in unbroken succession. No noble, though he boast of the brazen statues of his ancestors, though Rome be thronged with senators, no noble, I say, dare boast himself their equal. Give the first place to the Auchenii and let who will contest the second. It is as when the moon queens it in the calm northern sky and her orb gleams with brightness equal to that of her brother whose light she reflects; for then the starry hosts give place, Arcturus’ beam grows dim and tawny Leo loses his angry glint, far-spaced shine the Bear’s stars in the Wain, wroth at their eclipse, Orion’s shafts grow dark as he looks in feeble amaze at his strengthless arm.Which shall I speak of first? Who has not heard of the deeds of Probinus of ancient lineage, who knows not the endless praise of Olybrius?The far-flung fame of Probus[41]and his sire lives yet and fills all ears with widespread discourse: the years to come shall not silence it nor time o’ercloud or put an end to it. His great name carries him beyond the seas, beyond Ocean’s distant windings and Atlas’ mountain caverns. If any live beneath the frozen sky by Maeotis’ banks, or any, near neighbours of the torrid zone, drink Nile’s stripling stream, they, too, have heard. Fortune yielded to his virtues, but never was he puffed up with success that engenders pride. Though his life was surrounded with luxury he knew how to preserve his uprightness uncorrupted. He did not hide his wealth in dark cellars nor condemn his riches to the nether gloom, but in showers more abundant than rain would ever enrich countless numbers of[41]Probus was born about 332 and died about 390. He was (among many other things) proconsul of Africa and praefectus of Illyricum.

[5]

counted by the fasces (for each has held them), the same recurring honours crown them, and a like destiny awaits their children in unbroken succession. No noble, though he boast of the brazen statues of his ancestors, though Rome be thronged with senators, no noble, I say, dare boast himself their equal. Give the first place to the Auchenii and let who will contest the second. It is as when the moon queens it in the calm northern sky and her orb gleams with brightness equal to that of her brother whose light she reflects; for then the starry hosts give place, Arcturus’ beam grows dim and tawny Leo loses his angry glint, far-spaced shine the Bear’s stars in the Wain, wroth at their eclipse, Orion’s shafts grow dark as he looks in feeble amaze at his strengthless arm.

Which shall I speak of first? Who has not heard of the deeds of Probinus of ancient lineage, who knows not the endless praise of Olybrius?

The far-flung fame of Probus[41]and his sire lives yet and fills all ears with widespread discourse: the years to come shall not silence it nor time o’ercloud or put an end to it. His great name carries him beyond the seas, beyond Ocean’s distant windings and Atlas’ mountain caverns. If any live beneath the frozen sky by Maeotis’ banks, or any, near neighbours of the torrid zone, drink Nile’s stripling stream, they, too, have heard. Fortune yielded to his virtues, but never was he puffed up with success that engenders pride. Though his life was surrounded with luxury he knew how to preserve his uprightness uncorrupted. He did not hide his wealth in dark cellars nor condemn his riches to the nether gloom, but in showers more abundant than rain would ever enrich countless numbers of

[41]Probus was born about 332 and died about 390. He was (among many other things) proconsul of Africa and praefectus of Illyricum.

[6]quippe velut denso currentia munera nimbo45cernere semper erat, populis undare penates,adsiduos intrare inopes, remeare beatos.praeceps illa manus fluvios superabat Hiberosaurea dona vomens (sic vix[42]tellure revulsasollicitis fodiens miratur collibus aurum),50quantum stagna Tagi rudibus stillantia veniseffluxere decus, quanto pretiosa metalliHermi ripa micat, quantas per Lydia cultadespumat rutilas dives Pactolus harenas.Non, mihi centenis pateant si vocibus ora55multifidusque ruat centum per pectora Phoebus,acta Probi narrare queam, quot in ordine gentesrexerit, ad summi quotiens fastigia iurisvenerit, Italiae late cum frena teneretIllyricosque sinus et quos arat Africa campos.60sed nati vicere patrem solique merenturvictores audire Probi. non contigit illitalis honor, prima cum parte viresceret aevi,nec consul cum fratre fuit. vos nulla fatigatcura diu maiora petens, non anxia mentem65spes agit et longo tendit praecordia voto:coepistis quo finis erat. primordia vestravix pauci meruere senes, metasque tenetisante genas dulces quam flos iuvenilis inumbretoraque ridenti lanugine vestiat aetas.70tu, precor, ignarum doceas, Parnasia, vatem,quis deus ambobus tanti sit muneris auctor.Postquam fulmineis impellens viribus hostembelliger Augustus trepidas laxaverat Alpes,[42]MSS.si quis; Birt suggestssic vix; possiblyecquisshould be read. Postgate (C. Q. iv. p. 258)quae vix … miretur … Astur.[7]men. The thick cloud of his generosity was ever big with gifts, full and overflowing with clients was his mansion, and thereinto there poured a stream of paupers to issue forth again rich men. His prodigal hand outdid Spain’s rivers in scattering gifts of gold (scarce so much precious metal dazzles the gaze of the miner delving in the vexed bowels of the earth), exceeding all the gold dust carried down by Tagus’ water trickling from unsmelted lodes, the glittering ore that enriches Hermus’ banks, the golden sand that rich Pactolus in flood deposits over the plains of Lydia.Could my words issue from a hundred mouths, could Phoebus’ manifold inspiration breathe through a hundred breasts, even so I could not tell of Probus’ deeds, of all the people his ordered governance ruled, of the many times he rose to the highest honours, when he held the reins of broad-acred Italy, the Illyrian coast, and Africa’s lands. But his sons o’ershadowed their sire and they alone deserve to be called Probus’ vanquishers. No such honour befell Probus in his youth: he was never consul with his brother. You ambition, ever o’ervaulting itself, pricks not; no anxious hopes afflict your minds or keep your hearts in long suspense. You have begun where most end: but few seniors have attained to your earliest office. You have finished your race e’er the full flower of youth has crowned your gentle cheeks or adolescence clothed your faces with its pleasant down. Do thou, my Muse, tell their ignorant poet what god it was granted such a boon to the twain.When the warlike emperor had with the thunderbolt of his might put his enemy to flight and freed

[6]

quippe velut denso currentia munera nimbo45cernere semper erat, populis undare penates,adsiduos intrare inopes, remeare beatos.praeceps illa manus fluvios superabat Hiberosaurea dona vomens (sic vix[42]tellure revulsasollicitis fodiens miratur collibus aurum),50quantum stagna Tagi rudibus stillantia veniseffluxere decus, quanto pretiosa metalliHermi ripa micat, quantas per Lydia cultadespumat rutilas dives Pactolus harenas.Non, mihi centenis pateant si vocibus ora55multifidusque ruat centum per pectora Phoebus,acta Probi narrare queam, quot in ordine gentesrexerit, ad summi quotiens fastigia iurisvenerit, Italiae late cum frena teneretIllyricosque sinus et quos arat Africa campos.60sed nati vicere patrem solique merenturvictores audire Probi. non contigit illitalis honor, prima cum parte viresceret aevi,nec consul cum fratre fuit. vos nulla fatigatcura diu maiora petens, non anxia mentem65spes agit et longo tendit praecordia voto:coepistis quo finis erat. primordia vestravix pauci meruere senes, metasque tenetisante genas dulces quam flos iuvenilis inumbretoraque ridenti lanugine vestiat aetas.70tu, precor, ignarum doceas, Parnasia, vatem,quis deus ambobus tanti sit muneris auctor.Postquam fulmineis impellens viribus hostembelliger Augustus trepidas laxaverat Alpes,

quippe velut denso currentia munera nimbo45

cernere semper erat, populis undare penates,

adsiduos intrare inopes, remeare beatos.

praeceps illa manus fluvios superabat Hiberos

aurea dona vomens (sic vix[42]tellure revulsa

sollicitis fodiens miratur collibus aurum),50

quantum stagna Tagi rudibus stillantia venis

effluxere decus, quanto pretiosa metalli

Hermi ripa micat, quantas per Lydia culta

despumat rutilas dives Pactolus harenas.

Non, mihi centenis pateant si vocibus ora55

multifidusque ruat centum per pectora Phoebus,

acta Probi narrare queam, quot in ordine gentes

rexerit, ad summi quotiens fastigia iuris

venerit, Italiae late cum frena teneret

Illyricosque sinus et quos arat Africa campos.60

sed nati vicere patrem solique merentur

victores audire Probi. non contigit illi

talis honor, prima cum parte viresceret aevi,

nec consul cum fratre fuit. vos nulla fatigat

cura diu maiora petens, non anxia mentem65

spes agit et longo tendit praecordia voto:

coepistis quo finis erat. primordia vestra

vix pauci meruere senes, metasque tenetis

ante genas dulces quam flos iuvenilis inumbret

oraque ridenti lanugine vestiat aetas.70

tu, precor, ignarum doceas, Parnasia, vatem,

quis deus ambobus tanti sit muneris auctor.

Postquam fulmineis impellens viribus hostem

belliger Augustus trepidas laxaverat Alpes,

[42]MSS.si quis; Birt suggestssic vix; possiblyecquisshould be read. Postgate (C. Q. iv. p. 258)quae vix … miretur … Astur.

[7]men. The thick cloud of his generosity was ever big with gifts, full and overflowing with clients was his mansion, and thereinto there poured a stream of paupers to issue forth again rich men. His prodigal hand outdid Spain’s rivers in scattering gifts of gold (scarce so much precious metal dazzles the gaze of the miner delving in the vexed bowels of the earth), exceeding all the gold dust carried down by Tagus’ water trickling from unsmelted lodes, the glittering ore that enriches Hermus’ banks, the golden sand that rich Pactolus in flood deposits over the plains of Lydia.Could my words issue from a hundred mouths, could Phoebus’ manifold inspiration breathe through a hundred breasts, even so I could not tell of Probus’ deeds, of all the people his ordered governance ruled, of the many times he rose to the highest honours, when he held the reins of broad-acred Italy, the Illyrian coast, and Africa’s lands. But his sons o’ershadowed their sire and they alone deserve to be called Probus’ vanquishers. No such honour befell Probus in his youth: he was never consul with his brother. You ambition, ever o’ervaulting itself, pricks not; no anxious hopes afflict your minds or keep your hearts in long suspense. You have begun where most end: but few seniors have attained to your earliest office. You have finished your race e’er the full flower of youth has crowned your gentle cheeks or adolescence clothed your faces with its pleasant down. Do thou, my Muse, tell their ignorant poet what god it was granted such a boon to the twain.When the warlike emperor had with the thunderbolt of his might put his enemy to flight and freed

[7]

men. The thick cloud of his generosity was ever big with gifts, full and overflowing with clients was his mansion, and thereinto there poured a stream of paupers to issue forth again rich men. His prodigal hand outdid Spain’s rivers in scattering gifts of gold (scarce so much precious metal dazzles the gaze of the miner delving in the vexed bowels of the earth), exceeding all the gold dust carried down by Tagus’ water trickling from unsmelted lodes, the glittering ore that enriches Hermus’ banks, the golden sand that rich Pactolus in flood deposits over the plains of Lydia.

Could my words issue from a hundred mouths, could Phoebus’ manifold inspiration breathe through a hundred breasts, even so I could not tell of Probus’ deeds, of all the people his ordered governance ruled, of the many times he rose to the highest honours, when he held the reins of broad-acred Italy, the Illyrian coast, and Africa’s lands. But his sons o’ershadowed their sire and they alone deserve to be called Probus’ vanquishers. No such honour befell Probus in his youth: he was never consul with his brother. You ambition, ever o’ervaulting itself, pricks not; no anxious hopes afflict your minds or keep your hearts in long suspense. You have begun where most end: but few seniors have attained to your earliest office. You have finished your race e’er the full flower of youth has crowned your gentle cheeks or adolescence clothed your faces with its pleasant down. Do thou, my Muse, tell their ignorant poet what god it was granted such a boon to the twain.

When the warlike emperor had with the thunderbolt of his might put his enemy to flight and freed

[8]Roma Probo cupiens dignas persolvere grates75sedula pro natis dominum flexura rogandoire parat. famuli currum iunxere volantemImpetus horribilisque Metus, qui semper agentesproelia cum fremitu Romam comitantur anhelo,sive petat Parthos seu cuspide turbet Hydaspen.80hic ligat axe rotas; hic sub iuga ferrea nectitcornipedes rigidisque docet servire lupatis.ipsa, triumphatis qua possidet aethera regnis,adsilit innuptae ritus imitata Minervae.nam neque caesariem crinali stringere cultu85colla nec ornatu patitur mollire retorto;dextrum nuda latus, niveos exerta lacertos,audacem retegit mammam, laxumque coercensmordet gemma sinum; nodus, qui sublevat ensem,album puniceo pectus discriminat ostro.90miscetur decori virtus pulcherque severoarmatur terrore pudor, galeaeque minaciflava cruentarum praetenditur umbra iubarum,et formidato clipeus Titana lacessitlumine quem tota variarat Mulciber arte.95hic patrius Mavortis amor fetusque notanturRomulei; pius amnis inest et belua nutrix;electro Tiberis, pueri formantur in auro;fingunt aera lupam; Mavors adamante coruscat.Iam simul emissis rapido velocior Euro100fertur equis; strident Zephyri cursuque rotarumsaucia dividuis clarescunt nubila sulcis.nec traxere moras, sed lapsu protinus uno,[9]the Alps from fear, Rome, anxious worthily to thank her Probus, hastened to beg the Emperor’s favour for that hero’s sons. Her slaves, Shock and horrid Fear, yoked her winged chariot; ’tis they who ever attend Rome with loud-voiced roar, setting wars afoot, whether she battle against the Parthians or vex Hydaspes’ stream with her spear. The one fastens the wheels to the hubs, the other drives the horses beneath the iron yoke and makes them obey the stubborn bit. Rome herself in the guise of the virgin goddess Minerva soars aloft on the road by which she takes possession of the sky after triumphing over the realms of earth. She will not have her hair bound with a comb nor her neck made effeminate with a twisted necklace. Her right side is bare; her snowy shoulder exposed; her brooch fastens her flowing garments but loosely and boldly shows her breast: the belt that supports her sword throws a strip of scarlet across her fair skin. She looks as good as she is fair, chaste beauty armed with awe; her threatening helm of blood-red plumes casts a dark shadow and her shield challenges the sun in its fearful brilliance, that shield which Vulcan forged with all the subtlety of his skill. In it are depicted the children Romulus and Remus, and their loving father Mars, Tiber’s reverent stream, and the wolf that was their nurse; Tiber is embossed in electrum, the children in pure gold, brazen is the wolf, and Mars fashioned of flashing steel.And now Rome, loosing both her steeds together, flies swifter than the fleet east wind; the Zephyrs shrill and the clouds, cleft with the track of the wheels, glow in separate furrows. What matchless speed! One pinion’s stroke and they reach their

[8]

Roma Probo cupiens dignas persolvere grates75sedula pro natis dominum flexura rogandoire parat. famuli currum iunxere volantemImpetus horribilisque Metus, qui semper agentesproelia cum fremitu Romam comitantur anhelo,sive petat Parthos seu cuspide turbet Hydaspen.80hic ligat axe rotas; hic sub iuga ferrea nectitcornipedes rigidisque docet servire lupatis.ipsa, triumphatis qua possidet aethera regnis,adsilit innuptae ritus imitata Minervae.nam neque caesariem crinali stringere cultu85colla nec ornatu patitur mollire retorto;dextrum nuda latus, niveos exerta lacertos,audacem retegit mammam, laxumque coercensmordet gemma sinum; nodus, qui sublevat ensem,album puniceo pectus discriminat ostro.90miscetur decori virtus pulcherque severoarmatur terrore pudor, galeaeque minaciflava cruentarum praetenditur umbra iubarum,et formidato clipeus Titana lacessitlumine quem tota variarat Mulciber arte.95hic patrius Mavortis amor fetusque notanturRomulei; pius amnis inest et belua nutrix;electro Tiberis, pueri formantur in auro;fingunt aera lupam; Mavors adamante coruscat.Iam simul emissis rapido velocior Euro100fertur equis; strident Zephyri cursuque rotarumsaucia dividuis clarescunt nubila sulcis.nec traxere moras, sed lapsu protinus uno,

Roma Probo cupiens dignas persolvere grates75

sedula pro natis dominum flexura rogando

ire parat. famuli currum iunxere volantem

Impetus horribilisque Metus, qui semper agentes

proelia cum fremitu Romam comitantur anhelo,

sive petat Parthos seu cuspide turbet Hydaspen.80

hic ligat axe rotas; hic sub iuga ferrea nectit

cornipedes rigidisque docet servire lupatis.

ipsa, triumphatis qua possidet aethera regnis,

adsilit innuptae ritus imitata Minervae.

nam neque caesariem crinali stringere cultu85

colla nec ornatu patitur mollire retorto;

dextrum nuda latus, niveos exerta lacertos,

audacem retegit mammam, laxumque coercens

mordet gemma sinum; nodus, qui sublevat ensem,

album puniceo pectus discriminat ostro.90

miscetur decori virtus pulcherque severo

armatur terrore pudor, galeaeque minaci

flava cruentarum praetenditur umbra iubarum,

et formidato clipeus Titana lacessit

lumine quem tota variarat Mulciber arte.95

hic patrius Mavortis amor fetusque notantur

Romulei; pius amnis inest et belua nutrix;

electro Tiberis, pueri formantur in auro;

fingunt aera lupam; Mavors adamante coruscat.

Iam simul emissis rapido velocior Euro100

fertur equis; strident Zephyri cursuque rotarum

saucia dividuis clarescunt nubila sulcis.

nec traxere moras, sed lapsu protinus uno,

[9]the Alps from fear, Rome, anxious worthily to thank her Probus, hastened to beg the Emperor’s favour for that hero’s sons. Her slaves, Shock and horrid Fear, yoked her winged chariot; ’tis they who ever attend Rome with loud-voiced roar, setting wars afoot, whether she battle against the Parthians or vex Hydaspes’ stream with her spear. The one fastens the wheels to the hubs, the other drives the horses beneath the iron yoke and makes them obey the stubborn bit. Rome herself in the guise of the virgin goddess Minerva soars aloft on the road by which she takes possession of the sky after triumphing over the realms of earth. She will not have her hair bound with a comb nor her neck made effeminate with a twisted necklace. Her right side is bare; her snowy shoulder exposed; her brooch fastens her flowing garments but loosely and boldly shows her breast: the belt that supports her sword throws a strip of scarlet across her fair skin. She looks as good as she is fair, chaste beauty armed with awe; her threatening helm of blood-red plumes casts a dark shadow and her shield challenges the sun in its fearful brilliance, that shield which Vulcan forged with all the subtlety of his skill. In it are depicted the children Romulus and Remus, and their loving father Mars, Tiber’s reverent stream, and the wolf that was their nurse; Tiber is embossed in electrum, the children in pure gold, brazen is the wolf, and Mars fashioned of flashing steel.And now Rome, loosing both her steeds together, flies swifter than the fleet east wind; the Zephyrs shrill and the clouds, cleft with the track of the wheels, glow in separate furrows. What matchless speed! One pinion’s stroke and they reach their

[9]

the Alps from fear, Rome, anxious worthily to thank her Probus, hastened to beg the Emperor’s favour for that hero’s sons. Her slaves, Shock and horrid Fear, yoked her winged chariot; ’tis they who ever attend Rome with loud-voiced roar, setting wars afoot, whether she battle against the Parthians or vex Hydaspes’ stream with her spear. The one fastens the wheels to the hubs, the other drives the horses beneath the iron yoke and makes them obey the stubborn bit. Rome herself in the guise of the virgin goddess Minerva soars aloft on the road by which she takes possession of the sky after triumphing over the realms of earth. She will not have her hair bound with a comb nor her neck made effeminate with a twisted necklace. Her right side is bare; her snowy shoulder exposed; her brooch fastens her flowing garments but loosely and boldly shows her breast: the belt that supports her sword throws a strip of scarlet across her fair skin. She looks as good as she is fair, chaste beauty armed with awe; her threatening helm of blood-red plumes casts a dark shadow and her shield challenges the sun in its fearful brilliance, that shield which Vulcan forged with all the subtlety of his skill. In it are depicted the children Romulus and Remus, and their loving father Mars, Tiber’s reverent stream, and the wolf that was their nurse; Tiber is embossed in electrum, the children in pure gold, brazen is the wolf, and Mars fashioned of flashing steel.

And now Rome, loosing both her steeds together, flies swifter than the fleet east wind; the Zephyrs shrill and the clouds, cleft with the track of the wheels, glow in separate furrows. What matchless speed! One pinion’s stroke and they reach their

[10]quem poscunt, tetigere locum: qua fine sub imoangustant aditum curvis anfractibus Alpes105claustraque congestis scopulis durissima tendunt,non alia reseranda manu, sed pervia tantumAugusto geminisque fidem mentita tyrannis.semirutae turres avulsaque moenia fumant;crescunt in cumulum strages vallemque profundamaequavere iugis; stagnant inmersa cruore111corpora; turbantur permixto funere manes.Haud procul exhausto laetus certamine victorcaespite gramineo consederat arbore fultusadclines umeros; domimim gavisa coronat115terra suum, surguntque toris maioribus herbae.sudor adhuc per membra calet creberque recurrithalitus et placidi radiant in casside vultus:qualis letifera populatus caede Gelonosprocubat horrendus Getico Gradivus in arvo;120exuvias Bellona levat, Bellona tepentespulvere solvit equos, inmensaque cornus in hastamporrigitur tremulisque ferit splendoribus Hebrum.Ut stetit ante ducem discussas Roma per auras,conscia ter sonuit rupes et inhorruit atrum125maiestate nemus. prior hic: “o numen amicum”dux ait “et legum genetrix longeque regendocircumfusa polo consors ac dicta Tonantis,dic agedum, quae causa viae? cur deseris arcesAusonias caelumque tuum? dic, maxima rerum!130[11]goal: it is there where in their furthermost parts the Alps narrow their approaches into tortuous valleys and extend their adamantine bars of piled-up rocks. No other hand could unlock that gate, as, to their cost, those two tyrants[43]found; to the Emperor only they offer a way. The smoke of towers o’erthrown and of ruined fortresses ascends to heaven. Slaughtered men are piled up on a heap and bring the lowest valley equal with the hills; corpses welter in their blood; the very shades are confounded with the inrush of the slain.Close at hand the victor, Theodosius, happy that his warfare is accomplished, sits upon the green sward, his shoulders leaning against a tree. Triumphant earth crowned her lord and flowers sprang up from prouder banks. The sweat is still warm upon his body, his breath comes panting, but calm shines his countenance beneath his helmet. Such is Mars, when with deadly slaughter he has devastated the Geloni and thereafter rests, a dread figure, in the Getic plain, while Bellona, goddess of war, lightens him of his armour and unyokes his dust-stained coursers; an outstretched spear, a huge cornel trunk, arms his hand and flashes its tremulous splendour over Hebrus’ stream.When Rome had ended her airy journey and now stood before her lord, thrice thundered the conscious rocks and the black wood shuddered in awe. First to speak was the hero: “Goddess and friend, mother of laws, thou whose empire is conterminous with heaven, thou that art called the consort of the Thunderer, say what hath caused thy coming: why leavest thou the towns of Italy and thy native clime? Say, queen of the world. Were it thy[43]Maximus and Eugenius. See Introduction, p. ix.

[10]

quem poscunt, tetigere locum: qua fine sub imoangustant aditum curvis anfractibus Alpes105claustraque congestis scopulis durissima tendunt,non alia reseranda manu, sed pervia tantumAugusto geminisque fidem mentita tyrannis.semirutae turres avulsaque moenia fumant;crescunt in cumulum strages vallemque profundamaequavere iugis; stagnant inmersa cruore111corpora; turbantur permixto funere manes.Haud procul exhausto laetus certamine victorcaespite gramineo consederat arbore fultusadclines umeros; domimim gavisa coronat115terra suum, surguntque toris maioribus herbae.sudor adhuc per membra calet creberque recurrithalitus et placidi radiant in casside vultus:qualis letifera populatus caede Gelonosprocubat horrendus Getico Gradivus in arvo;120exuvias Bellona levat, Bellona tepentespulvere solvit equos, inmensaque cornus in hastamporrigitur tremulisque ferit splendoribus Hebrum.Ut stetit ante ducem discussas Roma per auras,conscia ter sonuit rupes et inhorruit atrum125maiestate nemus. prior hic: “o numen amicum”dux ait “et legum genetrix longeque regendocircumfusa polo consors ac dicta Tonantis,dic agedum, quae causa viae? cur deseris arcesAusonias caelumque tuum? dic, maxima rerum!130

quem poscunt, tetigere locum: qua fine sub imo

angustant aditum curvis anfractibus Alpes105

claustraque congestis scopulis durissima tendunt,

non alia reseranda manu, sed pervia tantum

Augusto geminisque fidem mentita tyrannis.

semirutae turres avulsaque moenia fumant;

crescunt in cumulum strages vallemque profundam

aequavere iugis; stagnant inmersa cruore111

corpora; turbantur permixto funere manes.

Haud procul exhausto laetus certamine victor

caespite gramineo consederat arbore fultus

adclines umeros; domimim gavisa coronat115

terra suum, surguntque toris maioribus herbae.

sudor adhuc per membra calet creberque recurrit

halitus et placidi radiant in casside vultus:

qualis letifera populatus caede Gelonos

procubat horrendus Getico Gradivus in arvo;120

exuvias Bellona levat, Bellona tepentes

pulvere solvit equos, inmensaque cornus in hastam

porrigitur tremulisque ferit splendoribus Hebrum.

Ut stetit ante ducem discussas Roma per auras,

conscia ter sonuit rupes et inhorruit atrum125

maiestate nemus. prior hic: “o numen amicum”

dux ait “et legum genetrix longeque regendo

circumfusa polo consors ac dicta Tonantis,

dic agedum, quae causa viae? cur deseris arces

Ausonias caelumque tuum? dic, maxima rerum!130

[11]goal: it is there where in their furthermost parts the Alps narrow their approaches into tortuous valleys and extend their adamantine bars of piled-up rocks. No other hand could unlock that gate, as, to their cost, those two tyrants[43]found; to the Emperor only they offer a way. The smoke of towers o’erthrown and of ruined fortresses ascends to heaven. Slaughtered men are piled up on a heap and bring the lowest valley equal with the hills; corpses welter in their blood; the very shades are confounded with the inrush of the slain.Close at hand the victor, Theodosius, happy that his warfare is accomplished, sits upon the green sward, his shoulders leaning against a tree. Triumphant earth crowned her lord and flowers sprang up from prouder banks. The sweat is still warm upon his body, his breath comes panting, but calm shines his countenance beneath his helmet. Such is Mars, when with deadly slaughter he has devastated the Geloni and thereafter rests, a dread figure, in the Getic plain, while Bellona, goddess of war, lightens him of his armour and unyokes his dust-stained coursers; an outstretched spear, a huge cornel trunk, arms his hand and flashes its tremulous splendour over Hebrus’ stream.When Rome had ended her airy journey and now stood before her lord, thrice thundered the conscious rocks and the black wood shuddered in awe. First to speak was the hero: “Goddess and friend, mother of laws, thou whose empire is conterminous with heaven, thou that art called the consort of the Thunderer, say what hath caused thy coming: why leavest thou the towns of Italy and thy native clime? Say, queen of the world. Were it thy[43]Maximus and Eugenius. See Introduction, p. ix.

[11]

goal: it is there where in their furthermost parts the Alps narrow their approaches into tortuous valleys and extend their adamantine bars of piled-up rocks. No other hand could unlock that gate, as, to their cost, those two tyrants[43]found; to the Emperor only they offer a way. The smoke of towers o’erthrown and of ruined fortresses ascends to heaven. Slaughtered men are piled up on a heap and bring the lowest valley equal with the hills; corpses welter in their blood; the very shades are confounded with the inrush of the slain.

Close at hand the victor, Theodosius, happy that his warfare is accomplished, sits upon the green sward, his shoulders leaning against a tree. Triumphant earth crowned her lord and flowers sprang up from prouder banks. The sweat is still warm upon his body, his breath comes panting, but calm shines his countenance beneath his helmet. Such is Mars, when with deadly slaughter he has devastated the Geloni and thereafter rests, a dread figure, in the Getic plain, while Bellona, goddess of war, lightens him of his armour and unyokes his dust-stained coursers; an outstretched spear, a huge cornel trunk, arms his hand and flashes its tremulous splendour over Hebrus’ stream.

When Rome had ended her airy journey and now stood before her lord, thrice thundered the conscious rocks and the black wood shuddered in awe. First to speak was the hero: “Goddess and friend, mother of laws, thou whose empire is conterminous with heaven, thou that art called the consort of the Thunderer, say what hath caused thy coming: why leavest thou the towns of Italy and thy native clime? Say, queen of the world. Were it thy

[43]Maximus and Eugenius. See Introduction, p. ix.

[12]non ego vel Libycos cessem tolerare laboresSarmaticosve pati medio sub frigore Cauros,si tu, Roma, velis; pro te quascumque per orasibimus et nulla sub tempestate timentessolstitio Meroën, bruma temptabimus Histrum.”135Tum regina refert: “non me latet, inclite rector,quod tua pro Latio victricia castra laborantnec quod servitium rursus Furiaeque rebellesedomitae paribus sub te cecidere triumphis.sed precor hoc donum cum libertate recenti140adicias, si vera manet reverentia nostri.sunt mihi pubentes alto de semine fratres,pignora cara Probi, festa quos luce creatosipsa meo fovi gremio. cunabula parvisipsa dedi, cum matris onus Lucina beatum145solveret et magnos proferrent sidera partus.his ego nec Decios pulchros fortesve Metellospraetulerim, non, qui Poenum domuere ferocem,Scipiadas Gallisque genus fatale Camillos.Pieriis pollent studiis multoque redundant150eloquio; nec desidiis dapibusve paratisindulgere iuvat nec tanta licentia vitaeadripit aut mores aetas lasciva relaxat:sed gravibus curis animum sortita senilemignea longaevo frenatur corde iuventus.155illis, quam propriam ducunt ab origine, sortemoramus praebere velis annique futurumdevoveas venientis iter. non improba posco,non insueta dabis: domus haec de more requirit.adnue: sic nobis Scythicus famuletur Araxes,160[13]wish I would not shrink from toiling neath a Libyan sun nor from the cold winds of a Russian midwinter. At thy behest I will traverse all lands and fearing no season of the year will hazard Meroë in summer and the Danube in winter.”Then the Queen answered: “Full well know I, far-famed ruler, that thy victorious armies toil for Italy, and that once again servitude and furious rebels have given way before thee, overthrown in one and the same battle. Yet I pray thee add to our late won liberty this further boon, if in very truth thou still reverest me. There are among my citizens two young brothers of noble lineage, the dearly loved sons of Probus, born on a festal day and reared in my own bosom. ’Twas I gave the little ones their cradles when the goddess of childbirth freed their mother’s womb from its blessed burden and heaven brought to light her glorious offspring. To these I would not prefer the noble Decii nor the brave Metelli, no, nor the Scipios who overcame the warlike Carthaginians nor the Camilli, that family fraught with ruin for the Gauls. The Muses have endowed them with full measure of their skill; their eloquence knows no bounds. Theirs not to wanton in sloth and banquets spread; unbridled pleasure tempts them not, nor can the lure of youth undermine their characters. Gaining from weighty cares an old man’s mind, their fiery youth is bridled by a greybeard’s wisdom. That fortune to which their birth entitles them I beg thee assure them and appoint for them the path of the coming year. ’Tis no unreasonable request and will be no unheard-of boon. Their birth demands it should be so. Grant it; so may Scythian Araxes be our vassal

[12]

non ego vel Libycos cessem tolerare laboresSarmaticosve pati medio sub frigore Cauros,si tu, Roma, velis; pro te quascumque per orasibimus et nulla sub tempestate timentessolstitio Meroën, bruma temptabimus Histrum.”135Tum regina refert: “non me latet, inclite rector,quod tua pro Latio victricia castra laborantnec quod servitium rursus Furiaeque rebellesedomitae paribus sub te cecidere triumphis.sed precor hoc donum cum libertate recenti140adicias, si vera manet reverentia nostri.sunt mihi pubentes alto de semine fratres,pignora cara Probi, festa quos luce creatosipsa meo fovi gremio. cunabula parvisipsa dedi, cum matris onus Lucina beatum145solveret et magnos proferrent sidera partus.his ego nec Decios pulchros fortesve Metellospraetulerim, non, qui Poenum domuere ferocem,Scipiadas Gallisque genus fatale Camillos.Pieriis pollent studiis multoque redundant150eloquio; nec desidiis dapibusve paratisindulgere iuvat nec tanta licentia vitaeadripit aut mores aetas lasciva relaxat:sed gravibus curis animum sortita senilemignea longaevo frenatur corde iuventus.155illis, quam propriam ducunt ab origine, sortemoramus praebere velis annique futurumdevoveas venientis iter. non improba posco,non insueta dabis: domus haec de more requirit.adnue: sic nobis Scythicus famuletur Araxes,160

non ego vel Libycos cessem tolerare labores

Sarmaticosve pati medio sub frigore Cauros,

si tu, Roma, velis; pro te quascumque per oras

ibimus et nulla sub tempestate timentes

solstitio Meroën, bruma temptabimus Histrum.”135

Tum regina refert: “non me latet, inclite rector,

quod tua pro Latio victricia castra laborant

nec quod servitium rursus Furiaeque rebelles

edomitae paribus sub te cecidere triumphis.

sed precor hoc donum cum libertate recenti140

adicias, si vera manet reverentia nostri.

sunt mihi pubentes alto de semine fratres,

pignora cara Probi, festa quos luce creatos

ipsa meo fovi gremio. cunabula parvis

ipsa dedi, cum matris onus Lucina beatum145

solveret et magnos proferrent sidera partus.

his ego nec Decios pulchros fortesve Metellos

praetulerim, non, qui Poenum domuere ferocem,

Scipiadas Gallisque genus fatale Camillos.

Pieriis pollent studiis multoque redundant150

eloquio; nec desidiis dapibusve paratis

indulgere iuvat nec tanta licentia vitae

adripit aut mores aetas lasciva relaxat:

sed gravibus curis animum sortita senilem

ignea longaevo frenatur corde iuventus.155

illis, quam propriam ducunt ab origine, sortem

oramus praebere velis annique futurum

devoveas venientis iter. non improba posco,

non insueta dabis: domus haec de more requirit.

adnue: sic nobis Scythicus famuletur Araxes,160

[13]wish I would not shrink from toiling neath a Libyan sun nor from the cold winds of a Russian midwinter. At thy behest I will traverse all lands and fearing no season of the year will hazard Meroë in summer and the Danube in winter.”Then the Queen answered: “Full well know I, far-famed ruler, that thy victorious armies toil for Italy, and that once again servitude and furious rebels have given way before thee, overthrown in one and the same battle. Yet I pray thee add to our late won liberty this further boon, if in very truth thou still reverest me. There are among my citizens two young brothers of noble lineage, the dearly loved sons of Probus, born on a festal day and reared in my own bosom. ’Twas I gave the little ones their cradles when the goddess of childbirth freed their mother’s womb from its blessed burden and heaven brought to light her glorious offspring. To these I would not prefer the noble Decii nor the brave Metelli, no, nor the Scipios who overcame the warlike Carthaginians nor the Camilli, that family fraught with ruin for the Gauls. The Muses have endowed them with full measure of their skill; their eloquence knows no bounds. Theirs not to wanton in sloth and banquets spread; unbridled pleasure tempts them not, nor can the lure of youth undermine their characters. Gaining from weighty cares an old man’s mind, their fiery youth is bridled by a greybeard’s wisdom. That fortune to which their birth entitles them I beg thee assure them and appoint for them the path of the coming year. ’Tis no unreasonable request and will be no unheard-of boon. Their birth demands it should be so. Grant it; so may Scythian Araxes be our vassal

[13]

wish I would not shrink from toiling neath a Libyan sun nor from the cold winds of a Russian midwinter. At thy behest I will traverse all lands and fearing no season of the year will hazard Meroë in summer and the Danube in winter.”

Then the Queen answered: “Full well know I, far-famed ruler, that thy victorious armies toil for Italy, and that once again servitude and furious rebels have given way before thee, overthrown in one and the same battle. Yet I pray thee add to our late won liberty this further boon, if in very truth thou still reverest me. There are among my citizens two young brothers of noble lineage, the dearly loved sons of Probus, born on a festal day and reared in my own bosom. ’Twas I gave the little ones their cradles when the goddess of childbirth freed their mother’s womb from its blessed burden and heaven brought to light her glorious offspring. To these I would not prefer the noble Decii nor the brave Metelli, no, nor the Scipios who overcame the warlike Carthaginians nor the Camilli, that family fraught with ruin for the Gauls. The Muses have endowed them with full measure of their skill; their eloquence knows no bounds. Theirs not to wanton in sloth and banquets spread; unbridled pleasure tempts them not, nor can the lure of youth undermine their characters. Gaining from weighty cares an old man’s mind, their fiery youth is bridled by a greybeard’s wisdom. That fortune to which their birth entitles them I beg thee assure them and appoint for them the path of the coming year. ’Tis no unreasonable request and will be no unheard-of boon. Their birth demands it should be so. Grant it; so may Scythian Araxes be our vassal

[14]sic Rhenus per utrumque latus, Medisque subactisnostra Semiramiae timeant insignia turres;sic fluat attonitus Romana per oppida Ganges.”Ductor ad haec: “optata iubes ultroque volentem,diva, rogas; non haec precibus temptanda fuissent.usque adeone meam condunt oblivia mentem,166ut pigeat meminisse Probi, quo vindice totamvidimus Hesperiam fessasque resurgere gentes?ante dabunt hiemes Nilum, per flumina dammaeerrabunt glacieque niger damnabitur Indus,170ante Thyesteis iterum conterrita mensisintercisa dies refugos vertetur in ortus,quam Probus a nostro possit discedere sensu.”Dixerat et velox iam nuntius advolat urbem.extemplo strepuere chori collesque canoris175plausibus impulsi septena voce resultant.laetatur veneranda parens et pollice doctoiam parat auratas trabeas cinctusque micantesstamine, quod molli tondent de stipite Seresfrondea lanigerae carpentes vellera silvae,180et longum tenues tractus producit in aurumfilaque concreto cogit squalere metallo:qualis purpureas praebebat candida vestesnuminibus Latona suis, cum sacra redirentad loca nutricis iam non errantia Deli,185illa feros saltus et desolata relinquensMaenala lassato certis venatibus arcu,Phoebus adhuc nigris rorantia tela venenisextincto Pythone gerens; tunc insula notos[15]and Rhine’s either bank; so may the Mede be o’erthrown and the towers that Semiramis built yield to our standards, while amazèd Ganges flows between Roman cities.”To this the king: “Goddess, thou biddest me do what I would fain do and askest a boon that I wish to grant: thy entreaties were not needed for this. Does forgetfulness so wholly cloud my mind that I will not remember Probus, beneath whose leadership I have seen all Italy and her war-weary peoples come again to prosperity? Winter shall cause Nile’s rising, hinds shall make rivers their element, dark-flowing Indus shall be ice-bound, terror-stricken once again by the banquet of Thyestes the sun shall stay his course and fly for refuge back into the east, all this ere Probus can fade from my memory.”He spake, and now the speedy messenger hies him to Rome. Straightway the choirs chant and the seven hills re-echo their tuneful applause. Joy is in the heart of that aged mother whose skilled fingers now make ready gold-embroidered vestment and garments agleam with the thread which the Seres comb out from their delicate plants, gathering the leafy fleece of the wool-bearing trees. These long threads she draws out to an equal length with the threads of gold and by intertwining them makes one golden cord; as fair Latona gave scarlet garments to her divine offspring when they returned to the now firm-fixèd shrine of Delos their foster-island, Diana leaving the forest glades and bleak Maenalus, her unerring bow wearied with much hunting, and Phoebus bearing the sword still dripping with black venom from the slaughtered Python. Then their dear island laved the feet of its acknowledged

[14]

sic Rhenus per utrumque latus, Medisque subactisnostra Semiramiae timeant insignia turres;sic fluat attonitus Romana per oppida Ganges.”Ductor ad haec: “optata iubes ultroque volentem,diva, rogas; non haec precibus temptanda fuissent.usque adeone meam condunt oblivia mentem,166ut pigeat meminisse Probi, quo vindice totamvidimus Hesperiam fessasque resurgere gentes?ante dabunt hiemes Nilum, per flumina dammaeerrabunt glacieque niger damnabitur Indus,170ante Thyesteis iterum conterrita mensisintercisa dies refugos vertetur in ortus,quam Probus a nostro possit discedere sensu.”Dixerat et velox iam nuntius advolat urbem.extemplo strepuere chori collesque canoris175plausibus impulsi septena voce resultant.laetatur veneranda parens et pollice doctoiam parat auratas trabeas cinctusque micantesstamine, quod molli tondent de stipite Seresfrondea lanigerae carpentes vellera silvae,180et longum tenues tractus producit in aurumfilaque concreto cogit squalere metallo:qualis purpureas praebebat candida vestesnuminibus Latona suis, cum sacra redirentad loca nutricis iam non errantia Deli,185illa feros saltus et desolata relinquensMaenala lassato certis venatibus arcu,Phoebus adhuc nigris rorantia tela venenisextincto Pythone gerens; tunc insula notos

sic Rhenus per utrumque latus, Medisque subactis

nostra Semiramiae timeant insignia turres;

sic fluat attonitus Romana per oppida Ganges.”

Ductor ad haec: “optata iubes ultroque volentem,

diva, rogas; non haec precibus temptanda fuissent.

usque adeone meam condunt oblivia mentem,166

ut pigeat meminisse Probi, quo vindice totam

vidimus Hesperiam fessasque resurgere gentes?

ante dabunt hiemes Nilum, per flumina dammae

errabunt glacieque niger damnabitur Indus,170

ante Thyesteis iterum conterrita mensis

intercisa dies refugos vertetur in ortus,

quam Probus a nostro possit discedere sensu.”

Dixerat et velox iam nuntius advolat urbem.

extemplo strepuere chori collesque canoris175

plausibus impulsi septena voce resultant.

laetatur veneranda parens et pollice docto

iam parat auratas trabeas cinctusque micantes

stamine, quod molli tondent de stipite Seres

frondea lanigerae carpentes vellera silvae,180

et longum tenues tractus producit in aurum

filaque concreto cogit squalere metallo:

qualis purpureas praebebat candida vestes

numinibus Latona suis, cum sacra redirent

ad loca nutricis iam non errantia Deli,185

illa feros saltus et desolata relinquens

Maenala lassato certis venatibus arcu,

Phoebus adhuc nigris rorantia tela venenis

extincto Pythone gerens; tunc insula notos

[15]and Rhine’s either bank; so may the Mede be o’erthrown and the towers that Semiramis built yield to our standards, while amazèd Ganges flows between Roman cities.”To this the king: “Goddess, thou biddest me do what I would fain do and askest a boon that I wish to grant: thy entreaties were not needed for this. Does forgetfulness so wholly cloud my mind that I will not remember Probus, beneath whose leadership I have seen all Italy and her war-weary peoples come again to prosperity? Winter shall cause Nile’s rising, hinds shall make rivers their element, dark-flowing Indus shall be ice-bound, terror-stricken once again by the banquet of Thyestes the sun shall stay his course and fly for refuge back into the east, all this ere Probus can fade from my memory.”He spake, and now the speedy messenger hies him to Rome. Straightway the choirs chant and the seven hills re-echo their tuneful applause. Joy is in the heart of that aged mother whose skilled fingers now make ready gold-embroidered vestment and garments agleam with the thread which the Seres comb out from their delicate plants, gathering the leafy fleece of the wool-bearing trees. These long threads she draws out to an equal length with the threads of gold and by intertwining them makes one golden cord; as fair Latona gave scarlet garments to her divine offspring when they returned to the now firm-fixèd shrine of Delos their foster-island, Diana leaving the forest glades and bleak Maenalus, her unerring bow wearied with much hunting, and Phoebus bearing the sword still dripping with black venom from the slaughtered Python. Then their dear island laved the feet of its acknowledged

[15]

and Rhine’s either bank; so may the Mede be o’erthrown and the towers that Semiramis built yield to our standards, while amazèd Ganges flows between Roman cities.”

To this the king: “Goddess, thou biddest me do what I would fain do and askest a boon that I wish to grant: thy entreaties were not needed for this. Does forgetfulness so wholly cloud my mind that I will not remember Probus, beneath whose leadership I have seen all Italy and her war-weary peoples come again to prosperity? Winter shall cause Nile’s rising, hinds shall make rivers their element, dark-flowing Indus shall be ice-bound, terror-stricken once again by the banquet of Thyestes the sun shall stay his course and fly for refuge back into the east, all this ere Probus can fade from my memory.”

He spake, and now the speedy messenger hies him to Rome. Straightway the choirs chant and the seven hills re-echo their tuneful applause. Joy is in the heart of that aged mother whose skilled fingers now make ready gold-embroidered vestment and garments agleam with the thread which the Seres comb out from their delicate plants, gathering the leafy fleece of the wool-bearing trees. These long threads she draws out to an equal length with the threads of gold and by intertwining them makes one golden cord; as fair Latona gave scarlet garments to her divine offspring when they returned to the now firm-fixèd shrine of Delos their foster-island, Diana leaving the forest glades and bleak Maenalus, her unerring bow wearied with much hunting, and Phoebus bearing the sword still dripping with black venom from the slaughtered Python. Then their dear island laved the feet of its acknowledged

[16]lambit amica pedes ridetque Aegaeus alumnis190lenior et blando testatur gaudia fluctu.Sic Proba praecipuo natos exornat amictu:quae decorat mundum, cuius Romana potestasfetibus augetur. credas ex aethere lapsamstare Pudicitiam vel sacro ture vocatam195Iunonem Inachiis oculos advertere templis.talem nulla refert antiquis pagina librisnec Latiae cecinere tubae nec Graeca vetustas.coniuge digna Probo; nam tantum coetibus extatfemineis, quantum supereminet ille maritos.200ceu sibi certantes, sexus quid possit uterque,hunc legere torum. taceat Nereida nuptamPelion. o duplici fecundam consule matremfelicemque uterum, qui nomina parturit annis!Ut sceptrum gessere manu membrisque rigentesaptavere togas, signum dat summus hiulca200nube Pater gratamque facem per inane rotantesprospera vibrati tonuerunt omina nimbi.accepit sonitus curvis Tiberinus in antrisima valle sedens. adrectis auribus haesit,210unde repentinus populi fragor. ilicet herbispallentes thalamos et structa cubilia muscodeserit ac Nymphis urnam commendat erilem.illi glauca nitent hirsuto lumina vultucaeruleis infecta notis, reddentia patrem215Oceanum; crispo densantur gramine colla;vertice luxuriat toto crinalis harundo,[17]deities, the Aegean smiled more gently on its nurslings, the Aegean whose soft ripples bore witness to its joy.So Proba[44]adorns her children with vestment rare, Proba, the world’s glory, by whose increase the power of Rome, too, is increased. You would have thought her Modesty’s self fallen from heaven or Juno, summoned by sacred incense, turning her eyes on the shrines of Argos. No page in ancient story tells of such a mother, no Latin Muse nor old Grecian tale. Worthy is she of Probus for a husband, for he surpassed all husbands as she all wives. ’Twas as though in rivalry either sex had done its uttermost and so brought about this marriage. Let Pelion vaunt no more that Nereid bride.[45]Happy thou that art the mother of consuls twain, blessed thy womb whose offspring have given the year their name for its own.So soon as their hands held the sceptres and the jewel-studded togas had enfolded their limbs the almighty Sire vouchsafes a sign with riven cloud and the shaken heavens, projecting a welcoming flash through the void, thundered with prosperous omen. Father Tiber, seated in that low valley, heard the sound in his labyrinthine cave. He stays with ears pricked up wondering whence this sudden popular clamour comes. Straightway he leaves his couch of green leaves, his mossy bed, and entrusts his urn to his attendant nymphs. Grey eyes flecked with blue shine out from his shaggy countenance, recalling his father Oceanus; thick curlèd grasses cover his neck and lush sedge crowns his head.[44]Anicia Faltonia Proba. She was still alive in 410 and according to Procopius (Bell. Vand.i. 2) opened the gates of Rome to Alaric.[45]Thetis, daughter of Nereus, was married to Peleus on Mount Pelion in Thessaly.

[16]

lambit amica pedes ridetque Aegaeus alumnis190lenior et blando testatur gaudia fluctu.Sic Proba praecipuo natos exornat amictu:quae decorat mundum, cuius Romana potestasfetibus augetur. credas ex aethere lapsamstare Pudicitiam vel sacro ture vocatam195Iunonem Inachiis oculos advertere templis.talem nulla refert antiquis pagina librisnec Latiae cecinere tubae nec Graeca vetustas.coniuge digna Probo; nam tantum coetibus extatfemineis, quantum supereminet ille maritos.200ceu sibi certantes, sexus quid possit uterque,hunc legere torum. taceat Nereida nuptamPelion. o duplici fecundam consule matremfelicemque uterum, qui nomina parturit annis!Ut sceptrum gessere manu membrisque rigentesaptavere togas, signum dat summus hiulca200nube Pater gratamque facem per inane rotantesprospera vibrati tonuerunt omina nimbi.accepit sonitus curvis Tiberinus in antrisima valle sedens. adrectis auribus haesit,210unde repentinus populi fragor. ilicet herbispallentes thalamos et structa cubilia muscodeserit ac Nymphis urnam commendat erilem.illi glauca nitent hirsuto lumina vultucaeruleis infecta notis, reddentia patrem215Oceanum; crispo densantur gramine colla;vertice luxuriat toto crinalis harundo,

lambit amica pedes ridetque Aegaeus alumnis190

lenior et blando testatur gaudia fluctu.

Sic Proba praecipuo natos exornat amictu:

quae decorat mundum, cuius Romana potestas

fetibus augetur. credas ex aethere lapsam

stare Pudicitiam vel sacro ture vocatam195

Iunonem Inachiis oculos advertere templis.

talem nulla refert antiquis pagina libris

nec Latiae cecinere tubae nec Graeca vetustas.

coniuge digna Probo; nam tantum coetibus extat

femineis, quantum supereminet ille maritos.200

ceu sibi certantes, sexus quid possit uterque,

hunc legere torum. taceat Nereida nuptam

Pelion. o duplici fecundam consule matrem

felicemque uterum, qui nomina parturit annis!

Ut sceptrum gessere manu membrisque rigentes

aptavere togas, signum dat summus hiulca200

nube Pater gratamque facem per inane rotantes

prospera vibrati tonuerunt omina nimbi.

accepit sonitus curvis Tiberinus in antris

ima valle sedens. adrectis auribus haesit,210

unde repentinus populi fragor. ilicet herbis

pallentes thalamos et structa cubilia musco

deserit ac Nymphis urnam commendat erilem.

illi glauca nitent hirsuto lumina vultu

caeruleis infecta notis, reddentia patrem215

Oceanum; crispo densantur gramine colla;

vertice luxuriat toto crinalis harundo,

[17]deities, the Aegean smiled more gently on its nurslings, the Aegean whose soft ripples bore witness to its joy.So Proba[44]adorns her children with vestment rare, Proba, the world’s glory, by whose increase the power of Rome, too, is increased. You would have thought her Modesty’s self fallen from heaven or Juno, summoned by sacred incense, turning her eyes on the shrines of Argos. No page in ancient story tells of such a mother, no Latin Muse nor old Grecian tale. Worthy is she of Probus for a husband, for he surpassed all husbands as she all wives. ’Twas as though in rivalry either sex had done its uttermost and so brought about this marriage. Let Pelion vaunt no more that Nereid bride.[45]Happy thou that art the mother of consuls twain, blessed thy womb whose offspring have given the year their name for its own.So soon as their hands held the sceptres and the jewel-studded togas had enfolded their limbs the almighty Sire vouchsafes a sign with riven cloud and the shaken heavens, projecting a welcoming flash through the void, thundered with prosperous omen. Father Tiber, seated in that low valley, heard the sound in his labyrinthine cave. He stays with ears pricked up wondering whence this sudden popular clamour comes. Straightway he leaves his couch of green leaves, his mossy bed, and entrusts his urn to his attendant nymphs. Grey eyes flecked with blue shine out from his shaggy countenance, recalling his father Oceanus; thick curlèd grasses cover his neck and lush sedge crowns his head.[44]Anicia Faltonia Proba. She was still alive in 410 and according to Procopius (Bell. Vand.i. 2) opened the gates of Rome to Alaric.[45]Thetis, daughter of Nereus, was married to Peleus on Mount Pelion in Thessaly.

[17]

deities, the Aegean smiled more gently on its nurslings, the Aegean whose soft ripples bore witness to its joy.

So Proba[44]adorns her children with vestment rare, Proba, the world’s glory, by whose increase the power of Rome, too, is increased. You would have thought her Modesty’s self fallen from heaven or Juno, summoned by sacred incense, turning her eyes on the shrines of Argos. No page in ancient story tells of such a mother, no Latin Muse nor old Grecian tale. Worthy is she of Probus for a husband, for he surpassed all husbands as she all wives. ’Twas as though in rivalry either sex had done its uttermost and so brought about this marriage. Let Pelion vaunt no more that Nereid bride.[45]Happy thou that art the mother of consuls twain, blessed thy womb whose offspring have given the year their name for its own.

So soon as their hands held the sceptres and the jewel-studded togas had enfolded their limbs the almighty Sire vouchsafes a sign with riven cloud and the shaken heavens, projecting a welcoming flash through the void, thundered with prosperous omen. Father Tiber, seated in that low valley, heard the sound in his labyrinthine cave. He stays with ears pricked up wondering whence this sudden popular clamour comes. Straightway he leaves his couch of green leaves, his mossy bed, and entrusts his urn to his attendant nymphs. Grey eyes flecked with blue shine out from his shaggy countenance, recalling his father Oceanus; thick curlèd grasses cover his neck and lush sedge crowns his head.

[44]Anicia Faltonia Proba. She was still alive in 410 and according to Procopius (Bell. Vand.i. 2) opened the gates of Rome to Alaric.

[45]Thetis, daughter of Nereus, was married to Peleus on Mount Pelion in Thessaly.

[18]quam neque fas Zephyris frangi nec sole perustamaestivo candore mori; sed vivida frondetaequaevum complexa caput. taurina levantur220cornua temporibus raucos sudantia rivos;distillant per pectus aquae; frons hispida manatimbribus; in liquidos fontes se barba repectit.palla graves umeros velat, quam neverat uxorIlia percurrens vitreas sub gurgite telas.225Est in Romuleo procumbens insula Thybriqua medius geminas interfluit alveus urbesdiscretas subeunte freto, pariterque minantesardua turrigerae surgunt in culmina ripae.hic stetit et subitum prospexit ab aggere votum:230unanimos[46]fratres iuncto stipante senatuire forum strictasque procul radiare securesatque uno biiuges tolli de limine fasces.obstupuit visu suspensaque gaudia vocemoppressam tenuere diu; mox incohat ore:235“Respice, si tales iactas aluisse fluentis,Eurota Spartane, tuis. quid protulit aequumfalsus olor, valido quamvis decernere caestunoverit et ratibus saevas arcere procellas?en nova Ledaeis suboles fulgentior astris,240ecce mei cives, quorum iam Signifer optatadventum stellisque parat convexa futuris.iam per noctivagos dominetur Olybrius axespro Polluce rubens, pro Castore flamma Probini.[46]Birt, followingMSS.,unanimes; Kochunanimos.[19]This the Zephyrs may not break nor the summer sun scorch to withering; it lives and burgeons around those brows immortal as itself. From his temples sprout horns like those of a bull; from these pour babbling streamlets; water drips upon his breast, showers pour down his hair-crowned forehead, flowing rivers from his parted beard. There clothes his massy shoulders a cloak woven by his wife Ilia, who threaded the crystalline loom beneath the flood.There lies in Roman Tiber’s stream an island where the central flood washes as ’twere two cities parted by the sundering waters: with equal threatening height the tower-clad banks rise in lofty buildings. Here stood Tiber and from this eminence beheld his prayer of a sudden fulfilled, saw the twin-souled brothers enter the Forum amid the press of thronging senators, the bared axes gleam afar and both sets of fasces brought forth from one threshold. He stood amazed at the sight and for a long time incredulous joy held his voice in check. Yet soon he thus began:“Behold, Eurotas, river of Sparta, boastest thou that thy streams have ever nurtured such as these? Did that false swan[47]beget a child to rival them, though ’tis true his sons could fight with the heavy glove and save ships from cruel tempests? Behold new offspring outshining the stars to which Leda gave birth, men of my city for whose coming the Zodiac is now awatch, making ready his hollow tract of sky for a constellation that is to be. Henceforth let Olybrius rule the nightly sky, shedding his ruddy light where Pollux once shone, and where glinted Castor’s fires there let glitter Probinus’[47]Jupiter, who courted Leda in the form of a swan, becoming by her the father of Helen, Clytemnestra, Castor and Pollux. These latter two were the patrons of the ring—hence “decernere caestu” (l. 238); and of sailors—hence “arcere procellas” (l. 239).

[18]

quam neque fas Zephyris frangi nec sole perustamaestivo candore mori; sed vivida frondetaequaevum complexa caput. taurina levantur220cornua temporibus raucos sudantia rivos;distillant per pectus aquae; frons hispida manatimbribus; in liquidos fontes se barba repectit.palla graves umeros velat, quam neverat uxorIlia percurrens vitreas sub gurgite telas.225Est in Romuleo procumbens insula Thybriqua medius geminas interfluit alveus urbesdiscretas subeunte freto, pariterque minantesardua turrigerae surgunt in culmina ripae.hic stetit et subitum prospexit ab aggere votum:230unanimos[46]fratres iuncto stipante senatuire forum strictasque procul radiare securesatque uno biiuges tolli de limine fasces.obstupuit visu suspensaque gaudia vocemoppressam tenuere diu; mox incohat ore:235“Respice, si tales iactas aluisse fluentis,Eurota Spartane, tuis. quid protulit aequumfalsus olor, valido quamvis decernere caestunoverit et ratibus saevas arcere procellas?en nova Ledaeis suboles fulgentior astris,240ecce mei cives, quorum iam Signifer optatadventum stellisque parat convexa futuris.iam per noctivagos dominetur Olybrius axespro Polluce rubens, pro Castore flamma Probini.

quam neque fas Zephyris frangi nec sole perustam

aestivo candore mori; sed vivida frondet

aequaevum complexa caput. taurina levantur220

cornua temporibus raucos sudantia rivos;

distillant per pectus aquae; frons hispida manat

imbribus; in liquidos fontes se barba repectit.

palla graves umeros velat, quam neverat uxor

Ilia percurrens vitreas sub gurgite telas.225

Est in Romuleo procumbens insula Thybri

qua medius geminas interfluit alveus urbes

discretas subeunte freto, pariterque minantes

ardua turrigerae surgunt in culmina ripae.

hic stetit et subitum prospexit ab aggere votum:230

unanimos[46]fratres iuncto stipante senatu

ire forum strictasque procul radiare secures

atque uno biiuges tolli de limine fasces.

obstupuit visu suspensaque gaudia vocem

oppressam tenuere diu; mox incohat ore:235

“Respice, si tales iactas aluisse fluentis,

Eurota Spartane, tuis. quid protulit aequum

falsus olor, valido quamvis decernere caestu

noverit et ratibus saevas arcere procellas?

en nova Ledaeis suboles fulgentior astris,240

ecce mei cives, quorum iam Signifer optat

adventum stellisque parat convexa futuris.

iam per noctivagos dominetur Olybrius axes

pro Polluce rubens, pro Castore flamma Probini.

[46]Birt, followingMSS.,unanimes; Kochunanimos.

[19]This the Zephyrs may not break nor the summer sun scorch to withering; it lives and burgeons around those brows immortal as itself. From his temples sprout horns like those of a bull; from these pour babbling streamlets; water drips upon his breast, showers pour down his hair-crowned forehead, flowing rivers from his parted beard. There clothes his massy shoulders a cloak woven by his wife Ilia, who threaded the crystalline loom beneath the flood.There lies in Roman Tiber’s stream an island where the central flood washes as ’twere two cities parted by the sundering waters: with equal threatening height the tower-clad banks rise in lofty buildings. Here stood Tiber and from this eminence beheld his prayer of a sudden fulfilled, saw the twin-souled brothers enter the Forum amid the press of thronging senators, the bared axes gleam afar and both sets of fasces brought forth from one threshold. He stood amazed at the sight and for a long time incredulous joy held his voice in check. Yet soon he thus began:“Behold, Eurotas, river of Sparta, boastest thou that thy streams have ever nurtured such as these? Did that false swan[47]beget a child to rival them, though ’tis true his sons could fight with the heavy glove and save ships from cruel tempests? Behold new offspring outshining the stars to which Leda gave birth, men of my city for whose coming the Zodiac is now awatch, making ready his hollow tract of sky for a constellation that is to be. Henceforth let Olybrius rule the nightly sky, shedding his ruddy light where Pollux once shone, and where glinted Castor’s fires there let glitter Probinus’[47]Jupiter, who courted Leda in the form of a swan, becoming by her the father of Helen, Clytemnestra, Castor and Pollux. These latter two were the patrons of the ring—hence “decernere caestu” (l. 238); and of sailors—hence “arcere procellas” (l. 239).

[19]

This the Zephyrs may not break nor the summer sun scorch to withering; it lives and burgeons around those brows immortal as itself. From his temples sprout horns like those of a bull; from these pour babbling streamlets; water drips upon his breast, showers pour down his hair-crowned forehead, flowing rivers from his parted beard. There clothes his massy shoulders a cloak woven by his wife Ilia, who threaded the crystalline loom beneath the flood.

There lies in Roman Tiber’s stream an island where the central flood washes as ’twere two cities parted by the sundering waters: with equal threatening height the tower-clad banks rise in lofty buildings. Here stood Tiber and from this eminence beheld his prayer of a sudden fulfilled, saw the twin-souled brothers enter the Forum amid the press of thronging senators, the bared axes gleam afar and both sets of fasces brought forth from one threshold. He stood amazed at the sight and for a long time incredulous joy held his voice in check. Yet soon he thus began:

“Behold, Eurotas, river of Sparta, boastest thou that thy streams have ever nurtured such as these? Did that false swan[47]beget a child to rival them, though ’tis true his sons could fight with the heavy glove and save ships from cruel tempests? Behold new offspring outshining the stars to which Leda gave birth, men of my city for whose coming the Zodiac is now awatch, making ready his hollow tract of sky for a constellation that is to be. Henceforth let Olybrius rule the nightly sky, shedding his ruddy light where Pollux once shone, and where glinted Castor’s fires there let glitter Probinus’

[47]Jupiter, who courted Leda in the form of a swan, becoming by her the father of Helen, Clytemnestra, Castor and Pollux. These latter two were the patrons of the ring—hence “decernere caestu” (l. 238); and of sailors—hence “arcere procellas” (l. 239).

[20]ipsi vela regent, ipsis donantibus auras245navita tranquillo moderabitur aequore pinum.nunc pateras libare deis, nunc solvere multonectare corda libet. niveos iam pandite coetus,Naides, et totum violis praetexite fontem;mella ferant silvae; iam profluat ebrius amnis250mutatis in vina vadis; iam sponte per agrossudent inriguae spirantia balsama venae!currat, qui sociae roget in convivia mensaeindigenas Fluvios, Italis quicumque suberrantmontibus Alpinasque bibunt de more pruinas:255Vulturnusque rapax et Nar vitiatus odorosulphure tardatusque suis erroribus Ufenset Phaëthonteae perpessus damna ruinaeEridanus flavaeque terens querceta MaricaeLiris et Oebaliae qui temperat arva Galaesus.260semper honoratus nostris celebrabitur undisiste dies, semper dapibus recoletur opimis.”Sic ait et Nymphae patris praecepta secutaetecta parant epulis ostroque infecta coruscoumida gemmiferis inluxit regia mensis.265O bene signatum fraterno nomine tempus!o consanguineis felix auctoribus annus,incipe quadrifidum Phoebi torquere laborem.prima tibi procedat hiems non frigore torpens,non canas vestita nives, non aspera ventis,270sed tepido calefacta Noto; ver inde serenumprotinus et liquidi clementior aura Favonipratis te croceis pingat; te messibus aestas[21]flame. These shall direct men’s sails and vouchsafe those breezes whereby the sailor shall guide his bark o’er the calm ocean. Let us now pour libation to the new gods and ease our hearts with copious draughts of nectar. Naiads, now spread your snowy bands, wreath every spring with violets. Let the woods bring forth honey and the drunken river roll, its waters changed to wine; let the watering streams that vein the fields give off the scent of balsam spice. Let one run and invite to the feast and banquet-board all the rivers of our land, even all that wander beneath the mountains of Italy and drink as their portion the Alpine snows, swift Vulturnus and Nar infected with ill-smelling sulphur, Ufens whose meanderings delay his course and Eridanus into whose waters Phaëthon fell headlong; Liris who laves Marica’s golden oak groves and Galaesus who tempers the fields of Sparta’s colony Tarentum. This day shall always be held in honour and observed by our rivers and its anniversary ever celebrated with rich feastings.”So spake he, and the Nymphs, obeying their sire’s behest, made ready the rooms for the banquet, and the watery palace, ablaze with gleaming purple, shone with jewelled tables.O happy months to bear these brothers’ name! O year blessed to own such a pair as overlords, begin thou to turn the laborious wheel of Phoebus’ four-fold circle. First let thy winter pursue its course, sans numbing cold, not clothed in white snow nor torn by rough blasts, but warmed with the south wind’s breath: next, be thy spring calm from the outset and let the limpid west wind’s gentler breeze flood thy meads with yellow flowers.

[20]

ipsi vela regent, ipsis donantibus auras245navita tranquillo moderabitur aequore pinum.nunc pateras libare deis, nunc solvere multonectare corda libet. niveos iam pandite coetus,Naides, et totum violis praetexite fontem;mella ferant silvae; iam profluat ebrius amnis250mutatis in vina vadis; iam sponte per agrossudent inriguae spirantia balsama venae!currat, qui sociae roget in convivia mensaeindigenas Fluvios, Italis quicumque suberrantmontibus Alpinasque bibunt de more pruinas:255Vulturnusque rapax et Nar vitiatus odorosulphure tardatusque suis erroribus Ufenset Phaëthonteae perpessus damna ruinaeEridanus flavaeque terens querceta MaricaeLiris et Oebaliae qui temperat arva Galaesus.260semper honoratus nostris celebrabitur undisiste dies, semper dapibus recoletur opimis.”Sic ait et Nymphae patris praecepta secutaetecta parant epulis ostroque infecta coruscoumida gemmiferis inluxit regia mensis.265O bene signatum fraterno nomine tempus!o consanguineis felix auctoribus annus,incipe quadrifidum Phoebi torquere laborem.prima tibi procedat hiems non frigore torpens,non canas vestita nives, non aspera ventis,270sed tepido calefacta Noto; ver inde serenumprotinus et liquidi clementior aura Favonipratis te croceis pingat; te messibus aestas

ipsi vela regent, ipsis donantibus auras245

navita tranquillo moderabitur aequore pinum.

nunc pateras libare deis, nunc solvere multo

nectare corda libet. niveos iam pandite coetus,

Naides, et totum violis praetexite fontem;

mella ferant silvae; iam profluat ebrius amnis250

mutatis in vina vadis; iam sponte per agros

sudent inriguae spirantia balsama venae!

currat, qui sociae roget in convivia mensae

indigenas Fluvios, Italis quicumque suberrant

montibus Alpinasque bibunt de more pruinas:255

Vulturnusque rapax et Nar vitiatus odoro

sulphure tardatusque suis erroribus Ufens

et Phaëthonteae perpessus damna ruinae

Eridanus flavaeque terens querceta Maricae

Liris et Oebaliae qui temperat arva Galaesus.260

semper honoratus nostris celebrabitur undis

iste dies, semper dapibus recoletur opimis.”

Sic ait et Nymphae patris praecepta secutae

tecta parant epulis ostroque infecta corusco

umida gemmiferis inluxit regia mensis.265

O bene signatum fraterno nomine tempus!

o consanguineis felix auctoribus annus,

incipe quadrifidum Phoebi torquere laborem.

prima tibi procedat hiems non frigore torpens,

non canas vestita nives, non aspera ventis,270

sed tepido calefacta Noto; ver inde serenum

protinus et liquidi clementior aura Favoni

pratis te croceis pingat; te messibus aestas

[21]flame. These shall direct men’s sails and vouchsafe those breezes whereby the sailor shall guide his bark o’er the calm ocean. Let us now pour libation to the new gods and ease our hearts with copious draughts of nectar. Naiads, now spread your snowy bands, wreath every spring with violets. Let the woods bring forth honey and the drunken river roll, its waters changed to wine; let the watering streams that vein the fields give off the scent of balsam spice. Let one run and invite to the feast and banquet-board all the rivers of our land, even all that wander beneath the mountains of Italy and drink as their portion the Alpine snows, swift Vulturnus and Nar infected with ill-smelling sulphur, Ufens whose meanderings delay his course and Eridanus into whose waters Phaëthon fell headlong; Liris who laves Marica’s golden oak groves and Galaesus who tempers the fields of Sparta’s colony Tarentum. This day shall always be held in honour and observed by our rivers and its anniversary ever celebrated with rich feastings.”So spake he, and the Nymphs, obeying their sire’s behest, made ready the rooms for the banquet, and the watery palace, ablaze with gleaming purple, shone with jewelled tables.O happy months to bear these brothers’ name! O year blessed to own such a pair as overlords, begin thou to turn the laborious wheel of Phoebus’ four-fold circle. First let thy winter pursue its course, sans numbing cold, not clothed in white snow nor torn by rough blasts, but warmed with the south wind’s breath: next, be thy spring calm from the outset and let the limpid west wind’s gentler breeze flood thy meads with yellow flowers.

[21]

flame. These shall direct men’s sails and vouchsafe those breezes whereby the sailor shall guide his bark o’er the calm ocean. Let us now pour libation to the new gods and ease our hearts with copious draughts of nectar. Naiads, now spread your snowy bands, wreath every spring with violets. Let the woods bring forth honey and the drunken river roll, its waters changed to wine; let the watering streams that vein the fields give off the scent of balsam spice. Let one run and invite to the feast and banquet-board all the rivers of our land, even all that wander beneath the mountains of Italy and drink as their portion the Alpine snows, swift Vulturnus and Nar infected with ill-smelling sulphur, Ufens whose meanderings delay his course and Eridanus into whose waters Phaëthon fell headlong; Liris who laves Marica’s golden oak groves and Galaesus who tempers the fields of Sparta’s colony Tarentum. This day shall always be held in honour and observed by our rivers and its anniversary ever celebrated with rich feastings.”

So spake he, and the Nymphs, obeying their sire’s behest, made ready the rooms for the banquet, and the watery palace, ablaze with gleaming purple, shone with jewelled tables.

O happy months to bear these brothers’ name! O year blessed to own such a pair as overlords, begin thou to turn the laborious wheel of Phoebus’ four-fold circle. First let thy winter pursue its course, sans numbing cold, not clothed in white snow nor torn by rough blasts, but warmed with the south wind’s breath: next, be thy spring calm from the outset and let the limpid west wind’s gentler breeze flood thy meads with yellow flowers.

[22]induat autumnusque madentibus ambiat uvis.omni nobilior lustro, tibi gloria soli275contigit exactum numquam memorata per aevum,germanos habuisse duces; te cuncta loqueturtellus; te variis scribent in floribus Horaelongaque perpetui ducent in saecula fasti.[23]May summer crown thee with harvest and autumn store thee with luscious grapes. An honour that no age has ever yet known, a privilege never yet heard of in times gone by, this has been thine and thine alone—to have had brothers as thy consuls. The whole world shall tell of thee, the Hours shall inscribe thy name in various flowers, and age-long annals hand thy fame down through the long centuries.

[22]

induat autumnusque madentibus ambiat uvis.omni nobilior lustro, tibi gloria soli275contigit exactum numquam memorata per aevum,germanos habuisse duces; te cuncta loqueturtellus; te variis scribent in floribus Horaelongaque perpetui ducent in saecula fasti.

induat autumnusque madentibus ambiat uvis.

omni nobilior lustro, tibi gloria soli275

contigit exactum numquam memorata per aevum,

germanos habuisse duces; te cuncta loquetur

tellus; te variis scribent in floribus Horae

longaque perpetui ducent in saecula fasti.

[23]May summer crown thee with harvest and autumn store thee with luscious grapes. An honour that no age has ever yet known, a privilege never yet heard of in times gone by, this has been thine and thine alone—to have had brothers as thy consuls. The whole world shall tell of thee, the Hours shall inscribe thy name in various flowers, and age-long annals hand thy fame down through the long centuries.

[23]

May summer crown thee with harvest and autumn store thee with luscious grapes. An honour that no age has ever yet known, a privilege never yet heard of in times gone by, this has been thine and thine alone—to have had brothers as thy consuls. The whole world shall tell of thee, the Hours shall inscribe thy name in various flowers, and age-long annals hand thy fame down through the long centuries.

[24]IN RUFINUM LIBER PRIMUSINCIPIT PRAEFATIO(II.)Phoebeo domitus Python cum decidit arcumembraque Cirrhaeo fudit anhela iugo,qui spiris tegeret montes, hauriret hiatuflumina, sanguineis tangeret astra iubis:iam liber Parnasus erat nexuque soluto5coeperat erecta surgere fronde nemusconcussaeque diu spatiosis tractibus ornisecuras ventis explicuere comaset qui vipereo spumavit saepe venenoCephisos nitidis purior ibat aquis.10omnis “io Paean” regio sonat; omnia Phoebumrura canunt; tripodas plenior aura rotat,auditoque procul Musarum carmine dulciad Themidis coëunt antra severa dei.Nunc alio domini telis Pythone perempto15convenit ad nostram sacra caterva lyram,qui stabilem servans Augustis fratribus orbemiustitia pacem, viribus arma regit.[25]THE FIRST BOOK AGAINST RUFINUSPREFACE(II.)When Python had fallen, laid low by the arrow of Phoebus, his dying limbs outspread o’er Cirrha’s heights—Python, whose coils covered whole mountains, whose maw swallowed rivers and whose bloody crest touched the stars—then Parnassus was free and the woods, their serpent fetters shaken off, began to grow tall with lofty trees. The mountain-ashes, long shaken by the dragon’s sinuous coils, spread their leaves securely to the breeze, and Cephisus, who had so often foamed with his poisonous venom, now flowed a purer stream with limpid wave. The whole country echoed with the cry, “hail, Healer”: every land sang Phoebus’ praise. A fuller wind shakes the tripod, and the gods, hearing the Muses’ sweet song from afar off, gather in the dread caverns of Themis.A blessed band comes together to hear my song, now that a second Python has been slain by the weapons of that master of ours who made the rule of the brother Emperors hold the world steady, observing justice in peace and showing vigour in war.

[24]

(II.)

Phoebeo domitus Python cum decidit arcumembraque Cirrhaeo fudit anhela iugo,qui spiris tegeret montes, hauriret hiatuflumina, sanguineis tangeret astra iubis:iam liber Parnasus erat nexuque soluto5coeperat erecta surgere fronde nemusconcussaeque diu spatiosis tractibus ornisecuras ventis explicuere comaset qui vipereo spumavit saepe venenoCephisos nitidis purior ibat aquis.10omnis “io Paean” regio sonat; omnia Phoebumrura canunt; tripodas plenior aura rotat,auditoque procul Musarum carmine dulciad Themidis coëunt antra severa dei.Nunc alio domini telis Pythone perempto15convenit ad nostram sacra caterva lyram,qui stabilem servans Augustis fratribus orbemiustitia pacem, viribus arma regit.

Phoebeo domitus Python cum decidit arcu

membraque Cirrhaeo fudit anhela iugo,

qui spiris tegeret montes, hauriret hiatu

flumina, sanguineis tangeret astra iubis:

iam liber Parnasus erat nexuque soluto5

coeperat erecta surgere fronde nemus

concussaeque diu spatiosis tractibus orni

securas ventis explicuere comas

et qui vipereo spumavit saepe veneno

Cephisos nitidis purior ibat aquis.10

omnis “io Paean” regio sonat; omnia Phoebum

rura canunt; tripodas plenior aura rotat,

auditoque procul Musarum carmine dulci

ad Themidis coëunt antra severa dei.

Nunc alio domini telis Pythone perempto15convenit ad nostram sacra caterva lyram,qui stabilem servans Augustis fratribus orbemiustitia pacem, viribus arma regit.

Nunc alio domini telis Pythone perempto15

convenit ad nostram sacra caterva lyram,

qui stabilem servans Augustis fratribus orbem

iustitia pacem, viribus arma regit.

[25]THE FIRST BOOK AGAINST RUFINUSPREFACE(II.)When Python had fallen, laid low by the arrow of Phoebus, his dying limbs outspread o’er Cirrha’s heights—Python, whose coils covered whole mountains, whose maw swallowed rivers and whose bloody crest touched the stars—then Parnassus was free and the woods, their serpent fetters shaken off, began to grow tall with lofty trees. The mountain-ashes, long shaken by the dragon’s sinuous coils, spread their leaves securely to the breeze, and Cephisus, who had so often foamed with his poisonous venom, now flowed a purer stream with limpid wave. The whole country echoed with the cry, “hail, Healer”: every land sang Phoebus’ praise. A fuller wind shakes the tripod, and the gods, hearing the Muses’ sweet song from afar off, gather in the dread caverns of Themis.A blessed band comes together to hear my song, now that a second Python has been slain by the weapons of that master of ours who made the rule of the brother Emperors hold the world steady, observing justice in peace and showing vigour in war.

[25]

(II.)

When Python had fallen, laid low by the arrow of Phoebus, his dying limbs outspread o’er Cirrha’s heights—Python, whose coils covered whole mountains, whose maw swallowed rivers and whose bloody crest touched the stars—then Parnassus was free and the woods, their serpent fetters shaken off, began to grow tall with lofty trees. The mountain-ashes, long shaken by the dragon’s sinuous coils, spread their leaves securely to the breeze, and Cephisus, who had so often foamed with his poisonous venom, now flowed a purer stream with limpid wave. The whole country echoed with the cry, “hail, Healer”: every land sang Phoebus’ praise. A fuller wind shakes the tripod, and the gods, hearing the Muses’ sweet song from afar off, gather in the dread caverns of Themis.

A blessed band comes together to hear my song, now that a second Python has been slain by the weapons of that master of ours who made the rule of the brother Emperors hold the world steady, observing justice in peace and showing vigour in war.

[26]LIBER I(III.)Saepe mihi dubiam traxit sententia mentem,curarent superi terras an nullus inessetrector et incerto fluerent mortalia casu.nam cum dispositi quaesissem foedera mundipraescriptosque mari fines annisque meatus5et lucis noctisque vices: tunc omnia rebarconsilio firmata dei, qui lege moverisidera, qui fruges diverso tempore nasci,qui variam Phoeben alieno iusserit ignicompleri Solemque suo, porrexerit undis10litora, tellurem medio libraverit axe.sed cum res hominum tanta caligine volviadspicerem laetosque diu florere nocentesvexarique pios, rursus labefacta cadebatrelligio causaeque viam non sponte sequebar15alterius, vacuo quae currere semina motuadfirmat magnumque novas per inane figurasfortuna non arte regi, quae numina sensuambiguo vel nulla putat vel nescia nostri.[27]BOOK I(III.)My mind has often wavered between two opinions: have the gods a care for the world or is there no ruler therein and do mortal things drift as dubious chance dictates? For when I investigated the laws and the ordinances of heaven and observed the sea’s appointed limits, the year’s fixed cycle and the alternation of light and darkness, then methought everything was ordained according to the direction of a God who had bidden the stars move by fixed laws, plants grow at different seasons, the changing moon fulfil her circle with borrowed light and the sun shine by his own, who spread the shore before the waves and balanced the world in the centre of the firmament. But when I saw the impenetrable mist which surrounds human affairs, the wicked happy and long prosperous and the good discomforted, then in turn my belief in God was weakened and failed, and even against mine own will I embraced the tenets of that other philosophy[48]which teaches that atoms drift in purposeless motion and that new forms throughout the vast void are shaped by chance and not design—that philosophy which believes in God in an ambiguous sense, or holds that there be no gods, or that they are careless of our doings. At[48]Epicureanism.

[26]

(III.)

Saepe mihi dubiam traxit sententia mentem,curarent superi terras an nullus inessetrector et incerto fluerent mortalia casu.nam cum dispositi quaesissem foedera mundipraescriptosque mari fines annisque meatus5et lucis noctisque vices: tunc omnia rebarconsilio firmata dei, qui lege moverisidera, qui fruges diverso tempore nasci,qui variam Phoeben alieno iusserit ignicompleri Solemque suo, porrexerit undis10litora, tellurem medio libraverit axe.sed cum res hominum tanta caligine volviadspicerem laetosque diu florere nocentesvexarique pios, rursus labefacta cadebatrelligio causaeque viam non sponte sequebar15alterius, vacuo quae currere semina motuadfirmat magnumque novas per inane figurasfortuna non arte regi, quae numina sensuambiguo vel nulla putat vel nescia nostri.

Saepe mihi dubiam traxit sententia mentem,

curarent superi terras an nullus inesset

rector et incerto fluerent mortalia casu.

nam cum dispositi quaesissem foedera mundi

praescriptosque mari fines annisque meatus5

et lucis noctisque vices: tunc omnia rebar

consilio firmata dei, qui lege moveri

sidera, qui fruges diverso tempore nasci,

qui variam Phoeben alieno iusserit igni

compleri Solemque suo, porrexerit undis10

litora, tellurem medio libraverit axe.

sed cum res hominum tanta caligine volvi

adspicerem laetosque diu florere nocentes

vexarique pios, rursus labefacta cadebat

relligio causaeque viam non sponte sequebar15

alterius, vacuo quae currere semina motu

adfirmat magnumque novas per inane figuras

fortuna non arte regi, quae numina sensu

ambiguo vel nulla putat vel nescia nostri.

[27]BOOK I(III.)My mind has often wavered between two opinions: have the gods a care for the world or is there no ruler therein and do mortal things drift as dubious chance dictates? For when I investigated the laws and the ordinances of heaven and observed the sea’s appointed limits, the year’s fixed cycle and the alternation of light and darkness, then methought everything was ordained according to the direction of a God who had bidden the stars move by fixed laws, plants grow at different seasons, the changing moon fulfil her circle with borrowed light and the sun shine by his own, who spread the shore before the waves and balanced the world in the centre of the firmament. But when I saw the impenetrable mist which surrounds human affairs, the wicked happy and long prosperous and the good discomforted, then in turn my belief in God was weakened and failed, and even against mine own will I embraced the tenets of that other philosophy[48]which teaches that atoms drift in purposeless motion and that new forms throughout the vast void are shaped by chance and not design—that philosophy which believes in God in an ambiguous sense, or holds that there be no gods, or that they are careless of our doings. At[48]Epicureanism.

[27]

(III.)

My mind has often wavered between two opinions: have the gods a care for the world or is there no ruler therein and do mortal things drift as dubious chance dictates? For when I investigated the laws and the ordinances of heaven and observed the sea’s appointed limits, the year’s fixed cycle and the alternation of light and darkness, then methought everything was ordained according to the direction of a God who had bidden the stars move by fixed laws, plants grow at different seasons, the changing moon fulfil her circle with borrowed light and the sun shine by his own, who spread the shore before the waves and balanced the world in the centre of the firmament. But when I saw the impenetrable mist which surrounds human affairs, the wicked happy and long prosperous and the good discomforted, then in turn my belief in God was weakened and failed, and even against mine own will I embraced the tenets of that other philosophy[48]which teaches that atoms drift in purposeless motion and that new forms throughout the vast void are shaped by chance and not design—that philosophy which believes in God in an ambiguous sense, or holds that there be no gods, or that they are careless of our doings. At

[48]Epicureanism.

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