FESCENNINA DE NUPTIIS HONORII AUGUSTI

[226]sumere nec totas audebat vertere leges.at postquam pulsisque bonis et faece retentapeiores legit socios dignusque satelleshinc Hosius stetit, inde Leo, fiducia crevitregnandique palam flagravit aperta libido.560patricius, consul maculat quos vendit honores,plus maculat quos ipse gerit. iam signa tubaequemollescunt, ipsos ignavia fluxit in enses.exultant merito gentes facilisque volentipraeda sumus. iam Bistoniis Haemoque nivali565vastior expulsis Oriens squalescit aratris.ei mihi, quas urbes et quanto tempore Martisignaras uno rapuerunt proelia cursu!nuper ab extremo veniens equitatus Araxeterruit Antiochi muros, ipsumque decorae570paene caput Syriae flammis hostilibus arsit.utque gravis spoliis nulloque obstante profundalactus caede redit, sequitur mucrone secundocontinuum vulnus; nec iam mihi Caucasus hostesnec mittit gelidus Phasis; nascuntur in ipso575bella sinu. legio pridem Romana Gruthungi,iura quibus victis dedimus, quibus arva domusquepraebuimus, Lydos Asiaeque uberrima vastantignibus et si quid tempestas prima reliquit.nec vi nec numero freti; sed inertia nutrit580proditioque ducum, quorum per crimina miles[227]governing the state or of trampling on the laws. But when he had banished the good and, retaining the dregs of the people, had chosen therefrom advisers of no worth; when his creature Hosius stood on his one side and Leo on the other, then indeed his self-confidence waxed and his lust for power broke forth into open flame. Patrician and consul he brought defilement on the honours he sold; even greater defilement on those he carried himself. The very standards and trumpets of war grew feeble; a palsy seized upon our swords. What wonder the nations rejoiced and we became the easy prey of any who would subdue us? Gone are ploughs and ploughmen; the East is more a desert than Thrace and snowy Haemus. Alas! how many cities, how long unused to war’s alarms, have perished in a single invasion! Not long since a mounted band coming from Araxes’ farthest banks threatened the walls of Antioch and all but set fire to the chief city of the fair province of Syria. Laden with spoil and rejoicing in the vast carnage it had wrought the band returned with none to bar its passage; now it pursues its victorious career inflicting on me wound upon wound. ’Tis not now Caucasus nor cold Phasis that send forces against me; wars arise in the very centre of my empire. Time was when the Gruthungi formed a Roman legion; conquered we gave them laws; fields and dwelling-places we apportioned them. Now they lay waste with fire Lydia and the richest cities of Asia, ay, and everything that escaped the earlier storm. ’Tis neither on their own valour or numbers that they rely; it is our cowardice urges them on, cowardice and the treason of generals, through whose guilt our soldiers now

[226]

sumere nec totas audebat vertere leges.at postquam pulsisque bonis et faece retentapeiores legit socios dignusque satelleshinc Hosius stetit, inde Leo, fiducia crevitregnandique palam flagravit aperta libido.560patricius, consul maculat quos vendit honores,plus maculat quos ipse gerit. iam signa tubaequemollescunt, ipsos ignavia fluxit in enses.exultant merito gentes facilisque volentipraeda sumus. iam Bistoniis Haemoque nivali565vastior expulsis Oriens squalescit aratris.ei mihi, quas urbes et quanto tempore Martisignaras uno rapuerunt proelia cursu!nuper ab extremo veniens equitatus Araxeterruit Antiochi muros, ipsumque decorae570paene caput Syriae flammis hostilibus arsit.utque gravis spoliis nulloque obstante profundalactus caede redit, sequitur mucrone secundocontinuum vulnus; nec iam mihi Caucasus hostesnec mittit gelidus Phasis; nascuntur in ipso575bella sinu. legio pridem Romana Gruthungi,iura quibus victis dedimus, quibus arva domusquepraebuimus, Lydos Asiaeque uberrima vastantignibus et si quid tempestas prima reliquit.nec vi nec numero freti; sed inertia nutrit580proditioque ducum, quorum per crimina miles

sumere nec totas audebat vertere leges.

at postquam pulsisque bonis et faece retenta

peiores legit socios dignusque satelles

hinc Hosius stetit, inde Leo, fiducia crevit

regnandique palam flagravit aperta libido.560

patricius, consul maculat quos vendit honores,

plus maculat quos ipse gerit. iam signa tubaeque

mollescunt, ipsos ignavia fluxit in enses.

exultant merito gentes facilisque volenti

praeda sumus. iam Bistoniis Haemoque nivali565

vastior expulsis Oriens squalescit aratris.

ei mihi, quas urbes et quanto tempore Martis

ignaras uno rapuerunt proelia cursu!

nuper ab extremo veniens equitatus Araxe

terruit Antiochi muros, ipsumque decorae570

paene caput Syriae flammis hostilibus arsit.

utque gravis spoliis nulloque obstante profunda

lactus caede redit, sequitur mucrone secundo

continuum vulnus; nec iam mihi Caucasus hostes

nec mittit gelidus Phasis; nascuntur in ipso575

bella sinu. legio pridem Romana Gruthungi,

iura quibus victis dedimus, quibus arva domusque

praebuimus, Lydos Asiaeque uberrima vastant

ignibus et si quid tempestas prima reliquit.

nec vi nec numero freti; sed inertia nutrit580

proditioque ducum, quorum per crimina miles

[227]governing the state or of trampling on the laws. But when he had banished the good and, retaining the dregs of the people, had chosen therefrom advisers of no worth; when his creature Hosius stood on his one side and Leo on the other, then indeed his self-confidence waxed and his lust for power broke forth into open flame. Patrician and consul he brought defilement on the honours he sold; even greater defilement on those he carried himself. The very standards and trumpets of war grew feeble; a palsy seized upon our swords. What wonder the nations rejoiced and we became the easy prey of any who would subdue us? Gone are ploughs and ploughmen; the East is more a desert than Thrace and snowy Haemus. Alas! how many cities, how long unused to war’s alarms, have perished in a single invasion! Not long since a mounted band coming from Araxes’ farthest banks threatened the walls of Antioch and all but set fire to the chief city of the fair province of Syria. Laden with spoil and rejoicing in the vast carnage it had wrought the band returned with none to bar its passage; now it pursues its victorious career inflicting on me wound upon wound. ’Tis not now Caucasus nor cold Phasis that send forces against me; wars arise in the very centre of my empire. Time was when the Gruthungi formed a Roman legion; conquered we gave them laws; fields and dwelling-places we apportioned them. Now they lay waste with fire Lydia and the richest cities of Asia, ay, and everything that escaped the earlier storm. ’Tis neither on their own valour or numbers that they rely; it is our cowardice urges them on, cowardice and the treason of generals, through whose guilt our soldiers now

[227]

governing the state or of trampling on the laws. But when he had banished the good and, retaining the dregs of the people, had chosen therefrom advisers of no worth; when his creature Hosius stood on his one side and Leo on the other, then indeed his self-confidence waxed and his lust for power broke forth into open flame. Patrician and consul he brought defilement on the honours he sold; even greater defilement on those he carried himself. The very standards and trumpets of war grew feeble; a palsy seized upon our swords. What wonder the nations rejoiced and we became the easy prey of any who would subdue us? Gone are ploughs and ploughmen; the East is more a desert than Thrace and snowy Haemus. Alas! how many cities, how long unused to war’s alarms, have perished in a single invasion! Not long since a mounted band coming from Araxes’ farthest banks threatened the walls of Antioch and all but set fire to the chief city of the fair province of Syria. Laden with spoil and rejoicing in the vast carnage it had wrought the band returned with none to bar its passage; now it pursues its victorious career inflicting on me wound upon wound. ’Tis not now Caucasus nor cold Phasis that send forces against me; wars arise in the very centre of my empire. Time was when the Gruthungi formed a Roman legion; conquered we gave them laws; fields and dwelling-places we apportioned them. Now they lay waste with fire Lydia and the richest cities of Asia, ay, and everything that escaped the earlier storm. ’Tis neither on their own valour or numbers that they rely; it is our cowardice urges them on, cowardice and the treason of generals, through whose guilt our soldiers now

[228]captivis dat terga suis, quos teste subegitDanuvio partemque timet qui reppulit omnes.“Aula choris epulisque vacat nec perdita curat,dum superest aliquid. ne quid tamen orbe recisovenditor amittat, provincia quaeque superstes586dividitur geminumque duplex passura tribunalcogitur alterius pretium sarcire peremptae.sic mihi restituunt populos; hac arte repertarectorum numerum terris pereuntibus augent.590“In te iam spes una mihi. pro fronde Minervaehas tibi protendo lacrimas: succurre ruenti,eripe me tandem, servilibus eripe regnis.neve adeo cunctos paucorum crimine damnesnec nova tot meritis offensa prioribus obstet.595iamiam flecte animum. suprema pericula semperdant veniam culpae. quamvis iratus et exulpro patriae flammis non distulit arma Camillus.nec te subtrahimus Latio; defensor utriquesufficis. armorum liceat splendore tuorum600in commune frui; clipeus nos protegat idemunaque pro gemino desudet cardine virtus.”[229]flee before their own captives, whom, as Danube’s stream well knows, they once subdued; and those now fear a handful who once could drive back all.Meanwhile the palace devotes its attention to dances and feastings, and cares not what be lost so something remain. But lest our salesman lose aught by this dismemberment of the empire he has divided each remaining province into two, and forces the two halves, each under its own governor, to compensate him for the loss of other provinces. ’Tis thus they give me back my lost peoples: by this ingenious device they increase the number of my rulers while the lands they should rule are lost.In thee is now my only hope; in place of Minerva’s supplicating branch I offer thee my tears. Help me in my distress. Save me from this tyranny of a slave master; do not condemn all for the fault of a few, and let not a recent offence cancel former merits. Grant me now my request; extreme danger ever exonerates from blame. Camillus, though justly angered at his banishment, forebore not to succour his country when in flames. I seek not to draw thee away from Italy; thou art enough defence for both empires. Let both have the benefit of thine illustrious arms; let the same shield defend us and one hero work the salvation of a twofold world”

[228]

captivis dat terga suis, quos teste subegitDanuvio partemque timet qui reppulit omnes.“Aula choris epulisque vacat nec perdita curat,dum superest aliquid. ne quid tamen orbe recisovenditor amittat, provincia quaeque superstes586dividitur geminumque duplex passura tribunalcogitur alterius pretium sarcire peremptae.sic mihi restituunt populos; hac arte repertarectorum numerum terris pereuntibus augent.590“In te iam spes una mihi. pro fronde Minervaehas tibi protendo lacrimas: succurre ruenti,eripe me tandem, servilibus eripe regnis.neve adeo cunctos paucorum crimine damnesnec nova tot meritis offensa prioribus obstet.595iamiam flecte animum. suprema pericula semperdant veniam culpae. quamvis iratus et exulpro patriae flammis non distulit arma Camillus.nec te subtrahimus Latio; defensor utriquesufficis. armorum liceat splendore tuorum600in commune frui; clipeus nos protegat idemunaque pro gemino desudet cardine virtus.”

captivis dat terga suis, quos teste subegit

Danuvio partemque timet qui reppulit omnes.

“Aula choris epulisque vacat nec perdita curat,

dum superest aliquid. ne quid tamen orbe reciso

venditor amittat, provincia quaeque superstes586

dividitur geminumque duplex passura tribunal

cogitur alterius pretium sarcire peremptae.

sic mihi restituunt populos; hac arte reperta

rectorum numerum terris pereuntibus augent.590

“In te iam spes una mihi. pro fronde Minervae

has tibi protendo lacrimas: succurre ruenti,

eripe me tandem, servilibus eripe regnis.

neve adeo cunctos paucorum crimine damnes

nec nova tot meritis offensa prioribus obstet.595

iamiam flecte animum. suprema pericula semper

dant veniam culpae. quamvis iratus et exul

pro patriae flammis non distulit arma Camillus.

nec te subtrahimus Latio; defensor utrique

sufficis. armorum liceat splendore tuorum600

in commune frui; clipeus nos protegat idem

unaque pro gemino desudet cardine virtus.”

[229]flee before their own captives, whom, as Danube’s stream well knows, they once subdued; and those now fear a handful who once could drive back all.Meanwhile the palace devotes its attention to dances and feastings, and cares not what be lost so something remain. But lest our salesman lose aught by this dismemberment of the empire he has divided each remaining province into two, and forces the two halves, each under its own governor, to compensate him for the loss of other provinces. ’Tis thus they give me back my lost peoples: by this ingenious device they increase the number of my rulers while the lands they should rule are lost.In thee is now my only hope; in place of Minerva’s supplicating branch I offer thee my tears. Help me in my distress. Save me from this tyranny of a slave master; do not condemn all for the fault of a few, and let not a recent offence cancel former merits. Grant me now my request; extreme danger ever exonerates from blame. Camillus, though justly angered at his banishment, forebore not to succour his country when in flames. I seek not to draw thee away from Italy; thou art enough defence for both empires. Let both have the benefit of thine illustrious arms; let the same shield defend us and one hero work the salvation of a twofold world”

[229]

flee before their own captives, whom, as Danube’s stream well knows, they once subdued; and those now fear a handful who once could drive back all.

Meanwhile the palace devotes its attention to dances and feastings, and cares not what be lost so something remain. But lest our salesman lose aught by this dismemberment of the empire he has divided each remaining province into two, and forces the two halves, each under its own governor, to compensate him for the loss of other provinces. ’Tis thus they give me back my lost peoples: by this ingenious device they increase the number of my rulers while the lands they should rule are lost.

In thee is now my only hope; in place of Minerva’s supplicating branch I offer thee my tears. Help me in my distress. Save me from this tyranny of a slave master; do not condemn all for the fault of a few, and let not a recent offence cancel former merits. Grant me now my request; extreme danger ever exonerates from blame. Camillus, though justly angered at his banishment, forebore not to succour his country when in flames. I seek not to draw thee away from Italy; thou art enough defence for both empires. Let both have the benefit of thine illustrious arms; let the same shield defend us and one hero work the salvation of a twofold world”

[230]FESCENNINA DE NUPTIIS HONORII AUGUSTII. (XI.)Princeps corusco sidere pulchrior,Parthis sagittas tendere doctior,eques Gelonis imperiosior,quae digna mentis laus erit arduae?quae digna formae laus erit igneae?5te Leda mallet quam dare Castorem;praefert Achilli te proprio Thetis;victum fatetur Delos Apollinem;credit minorem Lydia Liberum.tu cum per altas impiger ilices10praedo citatum cornipedem regesludentque ventis instabiles comae,telis iacebunt sponte tuis feraegaudensque sacris vulneribus leoadmittet hastam morte superbior.15Venus reversum spernit Adonidem,damnat reductum Cynthia Virbium.Cum post labores sub platani volesvirentis umbra vel gelido specutorrentiorem fallere Sirium20et membra somno fessa resolveris:o quantus uret tum Dryadas calor!quot aestuantes ancipiti gradufurtiva carpent oscula Naides![231]FESCENNINE VERSES IN HONOUR OF THE MARRIAGE OF THE EMPEROR HONORIUS[124]I. (XI.)Prince, fairer than the day-star, who shootest thine arrows with an aim more sure than the Parthian’s, rider more daring than the Geloni, what praise shall match thy lofty mind, what praise thy brilliant beauty? Leda would rather have thee her son than Castor; Thetis counts thee dearer than her own Achilles; Delos’ isle admits thee Apollo’s victor; Lydia puts Bacchus second to thee. When in the heat of the chase thou guidest thy coursing steed amid the towering holm-oaks and thy tossing locks stream out upon the wind, the beasts of their own accord will fall before thine arrows and the lion, right gladly wounded by a prince’s sacred hand, will welcome thy spear and be proud so to die. Venus scorns Adonis returned from the dead, Diana disapproves Hippolytus recalled to life.When after thy toils thou seekest the shade of a green plane-tree or shunnest Sirius’ extreme heat in some cool grot and freest thy wearied limbs in sleep, what a passion of love will inflame the Dryads’ hearts! how many a Naiad will steal up with trembling foot and snatch an unmarked kiss! Who,[124]The marriage of Honorius and Maria, daughter of Stilicho, took place at Milan, Feb. 398.

[230]

I. (XI.)

Princeps corusco sidere pulchrior,Parthis sagittas tendere doctior,eques Gelonis imperiosior,quae digna mentis laus erit arduae?quae digna formae laus erit igneae?5te Leda mallet quam dare Castorem;praefert Achilli te proprio Thetis;victum fatetur Delos Apollinem;credit minorem Lydia Liberum.tu cum per altas impiger ilices10praedo citatum cornipedem regesludentque ventis instabiles comae,telis iacebunt sponte tuis feraegaudensque sacris vulneribus leoadmittet hastam morte superbior.15Venus reversum spernit Adonidem,damnat reductum Cynthia Virbium.Cum post labores sub platani volesvirentis umbra vel gelido specutorrentiorem fallere Sirium20et membra somno fessa resolveris:o quantus uret tum Dryadas calor!quot aestuantes ancipiti gradufurtiva carpent oscula Naides!

Princeps corusco sidere pulchrior,

Parthis sagittas tendere doctior,

eques Gelonis imperiosior,

quae digna mentis laus erit arduae?

quae digna formae laus erit igneae?5

te Leda mallet quam dare Castorem;

praefert Achilli te proprio Thetis;

victum fatetur Delos Apollinem;

credit minorem Lydia Liberum.

tu cum per altas impiger ilices10

praedo citatum cornipedem reges

ludentque ventis instabiles comae,

telis iacebunt sponte tuis ferae

gaudensque sacris vulneribus leo

admittet hastam morte superbior.15

Venus reversum spernit Adonidem,

damnat reductum Cynthia Virbium.

Cum post labores sub platani voles

virentis umbra vel gelido specu

torrentiorem fallere Sirium20

et membra somno fessa resolveris:

o quantus uret tum Dryadas calor!

quot aestuantes ancipiti gradu

furtiva carpent oscula Naides!

[231]FESCENNINE VERSES IN HONOUR OF THE MARRIAGE OF THE EMPEROR HONORIUS[124]I. (XI.)Prince, fairer than the day-star, who shootest thine arrows with an aim more sure than the Parthian’s, rider more daring than the Geloni, what praise shall match thy lofty mind, what praise thy brilliant beauty? Leda would rather have thee her son than Castor; Thetis counts thee dearer than her own Achilles; Delos’ isle admits thee Apollo’s victor; Lydia puts Bacchus second to thee. When in the heat of the chase thou guidest thy coursing steed amid the towering holm-oaks and thy tossing locks stream out upon the wind, the beasts of their own accord will fall before thine arrows and the lion, right gladly wounded by a prince’s sacred hand, will welcome thy spear and be proud so to die. Venus scorns Adonis returned from the dead, Diana disapproves Hippolytus recalled to life.When after thy toils thou seekest the shade of a green plane-tree or shunnest Sirius’ extreme heat in some cool grot and freest thy wearied limbs in sleep, what a passion of love will inflame the Dryads’ hearts! how many a Naiad will steal up with trembling foot and snatch an unmarked kiss! Who,[124]The marriage of Honorius and Maria, daughter of Stilicho, took place at Milan, Feb. 398.

[231]

I. (XI.)

Prince, fairer than the day-star, who shootest thine arrows with an aim more sure than the Parthian’s, rider more daring than the Geloni, what praise shall match thy lofty mind, what praise thy brilliant beauty? Leda would rather have thee her son than Castor; Thetis counts thee dearer than her own Achilles; Delos’ isle admits thee Apollo’s victor; Lydia puts Bacchus second to thee. When in the heat of the chase thou guidest thy coursing steed amid the towering holm-oaks and thy tossing locks stream out upon the wind, the beasts of their own accord will fall before thine arrows and the lion, right gladly wounded by a prince’s sacred hand, will welcome thy spear and be proud so to die. Venus scorns Adonis returned from the dead, Diana disapproves Hippolytus recalled to life.

When after thy toils thou seekest the shade of a green plane-tree or shunnest Sirius’ extreme heat in some cool grot and freest thy wearied limbs in sleep, what a passion of love will inflame the Dryads’ hearts! how many a Naiad will steal up with trembling foot and snatch an unmarked kiss! Who,

[124]The marriage of Honorius and Maria, daughter of Stilicho, took place at Milan, Feb. 398.

[232]quis vero acerbis horridior Scythis,25quis beluarum corde furentior,qui, cum micantem te prope viderit,non optet ultro servitium pati,qui non catenas adripiat libenscolloque poscat vincula libero?tu si nivalis per iuga Caucasi30saevas petisses pulcher Amazonas,peltata pugnas desereret cohorssexu recepto; patris et inmemorinter frementes Hippolyte tubasstrictam securim languida poneret35et seminudo pectore cingulumforti negatum solveret Herculi,bellumque solus conficeret decor.Beata, quae te mox faciet virum40primisque sese iunget amoribus.II. (XII.)Age cuncta nuptialiredimita vere telluscelebra toros eriles;omne nemus cum fluviis,omne canat profundum5Ligures favete campi,Veneti favete montes,subitisque se rosetisvestiat Alpinus apexet rubeant pruinae.10Athesis strepat choreiscalamisque flexuosusleve Mincius susurret[233]though he be more uncivilized than the wild Scythians and more cruel even than the beasts, but will, when he has seen near at hand thy transcendent loveliness, offer thee a ready servitude? Who will not willingly seize the chains of slavery and demand the yoke for a neck as yet free? Hadst thou o’er the heights of snowy Caucasus gone against the cruel Amazons in all thy beauty, that warrior band had fled the fight and called to mind again their proper sex; Hippolyte, amid the trumpets’ din, forgetful of her sire, had weakly laid aside her drawn battle-axe, and with half-bared breast loosed the girdle all Hercules’ strength availed not to loose. Thy beauty alone would have ended the war.Blessed is she who will soon call thee husband and unite herself to thee with the bonds of first love.II. (XII.)Come, earth, wreathed about with nuptial spring, do honour to thy master’s marriage-feast. Sing, woods and rivers all, sing, deep of ocean. Give your blessing, too, Ligurian plains and yours, Venetian hills. Let Alpine heights on a sudden clothe themselves with rose-bushes and the fields of ice grow red. Let the Adige re-echo the sound of choric lays and meandering Mincius whisper gently through his

[232]

quis vero acerbis horridior Scythis,25quis beluarum corde furentior,qui, cum micantem te prope viderit,non optet ultro servitium pati,qui non catenas adripiat libenscolloque poscat vincula libero?tu si nivalis per iuga Caucasi30saevas petisses pulcher Amazonas,peltata pugnas desereret cohorssexu recepto; patris et inmemorinter frementes Hippolyte tubasstrictam securim languida poneret35et seminudo pectore cingulumforti negatum solveret Herculi,bellumque solus conficeret decor.Beata, quae te mox faciet virum40primisque sese iunget amoribus.

quis vero acerbis horridior Scythis,25

quis beluarum corde furentior,

qui, cum micantem te prope viderit,

non optet ultro servitium pati,

qui non catenas adripiat libens

colloque poscat vincula libero?

tu si nivalis per iuga Caucasi30

saevas petisses pulcher Amazonas,

peltata pugnas desereret cohors

sexu recepto; patris et inmemor

inter frementes Hippolyte tubas

strictam securim languida poneret35

et seminudo pectore cingulum

forti negatum solveret Herculi,

bellumque solus conficeret decor.

Beata, quae te mox faciet virum40

primisque sese iunget amoribus.

II. (XII.)

Age cuncta nuptialiredimita vere telluscelebra toros eriles;omne nemus cum fluviis,omne canat profundum5Ligures favete campi,Veneti favete montes,subitisque se rosetisvestiat Alpinus apexet rubeant pruinae.10Athesis strepat choreiscalamisque flexuosusleve Mincius susurret

Age cuncta nuptiali

redimita vere tellus

celebra toros eriles;

omne nemus cum fluviis,

omne canat profundum5

Ligures favete campi,

Veneti favete montes,

subitisque se rosetis

vestiat Alpinus apex

et rubeant pruinae.10

Athesis strepat choreis

calamisque flexuosus

leve Mincius susurret

[233]though he be more uncivilized than the wild Scythians and more cruel even than the beasts, but will, when he has seen near at hand thy transcendent loveliness, offer thee a ready servitude? Who will not willingly seize the chains of slavery and demand the yoke for a neck as yet free? Hadst thou o’er the heights of snowy Caucasus gone against the cruel Amazons in all thy beauty, that warrior band had fled the fight and called to mind again their proper sex; Hippolyte, amid the trumpets’ din, forgetful of her sire, had weakly laid aside her drawn battle-axe, and with half-bared breast loosed the girdle all Hercules’ strength availed not to loose. Thy beauty alone would have ended the war.Blessed is she who will soon call thee husband and unite herself to thee with the bonds of first love.II. (XII.)Come, earth, wreathed about with nuptial spring, do honour to thy master’s marriage-feast. Sing, woods and rivers all, sing, deep of ocean. Give your blessing, too, Ligurian plains and yours, Venetian hills. Let Alpine heights on a sudden clothe themselves with rose-bushes and the fields of ice grow red. Let the Adige re-echo the sound of choric lays and meandering Mincius whisper gently through his

[233]

though he be more uncivilized than the wild Scythians and more cruel even than the beasts, but will, when he has seen near at hand thy transcendent loveliness, offer thee a ready servitude? Who will not willingly seize the chains of slavery and demand the yoke for a neck as yet free? Hadst thou o’er the heights of snowy Caucasus gone against the cruel Amazons in all thy beauty, that warrior band had fled the fight and called to mind again their proper sex; Hippolyte, amid the trumpets’ din, forgetful of her sire, had weakly laid aside her drawn battle-axe, and with half-bared breast loosed the girdle all Hercules’ strength availed not to loose. Thy beauty alone would have ended the war.

Blessed is she who will soon call thee husband and unite herself to thee with the bonds of first love.

II. (XII.)

Come, earth, wreathed about with nuptial spring, do honour to thy master’s marriage-feast. Sing, woods and rivers all, sing, deep of ocean. Give your blessing, too, Ligurian plains and yours, Venetian hills. Let Alpine heights on a sudden clothe themselves with rose-bushes and the fields of ice grow red. Let the Adige re-echo the sound of choric lays and meandering Mincius whisper gently through his

[234]et Padus electriferisadmoduletur alnis;15epulisque iam repletoresonet Quirite Thybrisdominique laeta votisaurea septemgeminasRoma coronet arces.20procul audiant Hiberi,fluit unde semen aulae,ubi plena laurearumimperio feta domusvix numerat triumphos.25habet hinc patrem maritus,habet hinc puella matremgeminaque parte ductumCaesareum flumineostemma recurrit ortu.30decorent virecta Bactim,Tagus intumescat aurogenerisque procreatorsub vitreis Oceanusluxurietur antris.35Oriensque regna fratrumsimul Occidensque plaudat;placide iocentur urbes,quaeque novo quaeque nitentdeficiente Phoebo.40Aquiloniae procellae,rabidi tacete Cauri,taceat sonorus Auster.solus ovantem Zephyrusperdominetur annum.45[235]reeds and Padus make answer with his amber-dripping alders. Let Tiber’s banks now ring with the voices of Rome’s full-fed citizens and the golden city, rejoicing in her lord’s marriage, crown her seven hills with flowers.Let Spain hear afar, Spain the cradle of the imperial race, where is a house that is mother of emperors, rich in crowns of laurel, whose triumphs can scarce be numbered. Hence came the bridegroom’s sire, hence the bride’s mother; from either branch flows the blood of the Caesars, like twin streams reunited. Let rich herbage clothe Baetis’ banks and Tagus swell his golden flood; may Ocean, ancestor of the imperial race, make merry in his crystal caves. Let East and West, the two brothers’ realms, join in their applause, and peace and joy fill the cities illumined by the sun at his rising and at his setting. Be still, ye storms of the north and ye mad blasts of Caurus; sounding Auster, sink to rest. Let Zephyrus have sole rule over this year of triumph.

[234]

et Padus electriferisadmoduletur alnis;15epulisque iam repletoresonet Quirite Thybrisdominique laeta votisaurea septemgeminasRoma coronet arces.20procul audiant Hiberi,fluit unde semen aulae,ubi plena laurearumimperio feta domusvix numerat triumphos.25habet hinc patrem maritus,habet hinc puella matremgeminaque parte ductumCaesareum flumineostemma recurrit ortu.30decorent virecta Bactim,Tagus intumescat aurogenerisque procreatorsub vitreis Oceanusluxurietur antris.35Oriensque regna fratrumsimul Occidensque plaudat;placide iocentur urbes,quaeque novo quaeque nitentdeficiente Phoebo.40Aquiloniae procellae,rabidi tacete Cauri,taceat sonorus Auster.solus ovantem Zephyrusperdominetur annum.45

et Padus electriferis

admoduletur alnis;15

epulisque iam repleto

resonet Quirite Thybris

dominique laeta votis

aurea septemgeminas

Roma coronet arces.20

procul audiant Hiberi,

fluit unde semen aulae,

ubi plena laurearum

imperio feta domus

vix numerat triumphos.25

habet hinc patrem maritus,

habet hinc puella matrem

geminaque parte ductum

Caesareum flumineo

stemma recurrit ortu.30

decorent virecta Bactim,

Tagus intumescat auro

generisque procreator

sub vitreis Oceanus

luxurietur antris.35

Oriensque regna fratrum

simul Occidensque plaudat;

placide iocentur urbes,

quaeque novo quaeque nitent

deficiente Phoebo.40

Aquiloniae procellae,

rabidi tacete Cauri,

taceat sonorus Auster.

solus ovantem Zephyrus

perdominetur annum.45

[235]reeds and Padus make answer with his amber-dripping alders. Let Tiber’s banks now ring with the voices of Rome’s full-fed citizens and the golden city, rejoicing in her lord’s marriage, crown her seven hills with flowers.Let Spain hear afar, Spain the cradle of the imperial race, where is a house that is mother of emperors, rich in crowns of laurel, whose triumphs can scarce be numbered. Hence came the bridegroom’s sire, hence the bride’s mother; from either branch flows the blood of the Caesars, like twin streams reunited. Let rich herbage clothe Baetis’ banks and Tagus swell his golden flood; may Ocean, ancestor of the imperial race, make merry in his crystal caves. Let East and West, the two brothers’ realms, join in their applause, and peace and joy fill the cities illumined by the sun at his rising and at his setting. Be still, ye storms of the north and ye mad blasts of Caurus; sounding Auster, sink to rest. Let Zephyrus have sole rule over this year of triumph.

[235]

reeds and Padus make answer with his amber-dripping alders. Let Tiber’s banks now ring with the voices of Rome’s full-fed citizens and the golden city, rejoicing in her lord’s marriage, crown her seven hills with flowers.

Let Spain hear afar, Spain the cradle of the imperial race, where is a house that is mother of emperors, rich in crowns of laurel, whose triumphs can scarce be numbered. Hence came the bridegroom’s sire, hence the bride’s mother; from either branch flows the blood of the Caesars, like twin streams reunited. Let rich herbage clothe Baetis’ banks and Tagus swell his golden flood; may Ocean, ancestor of the imperial race, make merry in his crystal caves. Let East and West, the two brothers’ realms, join in their applause, and peace and joy fill the cities illumined by the sun at his rising and at his setting. Be still, ye storms of the north and ye mad blasts of Caurus; sounding Auster, sink to rest. Let Zephyrus have sole rule over this year of triumph.

[236]III. (XIII.)Solitas galea fulgere comas,Stilicho, molli necte corona.cessent litui saevumque proculMartem felix taeda releget.tractus ab aula rursus in aulam5redeat sanguis. patris officiisiunge potenti pignora dextra.gener Augusti pridem fueras,nunc rursus eris socer Augusti.quae iam rabies livoris erit?10vel quis dabitur color invidiae?Stilicho socer est, pater est Stilicho.IV. (XIV.)Attollens thalamis Idalium iubardilectus Veneri nascitur Hesperus.iam nuptae trepidat sollicitus pudor,iam produnt lacrimas flammea simplices.ne cessa, iuvenis, comminus adgredi,5impacata licet saeviat unguibus.non quisquam fruitur veris odoribusHyblaeos latebris nec spoliat favos,si fronti caveat, si timeat rubos;armat spina rosas, mella tegunt apes.10crescunt difficili gaudia iurgioaccenditque magis, quae refugit, Venus.quod flenti tuleris, plus sapit osculum.dices “o!” quotiens, “hoc mihi dulciusquam flavos deciens vincere Sarmatas!”15[237]III. (XIII.)Twine with a soft garland, Stilicho, the locks whereon a helmet is wont to shine. Let the trumpets of war cease and the propitious torch of marriage banish savage Mars afar. Let regal blood unite once more with regal blood. Perform a father’s office and unite these children with thine illustrious hand. Thou didst marry an emperor’s daughter, now, in turn, thy daughter shall marry an emperor. What room is here for the madness of jealousy? What excuse for envy? Stilicho is father both of bride and bridegroom.IV. (XIV.)Hesperus, loved of Venus, rises and shines for the marriage with his Idalian[125]rays. Maiden shame now overcomes the anxious bride; her veil now shows traces of innocent tears. Hesitate not to be close in thine attacks, young lover, e’en though she oppose thee savagely with cruel finger-nail. None can enjoy the scents of spring nor steal the honey of Hybla from its fastnesses if he fears that thorns may scratch his face. Thorns arm the rose and bees find a defence for their honey. The refusals of coyness do but increase the joy; the desire for that which flies us is the more inflamed; sweeter is the kiss snatched through tears. How oft wilt thou say: “Better this than ten victories over the yellow-haired Sarmatae”![125]Idalian: from Idalium, a mountain in Cyprus, sacred to Venus.

[236]

III. (XIII.)

Solitas galea fulgere comas,Stilicho, molli necte corona.cessent litui saevumque proculMartem felix taeda releget.tractus ab aula rursus in aulam5redeat sanguis. patris officiisiunge potenti pignora dextra.gener Augusti pridem fueras,nunc rursus eris socer Augusti.quae iam rabies livoris erit?10vel quis dabitur color invidiae?Stilicho socer est, pater est Stilicho.

Solitas galea fulgere comas,

Stilicho, molli necte corona.

cessent litui saevumque procul

Martem felix taeda releget.

tractus ab aula rursus in aulam5

redeat sanguis. patris officiis

iunge potenti pignora dextra.

gener Augusti pridem fueras,

nunc rursus eris socer Augusti.

quae iam rabies livoris erit?10

vel quis dabitur color invidiae?

Stilicho socer est, pater est Stilicho.

IV. (XIV.)

Attollens thalamis Idalium iubardilectus Veneri nascitur Hesperus.iam nuptae trepidat sollicitus pudor,iam produnt lacrimas flammea simplices.ne cessa, iuvenis, comminus adgredi,5impacata licet saeviat unguibus.non quisquam fruitur veris odoribusHyblaeos latebris nec spoliat favos,si fronti caveat, si timeat rubos;armat spina rosas, mella tegunt apes.10crescunt difficili gaudia iurgioaccenditque magis, quae refugit, Venus.quod flenti tuleris, plus sapit osculum.dices “o!” quotiens, “hoc mihi dulciusquam flavos deciens vincere Sarmatas!”15

Attollens thalamis Idalium iubar

dilectus Veneri nascitur Hesperus.

iam nuptae trepidat sollicitus pudor,

iam produnt lacrimas flammea simplices.

ne cessa, iuvenis, comminus adgredi,5

impacata licet saeviat unguibus.

non quisquam fruitur veris odoribus

Hyblaeos latebris nec spoliat favos,

si fronti caveat, si timeat rubos;

armat spina rosas, mella tegunt apes.10

crescunt difficili gaudia iurgio

accenditque magis, quae refugit, Venus.

quod flenti tuleris, plus sapit osculum.

dices “o!” quotiens, “hoc mihi dulcius

quam flavos deciens vincere Sarmatas!”15

[237]III. (XIII.)Twine with a soft garland, Stilicho, the locks whereon a helmet is wont to shine. Let the trumpets of war cease and the propitious torch of marriage banish savage Mars afar. Let regal blood unite once more with regal blood. Perform a father’s office and unite these children with thine illustrious hand. Thou didst marry an emperor’s daughter, now, in turn, thy daughter shall marry an emperor. What room is here for the madness of jealousy? What excuse for envy? Stilicho is father both of bride and bridegroom.IV. (XIV.)Hesperus, loved of Venus, rises and shines for the marriage with his Idalian[125]rays. Maiden shame now overcomes the anxious bride; her veil now shows traces of innocent tears. Hesitate not to be close in thine attacks, young lover, e’en though she oppose thee savagely with cruel finger-nail. None can enjoy the scents of spring nor steal the honey of Hybla from its fastnesses if he fears that thorns may scratch his face. Thorns arm the rose and bees find a defence for their honey. The refusals of coyness do but increase the joy; the desire for that which flies us is the more inflamed; sweeter is the kiss snatched through tears. How oft wilt thou say: “Better this than ten victories over the yellow-haired Sarmatae”![125]Idalian: from Idalium, a mountain in Cyprus, sacred to Venus.

[237]

III. (XIII.)

Twine with a soft garland, Stilicho, the locks whereon a helmet is wont to shine. Let the trumpets of war cease and the propitious torch of marriage banish savage Mars afar. Let regal blood unite once more with regal blood. Perform a father’s office and unite these children with thine illustrious hand. Thou didst marry an emperor’s daughter, now, in turn, thy daughter shall marry an emperor. What room is here for the madness of jealousy? What excuse for envy? Stilicho is father both of bride and bridegroom.

IV. (XIV.)

Hesperus, loved of Venus, rises and shines for the marriage with his Idalian[125]rays. Maiden shame now overcomes the anxious bride; her veil now shows traces of innocent tears. Hesitate not to be close in thine attacks, young lover, e’en though she oppose thee savagely with cruel finger-nail. None can enjoy the scents of spring nor steal the honey of Hybla from its fastnesses if he fears that thorns may scratch his face. Thorns arm the rose and bees find a defence for their honey. The refusals of coyness do but increase the joy; the desire for that which flies us is the more inflamed; sweeter is the kiss snatched through tears. How oft wilt thou say: “Better this than ten victories over the yellow-haired Sarmatae”!

[125]Idalian: from Idalium, a mountain in Cyprus, sacred to Venus.

[238]Adspirate novam pectoribus fidemmansuramque facem tradite sensibus.tam iunctis manibus nectite vincula,quam frondens hedera stringitur aesculus,quam lento premitur palmite populus,20et murmur querula blandius alitelinguis adsiduo reddite mutuis.et labris animum conciliantibusalternum rapiat somnus anhelitum.amplexu caleat purpura regio25et vestes Tyrio sanguine fulgidasalter virgineus nobilitet cruor.tum victor madido prosilias toronocturni referens vulnera proelii.Ducant pervigiles carmina tibiae30permissisque iocis turba licentiorexultet tetricis libera legibus.passim cum ducibus ludite milites,passim cum pueris ludite virgines.haec vox aetheriis insonet axibus,35haec vox per populos, per mare transeat:“formosus Mariam ducit Honorius.”[239]Breathe a new loyalty into your breasts and let your senses kindle a flame that shall never be extinguished. May your clasped hands form a bond more close than that betwixt ivy and leafy oak tree or poplar and pliant vine. Be the frequent kisses that ye give and receive breathed more softly than those of plaintive doves, and when lips have united soul to soul let sleep still your throbbing breath. Be the purple couch warm with your princely wooing, and a new stain ennoble coverlets ruddy with Tyrian dye. Then leap victorious from the marriage-bed, scarred with the night’s encounter.All night long let the music of the flute resound and the crowd, set free from law’s harsh restraints, with larger licence indulge the permitted jest. Soldiers, make merry with your leaders, girls with boys. Be this the cry that re-echoes from pole to pole, among the peoples, over the seas: “Fair Honorius weds with Maria.”

[238]

Adspirate novam pectoribus fidemmansuramque facem tradite sensibus.tam iunctis manibus nectite vincula,quam frondens hedera stringitur aesculus,quam lento premitur palmite populus,20et murmur querula blandius alitelinguis adsiduo reddite mutuis.et labris animum conciliantibusalternum rapiat somnus anhelitum.amplexu caleat purpura regio25et vestes Tyrio sanguine fulgidasalter virgineus nobilitet cruor.tum victor madido prosilias toronocturni referens vulnera proelii.Ducant pervigiles carmina tibiae30permissisque iocis turba licentiorexultet tetricis libera legibus.passim cum ducibus ludite milites,passim cum pueris ludite virgines.haec vox aetheriis insonet axibus,35haec vox per populos, per mare transeat:“formosus Mariam ducit Honorius.”

Adspirate novam pectoribus fidem

mansuramque facem tradite sensibus.

tam iunctis manibus nectite vincula,

quam frondens hedera stringitur aesculus,

quam lento premitur palmite populus,20

et murmur querula blandius alite

linguis adsiduo reddite mutuis.

et labris animum conciliantibus

alternum rapiat somnus anhelitum.

amplexu caleat purpura regio25

et vestes Tyrio sanguine fulgidas

alter virgineus nobilitet cruor.

tum victor madido prosilias toro

nocturni referens vulnera proelii.

Ducant pervigiles carmina tibiae30

permissisque iocis turba licentior

exultet tetricis libera legibus.

passim cum ducibus ludite milites,

passim cum pueris ludite virgines.

haec vox aetheriis insonet axibus,35

haec vox per populos, per mare transeat:

“formosus Mariam ducit Honorius.”

[239]Breathe a new loyalty into your breasts and let your senses kindle a flame that shall never be extinguished. May your clasped hands form a bond more close than that betwixt ivy and leafy oak tree or poplar and pliant vine. Be the frequent kisses that ye give and receive breathed more softly than those of plaintive doves, and when lips have united soul to soul let sleep still your throbbing breath. Be the purple couch warm with your princely wooing, and a new stain ennoble coverlets ruddy with Tyrian dye. Then leap victorious from the marriage-bed, scarred with the night’s encounter.All night long let the music of the flute resound and the crowd, set free from law’s harsh restraints, with larger licence indulge the permitted jest. Soldiers, make merry with your leaders, girls with boys. Be this the cry that re-echoes from pole to pole, among the peoples, over the seas: “Fair Honorius weds with Maria.”

[239]

Breathe a new loyalty into your breasts and let your senses kindle a flame that shall never be extinguished. May your clasped hands form a bond more close than that betwixt ivy and leafy oak tree or poplar and pliant vine. Be the frequent kisses that ye give and receive breathed more softly than those of plaintive doves, and when lips have united soul to soul let sleep still your throbbing breath. Be the purple couch warm with your princely wooing, and a new stain ennoble coverlets ruddy with Tyrian dye. Then leap victorious from the marriage-bed, scarred with the night’s encounter.

All night long let the music of the flute resound and the crowd, set free from law’s harsh restraints, with larger licence indulge the permitted jest. Soldiers, make merry with your leaders, girls with boys. Be this the cry that re-echoes from pole to pole, among the peoples, over the seas: “Fair Honorius weds with Maria.”

[240]EPITHALAMIUM DE NUPTIIS HONORII AUGUSTIPRAEFATIO(IX.)Surgeret in thalamum ducto cum Pelion arcunec caperet tantos hospita terra deos,cum socer aequoreus numerosaque turba sororumcertarent epulis continuare diespraeberetque Iovi communia pocula Chiron,5molliter obliqua parte refusus equi,Peneus gelidos mutaret nectare fontes,Oetaeis fluerent spumea vina iugis:Terpsichore facilem lascivo pollice movitbarbiton et molles duxit in antra choros.10carmina nec superis nec displicuere Tonanti,cum teneris nossent congrua vota modis.Centauri Faunique negant. quae flectere Rhoeton,quae rigidum poterant plectra movere Pholum?Septima lux aderat caelo totiensque renato15viderat exactos Hesperus igne choros:tum Phoebus, quo saxa domat, quo pertrahit ornos,pectine temptavit nobiliore lyramventurumque sacris fidibus iam spondet Achillem,iam Phrygias caedes, iam Simoënta canit.20frondoso strepuit felix Hymenaeus Olympo;reginam resonant Othrys et Ossa Thetim.[241]EPITHALAMIUM OF HONORIUS AND MARIAPREFACE(IX.)When Pelion reared his height to form a bridal chamber with long-drawn arches, and his hospitable land could not contain so many gods; when Nereus, sire of the bride, and all the throng of her sisters strove to link day to day with feastings; when Chiron, lying at ease with his horse-flanks curled under him, offered the loving-cup to Jove; when Peneus turned his cold waters to nectar and frothing wine flowed down from Oeta’s summit, Terpsichore struck her ready lyre with festive hand and led the girlish bands into the caves. The gods, the Thunderer himself, disdained not these songs, for they knew that lovers’ vows ever harmonized with tender strains. Centaurs and Fauns would have none of it: what lyre could touch Rhoetus or move inhuman Pholus?The seventh day had flamed in heaven, seven times had Hesperus relumed his lamp and seen the dances completed; then Phoebus touched his lyre with that nobler quill, wherewith he leads captive rocks and mountain-ashes, and sang to his sacred strings now the promised birth of Achilles, now the slaughter of the Trojans and the river Simois. The happy marriage-cry re-echoed o’er leafy Olympus, and Othrys and Ossa gave back their mistress Thetis’ name.

[240]

(IX.)

Surgeret in thalamum ducto cum Pelion arcunec caperet tantos hospita terra deos,cum socer aequoreus numerosaque turba sororumcertarent epulis continuare diespraeberetque Iovi communia pocula Chiron,5molliter obliqua parte refusus equi,Peneus gelidos mutaret nectare fontes,Oetaeis fluerent spumea vina iugis:Terpsichore facilem lascivo pollice movitbarbiton et molles duxit in antra choros.10carmina nec superis nec displicuere Tonanti,cum teneris nossent congrua vota modis.Centauri Faunique negant. quae flectere Rhoeton,quae rigidum poterant plectra movere Pholum?Septima lux aderat caelo totiensque renato15viderat exactos Hesperus igne choros:tum Phoebus, quo saxa domat, quo pertrahit ornos,pectine temptavit nobiliore lyramventurumque sacris fidibus iam spondet Achillem,iam Phrygias caedes, iam Simoënta canit.20frondoso strepuit felix Hymenaeus Olympo;reginam resonant Othrys et Ossa Thetim.

Surgeret in thalamum ducto cum Pelion arcu

nec caperet tantos hospita terra deos,

cum socer aequoreus numerosaque turba sororum

certarent epulis continuare dies

praeberetque Iovi communia pocula Chiron,5

molliter obliqua parte refusus equi,

Peneus gelidos mutaret nectare fontes,

Oetaeis fluerent spumea vina iugis:

Terpsichore facilem lascivo pollice movit

barbiton et molles duxit in antra choros.10

carmina nec superis nec displicuere Tonanti,

cum teneris nossent congrua vota modis.

Centauri Faunique negant. quae flectere Rhoeton,

quae rigidum poterant plectra movere Pholum?

Septima lux aderat caelo totiensque renato15viderat exactos Hesperus igne choros:tum Phoebus, quo saxa domat, quo pertrahit ornos,pectine temptavit nobiliore lyramventurumque sacris fidibus iam spondet Achillem,iam Phrygias caedes, iam Simoënta canit.20frondoso strepuit felix Hymenaeus Olympo;reginam resonant Othrys et Ossa Thetim.

Septima lux aderat caelo totiensque renato15

viderat exactos Hesperus igne choros:

tum Phoebus, quo saxa domat, quo pertrahit ornos,

pectine temptavit nobiliore lyram

venturumque sacris fidibus iam spondet Achillem,

iam Phrygias caedes, iam Simoënta canit.20

frondoso strepuit felix Hymenaeus Olympo;

reginam resonant Othrys et Ossa Thetim.

[241]EPITHALAMIUM OF HONORIUS AND MARIAPREFACE(IX.)When Pelion reared his height to form a bridal chamber with long-drawn arches, and his hospitable land could not contain so many gods; when Nereus, sire of the bride, and all the throng of her sisters strove to link day to day with feastings; when Chiron, lying at ease with his horse-flanks curled under him, offered the loving-cup to Jove; when Peneus turned his cold waters to nectar and frothing wine flowed down from Oeta’s summit, Terpsichore struck her ready lyre with festive hand and led the girlish bands into the caves. The gods, the Thunderer himself, disdained not these songs, for they knew that lovers’ vows ever harmonized with tender strains. Centaurs and Fauns would have none of it: what lyre could touch Rhoetus or move inhuman Pholus?The seventh day had flamed in heaven, seven times had Hesperus relumed his lamp and seen the dances completed; then Phoebus touched his lyre with that nobler quill, wherewith he leads captive rocks and mountain-ashes, and sang to his sacred strings now the promised birth of Achilles, now the slaughter of the Trojans and the river Simois. The happy marriage-cry re-echoed o’er leafy Olympus, and Othrys and Ossa gave back their mistress Thetis’ name.

[241]

(IX.)

When Pelion reared his height to form a bridal chamber with long-drawn arches, and his hospitable land could not contain so many gods; when Nereus, sire of the bride, and all the throng of her sisters strove to link day to day with feastings; when Chiron, lying at ease with his horse-flanks curled under him, offered the loving-cup to Jove; when Peneus turned his cold waters to nectar and frothing wine flowed down from Oeta’s summit, Terpsichore struck her ready lyre with festive hand and led the girlish bands into the caves. The gods, the Thunderer himself, disdained not these songs, for they knew that lovers’ vows ever harmonized with tender strains. Centaurs and Fauns would have none of it: what lyre could touch Rhoetus or move inhuman Pholus?

The seventh day had flamed in heaven, seven times had Hesperus relumed his lamp and seen the dances completed; then Phoebus touched his lyre with that nobler quill, wherewith he leads captive rocks and mountain-ashes, and sang to his sacred strings now the promised birth of Achilles, now the slaughter of the Trojans and the river Simois. The happy marriage-cry re-echoed o’er leafy Olympus, and Othrys and Ossa gave back their mistress Thetis’ name.

[242]EPITHALAMIUM(X.)Hauserat insolitos promissae virginis ignesAugustus primoque rudis flagraverat aestu;nec novus unde calor nec quid suspiria vellent,noverat incipiens et adhuc ignarus amandi.non illi venator equus, non spicula curae,5non iaculum torquere libet; mens omnis aberratin vulnus, quod fixit Amor. quam saepe medulliserupit gemitus! quotiens incanduit oreconfessus secreta rubor nomenque beatuminiussae scripsere manus! iam munera nuptae10praeparat et pulchros Mariae sed luce minoreseligit ornatus, quidquid venerabilis olimLivia divorumque nurus gessere superbae.incusat spes aegra moras longique videnturstare dies segnemque rotam non flectere Phoebe.15Scyria sic tenerum virgo flammabat Achillemfraudis adhuc expers bellatricesque docebatducere fila manus et, mox quos horruit Ide,Thessalicos roseo nectebat pollice crines.Haec etiam queritur secum: “quonam usque verendus20[243]EPITHALAMIUM(X.)Unfelt before was the fire the Emperor Honorius had conceived for his promised bride, and he burned, all unexperienced, with passion’s first fever, nor knew whence came the heat, what meant the sighs—a tyro and as yet ignorant of love. Hunting, horses, javelins—for none of these he now cares nor yet to fling the spear; Love’s wound occupies all his thoughts. How often he groaned from the very heart; how often a blush, mantling to his cheeks, betrayed his secret; how often, unbidden of himself, his hand would write the loved one’s name. Already he prepares gifts for his betrothed and selects to adorn her (though their beauty is less than hers) the jewels once worn by noble Livia of old and all the proud women of the imperial house. The impatient lover chafes at the delay; the long days seem as though they stood still and the moon as though she moved not her slow wheel. Thus Deidamia, girl of Scyros, e’er yet she sees through his disguise, inflamed with love the young Achilles, and taught his warrior hands to draw the slender thread and passed her rosy fingers through the locks of that Thessalian of whom all Ida was soon to stand in awe.Thus too he communed with himself: “How long

[242]

(X.)

Hauserat insolitos promissae virginis ignesAugustus primoque rudis flagraverat aestu;nec novus unde calor nec quid suspiria vellent,noverat incipiens et adhuc ignarus amandi.non illi venator equus, non spicula curae,5non iaculum torquere libet; mens omnis aberratin vulnus, quod fixit Amor. quam saepe medulliserupit gemitus! quotiens incanduit oreconfessus secreta rubor nomenque beatuminiussae scripsere manus! iam munera nuptae10praeparat et pulchros Mariae sed luce minoreseligit ornatus, quidquid venerabilis olimLivia divorumque nurus gessere superbae.incusat spes aegra moras longique videnturstare dies segnemque rotam non flectere Phoebe.15Scyria sic tenerum virgo flammabat Achillemfraudis adhuc expers bellatricesque docebatducere fila manus et, mox quos horruit Ide,Thessalicos roseo nectebat pollice crines.Haec etiam queritur secum: “quonam usque verendus20

Hauserat insolitos promissae virginis ignes

Augustus primoque rudis flagraverat aestu;

nec novus unde calor nec quid suspiria vellent,

noverat incipiens et adhuc ignarus amandi.

non illi venator equus, non spicula curae,5

non iaculum torquere libet; mens omnis aberrat

in vulnus, quod fixit Amor. quam saepe medullis

erupit gemitus! quotiens incanduit ore

confessus secreta rubor nomenque beatum

iniussae scripsere manus! iam munera nuptae10

praeparat et pulchros Mariae sed luce minores

eligit ornatus, quidquid venerabilis olim

Livia divorumque nurus gessere superbae.

incusat spes aegra moras longique videntur

stare dies segnemque rotam non flectere Phoebe.15

Scyria sic tenerum virgo flammabat Achillem

fraudis adhuc expers bellatricesque docebat

ducere fila manus et, mox quos horruit Ide,

Thessalicos roseo nectebat pollice crines.

Haec etiam queritur secum: “quonam usque verendus20

[243]EPITHALAMIUM(X.)Unfelt before was the fire the Emperor Honorius had conceived for his promised bride, and he burned, all unexperienced, with passion’s first fever, nor knew whence came the heat, what meant the sighs—a tyro and as yet ignorant of love. Hunting, horses, javelins—for none of these he now cares nor yet to fling the spear; Love’s wound occupies all his thoughts. How often he groaned from the very heart; how often a blush, mantling to his cheeks, betrayed his secret; how often, unbidden of himself, his hand would write the loved one’s name. Already he prepares gifts for his betrothed and selects to adorn her (though their beauty is less than hers) the jewels once worn by noble Livia of old and all the proud women of the imperial house. The impatient lover chafes at the delay; the long days seem as though they stood still and the moon as though she moved not her slow wheel. Thus Deidamia, girl of Scyros, e’er yet she sees through his disguise, inflamed with love the young Achilles, and taught his warrior hands to draw the slender thread and passed her rosy fingers through the locks of that Thessalian of whom all Ida was soon to stand in awe.Thus too he communed with himself: “How long

[243]

(X.)

Unfelt before was the fire the Emperor Honorius had conceived for his promised bride, and he burned, all unexperienced, with passion’s first fever, nor knew whence came the heat, what meant the sighs—a tyro and as yet ignorant of love. Hunting, horses, javelins—for none of these he now cares nor yet to fling the spear; Love’s wound occupies all his thoughts. How often he groaned from the very heart; how often a blush, mantling to his cheeks, betrayed his secret; how often, unbidden of himself, his hand would write the loved one’s name. Already he prepares gifts for his betrothed and selects to adorn her (though their beauty is less than hers) the jewels once worn by noble Livia of old and all the proud women of the imperial house. The impatient lover chafes at the delay; the long days seem as though they stood still and the moon as though she moved not her slow wheel. Thus Deidamia, girl of Scyros, e’er yet she sees through his disguise, inflamed with love the young Achilles, and taught his warrior hands to draw the slender thread and passed her rosy fingers through the locks of that Thessalian of whom all Ida was soon to stand in awe.

Thus too he communed with himself: “How long

[244]cunctatur mea vota socer? quid iungere differt,quam pepigit, castasque preces implere recusat?non ego luxuriem regum moremque secutusquaesivi vultum tabulis[126]ut nuntia formaelena per innumeros iret pictura penates,25nec variis dubium thalamis lecturus[127]amoremardua commisi falsae conubia cerae.non rapio praeceps alienae foedera taedae,sed quae sponsa mihi pridem patrisque relictamandatis uno materni sanguinis ortu30communem partitur avum. fastidia supplexdeposui gessique procum; de limine sacrooratum misi proceres, qui proxima nobisiura tenent. fateor, Stilicho, non parva poposci,sed certe mereor princeps, hoc principe natus35qui sibi te generum fraterna prole revinxit,cui Mariam debes. faenus mihi solve paternum,redde suos aulae. mater fortasse rogarimollior. o patrui germen, cui nominis heressuccessi, sublime decus torrentis Hiberi,40stirpe soror, pietate parens, tibi creditus infansinque tuo crevi gremio, partuque remototu potius Flaccilla mihi. quid dividis ergo[126]tabulisvulg.; Birt readsthalamiswith the betterMSS.[127]Birt readslaturuswith P; otherMSS.lecturus.[245]will honoured Stilicho forbear to grant my prayers? Why postpones he the union of those whose love he has approved? Why should he refuse to fulfil my chaste desires? I follow not the example of luxurious princes in seeking the beauties of a pictured countenance, whereby the pander canvass may pass from house to house to make known the charms demanded; nor yet have I sought to choose the uncertain object of my love from this house or from that, and thus entrusted to deceptive wax the difficult selection of a bride. I sever not in violence the bonds that unite a wedded woman to her lord; her I seek who hath long been betrothed to me, who by a father’s orders was left my affianced bride and who through her mother shares with me a common grandsire. A suppliant I have laid aside my rank and acted the suitor. Princes, second only to myself in rank, have I sent from my imperial palace to present my petition. ’Tis no small thing I ask, Stilicho; that I admit; yet surely to me, an emperor, son of that other emperor who, by giving thee his brother’s adopted daughter to wife, made thee his son-in-law,—to me thou dost owe Maria. Pay back to the son the interest due to his sire; restore to the palace those who are its own. Mayhap her mother[128]will be less inexorable. Daughter of mine uncle Honorius, whence I derive my name, chief glory of the land of swift-flowing Ebro, cousin by birth, by mother’s love a mother, to thy care was mine infancy entrusted, in thine arms I grew to boyhood; save for my birth thou, rather than Flacilla, art my mother. Why dost thou separate thy two[128]Serena, daughter of Honorius, the elder, the brother of Theodosius the Great. Theodosius adopted Serena so that by adoption Honorius and Serena were brother and sister, by birth cousins. Serena was probably born in 376; Honorius not till Sept. 9, 384.

[244]

cunctatur mea vota socer? quid iungere differt,quam pepigit, castasque preces implere recusat?non ego luxuriem regum moremque secutusquaesivi vultum tabulis[126]ut nuntia formaelena per innumeros iret pictura penates,25nec variis dubium thalamis lecturus[127]amoremardua commisi falsae conubia cerae.non rapio praeceps alienae foedera taedae,sed quae sponsa mihi pridem patrisque relictamandatis uno materni sanguinis ortu30communem partitur avum. fastidia supplexdeposui gessique procum; de limine sacrooratum misi proceres, qui proxima nobisiura tenent. fateor, Stilicho, non parva poposci,sed certe mereor princeps, hoc principe natus35qui sibi te generum fraterna prole revinxit,cui Mariam debes. faenus mihi solve paternum,redde suos aulae. mater fortasse rogarimollior. o patrui germen, cui nominis heressuccessi, sublime decus torrentis Hiberi,40stirpe soror, pietate parens, tibi creditus infansinque tuo crevi gremio, partuque remototu potius Flaccilla mihi. quid dividis ergo

cunctatur mea vota socer? quid iungere differt,

quam pepigit, castasque preces implere recusat?

non ego luxuriem regum moremque secutus

quaesivi vultum tabulis[126]ut nuntia formae

lena per innumeros iret pictura penates,25

nec variis dubium thalamis lecturus[127]amorem

ardua commisi falsae conubia cerae.

non rapio praeceps alienae foedera taedae,

sed quae sponsa mihi pridem patrisque relicta

mandatis uno materni sanguinis ortu30

communem partitur avum. fastidia supplex

deposui gessique procum; de limine sacro

oratum misi proceres, qui proxima nobis

iura tenent. fateor, Stilicho, non parva poposci,

sed certe mereor princeps, hoc principe natus35

qui sibi te generum fraterna prole revinxit,

cui Mariam debes. faenus mihi solve paternum,

redde suos aulae. mater fortasse rogari

mollior. o patrui germen, cui nominis heres

successi, sublime decus torrentis Hiberi,40

stirpe soror, pietate parens, tibi creditus infans

inque tuo crevi gremio, partuque remoto

tu potius Flaccilla mihi. quid dividis ergo

[126]tabulisvulg.; Birt readsthalamiswith the betterMSS.

[127]Birt readslaturuswith P; otherMSS.lecturus.

[245]will honoured Stilicho forbear to grant my prayers? Why postpones he the union of those whose love he has approved? Why should he refuse to fulfil my chaste desires? I follow not the example of luxurious princes in seeking the beauties of a pictured countenance, whereby the pander canvass may pass from house to house to make known the charms demanded; nor yet have I sought to choose the uncertain object of my love from this house or from that, and thus entrusted to deceptive wax the difficult selection of a bride. I sever not in violence the bonds that unite a wedded woman to her lord; her I seek who hath long been betrothed to me, who by a father’s orders was left my affianced bride and who through her mother shares with me a common grandsire. A suppliant I have laid aside my rank and acted the suitor. Princes, second only to myself in rank, have I sent from my imperial palace to present my petition. ’Tis no small thing I ask, Stilicho; that I admit; yet surely to me, an emperor, son of that other emperor who, by giving thee his brother’s adopted daughter to wife, made thee his son-in-law,—to me thou dost owe Maria. Pay back to the son the interest due to his sire; restore to the palace those who are its own. Mayhap her mother[128]will be less inexorable. Daughter of mine uncle Honorius, whence I derive my name, chief glory of the land of swift-flowing Ebro, cousin by birth, by mother’s love a mother, to thy care was mine infancy entrusted, in thine arms I grew to boyhood; save for my birth thou, rather than Flacilla, art my mother. Why dost thou separate thy two[128]Serena, daughter of Honorius, the elder, the brother of Theodosius the Great. Theodosius adopted Serena so that by adoption Honorius and Serena were brother and sister, by birth cousins. Serena was probably born in 376; Honorius not till Sept. 9, 384.

[245]

will honoured Stilicho forbear to grant my prayers? Why postpones he the union of those whose love he has approved? Why should he refuse to fulfil my chaste desires? I follow not the example of luxurious princes in seeking the beauties of a pictured countenance, whereby the pander canvass may pass from house to house to make known the charms demanded; nor yet have I sought to choose the uncertain object of my love from this house or from that, and thus entrusted to deceptive wax the difficult selection of a bride. I sever not in violence the bonds that unite a wedded woman to her lord; her I seek who hath long been betrothed to me, who by a father’s orders was left my affianced bride and who through her mother shares with me a common grandsire. A suppliant I have laid aside my rank and acted the suitor. Princes, second only to myself in rank, have I sent from my imperial palace to present my petition. ’Tis no small thing I ask, Stilicho; that I admit; yet surely to me, an emperor, son of that other emperor who, by giving thee his brother’s adopted daughter to wife, made thee his son-in-law,—to me thou dost owe Maria. Pay back to the son the interest due to his sire; restore to the palace those who are its own. Mayhap her mother[128]will be less inexorable. Daughter of mine uncle Honorius, whence I derive my name, chief glory of the land of swift-flowing Ebro, cousin by birth, by mother’s love a mother, to thy care was mine infancy entrusted, in thine arms I grew to boyhood; save for my birth thou, rather than Flacilla, art my mother. Why dost thou separate thy two

[128]Serena, daughter of Honorius, the elder, the brother of Theodosius the Great. Theodosius adopted Serena so that by adoption Honorius and Serena were brother and sister, by birth cousins. Serena was probably born in 376; Honorius not till Sept. 9, 384.

[246]pignora? quid iuveni natam non reddis alumno?optatusne dies aderit? dabiturne iugalis45nox umquam?”Tali solatur vulnera questu.risit Amor placidaeque volat trans aequora matrinuntius et totas iactantior explicat alas.Mons latus Ionium Cypri praeruptus obumbrat,invius humano gressu, Phariumque cubile50Proteos et septem despectat cornua Nili.hunc neque candentes audent vestire pruinae,hunc venti pulsare timent, hunc laedere nimbi.luxuriae Venerique vacat. pars acrior anniexulat; aeterni patet indulgentia veris.55in campum se fundit apex; hunc aurea saepescircuit et fulvo defendit prata metallo.Mulciber, ut perhibent, his oscula coniugis emitmoenibus et tales uxorius obtulit arces.intus rura micant, manibus quae subdita nullis60perpetuum florent, Zephyro contenta colono,umbrosumque nemus, quo non admittitur ales,ni probet ante suos diva sub iudice cantus:quae placuit, fruitur ramis; quae victa, recedit.vivunt in Venerem frondes omnisque vicissim65felix arbor amat; nutant ad mutua palmaefoedera, populeo suspirat populus ictuet platani platanis alnoque adsibilat alnus.Labuntur gemini fontes, hic dulcis, amarusalter, et infusis corrumpunt mella venenis,70[247]children? Why not bestow a daughter born upon an adopted son? Will the longed-for day ever come; the marriage-night ever be sanctioned?”With such complaint he assuages the wounds of love. Cupid laughed and speeding across the deep bore the news to his gentle mother, proudly spreading his wings to their full extent.Where Cyprus looks out over the Ionian main a craggy mountain overshadows it; unapproachable by human foot it faces the isle of Pharos, the home of Proteus and the seven mouths of the Nile. The hoar frost dares not clothe its sides, nor the rude winds buffet it nor clouds obscure. It is consecrate to pleasure and to Venus. The year’s less clement seasons are strangers to it, whereover ever brood the blessings of eternal spring. The mountain’s height slopes down into a plain; that a golden hedge encircles, guarding its meadows with yellow metal. This demesne, men say, was the price paid by Mulciber for the kisses of his wife, these towers were the gift of a loving husband. Fair is the enclosed country, ever bright with flowers though touched with no labouring hand, for Zephyr is husbandman enough therefor. Into its shady groves no bird may enter save such as has first won the goddess’ approval for its song. Those which please her may flit among the branches; they must quit who cannot pass the test. The very leaves live for love and in his season every happy tree experiences love’s power: palm bends down to mate with palm, poplar sighs its passion for poplar, plane whispers to plane, alder to alder.Here spring two fountains, the one of sweet water, the other of bitter, honey is mingled with the first, poison with the second, and in these streams ’tis said

[246]

pignora? quid iuveni natam non reddis alumno?optatusne dies aderit? dabiturne iugalis45nox umquam?”Tali solatur vulnera questu.risit Amor placidaeque volat trans aequora matrinuntius et totas iactantior explicat alas.Mons latus Ionium Cypri praeruptus obumbrat,invius humano gressu, Phariumque cubile50Proteos et septem despectat cornua Nili.hunc neque candentes audent vestire pruinae,hunc venti pulsare timent, hunc laedere nimbi.luxuriae Venerique vacat. pars acrior anniexulat; aeterni patet indulgentia veris.55in campum se fundit apex; hunc aurea saepescircuit et fulvo defendit prata metallo.Mulciber, ut perhibent, his oscula coniugis emitmoenibus et tales uxorius obtulit arces.intus rura micant, manibus quae subdita nullis60perpetuum florent, Zephyro contenta colono,umbrosumque nemus, quo non admittitur ales,ni probet ante suos diva sub iudice cantus:quae placuit, fruitur ramis; quae victa, recedit.vivunt in Venerem frondes omnisque vicissim65felix arbor amat; nutant ad mutua palmaefoedera, populeo suspirat populus ictuet platani platanis alnoque adsibilat alnus.Labuntur gemini fontes, hic dulcis, amarusalter, et infusis corrumpunt mella venenis,70

pignora? quid iuveni natam non reddis alumno?

optatusne dies aderit? dabiturne iugalis45

nox umquam?”

Tali solatur vulnera questu.

risit Amor placidaeque volat trans aequora matri

nuntius et totas iactantior explicat alas.

Mons latus Ionium Cypri praeruptus obumbrat,

invius humano gressu, Phariumque cubile50

Proteos et septem despectat cornua Nili.

hunc neque candentes audent vestire pruinae,

hunc venti pulsare timent, hunc laedere nimbi.

luxuriae Venerique vacat. pars acrior anni

exulat; aeterni patet indulgentia veris.55

in campum se fundit apex; hunc aurea saepes

circuit et fulvo defendit prata metallo.

Mulciber, ut perhibent, his oscula coniugis emit

moenibus et tales uxorius obtulit arces.

intus rura micant, manibus quae subdita nullis60

perpetuum florent, Zephyro contenta colono,

umbrosumque nemus, quo non admittitur ales,

ni probet ante suos diva sub iudice cantus:

quae placuit, fruitur ramis; quae victa, recedit.

vivunt in Venerem frondes omnisque vicissim65

felix arbor amat; nutant ad mutua palmae

foedera, populeo suspirat populus ictu

et platani platanis alnoque adsibilat alnus.

Labuntur gemini fontes, hic dulcis, amarus

alter, et infusis corrumpunt mella venenis,70

[247]children? Why not bestow a daughter born upon an adopted son? Will the longed-for day ever come; the marriage-night ever be sanctioned?”With such complaint he assuages the wounds of love. Cupid laughed and speeding across the deep bore the news to his gentle mother, proudly spreading his wings to their full extent.Where Cyprus looks out over the Ionian main a craggy mountain overshadows it; unapproachable by human foot it faces the isle of Pharos, the home of Proteus and the seven mouths of the Nile. The hoar frost dares not clothe its sides, nor the rude winds buffet it nor clouds obscure. It is consecrate to pleasure and to Venus. The year’s less clement seasons are strangers to it, whereover ever brood the blessings of eternal spring. The mountain’s height slopes down into a plain; that a golden hedge encircles, guarding its meadows with yellow metal. This demesne, men say, was the price paid by Mulciber for the kisses of his wife, these towers were the gift of a loving husband. Fair is the enclosed country, ever bright with flowers though touched with no labouring hand, for Zephyr is husbandman enough therefor. Into its shady groves no bird may enter save such as has first won the goddess’ approval for its song. Those which please her may flit among the branches; they must quit who cannot pass the test. The very leaves live for love and in his season every happy tree experiences love’s power: palm bends down to mate with palm, poplar sighs its passion for poplar, plane whispers to plane, alder to alder.Here spring two fountains, the one of sweet water, the other of bitter, honey is mingled with the first, poison with the second, and in these streams ’tis said

[247]

children? Why not bestow a daughter born upon an adopted son? Will the longed-for day ever come; the marriage-night ever be sanctioned?”

With such complaint he assuages the wounds of love. Cupid laughed and speeding across the deep bore the news to his gentle mother, proudly spreading his wings to their full extent.

Where Cyprus looks out over the Ionian main a craggy mountain overshadows it; unapproachable by human foot it faces the isle of Pharos, the home of Proteus and the seven mouths of the Nile. The hoar frost dares not clothe its sides, nor the rude winds buffet it nor clouds obscure. It is consecrate to pleasure and to Venus. The year’s less clement seasons are strangers to it, whereover ever brood the blessings of eternal spring. The mountain’s height slopes down into a plain; that a golden hedge encircles, guarding its meadows with yellow metal. This demesne, men say, was the price paid by Mulciber for the kisses of his wife, these towers were the gift of a loving husband. Fair is the enclosed country, ever bright with flowers though touched with no labouring hand, for Zephyr is husbandman enough therefor. Into its shady groves no bird may enter save such as has first won the goddess’ approval for its song. Those which please her may flit among the branches; they must quit who cannot pass the test. The very leaves live for love and in his season every happy tree experiences love’s power: palm bends down to mate with palm, poplar sighs its passion for poplar, plane whispers to plane, alder to alder.

Here spring two fountains, the one of sweet water, the other of bitter, honey is mingled with the first, poison with the second, and in these streams ’tis said

[248]unde Cupidineas armari fama sagittas.mille pharetrati ludunt in margine fratres,ore pares, aevo similes, gens mollis Amorum.hos Nymphae pariunt, illum Venus aurea solumedidit. ille deos caelumque et sidera cornu75temperat et summos dignatur figere reges;hi plebem feriunt. nec cetera numina desunt:hic habitat nullo constricta Licentia nodoet flecti faciles Irae vinoque madentesExcubiae Lacrimaeque rudes et gratus amantum80Pallor et in primis titubans Audacia furtisiucundique Metus et non secura Voluptas;et lasciva volant levibus Periuria ventis.quos inter petulans alta cervice Iuventasexcludit Senium luco.85Procul atria divaepermutant radios silvaque obstante virescunt.Lemnius haec etiam gemmis extruxit et auroadmiscens artem pretio trabibusque smaragdisupposuit caesas hyacinthi rupe columnas.beryllo paries et iaspide lubrica surgunt90limina despectusque solo calcatur achates.in medio glaebis redolentibus area divespraebet odoratas messes; hic mitis amomi,hic casiae matura seges, Panchaeaque turgentcinnama, nec sicco frondescunt vimina costo95tardaque sudanti prorepunt balsama rivo.Quo postquam delapsus Amor longasque peregitpenna vias, alacer passuque superbior intrat.caesariem tunc forte Venus subnixa coruscofingebat solio. dextra laevaque sorores100stabant Idaliae: largos haec nectaris imbres[249]that Cupid dips his arrows. A thousand brother Loves with quivers play all around upon the banks, a tender company like to Cupid himself in face and of equal age. The nymphs are their mothers; Cupid is the only child of golden Venus. He with his bow subdues the stars and the gods and heaven, and disdains not to wound mighty kings; of the others the common people is the prey. Other deities, too, are here: Licence bound by no fetters, easily moved Anger, Wakes dripping with wine, inexperienced Tears, Pallor that lovers ever prize, Boldness trembling at his first thefts, happy Fears, unstable Pleasure, and lovers’ Oaths, the sport of every lightest breeze. Amid them all wanton Youth with haughty neck shuts out Age from the grove.Afar shines and glitters the goddess’ many-coloured palace, green gleaming by reason of the encircling grove. Vulcan built this too of precious stones and gold, wedding their costliness to art. Columns cut from rock of hyacinth support emerald beams; the walls are of beryl, the high-builded thresholds of polished jaspar, the floor of agate trodden as dirt beneath the foot. In the midst is a courtyard rich with fragrant turf that yields a harvest of perfume; there grows sweet spikenard and ripe cassia, Panchaean cinnamon-flowers and sprays of oozy balm, while balsam creeps forth slowly in an exuding stream.Hither Love glided down, winging his way o’er the long journey. Joyfully and with prouder gait than e’er his wont he enters. Venus was seated on her glittering throne, tiring her hair. On her right hand and on her left stood the Idalian sisters.[129]Of these one pours a rich stream of nectar over Venus’[129]i.e.the Graces.

[248]

unde Cupidineas armari fama sagittas.mille pharetrati ludunt in margine fratres,ore pares, aevo similes, gens mollis Amorum.hos Nymphae pariunt, illum Venus aurea solumedidit. ille deos caelumque et sidera cornu75temperat et summos dignatur figere reges;hi plebem feriunt. nec cetera numina desunt:hic habitat nullo constricta Licentia nodoet flecti faciles Irae vinoque madentesExcubiae Lacrimaeque rudes et gratus amantum80Pallor et in primis titubans Audacia furtisiucundique Metus et non secura Voluptas;et lasciva volant levibus Periuria ventis.quos inter petulans alta cervice Iuventasexcludit Senium luco.85Procul atria divaepermutant radios silvaque obstante virescunt.Lemnius haec etiam gemmis extruxit et auroadmiscens artem pretio trabibusque smaragdisupposuit caesas hyacinthi rupe columnas.beryllo paries et iaspide lubrica surgunt90limina despectusque solo calcatur achates.in medio glaebis redolentibus area divespraebet odoratas messes; hic mitis amomi,hic casiae matura seges, Panchaeaque turgentcinnama, nec sicco frondescunt vimina costo95tardaque sudanti prorepunt balsama rivo.Quo postquam delapsus Amor longasque peregitpenna vias, alacer passuque superbior intrat.caesariem tunc forte Venus subnixa coruscofingebat solio. dextra laevaque sorores100stabant Idaliae: largos haec nectaris imbres

unde Cupidineas armari fama sagittas.

mille pharetrati ludunt in margine fratres,

ore pares, aevo similes, gens mollis Amorum.

hos Nymphae pariunt, illum Venus aurea solum

edidit. ille deos caelumque et sidera cornu75

temperat et summos dignatur figere reges;

hi plebem feriunt. nec cetera numina desunt:

hic habitat nullo constricta Licentia nodo

et flecti faciles Irae vinoque madentes

Excubiae Lacrimaeque rudes et gratus amantum80

Pallor et in primis titubans Audacia furtis

iucundique Metus et non secura Voluptas;

et lasciva volant levibus Periuria ventis.

quos inter petulans alta cervice Iuventas

excludit Senium luco.85

Procul atria divae

permutant radios silvaque obstante virescunt.

Lemnius haec etiam gemmis extruxit et auro

admiscens artem pretio trabibusque smaragdi

supposuit caesas hyacinthi rupe columnas.

beryllo paries et iaspide lubrica surgunt90

limina despectusque solo calcatur achates.

in medio glaebis redolentibus area dives

praebet odoratas messes; hic mitis amomi,

hic casiae matura seges, Panchaeaque turgent

cinnama, nec sicco frondescunt vimina costo95

tardaque sudanti prorepunt balsama rivo.

Quo postquam delapsus Amor longasque peregit

penna vias, alacer passuque superbior intrat.

caesariem tunc forte Venus subnixa corusco

fingebat solio. dextra laevaque sorores100

stabant Idaliae: largos haec nectaris imbres

[249]that Cupid dips his arrows. A thousand brother Loves with quivers play all around upon the banks, a tender company like to Cupid himself in face and of equal age. The nymphs are their mothers; Cupid is the only child of golden Venus. He with his bow subdues the stars and the gods and heaven, and disdains not to wound mighty kings; of the others the common people is the prey. Other deities, too, are here: Licence bound by no fetters, easily moved Anger, Wakes dripping with wine, inexperienced Tears, Pallor that lovers ever prize, Boldness trembling at his first thefts, happy Fears, unstable Pleasure, and lovers’ Oaths, the sport of every lightest breeze. Amid them all wanton Youth with haughty neck shuts out Age from the grove.Afar shines and glitters the goddess’ many-coloured palace, green gleaming by reason of the encircling grove. Vulcan built this too of precious stones and gold, wedding their costliness to art. Columns cut from rock of hyacinth support emerald beams; the walls are of beryl, the high-builded thresholds of polished jaspar, the floor of agate trodden as dirt beneath the foot. In the midst is a courtyard rich with fragrant turf that yields a harvest of perfume; there grows sweet spikenard and ripe cassia, Panchaean cinnamon-flowers and sprays of oozy balm, while balsam creeps forth slowly in an exuding stream.Hither Love glided down, winging his way o’er the long journey. Joyfully and with prouder gait than e’er his wont he enters. Venus was seated on her glittering throne, tiring her hair. On her right hand and on her left stood the Idalian sisters.[129]Of these one pours a rich stream of nectar over Venus’[129]i.e.the Graces.

[249]

that Cupid dips his arrows. A thousand brother Loves with quivers play all around upon the banks, a tender company like to Cupid himself in face and of equal age. The nymphs are their mothers; Cupid is the only child of golden Venus. He with his bow subdues the stars and the gods and heaven, and disdains not to wound mighty kings; of the others the common people is the prey. Other deities, too, are here: Licence bound by no fetters, easily moved Anger, Wakes dripping with wine, inexperienced Tears, Pallor that lovers ever prize, Boldness trembling at his first thefts, happy Fears, unstable Pleasure, and lovers’ Oaths, the sport of every lightest breeze. Amid them all wanton Youth with haughty neck shuts out Age from the grove.

Afar shines and glitters the goddess’ many-coloured palace, green gleaming by reason of the encircling grove. Vulcan built this too of precious stones and gold, wedding their costliness to art. Columns cut from rock of hyacinth support emerald beams; the walls are of beryl, the high-builded thresholds of polished jaspar, the floor of agate trodden as dirt beneath the foot. In the midst is a courtyard rich with fragrant turf that yields a harvest of perfume; there grows sweet spikenard and ripe cassia, Panchaean cinnamon-flowers and sprays of oozy balm, while balsam creeps forth slowly in an exuding stream.

Hither Love glided down, winging his way o’er the long journey. Joyfully and with prouder gait than e’er his wont he enters. Venus was seated on her glittering throne, tiring her hair. On her right hand and on her left stood the Idalian sisters.[129]Of these one pours a rich stream of nectar over Venus’

[129]i.e.the Graces.

[250]inrigat, haec morsu numerosi dentis eburnomultifidum discrimen arat; sed tertia retrodat varios nexus et iusto dividit orbesordine, neglectam partem studiosa relinquens:105plus error decuit. speculi nec vultus egebatiudicio; similis tecto monstratur in omniet capitur[130]quocumque videt. dum singula cernit,seque probat, nati venientis conspicit umbramambrosioque sinu puerum complexa ferocem110“quid tantum gavisus?” ait; “quae proelia sudasimprobe? quis iacuit telis? iterumne Tonanteminter Sidonias cogis mugire iuvencas?an Titana domas? an pastoralia Lunamrursus in antra vocas? durum magnumque viderisdebellasse deum.”116Suspensus in oscula matrisille refert: “Laetare, parens; inmane tropaeumrettulimus, nostrum iam sensit Honorius arcum.scis Mariam patremque ducem, qui cuspide GallosItaliamque fovet, nec te praeclara Serenae120fama latet. propera; regalibus adnue votis:iunge toros.”Gremio natum Cytherea removitet crines festina ligat peplumque fluentemadlevat et blando spirantem numine cestoncingitur, impulsos pluviis quo mitigat amnes,125quo mare, quo ventos irataque fulmina solvit.ut stetit ad litus, parvos adfatur alumnos:“Heus! quis erit, pueri, vitreas qui lapsus in undashuc rapidum Tritona vocet, quo vecta per altum[130]Birt, following theMSS.,rapitur;capiturwas suggested by Conington, comparing Virg. Aen. viii. 311.[251]head, another parts her hair with a fine ivory comb. A third, standing behind the goddess, braids her tresses and orders her ringlets in due array, yet carefully leaving a part untended; such negligence becomes her more. Nor did her face lack the mirror’s verdict; her image is reflected over all the palace and she is charmed wheresoever she looks. While she surveys each detail and approves her beauty she notes the shadow of her son as he approaches and catches the fierce boy to her fragrant bosom. “Whence comes thy joy?” she asks; “cruel child, what battles hast thou fought? What victim has thine arrow pierced? Hast thou once more compelled the Thunderer to low among the heifers of Sidon? Hast thou overcome Apollo, or again summoned Diana to a shepherd’s cave? Methinks thou hast triumphed over some fierce and potent god.”Hanging upon his mother’s kisses he answered: “Mother, be thou glad; a great victory is ours. Now has Honorius felt our arrows. Thou knowest Maria and her sire, the general whose spear protects Gaul and Italy; the fame of noble Serena is not hidden from thee. Haste thee, assent to their princely prayers and seal this royal union.”Cytherea freed her from her son’s embrace, hastily bound up her hair, gathered up her flowing dress and girt herself about with the divine girdle whose all-compelling charm can stay the rain-swollen torrent and appease the sea, the winds and angry thunderbolts. Soon as she stood on the shore she thus addressed her small foster-children. “Come, children, which of you will plunge beneath the glassy wave and summon me hither fleet Triton to bear me

[250]

inrigat, haec morsu numerosi dentis eburnomultifidum discrimen arat; sed tertia retrodat varios nexus et iusto dividit orbesordine, neglectam partem studiosa relinquens:105plus error decuit. speculi nec vultus egebatiudicio; similis tecto monstratur in omniet capitur[130]quocumque videt. dum singula cernit,seque probat, nati venientis conspicit umbramambrosioque sinu puerum complexa ferocem110“quid tantum gavisus?” ait; “quae proelia sudasimprobe? quis iacuit telis? iterumne Tonanteminter Sidonias cogis mugire iuvencas?an Titana domas? an pastoralia Lunamrursus in antra vocas? durum magnumque viderisdebellasse deum.”116Suspensus in oscula matrisille refert: “Laetare, parens; inmane tropaeumrettulimus, nostrum iam sensit Honorius arcum.scis Mariam patremque ducem, qui cuspide GallosItaliamque fovet, nec te praeclara Serenae120fama latet. propera; regalibus adnue votis:iunge toros.”Gremio natum Cytherea removitet crines festina ligat peplumque fluentemadlevat et blando spirantem numine cestoncingitur, impulsos pluviis quo mitigat amnes,125quo mare, quo ventos irataque fulmina solvit.ut stetit ad litus, parvos adfatur alumnos:“Heus! quis erit, pueri, vitreas qui lapsus in undashuc rapidum Tritona vocet, quo vecta per altum

inrigat, haec morsu numerosi dentis eburno

multifidum discrimen arat; sed tertia retro

dat varios nexus et iusto dividit orbes

ordine, neglectam partem studiosa relinquens:105

plus error decuit. speculi nec vultus egebat

iudicio; similis tecto monstratur in omni

et capitur[130]quocumque videt. dum singula cernit,

seque probat, nati venientis conspicit umbram

ambrosioque sinu puerum complexa ferocem110

“quid tantum gavisus?” ait; “quae proelia sudas

improbe? quis iacuit telis? iterumne Tonantem

inter Sidonias cogis mugire iuvencas?

an Titana domas? an pastoralia Lunam

rursus in antra vocas? durum magnumque videris

debellasse deum.”116

Suspensus in oscula matris

ille refert: “Laetare, parens; inmane tropaeum

rettulimus, nostrum iam sensit Honorius arcum.

scis Mariam patremque ducem, qui cuspide Gallos

Italiamque fovet, nec te praeclara Serenae120

fama latet. propera; regalibus adnue votis:

iunge toros.”

Gremio natum Cytherea removit

et crines festina ligat peplumque fluentem

adlevat et blando spirantem numine ceston

cingitur, impulsos pluviis quo mitigat amnes,125

quo mare, quo ventos irataque fulmina solvit.

ut stetit ad litus, parvos adfatur alumnos:

“Heus! quis erit, pueri, vitreas qui lapsus in undas

huc rapidum Tritona vocet, quo vecta per altum

[130]Birt, following theMSS.,rapitur;capiturwas suggested by Conington, comparing Virg. Aen. viii. 311.

[251]head, another parts her hair with a fine ivory comb. A third, standing behind the goddess, braids her tresses and orders her ringlets in due array, yet carefully leaving a part untended; such negligence becomes her more. Nor did her face lack the mirror’s verdict; her image is reflected over all the palace and she is charmed wheresoever she looks. While she surveys each detail and approves her beauty she notes the shadow of her son as he approaches and catches the fierce boy to her fragrant bosom. “Whence comes thy joy?” she asks; “cruel child, what battles hast thou fought? What victim has thine arrow pierced? Hast thou once more compelled the Thunderer to low among the heifers of Sidon? Hast thou overcome Apollo, or again summoned Diana to a shepherd’s cave? Methinks thou hast triumphed over some fierce and potent god.”Hanging upon his mother’s kisses he answered: “Mother, be thou glad; a great victory is ours. Now has Honorius felt our arrows. Thou knowest Maria and her sire, the general whose spear protects Gaul and Italy; the fame of noble Serena is not hidden from thee. Haste thee, assent to their princely prayers and seal this royal union.”Cytherea freed her from her son’s embrace, hastily bound up her hair, gathered up her flowing dress and girt herself about with the divine girdle whose all-compelling charm can stay the rain-swollen torrent and appease the sea, the winds and angry thunderbolts. Soon as she stood on the shore she thus addressed her small foster-children. “Come, children, which of you will plunge beneath the glassy wave and summon me hither fleet Triton to bear me

[251]

head, another parts her hair with a fine ivory comb. A third, standing behind the goddess, braids her tresses and orders her ringlets in due array, yet carefully leaving a part untended; such negligence becomes her more. Nor did her face lack the mirror’s verdict; her image is reflected over all the palace and she is charmed wheresoever she looks. While she surveys each detail and approves her beauty she notes the shadow of her son as he approaches and catches the fierce boy to her fragrant bosom. “Whence comes thy joy?” she asks; “cruel child, what battles hast thou fought? What victim has thine arrow pierced? Hast thou once more compelled the Thunderer to low among the heifers of Sidon? Hast thou overcome Apollo, or again summoned Diana to a shepherd’s cave? Methinks thou hast triumphed over some fierce and potent god.”

Hanging upon his mother’s kisses he answered: “Mother, be thou glad; a great victory is ours. Now has Honorius felt our arrows. Thou knowest Maria and her sire, the general whose spear protects Gaul and Italy; the fame of noble Serena is not hidden from thee. Haste thee, assent to their princely prayers and seal this royal union.”

Cytherea freed her from her son’s embrace, hastily bound up her hair, gathered up her flowing dress and girt herself about with the divine girdle whose all-compelling charm can stay the rain-swollen torrent and appease the sea, the winds and angry thunderbolts. Soon as she stood on the shore she thus addressed her small foster-children. “Come, children, which of you will plunge beneath the glassy wave and summon me hither fleet Triton to bear me

[252]deferar? haud umquam tanto mihi venerit usu.130sacri, quos petimus, thalami. pernicius omnesquaerite, seu concha Libycum circumsonat aequor,Aegaeas seu frangit aquas. quicumque repertumduxerit, aurata donabitur ille pharetra.”Dixerat et sparsa diversi plebe feruntur135exploratores. pelagi sub fluctibus ibatCarpathiis Triton obluctantemque petebatCymothoën. timet illa ferum seseque sequentisubripit et duris elabitur uda lacertis.“heus,” inquit speculatus Amor, “non vestra sub imisfurta tegi potuere vadis. accingere nostram141vecturus dominam: pretium non vile laborisCymothoën facilem, quae nunc detrectat, habebis.hac mercede veni.”Prorupit gurgite torvussemifer; undosi verrebant brachia crines;145hispida tendebant bifido vestigia cornu,qua pistrix commissa viro. ter pectora movit;iam quarto Paphias tractu sulcabat harenas.umbratura deam retro sinuatur in arcumbelua; tum vivo squalentia murice terga150purpureis mollita toris[131]: hoc navigat antro[132]fulta Venus; niveae delibant aequora plantae.prosequitur volucer late comitatus Amorumtranquillumque choris quatitur mare. serta per omnemNeptuni dispersa domum. Cadmeia ludit155Leucothoë, frenatque rosis delphina Palaemon;alternas violis Nereus interserit algas;[131]torisA, followed by Birt; butrosisVP is attractive.[132]antroP1; vulg.ostro.[253]quickly o’er the deep? Never will he have come to do us better service. Sacred is the marriage that I seek. Make all speed in your search; may be the Libyan sea rings to his conch, may be he cleaves the Aegean main. Whoso shall find and bring him hither shall have a golden quiver as a reward.”She spake and, dividing into various bands, the scouts set out. Triton was swimming beneath the waves of the Carpathian sea, pursuing reluctant Cymothoë. She feared her rough lover and eluded his pursuit, her wet form gliding through the embraces of his strong arms. One of the Loves espied him and cried, “Stay! the deeps cannot hide your amours. Make ready to carry our mistress; as a reward for thy services (and ’tis no meagre one) thou shalt have Cymothoë, a complaisant mistress shall she be though she flout thee now. Come and win thy recompense.”The dread monster uprose from the abyss; his billowing hair swept his shoulders; hoofs of cloven horn grown round with bristles sprang from where his fishy tail joined his man’s body. He swam three strokes and at the fourth stranded upon the shore of Cyprus. To shade the goddess the monster arched back his tail; then his back, rough with living purple, was bedded with scarlet coverlets; resting in such a retreat does Venus voyage, her snowy feet just dipping in the sea. A great company of wingèd Loves fly after her, troubling the calm surface of Ocean. Neptune’s palace is all adorned with flowers. Leucothoë, daughter of Cadmus, sports on the water, and Palaemon drives his dolphin with a bridle of roses. Nereus sets violets here

[252]

deferar? haud umquam tanto mihi venerit usu.130sacri, quos petimus, thalami. pernicius omnesquaerite, seu concha Libycum circumsonat aequor,Aegaeas seu frangit aquas. quicumque repertumduxerit, aurata donabitur ille pharetra.”Dixerat et sparsa diversi plebe feruntur135exploratores. pelagi sub fluctibus ibatCarpathiis Triton obluctantemque petebatCymothoën. timet illa ferum seseque sequentisubripit et duris elabitur uda lacertis.“heus,” inquit speculatus Amor, “non vestra sub imisfurta tegi potuere vadis. accingere nostram141vecturus dominam: pretium non vile laborisCymothoën facilem, quae nunc detrectat, habebis.hac mercede veni.”Prorupit gurgite torvussemifer; undosi verrebant brachia crines;145hispida tendebant bifido vestigia cornu,qua pistrix commissa viro. ter pectora movit;iam quarto Paphias tractu sulcabat harenas.umbratura deam retro sinuatur in arcumbelua; tum vivo squalentia murice terga150purpureis mollita toris[131]: hoc navigat antro[132]fulta Venus; niveae delibant aequora plantae.prosequitur volucer late comitatus Amorumtranquillumque choris quatitur mare. serta per omnemNeptuni dispersa domum. Cadmeia ludit155Leucothoë, frenatque rosis delphina Palaemon;alternas violis Nereus interserit algas;

deferar? haud umquam tanto mihi venerit usu.130

sacri, quos petimus, thalami. pernicius omnes

quaerite, seu concha Libycum circumsonat aequor,

Aegaeas seu frangit aquas. quicumque repertum

duxerit, aurata donabitur ille pharetra.”

Dixerat et sparsa diversi plebe feruntur135

exploratores. pelagi sub fluctibus ibat

Carpathiis Triton obluctantemque petebat

Cymothoën. timet illa ferum seseque sequenti

subripit et duris elabitur uda lacertis.

“heus,” inquit speculatus Amor, “non vestra sub imis

furta tegi potuere vadis. accingere nostram141

vecturus dominam: pretium non vile laboris

Cymothoën facilem, quae nunc detrectat, habebis.

hac mercede veni.”

Prorupit gurgite torvus

semifer; undosi verrebant brachia crines;145

hispida tendebant bifido vestigia cornu,

qua pistrix commissa viro. ter pectora movit;

iam quarto Paphias tractu sulcabat harenas.

umbratura deam retro sinuatur in arcum

belua; tum vivo squalentia murice terga150

purpureis mollita toris[131]: hoc navigat antro[132]

fulta Venus; niveae delibant aequora plantae.

prosequitur volucer late comitatus Amorum

tranquillumque choris quatitur mare. serta per omnem

Neptuni dispersa domum. Cadmeia ludit155

Leucothoë, frenatque rosis delphina Palaemon;

alternas violis Nereus interserit algas;

[131]torisA, followed by Birt; butrosisVP is attractive.

[132]antroP1; vulg.ostro.

[253]quickly o’er the deep? Never will he have come to do us better service. Sacred is the marriage that I seek. Make all speed in your search; may be the Libyan sea rings to his conch, may be he cleaves the Aegean main. Whoso shall find and bring him hither shall have a golden quiver as a reward.”She spake and, dividing into various bands, the scouts set out. Triton was swimming beneath the waves of the Carpathian sea, pursuing reluctant Cymothoë. She feared her rough lover and eluded his pursuit, her wet form gliding through the embraces of his strong arms. One of the Loves espied him and cried, “Stay! the deeps cannot hide your amours. Make ready to carry our mistress; as a reward for thy services (and ’tis no meagre one) thou shalt have Cymothoë, a complaisant mistress shall she be though she flout thee now. Come and win thy recompense.”The dread monster uprose from the abyss; his billowing hair swept his shoulders; hoofs of cloven horn grown round with bristles sprang from where his fishy tail joined his man’s body. He swam three strokes and at the fourth stranded upon the shore of Cyprus. To shade the goddess the monster arched back his tail; then his back, rough with living purple, was bedded with scarlet coverlets; resting in such a retreat does Venus voyage, her snowy feet just dipping in the sea. A great company of wingèd Loves fly after her, troubling the calm surface of Ocean. Neptune’s palace is all adorned with flowers. Leucothoë, daughter of Cadmus, sports on the water, and Palaemon drives his dolphin with a bridle of roses. Nereus sets violets here

[253]

quickly o’er the deep? Never will he have come to do us better service. Sacred is the marriage that I seek. Make all speed in your search; may be the Libyan sea rings to his conch, may be he cleaves the Aegean main. Whoso shall find and bring him hither shall have a golden quiver as a reward.”

She spake and, dividing into various bands, the scouts set out. Triton was swimming beneath the waves of the Carpathian sea, pursuing reluctant Cymothoë. She feared her rough lover and eluded his pursuit, her wet form gliding through the embraces of his strong arms. One of the Loves espied him and cried, “Stay! the deeps cannot hide your amours. Make ready to carry our mistress; as a reward for thy services (and ’tis no meagre one) thou shalt have Cymothoë, a complaisant mistress shall she be though she flout thee now. Come and win thy recompense.”

The dread monster uprose from the abyss; his billowing hair swept his shoulders; hoofs of cloven horn grown round with bristles sprang from where his fishy tail joined his man’s body. He swam three strokes and at the fourth stranded upon the shore of Cyprus. To shade the goddess the monster arched back his tail; then his back, rough with living purple, was bedded with scarlet coverlets; resting in such a retreat does Venus voyage, her snowy feet just dipping in the sea. A great company of wingèd Loves fly after her, troubling the calm surface of Ocean. Neptune’s palace is all adorned with flowers. Leucothoë, daughter of Cadmus, sports on the water, and Palaemon drives his dolphin with a bridle of roses. Nereus sets violets here

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