Chapter 6

[106]nunc inhonorus egens perfert miserabile pacissupplicium nulloque palam circumdatus hoste100obsessi discrimen habet. per singula letumimpendet momenta mihi dubitandaque paucipraescribunt alimenta dies, heu prospera fata!quid mihi septenos montes turbamque dedistis,quae parvo non possit ali? felicior essem105angustis opibus; mallem tolerare Sabinoset Veios; brevior duxi securius aevum.ipsa nocet moles. utinam remeare liceretad veteres fines et moenia pauperis Anci.sufficerent Etrusca mihi Campanaque culta110et Quincti Curiique seges, patriaeque petentirusticus inferret proprias dictator aristas.“Nunc quid agam? Libyam Gildo tenet, altera Nilum.ast ego, quae terras umeris pontumque subegi,deseror: emeritae iam praemia nulla senectae.115di, quibus iratis crevi, succurrite tandem,exorate patrem; tuque o si sponte per altumvecta Palatinis mutasti collibus Idampraelatoque lavas Phrygios Almone leones,maternis precibus natum iam flecte, Cybebe.120sin prohibent Parcae falsisque elusa vetustasauspiciis, alio saltem prosternite casuet poenae mutate genus. Porsenna reducatTarquinios; renovet ferales Allia pugnas;me potius saevi manibus permittite Pyrrhi,125[107]been subdued, dishonoured now and poverty-stricken, bends beneath the cruel lash of peace, and though not openly beleaguered by any foe yet has all the hazard of a siege. Destruction threatens me hourly; a few days will set a limit to my uncertain food-supply. Out upon thee, prosperity! Why hast thou given me seven hills and such a population as a small supply cannot nourish? Happier I, had my power been less. Better to have put up with the Sabines and Veii; in narrower bonds I passed securer days. My very magnitude undoes me; would that I could return to my former boundaries and the walls of poor Ancus. Enough for me then would be the ploughlands of Etruria and Campania, the farms of Cincinnatus and Curius, and at his country’s prayer the rustic dictator[66]would bring his home-grown wheat.“What am I to do now? Gildo holds Libya, another[67]Egypt; while I, who subdued land and sea with my strong arm, am left to perish. Veteran of so many wars, can I claim no reward in mine old age? Ye gods in whose despite, it seems, I increased, now aid me at the last; pray Jove for me. And thou, Cybele, if ever of thine own free will thou wert carried over the sea and in exchange for Mount Ida tookest the hills of Rome and didst bathe thy Phrygian lions in Almo’s more favoured stream, move now thy son[68]with a mother’s entreaties. But if the fates forbid and our first founder was misled by augury untrue, o’erwhelm me at least in some different ruin, and change the nature of my punishment. Let Porsenna bring back the Tarquins; let Allia renew her bloody battle. Let me fall rather into the hands of cruel[66]Doubtless a reference to Cincinnatus.[67]Claudian means by “altera” the Eastern Empire.[68]i.e.Jupiter.

[106]

nunc inhonorus egens perfert miserabile pacissupplicium nulloque palam circumdatus hoste100obsessi discrimen habet. per singula letumimpendet momenta mihi dubitandaque paucipraescribunt alimenta dies, heu prospera fata!quid mihi septenos montes turbamque dedistis,quae parvo non possit ali? felicior essem105angustis opibus; mallem tolerare Sabinoset Veios; brevior duxi securius aevum.ipsa nocet moles. utinam remeare liceretad veteres fines et moenia pauperis Anci.sufficerent Etrusca mihi Campanaque culta110et Quincti Curiique seges, patriaeque petentirusticus inferret proprias dictator aristas.“Nunc quid agam? Libyam Gildo tenet, altera Nilum.ast ego, quae terras umeris pontumque subegi,deseror: emeritae iam praemia nulla senectae.115di, quibus iratis crevi, succurrite tandem,exorate patrem; tuque o si sponte per altumvecta Palatinis mutasti collibus Idampraelatoque lavas Phrygios Almone leones,maternis precibus natum iam flecte, Cybebe.120sin prohibent Parcae falsisque elusa vetustasauspiciis, alio saltem prosternite casuet poenae mutate genus. Porsenna reducatTarquinios; renovet ferales Allia pugnas;me potius saevi manibus permittite Pyrrhi,125

nunc inhonorus egens perfert miserabile pacis

supplicium nulloque palam circumdatus hoste100

obsessi discrimen habet. per singula letum

impendet momenta mihi dubitandaque pauci

praescribunt alimenta dies, heu prospera fata!

quid mihi septenos montes turbamque dedistis,

quae parvo non possit ali? felicior essem105

angustis opibus; mallem tolerare Sabinos

et Veios; brevior duxi securius aevum.

ipsa nocet moles. utinam remeare liceret

ad veteres fines et moenia pauperis Anci.

sufficerent Etrusca mihi Campanaque culta110

et Quincti Curiique seges, patriaeque petenti

rusticus inferret proprias dictator aristas.

“Nunc quid agam? Libyam Gildo tenet, altera Nilum.

ast ego, quae terras umeris pontumque subegi,

deseror: emeritae iam praemia nulla senectae.115

di, quibus iratis crevi, succurrite tandem,

exorate patrem; tuque o si sponte per altum

vecta Palatinis mutasti collibus Idam

praelatoque lavas Phrygios Almone leones,

maternis precibus natum iam flecte, Cybebe.120

sin prohibent Parcae falsisque elusa vetustas

auspiciis, alio saltem prosternite casu

et poenae mutate genus. Porsenna reducat

Tarquinios; renovet ferales Allia pugnas;

me potius saevi manibus permittite Pyrrhi,125

[107]been subdued, dishonoured now and poverty-stricken, bends beneath the cruel lash of peace, and though not openly beleaguered by any foe yet has all the hazard of a siege. Destruction threatens me hourly; a few days will set a limit to my uncertain food-supply. Out upon thee, prosperity! Why hast thou given me seven hills and such a population as a small supply cannot nourish? Happier I, had my power been less. Better to have put up with the Sabines and Veii; in narrower bonds I passed securer days. My very magnitude undoes me; would that I could return to my former boundaries and the walls of poor Ancus. Enough for me then would be the ploughlands of Etruria and Campania, the farms of Cincinnatus and Curius, and at his country’s prayer the rustic dictator[66]would bring his home-grown wheat.“What am I to do now? Gildo holds Libya, another[67]Egypt; while I, who subdued land and sea with my strong arm, am left to perish. Veteran of so many wars, can I claim no reward in mine old age? Ye gods in whose despite, it seems, I increased, now aid me at the last; pray Jove for me. And thou, Cybele, if ever of thine own free will thou wert carried over the sea and in exchange for Mount Ida tookest the hills of Rome and didst bathe thy Phrygian lions in Almo’s more favoured stream, move now thy son[68]with a mother’s entreaties. But if the fates forbid and our first founder was misled by augury untrue, o’erwhelm me at least in some different ruin, and change the nature of my punishment. Let Porsenna bring back the Tarquins; let Allia renew her bloody battle. Let me fall rather into the hands of cruel[66]Doubtless a reference to Cincinnatus.[67]Claudian means by “altera” the Eastern Empire.[68]i.e.Jupiter.

[107]

been subdued, dishonoured now and poverty-stricken, bends beneath the cruel lash of peace, and though not openly beleaguered by any foe yet has all the hazard of a siege. Destruction threatens me hourly; a few days will set a limit to my uncertain food-supply. Out upon thee, prosperity! Why hast thou given me seven hills and such a population as a small supply cannot nourish? Happier I, had my power been less. Better to have put up with the Sabines and Veii; in narrower bonds I passed securer days. My very magnitude undoes me; would that I could return to my former boundaries and the walls of poor Ancus. Enough for me then would be the ploughlands of Etruria and Campania, the farms of Cincinnatus and Curius, and at his country’s prayer the rustic dictator[66]would bring his home-grown wheat.

“What am I to do now? Gildo holds Libya, another[67]Egypt; while I, who subdued land and sea with my strong arm, am left to perish. Veteran of so many wars, can I claim no reward in mine old age? Ye gods in whose despite, it seems, I increased, now aid me at the last; pray Jove for me. And thou, Cybele, if ever of thine own free will thou wert carried over the sea and in exchange for Mount Ida tookest the hills of Rome and didst bathe thy Phrygian lions in Almo’s more favoured stream, move now thy son[68]with a mother’s entreaties. But if the fates forbid and our first founder was misled by augury untrue, o’erwhelm me at least in some different ruin, and change the nature of my punishment. Let Porsenna bring back the Tarquins; let Allia renew her bloody battle. Let me fall rather into the hands of cruel

[66]Doubtless a reference to Cincinnatus.

[67]Claudian means by “altera” the Eastern Empire.

[68]i.e.Jupiter.

[108]me Senonum furiis, Brenni me reddite flammis.cuncta fame leviora mihi.”Sic fata refusisobticuit lacrimis. mater Cytherea parensqueflet Mavors sanctaeque memor Tritonia Vestae,nec Cybele sicco nec stabat lumine Iuno.130maerent indigetes et si quos Roma recepitaut dedit ipsa deos. genitor iam corde remitticoeperat et sacrum dextra sedare tumultum,cum procul insanis quatiens ululatibus axemet contusa genas mediis adparet in astris135Africa: rescissae vestes et spicea passimserta iacent; lacero crinales vertice denteset fractum pendebat ebur, talique superbasinrupit clamore fores:“Quid magne morarisIuppiter avulso nexu pelagique solutis140legibus iratum populis inmittere fratrem?mergi prima peto; veniant praerupta Pachynoaequora, laxatis subsidant Syrtibus urbes.si mihi Gildonem nequeunt abducere fata,me rape Gildoni. felicior illa perustae145pars Libyae, nimio quae se munita caloredefendit tantique vacat secura tyranni.crescat zona rubens; medius flagrantis Olympime quoque limes agat; melius deserta iacebovomeris impatiens. pulsis dominentur aristis150dipsades et sitiens attollat glaeba cerastas.quid me temperies iuvit? quid mitior aether?Gildoni fecunda fui. iam solis habenae[109]Pyrrhus; abandon me to the fury of the Senones or the flames of Brennus. Welcome all this rather than to starve!”So spake she, and upwelling tears choked her voice. Venus, mother of Aeneas, wept, and Mars, father of Romulus and Minerva, mindful of Vesta’s sacred charge.[69]Nor Cybele nor Juno stood with dry eyes. The heroes mourn and all the gods whose worship Rome received from without or herself inaugurated. And now began the heart of Jove to soften. With hand outstretched he was checking the murmurings of the gods when, shaking heaven with distraught cries, Africa, her cheeks torn, appeared in the distance advancing amid the stars. Torn was her raiment, scattered her crown of corn. Her head was wounded and the ivory comb that secured her hair hung loose and broken. She rushed into Heaven’s halls shouting thus: “Great Jove, why delayest thou to loose the bonds of sea, to break its decree and hurl thy brother[70]in wrath against the land? May I be the first to be overwhelmed. Welcome the broken waters from Pachynus’ cape; sink my cities in the freed Syrtes. If so be fate cannot rid me of Gildo, rid Gildo of me. Happier that region of Libya that defends itself by means of its own excessive heat and thus knows not the irksome rule of so savage a tyrant. Let the torrid zone spread. Let the midmost path of the scorching sky burn me also. Better I lay a desert nor ever suffered the plough. Let the dust-snake lord it in a cornless land and the thirsty earth give birth to nought but vipers. What avails me a healthy climate, a milder air? My fruitfulness is but for[69]i.e.the Palladium, the image of Pallas (=Minerva), rescued by Metellus from the burning temple of Vesta, 241B.C.[70]i.e.Neptune.

[108]

me Senonum furiis, Brenni me reddite flammis.cuncta fame leviora mihi.”Sic fata refusisobticuit lacrimis. mater Cytherea parensqueflet Mavors sanctaeque memor Tritonia Vestae,nec Cybele sicco nec stabat lumine Iuno.130maerent indigetes et si quos Roma recepitaut dedit ipsa deos. genitor iam corde remitticoeperat et sacrum dextra sedare tumultum,cum procul insanis quatiens ululatibus axemet contusa genas mediis adparet in astris135Africa: rescissae vestes et spicea passimserta iacent; lacero crinales vertice denteset fractum pendebat ebur, talique superbasinrupit clamore fores:“Quid magne morarisIuppiter avulso nexu pelagique solutis140legibus iratum populis inmittere fratrem?mergi prima peto; veniant praerupta Pachynoaequora, laxatis subsidant Syrtibus urbes.si mihi Gildonem nequeunt abducere fata,me rape Gildoni. felicior illa perustae145pars Libyae, nimio quae se munita caloredefendit tantique vacat secura tyranni.crescat zona rubens; medius flagrantis Olympime quoque limes agat; melius deserta iacebovomeris impatiens. pulsis dominentur aristis150dipsades et sitiens attollat glaeba cerastas.quid me temperies iuvit? quid mitior aether?Gildoni fecunda fui. iam solis habenae

me Senonum furiis, Brenni me reddite flammis.

cuncta fame leviora mihi.”

Sic fata refusis

obticuit lacrimis. mater Cytherea parensque

flet Mavors sanctaeque memor Tritonia Vestae,

nec Cybele sicco nec stabat lumine Iuno.130

maerent indigetes et si quos Roma recepit

aut dedit ipsa deos. genitor iam corde remitti

coeperat et sacrum dextra sedare tumultum,

cum procul insanis quatiens ululatibus axem

et contusa genas mediis adparet in astris135

Africa: rescissae vestes et spicea passim

serta iacent; lacero crinales vertice dentes

et fractum pendebat ebur, talique superbas

inrupit clamore fores:

“Quid magne moraris

Iuppiter avulso nexu pelagique solutis140

legibus iratum populis inmittere fratrem?

mergi prima peto; veniant praerupta Pachyno

aequora, laxatis subsidant Syrtibus urbes.

si mihi Gildonem nequeunt abducere fata,

me rape Gildoni. felicior illa perustae145

pars Libyae, nimio quae se munita calore

defendit tantique vacat secura tyranni.

crescat zona rubens; medius flagrantis Olympi

me quoque limes agat; melius deserta iacebo

vomeris impatiens. pulsis dominentur aristis150

dipsades et sitiens attollat glaeba cerastas.

quid me temperies iuvit? quid mitior aether?

Gildoni fecunda fui. iam solis habenae

[109]Pyrrhus; abandon me to the fury of the Senones or the flames of Brennus. Welcome all this rather than to starve!”So spake she, and upwelling tears choked her voice. Venus, mother of Aeneas, wept, and Mars, father of Romulus and Minerva, mindful of Vesta’s sacred charge.[69]Nor Cybele nor Juno stood with dry eyes. The heroes mourn and all the gods whose worship Rome received from without or herself inaugurated. And now began the heart of Jove to soften. With hand outstretched he was checking the murmurings of the gods when, shaking heaven with distraught cries, Africa, her cheeks torn, appeared in the distance advancing amid the stars. Torn was her raiment, scattered her crown of corn. Her head was wounded and the ivory comb that secured her hair hung loose and broken. She rushed into Heaven’s halls shouting thus: “Great Jove, why delayest thou to loose the bonds of sea, to break its decree and hurl thy brother[70]in wrath against the land? May I be the first to be overwhelmed. Welcome the broken waters from Pachynus’ cape; sink my cities in the freed Syrtes. If so be fate cannot rid me of Gildo, rid Gildo of me. Happier that region of Libya that defends itself by means of its own excessive heat and thus knows not the irksome rule of so savage a tyrant. Let the torrid zone spread. Let the midmost path of the scorching sky burn me also. Better I lay a desert nor ever suffered the plough. Let the dust-snake lord it in a cornless land and the thirsty earth give birth to nought but vipers. What avails me a healthy climate, a milder air? My fruitfulness is but for[69]i.e.the Palladium, the image of Pallas (=Minerva), rescued by Metellus from the burning temple of Vesta, 241B.C.[70]i.e.Neptune.

[109]

Pyrrhus; abandon me to the fury of the Senones or the flames of Brennus. Welcome all this rather than to starve!”

So spake she, and upwelling tears choked her voice. Venus, mother of Aeneas, wept, and Mars, father of Romulus and Minerva, mindful of Vesta’s sacred charge.[69]Nor Cybele nor Juno stood with dry eyes. The heroes mourn and all the gods whose worship Rome received from without or herself inaugurated. And now began the heart of Jove to soften. With hand outstretched he was checking the murmurings of the gods when, shaking heaven with distraught cries, Africa, her cheeks torn, appeared in the distance advancing amid the stars. Torn was her raiment, scattered her crown of corn. Her head was wounded and the ivory comb that secured her hair hung loose and broken. She rushed into Heaven’s halls shouting thus: “Great Jove, why delayest thou to loose the bonds of sea, to break its decree and hurl thy brother[70]in wrath against the land? May I be the first to be overwhelmed. Welcome the broken waters from Pachynus’ cape; sink my cities in the freed Syrtes. If so be fate cannot rid me of Gildo, rid Gildo of me. Happier that region of Libya that defends itself by means of its own excessive heat and thus knows not the irksome rule of so savage a tyrant. Let the torrid zone spread. Let the midmost path of the scorching sky burn me also. Better I lay a desert nor ever suffered the plough. Let the dust-snake lord it in a cornless land and the thirsty earth give birth to nought but vipers. What avails me a healthy climate, a milder air? My fruitfulness is but for

[69]i.e.the Palladium, the image of Pallas (=Minerva), rescued by Metellus from the burning temple of Vesta, 241B.C.

[70]i.e.Neptune.

[110]bis senas torquent hiemes, cervicibus ex quohaeret triste iugum. nostris iam luctibus ille155consenuit regnumque sibi tot vindicat annos.atque utinam regnum! privato iure tenemurexigui specie fundi. quod Nilus et Atlasdissidet, occiduis quod Gadibus arida Barcequodque Paraetonio secedit litore Tingi,160hoc sibi transcripsit proprium. pars tertia mundiunius praedonis ager.“Distantibus ideminter se vitiis cinctus: quodcumque profundatraxit avaritia, luxu peiore refundit.instat terribilis vivis, morientibus heres,165virginibus raptor, thalamis obscaenus adulter.nulla quies: oritur praeda cessante libido,divitibusque dies et nox metuenda maritis.quisquis vel locuples pulchra vel coniuge notus,crimine pulsatur falso; si crimina desunt,170accitus conviva perit. mors nulla refugitartificem: varios sucos spumasque requiritserpentum virides et adhuc ignota novercisgramina. si quisquam vultu praesentia damnetliberiusve gemat, dapibus crudelis in ipsis175emicat ad nutum stricto mucrone minister.fixus quisque toro tacita formidine libatcarnifices epulas incertaque pocula pallenshaurit et intentos capiti circumspicit enses.splendet Tartareo furialis mensa paratu180caede madens, atrox gladio, suspecta veneno.[111]Gildo. Twelve courses has the sun’s chariot run since first I wore this sorry yoke. He has now grown old amid our miseries and these many years have set their seal upon his rule. Rule—would it were rule: a private owner possesses me, as it had been some pelting farm. From Nile to Atlas’ mount, from scorched Barce to western Gades, from Tingi[71]to Egypt’s coast Gildo has appropriated the land as his own. A third of the world belongs to one robber-chief.“He is a prey to the most diverse vices: whatsoe’er his bottomless greed has stolen, a yet more insatiable profligacy squanders. He is the terror of the living, the heir of the dead, the violator of the unwed, and the foul corrupter of the marriage-bed. He is never quiet; when greed is sated lust is rampant; day is a misery to the rich, night to the married. Is any wealthy or known to possess a beautiful wife, he is overwhelmed by some trumped-up charge. If no charge be brought against him, he is asked to a banquet and there murdered. No form of death but is known to this artist in crime. He investigates the properties of different poisons and serpents’ livid venom and knows of deadly herbs unknown even to stepmothers. If any condemns what he sees by a look or sighs with too much freedom, at the very festal board out darts some henchman with drawn sword at a nod from his master. Each glued to his seat tastes in silent fear of the deadly banquet; drains, pale of face, the treacherous cup, and looks around at the weapons that threaten his life. The deadly board is decked in infernal splendour, wet with slaughter, dreadful with fear of sword and suspected poison. When wine has[71]Tangiers.

[110]

bis senas torquent hiemes, cervicibus ex quohaeret triste iugum. nostris iam luctibus ille155consenuit regnumque sibi tot vindicat annos.atque utinam regnum! privato iure tenemurexigui specie fundi. quod Nilus et Atlasdissidet, occiduis quod Gadibus arida Barcequodque Paraetonio secedit litore Tingi,160hoc sibi transcripsit proprium. pars tertia mundiunius praedonis ager.“Distantibus ideminter se vitiis cinctus: quodcumque profundatraxit avaritia, luxu peiore refundit.instat terribilis vivis, morientibus heres,165virginibus raptor, thalamis obscaenus adulter.nulla quies: oritur praeda cessante libido,divitibusque dies et nox metuenda maritis.quisquis vel locuples pulchra vel coniuge notus,crimine pulsatur falso; si crimina desunt,170accitus conviva perit. mors nulla refugitartificem: varios sucos spumasque requiritserpentum virides et adhuc ignota novercisgramina. si quisquam vultu praesentia damnetliberiusve gemat, dapibus crudelis in ipsis175emicat ad nutum stricto mucrone minister.fixus quisque toro tacita formidine libatcarnifices epulas incertaque pocula pallenshaurit et intentos capiti circumspicit enses.splendet Tartareo furialis mensa paratu180caede madens, atrox gladio, suspecta veneno.

bis senas torquent hiemes, cervicibus ex quo

haeret triste iugum. nostris iam luctibus ille155

consenuit regnumque sibi tot vindicat annos.

atque utinam regnum! privato iure tenemur

exigui specie fundi. quod Nilus et Atlas

dissidet, occiduis quod Gadibus arida Barce

quodque Paraetonio secedit litore Tingi,160

hoc sibi transcripsit proprium. pars tertia mundi

unius praedonis ager.

“Distantibus idem

inter se vitiis cinctus: quodcumque profunda

traxit avaritia, luxu peiore refundit.

instat terribilis vivis, morientibus heres,165

virginibus raptor, thalamis obscaenus adulter.

nulla quies: oritur praeda cessante libido,

divitibusque dies et nox metuenda maritis.

quisquis vel locuples pulchra vel coniuge notus,

crimine pulsatur falso; si crimina desunt,170

accitus conviva perit. mors nulla refugit

artificem: varios sucos spumasque requirit

serpentum virides et adhuc ignota novercis

gramina. si quisquam vultu praesentia damnet

liberiusve gemat, dapibus crudelis in ipsis175

emicat ad nutum stricto mucrone minister.

fixus quisque toro tacita formidine libat

carnifices epulas incertaque pocula pallens

haurit et intentos capiti circumspicit enses.

splendet Tartareo furialis mensa paratu180

caede madens, atrox gladio, suspecta veneno.

[111]Gildo. Twelve courses has the sun’s chariot run since first I wore this sorry yoke. He has now grown old amid our miseries and these many years have set their seal upon his rule. Rule—would it were rule: a private owner possesses me, as it had been some pelting farm. From Nile to Atlas’ mount, from scorched Barce to western Gades, from Tingi[71]to Egypt’s coast Gildo has appropriated the land as his own. A third of the world belongs to one robber-chief.“He is a prey to the most diverse vices: whatsoe’er his bottomless greed has stolen, a yet more insatiable profligacy squanders. He is the terror of the living, the heir of the dead, the violator of the unwed, and the foul corrupter of the marriage-bed. He is never quiet; when greed is sated lust is rampant; day is a misery to the rich, night to the married. Is any wealthy or known to possess a beautiful wife, he is overwhelmed by some trumped-up charge. If no charge be brought against him, he is asked to a banquet and there murdered. No form of death but is known to this artist in crime. He investigates the properties of different poisons and serpents’ livid venom and knows of deadly herbs unknown even to stepmothers. If any condemns what he sees by a look or sighs with too much freedom, at the very festal board out darts some henchman with drawn sword at a nod from his master. Each glued to his seat tastes in silent fear of the deadly banquet; drains, pale of face, the treacherous cup, and looks around at the weapons that threaten his life. The deadly board is decked in infernal splendour, wet with slaughter, dreadful with fear of sword and suspected poison. When wine has[71]Tangiers.

[111]

Gildo. Twelve courses has the sun’s chariot run since first I wore this sorry yoke. He has now grown old amid our miseries and these many years have set their seal upon his rule. Rule—would it were rule: a private owner possesses me, as it had been some pelting farm. From Nile to Atlas’ mount, from scorched Barce to western Gades, from Tingi[71]to Egypt’s coast Gildo has appropriated the land as his own. A third of the world belongs to one robber-chief.

“He is a prey to the most diverse vices: whatsoe’er his bottomless greed has stolen, a yet more insatiable profligacy squanders. He is the terror of the living, the heir of the dead, the violator of the unwed, and the foul corrupter of the marriage-bed. He is never quiet; when greed is sated lust is rampant; day is a misery to the rich, night to the married. Is any wealthy or known to possess a beautiful wife, he is overwhelmed by some trumped-up charge. If no charge be brought against him, he is asked to a banquet and there murdered. No form of death but is known to this artist in crime. He investigates the properties of different poisons and serpents’ livid venom and knows of deadly herbs unknown even to stepmothers. If any condemns what he sees by a look or sighs with too much freedom, at the very festal board out darts some henchman with drawn sword at a nod from his master. Each glued to his seat tastes in silent fear of the deadly banquet; drains, pale of face, the treacherous cup, and looks around at the weapons that threaten his life. The deadly board is decked in infernal splendour, wet with slaughter, dreadful with fear of sword and suspected poison. When wine has

[71]Tangiers.

[112]ut vino calefacta Venus, tum saevior ardetluxuries, mixtis redolent unguenta coronis:crinitos inter famulos pubemque canoramorbatas iubet ire nurus nuperque peremptis185adridere viris. Phalarim tormentaque flammaeprofuit et Siculi mugitus ferre iuvenciquam tales audire choros. nec damna pudoristurpia sufficiunt: Mauris clarissima quaequefastidita datur. media Carthagine ductae190barbara Sidoniae subeunt conubia matres;Aethiopem nobis generum, Nasamona maritumingerit; exterret cunabula discolor infans.his fretus sociis ipso iam principe maiorincedit; peditum praecurrunt agmina longe;195circumdant equitum turmae regesque clientes,quos nostris ditat spoliis. proturbat avitaquemque domo; veteres detrudit rure colonos.exiliis dispersa feror. numquamne revertifas erit errantesque solo iam reddere cives?”200Iret adhuc in verba dolor, ni Iuppiter altocoepisset solio (voces adamante notabatAtropos et Lachesis iungebat stamina dictis):“nec te, Roma, diu nec te patiemur inultam,Africa. communem prosternet Honorius hostem.205pergite securae. vestrum vis nulla tenoremseparat et soli famulabitur Africa Romae.”Dixit et adflavit Romam meliore iuventa.continuo redit ille vigor seniique coloremmutavere comae. solidatam crista resurgens210[113]inflamed the passions, his lust rages more savagely; ’midst the mingled smell of scents and flowers, ’midst curled minions and youthful choirs he bids go sport the widowed wives whose husbands he but a moment ago has murdered. Better Phalaris and the torments of his furnace, better to listen to the bellowings of the Sicilian bull than to such songs as these. Nor is the base sacrifice of their good name enough. When tired of each noblest matron Gildo hands her over to the Moors. Married in Carthage city these Sidonian mothers needs must mate with barbarians. He thrusts upon me an Ethiopian as a son-in-law, a Berber as a husband. The hideous half-breed child affrights its cradle. Thanks to those base allies his state is more regal than that of the emperor himself. Before him goes a body of foot-soldiers, squadrons of cavalry surround him and client kings whom he enriches with our spoils. He drives one and all from their ancestral houses and expels husbandmen from farms so long theirs. My people are scattered in exile. Are my citizens never to return from their wanderings to their native soil?”She would have spoken further in her grief had not Jove begun from his lofty throne—Atropos wrote down his words in adamant and Lachesis spun them in with her thread—“Neither thou, Rome, nor yet thou, Africa, will we suffer to go long unavenged. Honorius shall disperse your common foe. Go in peace. No violence shall part your companionship; Africa shall serve Rome, and Rome alone.”He spake and breathed into Rome a youth renewed. Straightway her former strength returned, and her hair put off its grey of eld; her helmet grew solid,

[112]

ut vino calefacta Venus, tum saevior ardetluxuries, mixtis redolent unguenta coronis:crinitos inter famulos pubemque canoramorbatas iubet ire nurus nuperque peremptis185adridere viris. Phalarim tormentaque flammaeprofuit et Siculi mugitus ferre iuvenciquam tales audire choros. nec damna pudoristurpia sufficiunt: Mauris clarissima quaequefastidita datur. media Carthagine ductae190barbara Sidoniae subeunt conubia matres;Aethiopem nobis generum, Nasamona maritumingerit; exterret cunabula discolor infans.his fretus sociis ipso iam principe maiorincedit; peditum praecurrunt agmina longe;195circumdant equitum turmae regesque clientes,quos nostris ditat spoliis. proturbat avitaquemque domo; veteres detrudit rure colonos.exiliis dispersa feror. numquamne revertifas erit errantesque solo iam reddere cives?”200Iret adhuc in verba dolor, ni Iuppiter altocoepisset solio (voces adamante notabatAtropos et Lachesis iungebat stamina dictis):“nec te, Roma, diu nec te patiemur inultam,Africa. communem prosternet Honorius hostem.205pergite securae. vestrum vis nulla tenoremseparat et soli famulabitur Africa Romae.”Dixit et adflavit Romam meliore iuventa.continuo redit ille vigor seniique coloremmutavere comae. solidatam crista resurgens210

ut vino calefacta Venus, tum saevior ardet

luxuries, mixtis redolent unguenta coronis:

crinitos inter famulos pubemque canoram

orbatas iubet ire nurus nuperque peremptis185

adridere viris. Phalarim tormentaque flammae

profuit et Siculi mugitus ferre iuvenci

quam tales audire choros. nec damna pudoris

turpia sufficiunt: Mauris clarissima quaeque

fastidita datur. media Carthagine ductae190

barbara Sidoniae subeunt conubia matres;

Aethiopem nobis generum, Nasamona maritum

ingerit; exterret cunabula discolor infans.

his fretus sociis ipso iam principe maior

incedit; peditum praecurrunt agmina longe;195

circumdant equitum turmae regesque clientes,

quos nostris ditat spoliis. proturbat avita

quemque domo; veteres detrudit rure colonos.

exiliis dispersa feror. numquamne reverti

fas erit errantesque solo iam reddere cives?”200

Iret adhuc in verba dolor, ni Iuppiter alto

coepisset solio (voces adamante notabat

Atropos et Lachesis iungebat stamina dictis):

“nec te, Roma, diu nec te patiemur inultam,

Africa. communem prosternet Honorius hostem.205

pergite securae. vestrum vis nulla tenorem

separat et soli famulabitur Africa Romae.”

Dixit et adflavit Romam meliore iuventa.

continuo redit ille vigor seniique colorem

mutavere comae. solidatam crista resurgens210

[113]inflamed the passions, his lust rages more savagely; ’midst the mingled smell of scents and flowers, ’midst curled minions and youthful choirs he bids go sport the widowed wives whose husbands he but a moment ago has murdered. Better Phalaris and the torments of his furnace, better to listen to the bellowings of the Sicilian bull than to such songs as these. Nor is the base sacrifice of their good name enough. When tired of each noblest matron Gildo hands her over to the Moors. Married in Carthage city these Sidonian mothers needs must mate with barbarians. He thrusts upon me an Ethiopian as a son-in-law, a Berber as a husband. The hideous half-breed child affrights its cradle. Thanks to those base allies his state is more regal than that of the emperor himself. Before him goes a body of foot-soldiers, squadrons of cavalry surround him and client kings whom he enriches with our spoils. He drives one and all from their ancestral houses and expels husbandmen from farms so long theirs. My people are scattered in exile. Are my citizens never to return from their wanderings to their native soil?”She would have spoken further in her grief had not Jove begun from his lofty throne—Atropos wrote down his words in adamant and Lachesis spun them in with her thread—“Neither thou, Rome, nor yet thou, Africa, will we suffer to go long unavenged. Honorius shall disperse your common foe. Go in peace. No violence shall part your companionship; Africa shall serve Rome, and Rome alone.”He spake and breathed into Rome a youth renewed. Straightway her former strength returned, and her hair put off its grey of eld; her helmet grew solid,

[113]

inflamed the passions, his lust rages more savagely; ’midst the mingled smell of scents and flowers, ’midst curled minions and youthful choirs he bids go sport the widowed wives whose husbands he but a moment ago has murdered. Better Phalaris and the torments of his furnace, better to listen to the bellowings of the Sicilian bull than to such songs as these. Nor is the base sacrifice of their good name enough. When tired of each noblest matron Gildo hands her over to the Moors. Married in Carthage city these Sidonian mothers needs must mate with barbarians. He thrusts upon me an Ethiopian as a son-in-law, a Berber as a husband. The hideous half-breed child affrights its cradle. Thanks to those base allies his state is more regal than that of the emperor himself. Before him goes a body of foot-soldiers, squadrons of cavalry surround him and client kings whom he enriches with our spoils. He drives one and all from their ancestral houses and expels husbandmen from farms so long theirs. My people are scattered in exile. Are my citizens never to return from their wanderings to their native soil?”

She would have spoken further in her grief had not Jove begun from his lofty throne—Atropos wrote down his words in adamant and Lachesis spun them in with her thread—“Neither thou, Rome, nor yet thou, Africa, will we suffer to go long unavenged. Honorius shall disperse your common foe. Go in peace. No violence shall part your companionship; Africa shall serve Rome, and Rome alone.”

He spake and breathed into Rome a youth renewed. Straightway her former strength returned, and her hair put off its grey of eld; her helmet grew solid,

[114]erexit galeam clipeique recanduit orbiset levis excussa micuit rubigine cornus.Umentes iam noctis equos Lethaeaque Somnusfrena regens tacito volvebat sidera curru.iam duo divorum proceres, maiorque minorque215Theodosii, pacem laturi gentibus ibant,qui Iovis arcanos monitus mandataque ferrentfratribus et geminis sancirent foedera regnis:sic cum praecipites artem vicere procellaeadsiduoque gemens undarum verbere nutat220descensura ratis, caeca sub nocte vocatinaufraga Ledaei sustentant vela Lacones.circulus ut patuit Lunae, secuere meatusdiversos: Italas senior tendebat in oras;at pater, intrantem Pontum qua Bosphorus artat,Arcadii thalamis urbique inlapsus Eoae.226quem simulac vidit natus (nam clara nitebatCynthia), permixto tremuerunt gaudia fletucomplexuque fovens, quos non speraverat, artus“O mihi post Alpes nunc primum reddite,” dixit,230“unde tuis optatus ades? da tangere dextram,qua gentes cecidere ferae. quis tale removitpraesidium terris? ut te mortalia pridemimplorant longeque pium fortemque requirunt!”Cui pater in tales rupit suspiria voces:235“hoc erat? in fratres medio discordia Mauronascitur et mundus germanaque dissidet aula?[115]upright stood the plumes, the round shield shone once more, and gone was every trace of rust from her wingèd, gleaming spear.Sleep was now driving the dew-drenched steeds of night, guiding them with the reins of Lethe and carrying round the stars in her silent course, when the elder and the younger Theodosius,[72]chief among the heroes divine, came to bring peace to men. They bore Jove’s secret message and mandate to the two brothers and ratified the treaty between the two empires. So when at dead of night the driving tempest has brought the helmsman’s skill to nought and the sinking ship groans and shudders at the waves’ ceaseless shock, Leda’s Spartan-born sons sustain the foundering bark in answer to the sailors’ prayers. At the rise of the full moon the twain parted. The elder directed his steps towards the coasts of Italy, the younger visited the couch of Arcadius, gliding down to that Eastern city where Bosporus narrows the entrance to the Euxine. As soon as the son saw his father (for the moon was shining brightly), he wept, yet trembled for joy, and embracing that form he had little hoped ever to embrace again, said: “O thou restored now to me for the first time since thy triumphs in the Alps, whence comest thou to thy loving son? Let me touch that hand that has conquered so many barbarian races! Who hath robbed the world of such a defender? How long a while has mankind prayed thine aid, and missed thy goodness and thy might!”Sighing, the father made answer: “Was it for this? Is a Moor become a cause of discord between two brothers? Does the empire and court of the[72]Theodosius the younger is, of course, Theodosius I., the Emperor (see Introduction, p. vii). Theodosius the elder was his father. He was an able and trusted general of Valentinian I., who restored quiet in Britain (368-370), defeated the Alamanni (370), and crushed the revolt of Firmus, Gildo’s brother (see line 333 of this poem) in Africa (? 372-374). His death was brought about by Merobaudes, Gratian’s minister (cf.viii. 26-9).

[114]

erexit galeam clipeique recanduit orbiset levis excussa micuit rubigine cornus.Umentes iam noctis equos Lethaeaque Somnusfrena regens tacito volvebat sidera curru.iam duo divorum proceres, maiorque minorque215Theodosii, pacem laturi gentibus ibant,qui Iovis arcanos monitus mandataque ferrentfratribus et geminis sancirent foedera regnis:sic cum praecipites artem vicere procellaeadsiduoque gemens undarum verbere nutat220descensura ratis, caeca sub nocte vocatinaufraga Ledaei sustentant vela Lacones.circulus ut patuit Lunae, secuere meatusdiversos: Italas senior tendebat in oras;at pater, intrantem Pontum qua Bosphorus artat,Arcadii thalamis urbique inlapsus Eoae.226quem simulac vidit natus (nam clara nitebatCynthia), permixto tremuerunt gaudia fletucomplexuque fovens, quos non speraverat, artus“O mihi post Alpes nunc primum reddite,” dixit,230“unde tuis optatus ades? da tangere dextram,qua gentes cecidere ferae. quis tale removitpraesidium terris? ut te mortalia pridemimplorant longeque pium fortemque requirunt!”Cui pater in tales rupit suspiria voces:235“hoc erat? in fratres medio discordia Mauronascitur et mundus germanaque dissidet aula?

erexit galeam clipeique recanduit orbis

et levis excussa micuit rubigine cornus.

Umentes iam noctis equos Lethaeaque Somnus

frena regens tacito volvebat sidera curru.

iam duo divorum proceres, maiorque minorque215

Theodosii, pacem laturi gentibus ibant,

qui Iovis arcanos monitus mandataque ferrent

fratribus et geminis sancirent foedera regnis:

sic cum praecipites artem vicere procellae

adsiduoque gemens undarum verbere nutat220

descensura ratis, caeca sub nocte vocati

naufraga Ledaei sustentant vela Lacones.

circulus ut patuit Lunae, secuere meatus

diversos: Italas senior tendebat in oras;

at pater, intrantem Pontum qua Bosphorus artat,

Arcadii thalamis urbique inlapsus Eoae.226

quem simulac vidit natus (nam clara nitebat

Cynthia), permixto tremuerunt gaudia fletu

complexuque fovens, quos non speraverat, artus

“O mihi post Alpes nunc primum reddite,” dixit,230

“unde tuis optatus ades? da tangere dextram,

qua gentes cecidere ferae. quis tale removit

praesidium terris? ut te mortalia pridem

implorant longeque pium fortemque requirunt!”

Cui pater in tales rupit suspiria voces:235

“hoc erat? in fratres medio discordia Mauro

nascitur et mundus germanaque dissidet aula?

[115]upright stood the plumes, the round shield shone once more, and gone was every trace of rust from her wingèd, gleaming spear.Sleep was now driving the dew-drenched steeds of night, guiding them with the reins of Lethe and carrying round the stars in her silent course, when the elder and the younger Theodosius,[72]chief among the heroes divine, came to bring peace to men. They bore Jove’s secret message and mandate to the two brothers and ratified the treaty between the two empires. So when at dead of night the driving tempest has brought the helmsman’s skill to nought and the sinking ship groans and shudders at the waves’ ceaseless shock, Leda’s Spartan-born sons sustain the foundering bark in answer to the sailors’ prayers. At the rise of the full moon the twain parted. The elder directed his steps towards the coasts of Italy, the younger visited the couch of Arcadius, gliding down to that Eastern city where Bosporus narrows the entrance to the Euxine. As soon as the son saw his father (for the moon was shining brightly), he wept, yet trembled for joy, and embracing that form he had little hoped ever to embrace again, said: “O thou restored now to me for the first time since thy triumphs in the Alps, whence comest thou to thy loving son? Let me touch that hand that has conquered so many barbarian races! Who hath robbed the world of such a defender? How long a while has mankind prayed thine aid, and missed thy goodness and thy might!”Sighing, the father made answer: “Was it for this? Is a Moor become a cause of discord between two brothers? Does the empire and court of the[72]Theodosius the younger is, of course, Theodosius I., the Emperor (see Introduction, p. vii). Theodosius the elder was his father. He was an able and trusted general of Valentinian I., who restored quiet in Britain (368-370), defeated the Alamanni (370), and crushed the revolt of Firmus, Gildo’s brother (see line 333 of this poem) in Africa (? 372-374). His death was brought about by Merobaudes, Gratian’s minister (cf.viii. 26-9).

[115]

upright stood the plumes, the round shield shone once more, and gone was every trace of rust from her wingèd, gleaming spear.

Sleep was now driving the dew-drenched steeds of night, guiding them with the reins of Lethe and carrying round the stars in her silent course, when the elder and the younger Theodosius,[72]chief among the heroes divine, came to bring peace to men. They bore Jove’s secret message and mandate to the two brothers and ratified the treaty between the two empires. So when at dead of night the driving tempest has brought the helmsman’s skill to nought and the sinking ship groans and shudders at the waves’ ceaseless shock, Leda’s Spartan-born sons sustain the foundering bark in answer to the sailors’ prayers. At the rise of the full moon the twain parted. The elder directed his steps towards the coasts of Italy, the younger visited the couch of Arcadius, gliding down to that Eastern city where Bosporus narrows the entrance to the Euxine. As soon as the son saw his father (for the moon was shining brightly), he wept, yet trembled for joy, and embracing that form he had little hoped ever to embrace again, said: “O thou restored now to me for the first time since thy triumphs in the Alps, whence comest thou to thy loving son? Let me touch that hand that has conquered so many barbarian races! Who hath robbed the world of such a defender? How long a while has mankind prayed thine aid, and missed thy goodness and thy might!”

Sighing, the father made answer: “Was it for this? Is a Moor become a cause of discord between two brothers? Does the empire and court of the

[72]Theodosius the younger is, of course, Theodosius I., the Emperor (see Introduction, p. vii). Theodosius the elder was his father. He was an able and trusted general of Valentinian I., who restored quiet in Britain (368-370), defeated the Alamanni (370), and crushed the revolt of Firmus, Gildo’s brother (see line 333 of this poem) in Africa (? 372-374). His death was brought about by Merobaudes, Gratian’s minister (cf.viii. 26-9).

[116]Gildonisne salus tanti sit palma furoris?scilicet egregius morum magnoque tuenduset cuius meritis pietas in fratre recedat!240invito[73]genitore, vide, civile calebatdiscidium; dubio stabant Romana sub ictu;quis procul Armenius vel quis Maeotide riparex ignotus agit, qui me non iuvit euntemauxilio? fovere Getae, venere Geloni.245solus at hic non puppe data, non milite missosubsedit fluitante fide. si signa petissetobvia, detecto summissius hoste dolerem:restitit in speculis fati turbaque reductuslibravit geminas eventu iudice vires250ad rerum momenta cliens seseque daturusvictori; fortuna simul cum mente pependit.o si non cupidis essem praereptus ab astris,exemplum sequerer Tulli laniandaque dumisimpia diversis aptarem membra quadrigis.255germani nunc usque tui responsa colebat:en iterum calcat. tali te credere monstropost patrem fratremque paras? sed magna rependitinque tuam sortem numerosas transtulit urbes!ergo fas pretio cedet? mercede placebit260proditio? taceo, laesi quod transfuga fratris,quod levis ingenio. quamvis discrimine summoproditor adportet suspensa morte salutemnumquam gratus erit. damnamus luce reperta[73]MSS.in primo; Birt suggestsinvito, Kochinfirmo.[117]East quarrel with those of the West? Can Gildo’s salvation be fit guerdon for this mad rivalry? Great no doubt are his virtues, great should be the price paid to preserve them and such his merits as to banish affection in a brother. Look you, though I, thy sire, willed it not, civil war raged; the fortunes of Rome stood on a razor’s edge. Was there a distant king of Armenia, an unknown monarch by Maeotis’ shore but sent aid to mine enterprises? The Getae gave me succour, the Geloni came to my assistance. Gildo alone sent not a man, not a ship, but waited the issue in wavering loyalty. Had he sought the confronting host as an open foe my wrath had been less bitter. He stood apart on Fortune’s watchtower and, withdrawn from the throng, weighed this side against that, meaning to let the event decide him, dependent upon the turn things might take and ready to embrace the side of the victor. His fortune hung in the balance as well as his intention. Had I not been hurried to heaven by the impatient stars I would have followed the example of Tullus Hostilius and dragged the impious wretch limb from limb fastened to chariots driven different ways through thorn bushes.[74]Up to this time he has owed obedience to thy brother, now behold he spurns his commands. After thy father’s and thy brother’s fate art thou ready to trust thyself to such a villain? Is thine answer that he maketh great return and hath brought over many cities to thine allegiance? Shall honour, then, give place to utility? Can gain render treachery welcome? I make no mention of his cruel betrayal of thy brother; of his fickle nature; were a traitor to bring safety even when at peril’s height death threatened, never shall he win gratitude. When our life is saved[74]See note on viii. 401.

[116]

Gildonisne salus tanti sit palma furoris?scilicet egregius morum magnoque tuenduset cuius meritis pietas in fratre recedat!240invito[73]genitore, vide, civile calebatdiscidium; dubio stabant Romana sub ictu;quis procul Armenius vel quis Maeotide riparex ignotus agit, qui me non iuvit euntemauxilio? fovere Getae, venere Geloni.245solus at hic non puppe data, non milite missosubsedit fluitante fide. si signa petissetobvia, detecto summissius hoste dolerem:restitit in speculis fati turbaque reductuslibravit geminas eventu iudice vires250ad rerum momenta cliens seseque daturusvictori; fortuna simul cum mente pependit.o si non cupidis essem praereptus ab astris,exemplum sequerer Tulli laniandaque dumisimpia diversis aptarem membra quadrigis.255germani nunc usque tui responsa colebat:en iterum calcat. tali te credere monstropost patrem fratremque paras? sed magna rependitinque tuam sortem numerosas transtulit urbes!ergo fas pretio cedet? mercede placebit260proditio? taceo, laesi quod transfuga fratris,quod levis ingenio. quamvis discrimine summoproditor adportet suspensa morte salutemnumquam gratus erit. damnamus luce reperta

Gildonisne salus tanti sit palma furoris?

scilicet egregius morum magnoque tuendus

et cuius meritis pietas in fratre recedat!240

invito[73]genitore, vide, civile calebat

discidium; dubio stabant Romana sub ictu;

quis procul Armenius vel quis Maeotide ripa

rex ignotus agit, qui me non iuvit euntem

auxilio? fovere Getae, venere Geloni.245

solus at hic non puppe data, non milite misso

subsedit fluitante fide. si signa petisset

obvia, detecto summissius hoste dolerem:

restitit in speculis fati turbaque reductus

libravit geminas eventu iudice vires250

ad rerum momenta cliens seseque daturus

victori; fortuna simul cum mente pependit.

o si non cupidis essem praereptus ab astris,

exemplum sequerer Tulli laniandaque dumis

impia diversis aptarem membra quadrigis.255

germani nunc usque tui responsa colebat:

en iterum calcat. tali te credere monstro

post patrem fratremque paras? sed magna rependit

inque tuam sortem numerosas transtulit urbes!

ergo fas pretio cedet? mercede placebit260

proditio? taceo, laesi quod transfuga fratris,

quod levis ingenio. quamvis discrimine summo

proditor adportet suspensa morte salutem

numquam gratus erit. damnamus luce reperta

[73]MSS.in primo; Birt suggestsinvito, Kochinfirmo.

[117]East quarrel with those of the West? Can Gildo’s salvation be fit guerdon for this mad rivalry? Great no doubt are his virtues, great should be the price paid to preserve them and such his merits as to banish affection in a brother. Look you, though I, thy sire, willed it not, civil war raged; the fortunes of Rome stood on a razor’s edge. Was there a distant king of Armenia, an unknown monarch by Maeotis’ shore but sent aid to mine enterprises? The Getae gave me succour, the Geloni came to my assistance. Gildo alone sent not a man, not a ship, but waited the issue in wavering loyalty. Had he sought the confronting host as an open foe my wrath had been less bitter. He stood apart on Fortune’s watchtower and, withdrawn from the throng, weighed this side against that, meaning to let the event decide him, dependent upon the turn things might take and ready to embrace the side of the victor. His fortune hung in the balance as well as his intention. Had I not been hurried to heaven by the impatient stars I would have followed the example of Tullus Hostilius and dragged the impious wretch limb from limb fastened to chariots driven different ways through thorn bushes.[74]Up to this time he has owed obedience to thy brother, now behold he spurns his commands. After thy father’s and thy brother’s fate art thou ready to trust thyself to such a villain? Is thine answer that he maketh great return and hath brought over many cities to thine allegiance? Shall honour, then, give place to utility? Can gain render treachery welcome? I make no mention of his cruel betrayal of thy brother; of his fickle nature; were a traitor to bring safety even when at peril’s height death threatened, never shall he win gratitude. When our life is saved[74]See note on viii. 401.

[117]

East quarrel with those of the West? Can Gildo’s salvation be fit guerdon for this mad rivalry? Great no doubt are his virtues, great should be the price paid to preserve them and such his merits as to banish affection in a brother. Look you, though I, thy sire, willed it not, civil war raged; the fortunes of Rome stood on a razor’s edge. Was there a distant king of Armenia, an unknown monarch by Maeotis’ shore but sent aid to mine enterprises? The Getae gave me succour, the Geloni came to my assistance. Gildo alone sent not a man, not a ship, but waited the issue in wavering loyalty. Had he sought the confronting host as an open foe my wrath had been less bitter. He stood apart on Fortune’s watchtower and, withdrawn from the throng, weighed this side against that, meaning to let the event decide him, dependent upon the turn things might take and ready to embrace the side of the victor. His fortune hung in the balance as well as his intention. Had I not been hurried to heaven by the impatient stars I would have followed the example of Tullus Hostilius and dragged the impious wretch limb from limb fastened to chariots driven different ways through thorn bushes.[74]Up to this time he has owed obedience to thy brother, now behold he spurns his commands. After thy father’s and thy brother’s fate art thou ready to trust thyself to such a villain? Is thine answer that he maketh great return and hath brought over many cities to thine allegiance? Shall honour, then, give place to utility? Can gain render treachery welcome? I make no mention of his cruel betrayal of thy brother; of his fickle nature; were a traitor to bring safety even when at peril’s height death threatened, never shall he win gratitude. When our life is saved

[74]See note on viii. 401.

[118]perfidiam nec nos patimur committere tali.265hoc genus emptori cives cum moenibus offert,hoc vendit patriam. plerique in tempus abusimox odere tamen: tenuit sic Graia Philippusoppida; Pellaeo libertas concidit auro.Romani scelerum semper sprevere ministros.270noxia pollicitum domino miscere venenaFabricius regi nudata fraude remisit,infesto quem Marte petit, bellumque negavitper famuli patrare nefas, ductosque Camillustrans murum pueros obsessae reddidit urbi.275“Traduntur poenis alii, cum proelia tollunt;hic manet ut moveat? quod respuit alter in hostem,suscipis in fratrem? longi pro dedecus aevi!cui placet, australes Gildo condonat habenastantaque mutatos sequitur provincia mores.280quaslibet ad partes animus nutaverit anceps,transfundit secum Libyam refluumque malignuscommodat imperium. Mauri fuit Africa munus.tollite Massylas fraudes, removete bilinguesinsidias et verba soli spirantia virus.285ne consanguineis certetur comminus armis,ne, precor. haec trucibus Thebis, haec digna Mycenis;in Mauros hoc crimen eat.“Quid noster iniquummolitur Stilicho? quando non ille iubentiparuit? an quisquam nobis devinctior extat?290[119]we condemn the treachery nor brook to entrust ourselves to such protection. ’Tis this sort that offers for purchase cities and their inhabitants, that sells its fatherland. Most make use of such for the moment but soon learn to hate them. ’Twas thus that Philip held the cities of Greece; liberty fell before the attack of Macedonian gold. Rome has ever despised the ministers of guilt. Fabricius, discovering the plot, sent back to King Pyrrhus the slave who had promised to mingle deadly poison for his lord; fierce war raged between them, but Fabricius refused to end it by means of the treachery of a slave. Camillus, too, gave back to the beleaguered city the boys brought to his camp from out the walls.“These were consigned to punishment for seeking to put an end to wars. Is Gildo to live that he may kindle them? Takest thou such measures against thy brother as another would disdain to take against an enemy? O shame for unending ages! Gildo entrusts the governance of the south to whom he will; the great province of Africa obeys a tyrant’s whim. To whichever side his fickle mind inclines, he carries Libya over with him and malignantly subjects it to a rule shifting as the tide. Africa was the gift of the Moor. Away with the trickery of the Massyli, their treacherous wiles and their words that breathe forth the poison of their land. Let not brother wage war on brother, I pray. That were worthy of cruel Thebes and Mycenae; let that accusation be levelled against the Moors.“What wrong is Stilicho devising? when did he fail in his obedience? than him what more loyal

[118]

perfidiam nec nos patimur committere tali.265hoc genus emptori cives cum moenibus offert,hoc vendit patriam. plerique in tempus abusimox odere tamen: tenuit sic Graia Philippusoppida; Pellaeo libertas concidit auro.Romani scelerum semper sprevere ministros.270noxia pollicitum domino miscere venenaFabricius regi nudata fraude remisit,infesto quem Marte petit, bellumque negavitper famuli patrare nefas, ductosque Camillustrans murum pueros obsessae reddidit urbi.275“Traduntur poenis alii, cum proelia tollunt;hic manet ut moveat? quod respuit alter in hostem,suscipis in fratrem? longi pro dedecus aevi!cui placet, australes Gildo condonat habenastantaque mutatos sequitur provincia mores.280quaslibet ad partes animus nutaverit anceps,transfundit secum Libyam refluumque malignuscommodat imperium. Mauri fuit Africa munus.tollite Massylas fraudes, removete bilinguesinsidias et verba soli spirantia virus.285ne consanguineis certetur comminus armis,ne, precor. haec trucibus Thebis, haec digna Mycenis;in Mauros hoc crimen eat.“Quid noster iniquummolitur Stilicho? quando non ille iubentiparuit? an quisquam nobis devinctior extat?290

perfidiam nec nos patimur committere tali.265

hoc genus emptori cives cum moenibus offert,

hoc vendit patriam. plerique in tempus abusi

mox odere tamen: tenuit sic Graia Philippus

oppida; Pellaeo libertas concidit auro.

Romani scelerum semper sprevere ministros.270

noxia pollicitum domino miscere venena

Fabricius regi nudata fraude remisit,

infesto quem Marte petit, bellumque negavit

per famuli patrare nefas, ductosque Camillus

trans murum pueros obsessae reddidit urbi.275

“Traduntur poenis alii, cum proelia tollunt;

hic manet ut moveat? quod respuit alter in hostem,

suscipis in fratrem? longi pro dedecus aevi!

cui placet, australes Gildo condonat habenas

tantaque mutatos sequitur provincia mores.280

quaslibet ad partes animus nutaverit anceps,

transfundit secum Libyam refluumque malignus

commodat imperium. Mauri fuit Africa munus.

tollite Massylas fraudes, removete bilingues

insidias et verba soli spirantia virus.285

ne consanguineis certetur comminus armis,

ne, precor. haec trucibus Thebis, haec digna Mycenis;

in Mauros hoc crimen eat.

“Quid noster iniquum

molitur Stilicho? quando non ille iubenti

paruit? an quisquam nobis devinctior extat?290

[119]we condemn the treachery nor brook to entrust ourselves to such protection. ’Tis this sort that offers for purchase cities and their inhabitants, that sells its fatherland. Most make use of such for the moment but soon learn to hate them. ’Twas thus that Philip held the cities of Greece; liberty fell before the attack of Macedonian gold. Rome has ever despised the ministers of guilt. Fabricius, discovering the plot, sent back to King Pyrrhus the slave who had promised to mingle deadly poison for his lord; fierce war raged between them, but Fabricius refused to end it by means of the treachery of a slave. Camillus, too, gave back to the beleaguered city the boys brought to his camp from out the walls.“These were consigned to punishment for seeking to put an end to wars. Is Gildo to live that he may kindle them? Takest thou such measures against thy brother as another would disdain to take against an enemy? O shame for unending ages! Gildo entrusts the governance of the south to whom he will; the great province of Africa obeys a tyrant’s whim. To whichever side his fickle mind inclines, he carries Libya over with him and malignantly subjects it to a rule shifting as the tide. Africa was the gift of the Moor. Away with the trickery of the Massyli, their treacherous wiles and their words that breathe forth the poison of their land. Let not brother wage war on brother, I pray. That were worthy of cruel Thebes and Mycenae; let that accusation be levelled against the Moors.“What wrong is Stilicho devising? when did he fail in his obedience? than him what more loyal

[119]

we condemn the treachery nor brook to entrust ourselves to such protection. ’Tis this sort that offers for purchase cities and their inhabitants, that sells its fatherland. Most make use of such for the moment but soon learn to hate them. ’Twas thus that Philip held the cities of Greece; liberty fell before the attack of Macedonian gold. Rome has ever despised the ministers of guilt. Fabricius, discovering the plot, sent back to King Pyrrhus the slave who had promised to mingle deadly poison for his lord; fierce war raged between them, but Fabricius refused to end it by means of the treachery of a slave. Camillus, too, gave back to the beleaguered city the boys brought to his camp from out the walls.

“These were consigned to punishment for seeking to put an end to wars. Is Gildo to live that he may kindle them? Takest thou such measures against thy brother as another would disdain to take against an enemy? O shame for unending ages! Gildo entrusts the governance of the south to whom he will; the great province of Africa obeys a tyrant’s whim. To whichever side his fickle mind inclines, he carries Libya over with him and malignantly subjects it to a rule shifting as the tide. Africa was the gift of the Moor. Away with the trickery of the Massyli, their treacherous wiles and their words that breathe forth the poison of their land. Let not brother wage war on brother, I pray. That were worthy of cruel Thebes and Mycenae; let that accusation be levelled against the Moors.

“What wrong is Stilicho devising? when did he fail in his obedience? than him what more loyal

[120]ut sileam varios mecum quos gesserit actus,quae vidi post fata, loquar. cum divus abirem,res incompositas (fateor) tumidasque reliqui.stringebat vetitos etiamnum exercitus ensesAlpinis odiis, alternaque iurgia victi295victoresque dabant. vix haec amentia nostrisexcubiis, nedum puero rectore quiesset.heu quantum timui vobis, quid libera tantimilitis auderet moles, cum patre remotoferveret iam laeta novis! dissensus acerbus300et gravior consensus erat. tunc ipse paternasuccessit pietate mihi tenerumque rudemquefovit et in veros eduxit principis annos,Rufinumque tibi, quem tu tremuisse fateris,depulit. hunc solum memorem solumque fidelem305experior. volui si quid, dum vita maneret,aut visus voluisse, gerit; venerabilis illiceu praesens numenque vocor. si tanta recusas,at soceri reverere faces, at respice fratrisconubium pignusque meae regale Serenae.310debueras etiam fraternis obvius irehostibus, ille tuis. quae gens, quis Rhenus et Histervos opibus iunctos conspirantesque tulisset?sed tantum permitte, cadat. nil poscimus ultra.ille licet sese praetentis Syrtibus armet315oppositoque Atlante tegat, licet arva refertaanguibus et solis medios obiecerit aestus:[121]supporter have we? I will not mention the various brave deeds he did while yet with me; of those only I will tell which I saw after my death. When I was raised to heaven disorder—I admit it—and tumult did I leave behind me. The army was still drawing the forbidden sword in that Alpine war, and conquerors and conquered gave alternate cause for dissension. Scarce could this madness have been calmed by my vigilance, much less by a boy’s rule. Ah, how I feared for you what the uncontrolled might of such vast armies might dare, when, your sire removed, there came the fevered delight in change! Dangerous was discord, more dangerous still unanimity. ’Twas then that Stilicho took my place in paternal love for thee, tended thine immature youth, and brought thee to the years and estate of an emperor. ’Twas he drove back Rufinus whom thou didst confess thou fearedst. Gratitude and loyalty I find in him alone. Did I want or seem to want aught, while yet I lived he accomplished it. Now I am dead he worships me as worthy of veneration and an ever present helper. If the thought of his goodness move thee not, at least show respect to thy brother’s father-in-law: bethink thee of Honorius’ marriage, the royal espousal of my niece Serena. Thou oughtest to face thy brother’s foes, he thine. Could any nation, could the combined forces of Rhine and Danube have stood against you twain allied? Enough! bring about but the defeat of Gildo: I ask nought else. Though he entrench himself behind the protecting Syrtes and rely for safety on the intervening ocean; though he think to be defended by reason of his serpent-infested country and the fierce

[120]

ut sileam varios mecum quos gesserit actus,quae vidi post fata, loquar. cum divus abirem,res incompositas (fateor) tumidasque reliqui.stringebat vetitos etiamnum exercitus ensesAlpinis odiis, alternaque iurgia victi295victoresque dabant. vix haec amentia nostrisexcubiis, nedum puero rectore quiesset.heu quantum timui vobis, quid libera tantimilitis auderet moles, cum patre remotoferveret iam laeta novis! dissensus acerbus300et gravior consensus erat. tunc ipse paternasuccessit pietate mihi tenerumque rudemquefovit et in veros eduxit principis annos,Rufinumque tibi, quem tu tremuisse fateris,depulit. hunc solum memorem solumque fidelem305experior. volui si quid, dum vita maneret,aut visus voluisse, gerit; venerabilis illiceu praesens numenque vocor. si tanta recusas,at soceri reverere faces, at respice fratrisconubium pignusque meae regale Serenae.310debueras etiam fraternis obvius irehostibus, ille tuis. quae gens, quis Rhenus et Histervos opibus iunctos conspirantesque tulisset?sed tantum permitte, cadat. nil poscimus ultra.ille licet sese praetentis Syrtibus armet315oppositoque Atlante tegat, licet arva refertaanguibus et solis medios obiecerit aestus:

ut sileam varios mecum quos gesserit actus,

quae vidi post fata, loquar. cum divus abirem,

res incompositas (fateor) tumidasque reliqui.

stringebat vetitos etiamnum exercitus enses

Alpinis odiis, alternaque iurgia victi295

victoresque dabant. vix haec amentia nostris

excubiis, nedum puero rectore quiesset.

heu quantum timui vobis, quid libera tanti

militis auderet moles, cum patre remoto

ferveret iam laeta novis! dissensus acerbus300

et gravior consensus erat. tunc ipse paterna

successit pietate mihi tenerumque rudemque

fovit et in veros eduxit principis annos,

Rufinumque tibi, quem tu tremuisse fateris,

depulit. hunc solum memorem solumque fidelem305

experior. volui si quid, dum vita maneret,

aut visus voluisse, gerit; venerabilis illi

ceu praesens numenque vocor. si tanta recusas,

at soceri reverere faces, at respice fratris

conubium pignusque meae regale Serenae.310

debueras etiam fraternis obvius ire

hostibus, ille tuis. quae gens, quis Rhenus et Hister

vos opibus iunctos conspirantesque tulisset?

sed tantum permitte, cadat. nil poscimus ultra.

ille licet sese praetentis Syrtibus armet315

oppositoque Atlante tegat, licet arva referta

anguibus et solis medios obiecerit aestus:

[121]supporter have we? I will not mention the various brave deeds he did while yet with me; of those only I will tell which I saw after my death. When I was raised to heaven disorder—I admit it—and tumult did I leave behind me. The army was still drawing the forbidden sword in that Alpine war, and conquerors and conquered gave alternate cause for dissension. Scarce could this madness have been calmed by my vigilance, much less by a boy’s rule. Ah, how I feared for you what the uncontrolled might of such vast armies might dare, when, your sire removed, there came the fevered delight in change! Dangerous was discord, more dangerous still unanimity. ’Twas then that Stilicho took my place in paternal love for thee, tended thine immature youth, and brought thee to the years and estate of an emperor. ’Twas he drove back Rufinus whom thou didst confess thou fearedst. Gratitude and loyalty I find in him alone. Did I want or seem to want aught, while yet I lived he accomplished it. Now I am dead he worships me as worthy of veneration and an ever present helper. If the thought of his goodness move thee not, at least show respect to thy brother’s father-in-law: bethink thee of Honorius’ marriage, the royal espousal of my niece Serena. Thou oughtest to face thy brother’s foes, he thine. Could any nation, could the combined forces of Rhine and Danube have stood against you twain allied? Enough! bring about but the defeat of Gildo: I ask nought else. Though he entrench himself behind the protecting Syrtes and rely for safety on the intervening ocean; though he think to be defended by reason of his serpent-infested country and the fierce

[121]

supporter have we? I will not mention the various brave deeds he did while yet with me; of those only I will tell which I saw after my death. When I was raised to heaven disorder—I admit it—and tumult did I leave behind me. The army was still drawing the forbidden sword in that Alpine war, and conquerors and conquered gave alternate cause for dissension. Scarce could this madness have been calmed by my vigilance, much less by a boy’s rule. Ah, how I feared for you what the uncontrolled might of such vast armies might dare, when, your sire removed, there came the fevered delight in change! Dangerous was discord, more dangerous still unanimity. ’Twas then that Stilicho took my place in paternal love for thee, tended thine immature youth, and brought thee to the years and estate of an emperor. ’Twas he drove back Rufinus whom thou didst confess thou fearedst. Gratitude and loyalty I find in him alone. Did I want or seem to want aught, while yet I lived he accomplished it. Now I am dead he worships me as worthy of veneration and an ever present helper. If the thought of his goodness move thee not, at least show respect to thy brother’s father-in-law: bethink thee of Honorius’ marriage, the royal espousal of my niece Serena. Thou oughtest to face thy brother’s foes, he thine. Could any nation, could the combined forces of Rhine and Danube have stood against you twain allied? Enough! bring about but the defeat of Gildo: I ask nought else. Though he entrench himself behind the protecting Syrtes and rely for safety on the intervening ocean; though he think to be defended by reason of his serpent-infested country and the fierce

[122]novi consilium, novi Stilichonis in omnesaequalem casus animum: penetrabit harenas,inveniet virtute viam.”Sic divus et inde320sic natus: “iussis, genitor, parebitur ultro.amplector praecepta libens, nec carior altercognato Stilichone mihi. commissa profanusille luat; redeat iam tutior Africa fratri.”Talia dum longo secum sermone retexunt,325Hesperiam pervenit avus castumque cubileingreditur, Tyrio quo fusus Honorius ostrocarpebat teneros Maria cum coniuge somnos.adsistit capiti; tunc sic per somnia fatur:“Tantane devictos tenuit fiducia Mauros,330care nepos? iterum post me coniurat in armaprogenies vesana Iubae bellumque resumitvictoris cum stirpe sui? Firmumne iacentemobliti Libyam nostro sudore receptamrursus habent? ausus Latio contendere Gildo335germani nec fata timet? nunc ire profecto,nunc vellem notosque senex ostendere vultus:nonne meam fugiet Maurus cum viderit umbram?quid dubitas? exsurge toris, invade rebellem,captivum mihi redde meum. desiste morari.340hoc generi fatale tuo: dum sanguis in orbenoster erit, semper pallebit regia Bocchi.iungantur spoliis Firmi Gildonis opima;[123]sun’s mid-day heat, yet well I know Stilicho’s ingenuity—that mind of his equal to any emergency. He will force his way through the desert, his own greatness will lead him.”Thus spake the dead emperor, whereon thus the son answered: “Right willingly, father, will I fulfil thy commands: ever ready am I to welcome thy behests. None is dearer to me than my kinsman Stilicho. Let the impious Gildo atone for his wrongs, and Africa be restored to my brother still safer than before.”While father and son thus debated in long converse, Theodosius the grandfather made his way to Italy and entered the chaste bedchamber where on his couch of Tyrian purple Honorius lay in sweet sleep by the side of his wife Maria. At his head he stood and thus spake to him in a dream. “What rash confidence is this, dear grandson, that fills the conquered Moors? Does the mad race descended from Juba, the people whom I subdued, once more conspire to oppose Rome’s power and recommence the war with its conqueror’s grandson? Have they forgotten the defeat of Firmus[75]? Do they think to repossess Libya won back by the sweat of battle? Dares Gildo strive with Rome? Does he not fear his brother’s fate. Fain would I go myself, old though I be, and show him the face he knows but too well. Will not the Moor flee my very shade, should he behold it? Why delayest thou? Up from thy bed; attack the rebel; give me back my prisoner; waste no more time. ’Tis Fate’s gift to thy family. While yet the race of Theodosius treads the earth the palace of Bocchus shall go in fear. Let the spoils of Gildo be added to those of Firmus;[75]Firmus, brother of Gildo, had, during the reign of Valentinian, risen against the oppressive government of Romanus, count of Africa, and had been defeated by Theodosius the elder.

[122]

novi consilium, novi Stilichonis in omnesaequalem casus animum: penetrabit harenas,inveniet virtute viam.”Sic divus et inde320sic natus: “iussis, genitor, parebitur ultro.amplector praecepta libens, nec carior altercognato Stilichone mihi. commissa profanusille luat; redeat iam tutior Africa fratri.”Talia dum longo secum sermone retexunt,325Hesperiam pervenit avus castumque cubileingreditur, Tyrio quo fusus Honorius ostrocarpebat teneros Maria cum coniuge somnos.adsistit capiti; tunc sic per somnia fatur:“Tantane devictos tenuit fiducia Mauros,330care nepos? iterum post me coniurat in armaprogenies vesana Iubae bellumque resumitvictoris cum stirpe sui? Firmumne iacentemobliti Libyam nostro sudore receptamrursus habent? ausus Latio contendere Gildo335germani nec fata timet? nunc ire profecto,nunc vellem notosque senex ostendere vultus:nonne meam fugiet Maurus cum viderit umbram?quid dubitas? exsurge toris, invade rebellem,captivum mihi redde meum. desiste morari.340hoc generi fatale tuo: dum sanguis in orbenoster erit, semper pallebit regia Bocchi.iungantur spoliis Firmi Gildonis opima;

novi consilium, novi Stilichonis in omnes

aequalem casus animum: penetrabit harenas,

inveniet virtute viam.”

Sic divus et inde320

sic natus: “iussis, genitor, parebitur ultro.

amplector praecepta libens, nec carior alter

cognato Stilichone mihi. commissa profanus

ille luat; redeat iam tutior Africa fratri.”

Talia dum longo secum sermone retexunt,325

Hesperiam pervenit avus castumque cubile

ingreditur, Tyrio quo fusus Honorius ostro

carpebat teneros Maria cum coniuge somnos.

adsistit capiti; tunc sic per somnia fatur:

“Tantane devictos tenuit fiducia Mauros,330

care nepos? iterum post me coniurat in arma

progenies vesana Iubae bellumque resumit

victoris cum stirpe sui? Firmumne iacentem

obliti Libyam nostro sudore receptam

rursus habent? ausus Latio contendere Gildo335

germani nec fata timet? nunc ire profecto,

nunc vellem notosque senex ostendere vultus:

nonne meam fugiet Maurus cum viderit umbram?

quid dubitas? exsurge toris, invade rebellem,

captivum mihi redde meum. desiste morari.340

hoc generi fatale tuo: dum sanguis in orbe

noster erit, semper pallebit regia Bocchi.

iungantur spoliis Firmi Gildonis opima;

[123]sun’s mid-day heat, yet well I know Stilicho’s ingenuity—that mind of his equal to any emergency. He will force his way through the desert, his own greatness will lead him.”Thus spake the dead emperor, whereon thus the son answered: “Right willingly, father, will I fulfil thy commands: ever ready am I to welcome thy behests. None is dearer to me than my kinsman Stilicho. Let the impious Gildo atone for his wrongs, and Africa be restored to my brother still safer than before.”While father and son thus debated in long converse, Theodosius the grandfather made his way to Italy and entered the chaste bedchamber where on his couch of Tyrian purple Honorius lay in sweet sleep by the side of his wife Maria. At his head he stood and thus spake to him in a dream. “What rash confidence is this, dear grandson, that fills the conquered Moors? Does the mad race descended from Juba, the people whom I subdued, once more conspire to oppose Rome’s power and recommence the war with its conqueror’s grandson? Have they forgotten the defeat of Firmus[75]? Do they think to repossess Libya won back by the sweat of battle? Dares Gildo strive with Rome? Does he not fear his brother’s fate. Fain would I go myself, old though I be, and show him the face he knows but too well. Will not the Moor flee my very shade, should he behold it? Why delayest thou? Up from thy bed; attack the rebel; give me back my prisoner; waste no more time. ’Tis Fate’s gift to thy family. While yet the race of Theodosius treads the earth the palace of Bocchus shall go in fear. Let the spoils of Gildo be added to those of Firmus;[75]Firmus, brother of Gildo, had, during the reign of Valentinian, risen against the oppressive government of Romanus, count of Africa, and had been defeated by Theodosius the elder.

[123]

sun’s mid-day heat, yet well I know Stilicho’s ingenuity—that mind of his equal to any emergency. He will force his way through the desert, his own greatness will lead him.”

Thus spake the dead emperor, whereon thus the son answered: “Right willingly, father, will I fulfil thy commands: ever ready am I to welcome thy behests. None is dearer to me than my kinsman Stilicho. Let the impious Gildo atone for his wrongs, and Africa be restored to my brother still safer than before.”

While father and son thus debated in long converse, Theodosius the grandfather made his way to Italy and entered the chaste bedchamber where on his couch of Tyrian purple Honorius lay in sweet sleep by the side of his wife Maria. At his head he stood and thus spake to him in a dream. “What rash confidence is this, dear grandson, that fills the conquered Moors? Does the mad race descended from Juba, the people whom I subdued, once more conspire to oppose Rome’s power and recommence the war with its conqueror’s grandson? Have they forgotten the defeat of Firmus[75]? Do they think to repossess Libya won back by the sweat of battle? Dares Gildo strive with Rome? Does he not fear his brother’s fate. Fain would I go myself, old though I be, and show him the face he knows but too well. Will not the Moor flee my very shade, should he behold it? Why delayest thou? Up from thy bed; attack the rebel; give me back my prisoner; waste no more time. ’Tis Fate’s gift to thy family. While yet the race of Theodosius treads the earth the palace of Bocchus shall go in fear. Let the spoils of Gildo be added to those of Firmus;

[75]Firmus, brother of Gildo, had, during the reign of Valentinian, risen against the oppressive government of Romanus, count of Africa, and had been defeated by Theodosius the elder.

[124]exornet geminos Maurusia laurea currus:una domus totiens una de gente triumphet.345di bene, quod tantis interlabentibus annisservati Firmusque mihi fraterque nepoti.”dixit et adflatus vicino sole refugit.At iuvenem stimulis inmanibus aemula virtusexacuit; iam puppe vehi, iam stagna secare350fervet et absentes invadere cuspide Mauros.tum iubet acciri socerum dextramque vocatoconserit et, quae sit potior sententia, quaerit:“Per somnos mihi, sancte pater, iam saepe futurapanduntur multaeque canunt praesagia noctes.355namque procul Libycos venatu cingere saltuset iuga rimari canibus Gaetula videbar.maerebat regio saevi vastata leonisincursu; pecudum strages passimque iuvencisemineces et adhuc infecta mapalia tabo360sparsaque sanguineis pastorum funera campis.adgredior latebras monstri mirumque relatuconspicio: dilapsus honos, cervice minacesdefluxere iubae; fractos inglorius armossupposuit, servile gemens; iniectaque vincla365unguibus et subitae collo sonuere catenae.nunc etiam paribus secum certare tropaeishortator me cogit avus. quonam usque remoticunctamur? decuit pridem complere biremeset pelagi superare moras. transmittere primus370ipse paro; quaecumque meo gens barbara nutustringitur, adveniat: Germania cuncta feratur[125]let the bays of Mauretania deck chariots twain and one house triumph thus many times over one race. Thanks be to the gods who have interposed so many years between the sacrifice of Firmus to my arms and that of Firmus’ brother to those of my grandson.” He spake, then fled, as he felt the breath of the approaching dawn.Then emulous courage roused the emperor with insistent goad. He burns to set sail, to cleave the main, to assail with the spear the distant Moors. So he summons his father-in-law[76]and clasping his hand asks what course of action he advises. “Full often, reverend sire, is the future revealed to me in dreams; many a night brings prophecy. Methought I surrounded in hunting the distant glades of Africa and scoured the Gaetulian mountains with my hounds. The district was distressed by reason of the incursions of a ravening lion. On all sides were slaughtered beasts and mangled heifers, and still their homesteads ran red with blood, and corpses of many a shepherd lay weltering in the bloody fields. I approached the beast’s cave and saw a sight wonderful to relate. Gone was that noble form, drooping on the neck the threatening mane; there he crouched, defeated, humbled, with slavish moans; fetters were upon his paws and a chain clanked of a sudden on his neck. Now, too, my grandsire eagerly urges me to rival his triumphs with my own. Why, he asked, did I delay and hesitate so long? Already my ships should have been manned and the sea’s threatened opposition overcome. I myself am ready to cross in the first vessel. Let every foreign nation that is bound beneath my rule come to our aid. Let all Germany be transported and[76]i.e.Stilicho.

[124]

exornet geminos Maurusia laurea currus:una domus totiens una de gente triumphet.345di bene, quod tantis interlabentibus annisservati Firmusque mihi fraterque nepoti.”dixit et adflatus vicino sole refugit.At iuvenem stimulis inmanibus aemula virtusexacuit; iam puppe vehi, iam stagna secare350fervet et absentes invadere cuspide Mauros.tum iubet acciri socerum dextramque vocatoconserit et, quae sit potior sententia, quaerit:“Per somnos mihi, sancte pater, iam saepe futurapanduntur multaeque canunt praesagia noctes.355namque procul Libycos venatu cingere saltuset iuga rimari canibus Gaetula videbar.maerebat regio saevi vastata leonisincursu; pecudum strages passimque iuvencisemineces et adhuc infecta mapalia tabo360sparsaque sanguineis pastorum funera campis.adgredior latebras monstri mirumque relatuconspicio: dilapsus honos, cervice minacesdefluxere iubae; fractos inglorius armossupposuit, servile gemens; iniectaque vincla365unguibus et subitae collo sonuere catenae.nunc etiam paribus secum certare tropaeishortator me cogit avus. quonam usque remoticunctamur? decuit pridem complere biremeset pelagi superare moras. transmittere primus370ipse paro; quaecumque meo gens barbara nutustringitur, adveniat: Germania cuncta feratur

exornet geminos Maurusia laurea currus:

una domus totiens una de gente triumphet.345

di bene, quod tantis interlabentibus annis

servati Firmusque mihi fraterque nepoti.”

dixit et adflatus vicino sole refugit.

At iuvenem stimulis inmanibus aemula virtus

exacuit; iam puppe vehi, iam stagna secare350

fervet et absentes invadere cuspide Mauros.

tum iubet acciri socerum dextramque vocato

conserit et, quae sit potior sententia, quaerit:

“Per somnos mihi, sancte pater, iam saepe futura

panduntur multaeque canunt praesagia noctes.355

namque procul Libycos venatu cingere saltus

et iuga rimari canibus Gaetula videbar.

maerebat regio saevi vastata leonis

incursu; pecudum strages passimque iuvenci

semineces et adhuc infecta mapalia tabo360

sparsaque sanguineis pastorum funera campis.

adgredior latebras monstri mirumque relatu

conspicio: dilapsus honos, cervice minaces

defluxere iubae; fractos inglorius armos

supposuit, servile gemens; iniectaque vincla365

unguibus et subitae collo sonuere catenae.

nunc etiam paribus secum certare tropaeis

hortator me cogit avus. quonam usque remoti

cunctamur? decuit pridem complere biremes

et pelagi superare moras. transmittere primus370

ipse paro; quaecumque meo gens barbara nutu

stringitur, adveniat: Germania cuncta feratur

[125]let the bays of Mauretania deck chariots twain and one house triumph thus many times over one race. Thanks be to the gods who have interposed so many years between the sacrifice of Firmus to my arms and that of Firmus’ brother to those of my grandson.” He spake, then fled, as he felt the breath of the approaching dawn.Then emulous courage roused the emperor with insistent goad. He burns to set sail, to cleave the main, to assail with the spear the distant Moors. So he summons his father-in-law[76]and clasping his hand asks what course of action he advises. “Full often, reverend sire, is the future revealed to me in dreams; many a night brings prophecy. Methought I surrounded in hunting the distant glades of Africa and scoured the Gaetulian mountains with my hounds. The district was distressed by reason of the incursions of a ravening lion. On all sides were slaughtered beasts and mangled heifers, and still their homesteads ran red with blood, and corpses of many a shepherd lay weltering in the bloody fields. I approached the beast’s cave and saw a sight wonderful to relate. Gone was that noble form, drooping on the neck the threatening mane; there he crouched, defeated, humbled, with slavish moans; fetters were upon his paws and a chain clanked of a sudden on his neck. Now, too, my grandsire eagerly urges me to rival his triumphs with my own. Why, he asked, did I delay and hesitate so long? Already my ships should have been manned and the sea’s threatened opposition overcome. I myself am ready to cross in the first vessel. Let every foreign nation that is bound beneath my rule come to our aid. Let all Germany be transported and[76]i.e.Stilicho.

[125]

let the bays of Mauretania deck chariots twain and one house triumph thus many times over one race. Thanks be to the gods who have interposed so many years between the sacrifice of Firmus to my arms and that of Firmus’ brother to those of my grandson.” He spake, then fled, as he felt the breath of the approaching dawn.

Then emulous courage roused the emperor with insistent goad. He burns to set sail, to cleave the main, to assail with the spear the distant Moors. So he summons his father-in-law[76]and clasping his hand asks what course of action he advises. “Full often, reverend sire, is the future revealed to me in dreams; many a night brings prophecy. Methought I surrounded in hunting the distant glades of Africa and scoured the Gaetulian mountains with my hounds. The district was distressed by reason of the incursions of a ravening lion. On all sides were slaughtered beasts and mangled heifers, and still their homesteads ran red with blood, and corpses of many a shepherd lay weltering in the bloody fields. I approached the beast’s cave and saw a sight wonderful to relate. Gone was that noble form, drooping on the neck the threatening mane; there he crouched, defeated, humbled, with slavish moans; fetters were upon his paws and a chain clanked of a sudden on his neck. Now, too, my grandsire eagerly urges me to rival his triumphs with my own. Why, he asked, did I delay and hesitate so long? Already my ships should have been manned and the sea’s threatened opposition overcome. I myself am ready to cross in the first vessel. Let every foreign nation that is bound beneath my rule come to our aid. Let all Germany be transported and

[76]i.e.Stilicho.

[126]navibus et socia comitentur classe Sygambri.pallida translatum iam sentiat Africa Rhenum.374an patiar tot probra sedens iuvenisque relinquamquae tenui rexique puer? bis noster ad Alpesalterius genitor defensum regna cucurrit.nos praedae faciles insultandique iacemus?”Finierat. Stilicho contra cui talia reddit:“adversine tubam princeps dignabere Mauri?380auferet ignavus clari solacia leti.te bellante mori? decernet Honorius inde,hinc Gildo? prius astra Chaos miscebit Averno.vindictam mandasse sat est; plus nominis horrorquam tuus ensis aget. minuit praesentia famam.385qui stetit aequatur campo, collataque nescitmaiestatem acies. sed quod magis utile factuatque hosti gravius (sensus adverte) doceboest illi patribus, sed non et moribus isdemMascezel, fugiens qui dira piacula fratris390spesque suas vitamque tuo commisit asylo.hunc ubi temptatis frustra mactare nequivitinsidiis, patrias in pignora contulit iraset, quos ipse sinu parvos gestaverat, unaoccidit iuvenes inhumataque corpora vulgo395dispulit et tumulo cognatas arcuit umbrasnaturamque simul fratremque hominemque cruentusexuit et tenuem caesis invidit harenam.hoc facinus refugo damnavit sole Mycenasavertitque diem; sceleri sed reddidit Atreus400[127]the Sygambri come with allied fleet. Let trembling Africa now have experience of the dwellers on Rhine’s banks. Or shall I sit here and submit to such disgrace? Shall I relinquish, now that I am a man, what I ruled and governed as a boy? Twice my father hurried to the Alps to defend another’s realm. Am I to be an easy prey, an object of scorn?”He ended and Stilicho thus made answer: “Wilt thou, an emperor, deign to challenge a Moor to fight? Is that coward to have the consolation of death in battle at thy hand? Shall Honorius fight on our side and Gildo on the other? Ere that, chaos shall plunge the stars into Hell. ’Tis enough to command his punishment. Thy name shall strike greater terror into him than thy sword. Presence will minish awe; he who stands in the lists admits equality, and struggling hosts regard not majesty. Listen and I will tell thee something at once more profitable for thyself and of more effect against the enemy. Gildo has a brother of like descent but unlike in character, Mascezel, who, avoiding the evil courses of his brother, has entrusted his hopes and his life to thy keeping. When Gildo, after many vain attempts, found no means to kill Mascezel, he turned his anger from the father to the children and slew those whom himself had nursed as infants in his arms; then cast aside their unburied bodies and refused sepulchre to the shades of those that had been his kin. The bloody tyrant stifled all natural feelings, forgot he was a brother, forgot he was a man, and begrudged the slain a handful of dust. ’Twas a like deed brought its ill repute upon Mycenae, that put the sun to rout and turned back the day. But while Atreus paid back crime for crime and had excuse

[126]

navibus et socia comitentur classe Sygambri.pallida translatum iam sentiat Africa Rhenum.374an patiar tot probra sedens iuvenisque relinquamquae tenui rexique puer? bis noster ad Alpesalterius genitor defensum regna cucurrit.nos praedae faciles insultandique iacemus?”Finierat. Stilicho contra cui talia reddit:“adversine tubam princeps dignabere Mauri?380auferet ignavus clari solacia leti.te bellante mori? decernet Honorius inde,hinc Gildo? prius astra Chaos miscebit Averno.vindictam mandasse sat est; plus nominis horrorquam tuus ensis aget. minuit praesentia famam.385qui stetit aequatur campo, collataque nescitmaiestatem acies. sed quod magis utile factuatque hosti gravius (sensus adverte) doceboest illi patribus, sed non et moribus isdemMascezel, fugiens qui dira piacula fratris390spesque suas vitamque tuo commisit asylo.hunc ubi temptatis frustra mactare nequivitinsidiis, patrias in pignora contulit iraset, quos ipse sinu parvos gestaverat, unaoccidit iuvenes inhumataque corpora vulgo395dispulit et tumulo cognatas arcuit umbrasnaturamque simul fratremque hominemque cruentusexuit et tenuem caesis invidit harenam.hoc facinus refugo damnavit sole Mycenasavertitque diem; sceleri sed reddidit Atreus400

navibus et socia comitentur classe Sygambri.

pallida translatum iam sentiat Africa Rhenum.374

an patiar tot probra sedens iuvenisque relinquam

quae tenui rexique puer? bis noster ad Alpes

alterius genitor defensum regna cucurrit.

nos praedae faciles insultandique iacemus?”

Finierat. Stilicho contra cui talia reddit:

“adversine tubam princeps dignabere Mauri?380

auferet ignavus clari solacia leti.

te bellante mori? decernet Honorius inde,

hinc Gildo? prius astra Chaos miscebit Averno.

vindictam mandasse sat est; plus nominis horror

quam tuus ensis aget. minuit praesentia famam.385

qui stetit aequatur campo, collataque nescit

maiestatem acies. sed quod magis utile factu

atque hosti gravius (sensus adverte) docebo

est illi patribus, sed non et moribus isdem

Mascezel, fugiens qui dira piacula fratris390

spesque suas vitamque tuo commisit asylo.

hunc ubi temptatis frustra mactare nequivit

insidiis, patrias in pignora contulit iras

et, quos ipse sinu parvos gestaverat, una

occidit iuvenes inhumataque corpora vulgo395

dispulit et tumulo cognatas arcuit umbras

naturamque simul fratremque hominemque cruentus

exuit et tenuem caesis invidit harenam.

hoc facinus refugo damnavit sole Mycenas

avertitque diem; sceleri sed reddidit Atreus400

[127]the Sygambri come with allied fleet. Let trembling Africa now have experience of the dwellers on Rhine’s banks. Or shall I sit here and submit to such disgrace? Shall I relinquish, now that I am a man, what I ruled and governed as a boy? Twice my father hurried to the Alps to defend another’s realm. Am I to be an easy prey, an object of scorn?”He ended and Stilicho thus made answer: “Wilt thou, an emperor, deign to challenge a Moor to fight? Is that coward to have the consolation of death in battle at thy hand? Shall Honorius fight on our side and Gildo on the other? Ere that, chaos shall plunge the stars into Hell. ’Tis enough to command his punishment. Thy name shall strike greater terror into him than thy sword. Presence will minish awe; he who stands in the lists admits equality, and struggling hosts regard not majesty. Listen and I will tell thee something at once more profitable for thyself and of more effect against the enemy. Gildo has a brother of like descent but unlike in character, Mascezel, who, avoiding the evil courses of his brother, has entrusted his hopes and his life to thy keeping. When Gildo, after many vain attempts, found no means to kill Mascezel, he turned his anger from the father to the children and slew those whom himself had nursed as infants in his arms; then cast aside their unburied bodies and refused sepulchre to the shades of those that had been his kin. The bloody tyrant stifled all natural feelings, forgot he was a brother, forgot he was a man, and begrudged the slain a handful of dust. ’Twas a like deed brought its ill repute upon Mycenae, that put the sun to rout and turned back the day. But while Atreus paid back crime for crime and had excuse

[127]

the Sygambri come with allied fleet. Let trembling Africa now have experience of the dwellers on Rhine’s banks. Or shall I sit here and submit to such disgrace? Shall I relinquish, now that I am a man, what I ruled and governed as a boy? Twice my father hurried to the Alps to defend another’s realm. Am I to be an easy prey, an object of scorn?”

He ended and Stilicho thus made answer: “Wilt thou, an emperor, deign to challenge a Moor to fight? Is that coward to have the consolation of death in battle at thy hand? Shall Honorius fight on our side and Gildo on the other? Ere that, chaos shall plunge the stars into Hell. ’Tis enough to command his punishment. Thy name shall strike greater terror into him than thy sword. Presence will minish awe; he who stands in the lists admits equality, and struggling hosts regard not majesty. Listen and I will tell thee something at once more profitable for thyself and of more effect against the enemy. Gildo has a brother of like descent but unlike in character, Mascezel, who, avoiding the evil courses of his brother, has entrusted his hopes and his life to thy keeping. When Gildo, after many vain attempts, found no means to kill Mascezel, he turned his anger from the father to the children and slew those whom himself had nursed as infants in his arms; then cast aside their unburied bodies and refused sepulchre to the shades of those that had been his kin. The bloody tyrant stifled all natural feelings, forgot he was a brother, forgot he was a man, and begrudged the slain a handful of dust. ’Twas a like deed brought its ill repute upon Mycenae, that put the sun to rout and turned back the day. But while Atreus paid back crime for crime and had excuse

[128]crimen et infandas excusat coniuge mensas.hic odium, non poena fuit. te perdita iura,te pater ultorem, te nudi pulvere manes,te pietas polluta rogat; si flentibus aramet proprium miseris numen statuistis, Athenae,405si Pandionias planctu traxere phalangesInachides belloque rogos meruere maritis,si maesto squalore comae lacrimisque senatumin Numidas pulsus solio commovit Adherbal:hunc quoque nunc Gildo, tanto quem funere mersit,hunc doleat venisse ducem seseque minorem411supplicibus sciat esse tuis. quem sede fugavit,hunc praeceps fugiat, fregit quem clade, tremiscatagnoscatque suum, trahitur dum victima, fratrem.”Haec ubi sederunt genero, notissima Marti415robora, praecipuos electa pube maniplosdisponit portuque rates instaurat Etrusco.Herculeam suus Alcides Ioviamque cohortemrex ducit superum, premitur nec signifer ullopondere: festinant adeo vexilla moveri.420Nervius insequitur meritusque vocabula Felixdictaque ab Augusto legio nomenque probantesinvicti clipeoque animosi teste Leones.Dictis ante tamen princeps confirmat ituros[129]for the bloody banquet in the unfaithfulness of his wife, Gildo’s motive was hatred, not vengeance. Violated rights, the sorrowing father, the unburied dead, the unnatural crime all call upon thee as avenger. If thou, Athens, didst dedicate an altar to the sorrowing and ordain to those that mourn a special deity, if the women of Argos won to their aid the Athenian phalanx by their tears and bought burial for their slain lords at the price of war;[77]if Adherbal, driven from his throne, roused the Senate against the Numidians by the sad appeal of unkempt locks and by his tears, then let Gildo be sorry that now this man also whom he has crushed by so many murders is come into the field against him, and let him learn that he must bow before thy suppliants. Let Gildo flee headlong before him whom he put to flight and fear him whom he o’erwhelmed with the murder of his children. As he is being dragged off to the slaughter let him recognize his brother’s hand.”When this advice had been accepted by his son-in-law, Stilicho made ready for war the most famous regiments in the army, selecting therefrom special companies of picked men; he further prepared the fleet in the harbours of Etruria. Alcides himself commands the Herculean cohort; the king of the gods leads the Jovian. No standard-bearer feels the weight of his eagle, so readily do the very standards press forward. The Nervian cohort follows and the Felix, well deserving its name, the legion, too, named after Augustus, that well called The Un-conquered, and the brave regiment of the Lion[78]to whose name their shields bear witness.But before they start the emperor, standing upon a platform of earth, heartens them with his words:[77]A reference to the support given by Theseus, King of Athens, to Adrastus, King of Argos, when the Thebans had refused to allow the burial of the Argives slain at Thebes;cf.Eur.Supplices.[78]Orosius (vii. 36. 6) says Mascezel only had 5000 men. The legion may have been leg. viii. Augusta. The other names are those of variousnumeri(the unit of the post-Diocletianic army).

[128]

crimen et infandas excusat coniuge mensas.hic odium, non poena fuit. te perdita iura,te pater ultorem, te nudi pulvere manes,te pietas polluta rogat; si flentibus aramet proprium miseris numen statuistis, Athenae,405si Pandionias planctu traxere phalangesInachides belloque rogos meruere maritis,si maesto squalore comae lacrimisque senatumin Numidas pulsus solio commovit Adherbal:hunc quoque nunc Gildo, tanto quem funere mersit,hunc doleat venisse ducem seseque minorem411supplicibus sciat esse tuis. quem sede fugavit,hunc praeceps fugiat, fregit quem clade, tremiscatagnoscatque suum, trahitur dum victima, fratrem.”Haec ubi sederunt genero, notissima Marti415robora, praecipuos electa pube maniplosdisponit portuque rates instaurat Etrusco.Herculeam suus Alcides Ioviamque cohortemrex ducit superum, premitur nec signifer ullopondere: festinant adeo vexilla moveri.420Nervius insequitur meritusque vocabula Felixdictaque ab Augusto legio nomenque probantesinvicti clipeoque animosi teste Leones.Dictis ante tamen princeps confirmat ituros

crimen et infandas excusat coniuge mensas.

hic odium, non poena fuit. te perdita iura,

te pater ultorem, te nudi pulvere manes,

te pietas polluta rogat; si flentibus aram

et proprium miseris numen statuistis, Athenae,405

si Pandionias planctu traxere phalanges

Inachides belloque rogos meruere maritis,

si maesto squalore comae lacrimisque senatum

in Numidas pulsus solio commovit Adherbal:

hunc quoque nunc Gildo, tanto quem funere mersit,

hunc doleat venisse ducem seseque minorem411

supplicibus sciat esse tuis. quem sede fugavit,

hunc praeceps fugiat, fregit quem clade, tremiscat

agnoscatque suum, trahitur dum victima, fratrem.”

Haec ubi sederunt genero, notissima Marti415

robora, praecipuos electa pube maniplos

disponit portuque rates instaurat Etrusco.

Herculeam suus Alcides Ioviamque cohortem

rex ducit superum, premitur nec signifer ullo

pondere: festinant adeo vexilla moveri.420

Nervius insequitur meritusque vocabula Felix

dictaque ab Augusto legio nomenque probantes

invicti clipeoque animosi teste Leones.

Dictis ante tamen princeps confirmat ituros

[129]for the bloody banquet in the unfaithfulness of his wife, Gildo’s motive was hatred, not vengeance. Violated rights, the sorrowing father, the unburied dead, the unnatural crime all call upon thee as avenger. If thou, Athens, didst dedicate an altar to the sorrowing and ordain to those that mourn a special deity, if the women of Argos won to their aid the Athenian phalanx by their tears and bought burial for their slain lords at the price of war;[77]if Adherbal, driven from his throne, roused the Senate against the Numidians by the sad appeal of unkempt locks and by his tears, then let Gildo be sorry that now this man also whom he has crushed by so many murders is come into the field against him, and let him learn that he must bow before thy suppliants. Let Gildo flee headlong before him whom he put to flight and fear him whom he o’erwhelmed with the murder of his children. As he is being dragged off to the slaughter let him recognize his brother’s hand.”When this advice had been accepted by his son-in-law, Stilicho made ready for war the most famous regiments in the army, selecting therefrom special companies of picked men; he further prepared the fleet in the harbours of Etruria. Alcides himself commands the Herculean cohort; the king of the gods leads the Jovian. No standard-bearer feels the weight of his eagle, so readily do the very standards press forward. The Nervian cohort follows and the Felix, well deserving its name, the legion, too, named after Augustus, that well called The Un-conquered, and the brave regiment of the Lion[78]to whose name their shields bear witness.But before they start the emperor, standing upon a platform of earth, heartens them with his words:[77]A reference to the support given by Theseus, King of Athens, to Adrastus, King of Argos, when the Thebans had refused to allow the burial of the Argives slain at Thebes;cf.Eur.Supplices.[78]Orosius (vii. 36. 6) says Mascezel only had 5000 men. The legion may have been leg. viii. Augusta. The other names are those of variousnumeri(the unit of the post-Diocletianic army).

[129]

for the bloody banquet in the unfaithfulness of his wife, Gildo’s motive was hatred, not vengeance. Violated rights, the sorrowing father, the unburied dead, the unnatural crime all call upon thee as avenger. If thou, Athens, didst dedicate an altar to the sorrowing and ordain to those that mourn a special deity, if the women of Argos won to their aid the Athenian phalanx by their tears and bought burial for their slain lords at the price of war;[77]if Adherbal, driven from his throne, roused the Senate against the Numidians by the sad appeal of unkempt locks and by his tears, then let Gildo be sorry that now this man also whom he has crushed by so many murders is come into the field against him, and let him learn that he must bow before thy suppliants. Let Gildo flee headlong before him whom he put to flight and fear him whom he o’erwhelmed with the murder of his children. As he is being dragged off to the slaughter let him recognize his brother’s hand.”

When this advice had been accepted by his son-in-law, Stilicho made ready for war the most famous regiments in the army, selecting therefrom special companies of picked men; he further prepared the fleet in the harbours of Etruria. Alcides himself commands the Herculean cohort; the king of the gods leads the Jovian. No standard-bearer feels the weight of his eagle, so readily do the very standards press forward. The Nervian cohort follows and the Felix, well deserving its name, the legion, too, named after Augustus, that well called The Un-conquered, and the brave regiment of the Lion[78]to whose name their shields bear witness.

But before they start the emperor, standing upon a platform of earth, heartens them with his words:

[77]A reference to the support given by Theseus, King of Athens, to Adrastus, King of Argos, when the Thebans had refused to allow the burial of the Argives slain at Thebes;cf.Eur.Supplices.

[78]Orosius (vii. 36. 6) says Mascezel only had 5000 men. The legion may have been leg. viii. Augusta. The other names are those of variousnumeri(the unit of the post-Diocletianic army).

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