PANEGYRICUS DE QUARTO CONSULATU HONORII AUGUSTI

[280]certavere senes, cum tu genitoris amicoexceptus gremio mediam veherere per urbemvelaretque pios communis laurea currus!130quis non Luciferum roseo cum Sole videricredidit aut iunctum Bromio radiare Tonantem?floret cristatis exercitus undique turmis,quisque sua te voce canens. praestringit aenalux oculos, nudique seges Mavortia ferri135ingeminat splendore diem. pars nobilis arcu,pars longe iaculis, pars comminus horrida contis;hi volucres tollunt aquilas, hi picta draconumcolla levant, multusque tumet per nubila serpensiratus stimulante Noto vivitque receptis140flatibus et vario mentitur sibila tractu.Ut ventum ad sedes, cunctos discedere tectisdux iubet et generum compellat talibus ultro:“bellipotens Stilicho, cuius mihi robur in armis,pace probata fides: quid enim per proelia gessi145te sine? quem merui te non sudante triumphum?Odrysium pariter Getico foedavimus Hebrumsanguine, Sarmaticas pariter prostravimus alasRiphaeaque simul fessos porreximus artusin glacie stantemque rota sulcavimus Histrum:150ergo age, me quoniam caelestis regia poscit,tu curis succede meis, tu pignora solusnostra fove: geminos dextra tu protege fratres.[281]struggle with boys for places whence to see thee in the tender embraces of thy sire, borne through the midst of Rome on a triumphal chariot decked but with the shade of a simple laurel branch. Who did not then think that he beheld the morning-star together with the rosy sun, or the Thunderer shine in concert with Bacchus? On every side stretches the host of plumed warriors, each hymning thy praises in his own tongue; the brightness of bronze dazzles the eye and the martial glint of a forest of unsheathed swords redoubles the light of day. Some are decked with bows, others bristle with far-flung javelins or pikes for fighting at close quarters. These raise standards adorned with flying eagles, or with embroidered dragons or writhing serpents, that in their thousands seem to be roused to angry life by the breath of the wind which, as it blows them this way and that, causes them to rustle with a sound like the hiss of a living snake.When they reached the palace the emperor bade all depart and thus unbidden addressed his son-in-law: “Victorious Stilicho, of whose courage in war, of whose loyalty in peace I have made proof—what warlike feat have I performed without thine aid? What triumph have I won that thou helpedst me not in the winning? Together we caused Thracian Hebrus to run red with Getic blood, together overthrew the squadrons of the Sarmatae, together rested our weary limbs on the snows of Mount Riphaeus and scarred the frozen Danube with our chariot’s wheel—come, therefore, since heaven’s halls claim me, do thou take up my task; be thou sole guardian of my children, let thy hand protect my two sons. I adjure thee by

[280]

certavere senes, cum tu genitoris amicoexceptus gremio mediam veherere per urbemvelaretque pios communis laurea currus!130quis non Luciferum roseo cum Sole videricredidit aut iunctum Bromio radiare Tonantem?floret cristatis exercitus undique turmis,quisque sua te voce canens. praestringit aenalux oculos, nudique seges Mavortia ferri135ingeminat splendore diem. pars nobilis arcu,pars longe iaculis, pars comminus horrida contis;hi volucres tollunt aquilas, hi picta draconumcolla levant, multusque tumet per nubila serpensiratus stimulante Noto vivitque receptis140flatibus et vario mentitur sibila tractu.Ut ventum ad sedes, cunctos discedere tectisdux iubet et generum compellat talibus ultro:“bellipotens Stilicho, cuius mihi robur in armis,pace probata fides: quid enim per proelia gessi145te sine? quem merui te non sudante triumphum?Odrysium pariter Getico foedavimus Hebrumsanguine, Sarmaticas pariter prostravimus alasRiphaeaque simul fessos porreximus artusin glacie stantemque rota sulcavimus Histrum:150ergo age, me quoniam caelestis regia poscit,tu curis succede meis, tu pignora solusnostra fove: geminos dextra tu protege fratres.

certavere senes, cum tu genitoris amico

exceptus gremio mediam veherere per urbem

velaretque pios communis laurea currus!130

quis non Luciferum roseo cum Sole videri

credidit aut iunctum Bromio radiare Tonantem?

floret cristatis exercitus undique turmis,

quisque sua te voce canens. praestringit aena

lux oculos, nudique seges Mavortia ferri135

ingeminat splendore diem. pars nobilis arcu,

pars longe iaculis, pars comminus horrida contis;

hi volucres tollunt aquilas, hi picta draconum

colla levant, multusque tumet per nubila serpens

iratus stimulante Noto vivitque receptis140

flatibus et vario mentitur sibila tractu.

Ut ventum ad sedes, cunctos discedere tectis

dux iubet et generum compellat talibus ultro:

“bellipotens Stilicho, cuius mihi robur in armis,

pace probata fides: quid enim per proelia gessi145

te sine? quem merui te non sudante triumphum?

Odrysium pariter Getico foedavimus Hebrum

sanguine, Sarmaticas pariter prostravimus alas

Riphaeaque simul fessos porreximus artus

in glacie stantemque rota sulcavimus Histrum:150

ergo age, me quoniam caelestis regia poscit,

tu curis succede meis, tu pignora solus

nostra fove: geminos dextra tu protege fratres.

[281]struggle with boys for places whence to see thee in the tender embraces of thy sire, borne through the midst of Rome on a triumphal chariot decked but with the shade of a simple laurel branch. Who did not then think that he beheld the morning-star together with the rosy sun, or the Thunderer shine in concert with Bacchus? On every side stretches the host of plumed warriors, each hymning thy praises in his own tongue; the brightness of bronze dazzles the eye and the martial glint of a forest of unsheathed swords redoubles the light of day. Some are decked with bows, others bristle with far-flung javelins or pikes for fighting at close quarters. These raise standards adorned with flying eagles, or with embroidered dragons or writhing serpents, that in their thousands seem to be roused to angry life by the breath of the wind which, as it blows them this way and that, causes them to rustle with a sound like the hiss of a living snake.When they reached the palace the emperor bade all depart and thus unbidden addressed his son-in-law: “Victorious Stilicho, of whose courage in war, of whose loyalty in peace I have made proof—what warlike feat have I performed without thine aid? What triumph have I won that thou helpedst me not in the winning? Together we caused Thracian Hebrus to run red with Getic blood, together overthrew the squadrons of the Sarmatae, together rested our weary limbs on the snows of Mount Riphaeus and scarred the frozen Danube with our chariot’s wheel—come, therefore, since heaven’s halls claim me, do thou take up my task; be thou sole guardian of my children, let thy hand protect my two sons. I adjure thee by

[281]

struggle with boys for places whence to see thee in the tender embraces of thy sire, borne through the midst of Rome on a triumphal chariot decked but with the shade of a simple laurel branch. Who did not then think that he beheld the morning-star together with the rosy sun, or the Thunderer shine in concert with Bacchus? On every side stretches the host of plumed warriors, each hymning thy praises in his own tongue; the brightness of bronze dazzles the eye and the martial glint of a forest of unsheathed swords redoubles the light of day. Some are decked with bows, others bristle with far-flung javelins or pikes for fighting at close quarters. These raise standards adorned with flying eagles, or with embroidered dragons or writhing serpents, that in their thousands seem to be roused to angry life by the breath of the wind which, as it blows them this way and that, causes them to rustle with a sound like the hiss of a living snake.

When they reached the palace the emperor bade all depart and thus unbidden addressed his son-in-law: “Victorious Stilicho, of whose courage in war, of whose loyalty in peace I have made proof—what warlike feat have I performed without thine aid? What triumph have I won that thou helpedst me not in the winning? Together we caused Thracian Hebrus to run red with Getic blood, together overthrew the squadrons of the Sarmatae, together rested our weary limbs on the snows of Mount Riphaeus and scarred the frozen Danube with our chariot’s wheel—come, therefore, since heaven’s halls claim me, do thou take up my task; be thou sole guardian of my children, let thy hand protect my two sons. I adjure thee by

[282]per consanguineos thalamos noctemque beatam,per taedas, quas ipsa tuo regina levavit155coniugio sociaque nurum produxit ab aula,indue mente patrem, crescentes dilige fetusut ducis, ut soceri. Iamiam securus ad astrate custode ferar; rupta si mole Typhoeusprosiliat, vinclis Tityos si membra resolvat,160si furor Enceladi proiecta mugiat Aetna,opposito Stilichone cadent.”Nec plura locutus,sicut erat, liquido signavit tramite nubesingrediturque globum Lunae limenque relinquitArcados et Veneris clementes advolat auras.165hinc Phoebi permensus iter flammamque nocentemGradivi placidumque Iovem; stetit arce suprema,algenti qua zona riget Saturnia tractu.machina laxatur caeli rutilaeque patescuntsponte fores. Arctoa parat convexa Bootes,170australes reserat portas succinctus Orioninvitantque novum sidus, pendentque vicissimquas partes velit ipse sequi, quibus esse sodalisdignetur stellis aut qua regione morari.o decus aetherium, terrarum gloria quondam,175te tuus Oceanus natali gurgite lassumexcipit et notis Hispania proluit undis.fortunate parens, primos cum detegis ortus,adspicis Arcadium; cum te proclivior urges,occiduum visus remoratur Honorius ignem;180et quocumque vagos flectas sub cardine cursus,[283]that marriage that makes thee kin with me, by the night that saw its consummation, by the torch which at thy wedding-feast the queen carried in her own hand when she led thy bride-elect from out the imperial palace, take on thee a father’s spirit, guard the years of their childhood. Was not their sire thy master and thy wife’s father? Now, now I shall mount untroubled to the stars for thou wilt watch over them. Even should Typhoeus rend away the rocks and leap forth, should Tityus free his captive limbs, should Enceladus, hurling Etna from him, roar in rage—each and all will fall before Stilicho’s attack.”He spake no more but still in human form clove a furrow of light through the clouds; he passes to Luna’s globe, leaves Mercury’s threshold and hastens to the gentle airs of Venus. Hence he traverses Phoebus’ path, Mars’ baleful fires and Jupiter’s quiet quarters, and stands upon the very crown of the sky, cold Saturn’s frozen zone. Heaven’s fabric opens, unbidden the shining doors swing back. Boötes prepares a place in the vault of the northern sky, sword-girt Orion unbars the portals of the south; they offer welcome to the new star, uncertain each in turn to what region he will betake himself, what constellation he will grace with his presence, or in what quarter he will elect to shine alone. O glory of heaven as once thou wert of earth, the ocean that laves the shores of the land of thy birth receives thee wearied with thy nightly course, Spain bathes thee in thy natal waves. Happy father, when first thou risest above the horizon thou lookest upon Arcadius, when thou dippest to thy setting the sight of Honorius delays thy westering fires. Through whichever hemisphere thou takest thy wandering

[282]

per consanguineos thalamos noctemque beatam,per taedas, quas ipsa tuo regina levavit155coniugio sociaque nurum produxit ab aula,indue mente patrem, crescentes dilige fetusut ducis, ut soceri. Iamiam securus ad astrate custode ferar; rupta si mole Typhoeusprosiliat, vinclis Tityos si membra resolvat,160si furor Enceladi proiecta mugiat Aetna,opposito Stilichone cadent.”Nec plura locutus,sicut erat, liquido signavit tramite nubesingrediturque globum Lunae limenque relinquitArcados et Veneris clementes advolat auras.165hinc Phoebi permensus iter flammamque nocentemGradivi placidumque Iovem; stetit arce suprema,algenti qua zona riget Saturnia tractu.machina laxatur caeli rutilaeque patescuntsponte fores. Arctoa parat convexa Bootes,170australes reserat portas succinctus Orioninvitantque novum sidus, pendentque vicissimquas partes velit ipse sequi, quibus esse sodalisdignetur stellis aut qua regione morari.o decus aetherium, terrarum gloria quondam,175te tuus Oceanus natali gurgite lassumexcipit et notis Hispania proluit undis.fortunate parens, primos cum detegis ortus,adspicis Arcadium; cum te proclivior urges,occiduum visus remoratur Honorius ignem;180et quocumque vagos flectas sub cardine cursus,

per consanguineos thalamos noctemque beatam,

per taedas, quas ipsa tuo regina levavit155

coniugio sociaque nurum produxit ab aula,

indue mente patrem, crescentes dilige fetus

ut ducis, ut soceri. Iamiam securus ad astra

te custode ferar; rupta si mole Typhoeus

prosiliat, vinclis Tityos si membra resolvat,160

si furor Enceladi proiecta mugiat Aetna,

opposito Stilichone cadent.”

Nec plura locutus,

sicut erat, liquido signavit tramite nubes

ingrediturque globum Lunae limenque relinquit

Arcados et Veneris clementes advolat auras.165

hinc Phoebi permensus iter flammamque nocentem

Gradivi placidumque Iovem; stetit arce suprema,

algenti qua zona riget Saturnia tractu.

machina laxatur caeli rutilaeque patescunt

sponte fores. Arctoa parat convexa Bootes,170

australes reserat portas succinctus Orion

invitantque novum sidus, pendentque vicissim

quas partes velit ipse sequi, quibus esse sodalis

dignetur stellis aut qua regione morari.

o decus aetherium, terrarum gloria quondam,175

te tuus Oceanus natali gurgite lassum

excipit et notis Hispania proluit undis.

fortunate parens, primos cum detegis ortus,

adspicis Arcadium; cum te proclivior urges,

occiduum visus remoratur Honorius ignem;180

et quocumque vagos flectas sub cardine cursus,

[283]that marriage that makes thee kin with me, by the night that saw its consummation, by the torch which at thy wedding-feast the queen carried in her own hand when she led thy bride-elect from out the imperial palace, take on thee a father’s spirit, guard the years of their childhood. Was not their sire thy master and thy wife’s father? Now, now I shall mount untroubled to the stars for thou wilt watch over them. Even should Typhoeus rend away the rocks and leap forth, should Tityus free his captive limbs, should Enceladus, hurling Etna from him, roar in rage—each and all will fall before Stilicho’s attack.”He spake no more but still in human form clove a furrow of light through the clouds; he passes to Luna’s globe, leaves Mercury’s threshold and hastens to the gentle airs of Venus. Hence he traverses Phoebus’ path, Mars’ baleful fires and Jupiter’s quiet quarters, and stands upon the very crown of the sky, cold Saturn’s frozen zone. Heaven’s fabric opens, unbidden the shining doors swing back. Boötes prepares a place in the vault of the northern sky, sword-girt Orion unbars the portals of the south; they offer welcome to the new star, uncertain each in turn to what region he will betake himself, what constellation he will grace with his presence, or in what quarter he will elect to shine alone. O glory of heaven as once thou wert of earth, the ocean that laves the shores of the land of thy birth receives thee wearied with thy nightly course, Spain bathes thee in thy natal waves. Happy father, when first thou risest above the horizon thou lookest upon Arcadius, when thou dippest to thy setting the sight of Honorius delays thy westering fires. Through whichever hemisphere thou takest thy wandering

[283]

that marriage that makes thee kin with me, by the night that saw its consummation, by the torch which at thy wedding-feast the queen carried in her own hand when she led thy bride-elect from out the imperial palace, take on thee a father’s spirit, guard the years of their childhood. Was not their sire thy master and thy wife’s father? Now, now I shall mount untroubled to the stars for thou wilt watch over them. Even should Typhoeus rend away the rocks and leap forth, should Tityus free his captive limbs, should Enceladus, hurling Etna from him, roar in rage—each and all will fall before Stilicho’s attack.”

He spake no more but still in human form clove a furrow of light through the clouds; he passes to Luna’s globe, leaves Mercury’s threshold and hastens to the gentle airs of Venus. Hence he traverses Phoebus’ path, Mars’ baleful fires and Jupiter’s quiet quarters, and stands upon the very crown of the sky, cold Saturn’s frozen zone. Heaven’s fabric opens, unbidden the shining doors swing back. Boötes prepares a place in the vault of the northern sky, sword-girt Orion unbars the portals of the south; they offer welcome to the new star, uncertain each in turn to what region he will betake himself, what constellation he will grace with his presence, or in what quarter he will elect to shine alone. O glory of heaven as once thou wert of earth, the ocean that laves the shores of the land of thy birth receives thee wearied with thy nightly course, Spain bathes thee in thy natal waves. Happy father, when first thou risest above the horizon thou lookest upon Arcadius, when thou dippest to thy setting the sight of Honorius delays thy westering fires. Through whichever hemisphere thou takest thy wandering

[284]natorum per regna venis, qui mente serenamaturoque regunt iunctas moderamine gentes,saecula qui rursus formant meliore metallo.luget Avarities Stygiis innexa catenis185cumque suo demens expellitur Ambitus auro.non dominantur opes nec corrumpentia sensusdona valent: emitur sola virtute potestas.Unanimi fratres, quorum mare terraque fatisdebetur, quodcumque manus evasit avitas,190quod superest patri: vobis iam Mulciber armapraeparat et Sicula Cyclops incude laborat,Brontes innumeris exasperat aegida signis,altum fulminea crispare in casside conumfestinat Steropes, nectit thoraca Pyragmon195ignifluisque gemit Lipare fumosa cavernis.vobis Ionia virides Neptunus in alganutrit equos, qui summa freti per caerula possintferre viam segetemque levi percurrere motu,nesciat ut spumas nec proterat ungula culmos.200iam video Babylona rapi Parthumque coactumnon ficta trepidare fuga, iam Bactra tenerilegibus et famulis Gangen pallescere ripisgemmatosque humilem dispergere Persida cultus.ite per extremum Tanaim pigrosque Triones,205ite per ardentem Libyam, superate vaporessolis et arcanos Nili deprendite fontes,Herculeum finem, Bacchi transcurrite metas:vestri iuris erit, quidquid complectitur axis,vobis Rubra dabunt pretiosas aequora conchas,210Indus ebur, ramos Panchaia, vellera Seres.[285]journey, thou passest over the domains of sons who with tranquil mind and ripe control rule over allied peoples, who once again fashion the ages from a nobler ore. Avarice is left to weep in Stygian chains, mad Ambition and his gold banished afar. Wealth does not hold sway; sense-corrupting gifts are of no avail; virtue alone can purchase power.Brothers twain, with the heart of one, brothers to whose rule fate has entrusted sea and land, if there is aught that has escaped your grandsire’s conquering hand, aught your father has left unsubdued, even now Vulcan prepares the arms for their subjection and Cyclops labours on the Sicilian anvil. Brontes carves countless figures on the shield, Steropes hastes to bend the lofty peak of the flashing helmet, Pyragmon knits the coat of mail, smoky Lipare roars throughout its fire-belching caves. ’Tis for you that Neptune pastures in the seaweed meadows of the Ionian main green sea-horses who can fly o’er the surface of the blue waters with so light a step that their hoofs are unflecked with foam, and course o’er fields of corn so delicately that the ears do not bend beneath their weight. E’en now I see the sack of Babylon and the Parthian driven to flight that is not feigned, Bactria subjected to the Law, the fearful pallor of the Ganges’ servile banks, the humbled Persian throwing off his gem-encrusted robes. Mount to Tanais’ source, explore the frozen North, traverse sun-scorched Libya, o’ercome the fires of Titan and surprise Nile’s hidden spring; pass the Pillars of Hercules, the bourne, too, whence Bacchus returned; whatever heaven enfolds shall own your dominion. To you the Red Sea shall give precious shells, India her ivory, Panchaia perfumes, and China silk.

[284]

natorum per regna venis, qui mente serenamaturoque regunt iunctas moderamine gentes,saecula qui rursus formant meliore metallo.luget Avarities Stygiis innexa catenis185cumque suo demens expellitur Ambitus auro.non dominantur opes nec corrumpentia sensusdona valent: emitur sola virtute potestas.Unanimi fratres, quorum mare terraque fatisdebetur, quodcumque manus evasit avitas,190quod superest patri: vobis iam Mulciber armapraeparat et Sicula Cyclops incude laborat,Brontes innumeris exasperat aegida signis,altum fulminea crispare in casside conumfestinat Steropes, nectit thoraca Pyragmon195ignifluisque gemit Lipare fumosa cavernis.vobis Ionia virides Neptunus in alganutrit equos, qui summa freti per caerula possintferre viam segetemque levi percurrere motu,nesciat ut spumas nec proterat ungula culmos.200iam video Babylona rapi Parthumque coactumnon ficta trepidare fuga, iam Bactra tenerilegibus et famulis Gangen pallescere ripisgemmatosque humilem dispergere Persida cultus.ite per extremum Tanaim pigrosque Triones,205ite per ardentem Libyam, superate vaporessolis et arcanos Nili deprendite fontes,Herculeum finem, Bacchi transcurrite metas:vestri iuris erit, quidquid complectitur axis,vobis Rubra dabunt pretiosas aequora conchas,210Indus ebur, ramos Panchaia, vellera Seres.

natorum per regna venis, qui mente serena

maturoque regunt iunctas moderamine gentes,

saecula qui rursus formant meliore metallo.

luget Avarities Stygiis innexa catenis185

cumque suo demens expellitur Ambitus auro.

non dominantur opes nec corrumpentia sensus

dona valent: emitur sola virtute potestas.

Unanimi fratres, quorum mare terraque fatis

debetur, quodcumque manus evasit avitas,190

quod superest patri: vobis iam Mulciber arma

praeparat et Sicula Cyclops incude laborat,

Brontes innumeris exasperat aegida signis,

altum fulminea crispare in casside conum

festinat Steropes, nectit thoraca Pyragmon195

ignifluisque gemit Lipare fumosa cavernis.

vobis Ionia virides Neptunus in alga

nutrit equos, qui summa freti per caerula possint

ferre viam segetemque levi percurrere motu,

nesciat ut spumas nec proterat ungula culmos.200

iam video Babylona rapi Parthumque coactum

non ficta trepidare fuga, iam Bactra teneri

legibus et famulis Gangen pallescere ripis

gemmatosque humilem dispergere Persida cultus.

ite per extremum Tanaim pigrosque Triones,205

ite per ardentem Libyam, superate vapores

solis et arcanos Nili deprendite fontes,

Herculeum finem, Bacchi transcurrite metas:

vestri iuris erit, quidquid complectitur axis,

vobis Rubra dabunt pretiosas aequora conchas,210

Indus ebur, ramos Panchaia, vellera Seres.

[285]journey, thou passest over the domains of sons who with tranquil mind and ripe control rule over allied peoples, who once again fashion the ages from a nobler ore. Avarice is left to weep in Stygian chains, mad Ambition and his gold banished afar. Wealth does not hold sway; sense-corrupting gifts are of no avail; virtue alone can purchase power.Brothers twain, with the heart of one, brothers to whose rule fate has entrusted sea and land, if there is aught that has escaped your grandsire’s conquering hand, aught your father has left unsubdued, even now Vulcan prepares the arms for their subjection and Cyclops labours on the Sicilian anvil. Brontes carves countless figures on the shield, Steropes hastes to bend the lofty peak of the flashing helmet, Pyragmon knits the coat of mail, smoky Lipare roars throughout its fire-belching caves. ’Tis for you that Neptune pastures in the seaweed meadows of the Ionian main green sea-horses who can fly o’er the surface of the blue waters with so light a step that their hoofs are unflecked with foam, and course o’er fields of corn so delicately that the ears do not bend beneath their weight. E’en now I see the sack of Babylon and the Parthian driven to flight that is not feigned, Bactria subjected to the Law, the fearful pallor of the Ganges’ servile banks, the humbled Persian throwing off his gem-encrusted robes. Mount to Tanais’ source, explore the frozen North, traverse sun-scorched Libya, o’ercome the fires of Titan and surprise Nile’s hidden spring; pass the Pillars of Hercules, the bourne, too, whence Bacchus returned; whatever heaven enfolds shall own your dominion. To you the Red Sea shall give precious shells, India her ivory, Panchaia perfumes, and China silk.

[285]

journey, thou passest over the domains of sons who with tranquil mind and ripe control rule over allied peoples, who once again fashion the ages from a nobler ore. Avarice is left to weep in Stygian chains, mad Ambition and his gold banished afar. Wealth does not hold sway; sense-corrupting gifts are of no avail; virtue alone can purchase power.

Brothers twain, with the heart of one, brothers to whose rule fate has entrusted sea and land, if there is aught that has escaped your grandsire’s conquering hand, aught your father has left unsubdued, even now Vulcan prepares the arms for their subjection and Cyclops labours on the Sicilian anvil. Brontes carves countless figures on the shield, Steropes hastes to bend the lofty peak of the flashing helmet, Pyragmon knits the coat of mail, smoky Lipare roars throughout its fire-belching caves. ’Tis for you that Neptune pastures in the seaweed meadows of the Ionian main green sea-horses who can fly o’er the surface of the blue waters with so light a step that their hoofs are unflecked with foam, and course o’er fields of corn so delicately that the ears do not bend beneath their weight. E’en now I see the sack of Babylon and the Parthian driven to flight that is not feigned, Bactria subjected to the Law, the fearful pallor of the Ganges’ servile banks, the humbled Persian throwing off his gem-encrusted robes. Mount to Tanais’ source, explore the frozen North, traverse sun-scorched Libya, o’ercome the fires of Titan and surprise Nile’s hidden spring; pass the Pillars of Hercules, the bourne, too, whence Bacchus returned; whatever heaven enfolds shall own your dominion. To you the Red Sea shall give precious shells, India her ivory, Panchaia perfumes, and China silk.

[286]PANEGYRICUS DE QUARTO CONSULATU HONORII AUGUSTI(VIII.)Auspiciis iterum sese regalibus annusinduit et nota fruitur iactantior aula,limina nec passi circum privata morariexultant reduces Augusto consule fasces,cernis ut armorum proceres legumque potentes5patricios sumant[144]habitus? et more Gabinodiscolor incedit legio positisque parumperbellorum signis sequitur vexilla Quirini.lictori cedunt aquilae ridetque togatusmiles et in mediis effulget curia castris.10ipsa Palatino circumvallata senatuiam trabeam Bellona gerit parmamque removitet galeam sacras umeris vectura curules.nec te laurigeras pudeat, Gradive, securespacata gestare manu Latiaque micantem15loricam mutare toga, dum ferreus haeretcurrus et Eridani ludunt per prata iugales.Haud indigna coli nec nuper cognita MartiUlpia progenies et quae diademata mundosparsit Hibera domus. nec tantam vilior unda20[144]sumantB; Birt readssumunt, following the otherMSS.[287]PANEGYRIC ON THE FOURTH CONSULSHIP OF THE EMPEROR HONORIUS (A.D.398)(VIII.)Once more the year opens under royal auspices and enjoys in fuller pride its famous prince; not brooking to linger around private thresholds the returning fasces rejoice in Caesar’s consulship. Seest thou how the armed chiefs and mighty judges don the raiment of senators? and the soldiers step forth in garb of peaceful hue worn Gabine[145]wise, and laying aside for a season the standards of war follow the banner of Quirinus. The eagles give way to the lictors, the smiling soldier wears the toga of peace and the senate-house casts its brilliance in the midst of the camp. Bellona herself, surrounded by a noble band of senators, puts on the consul’s gown and lays by her shield and helmet in order to harness the sacred curule chair to her shoulders. Think it no shame, Gradivus, to bear the laurel-crowned axes in a hand of peace and to exchange thy shining breastplate for the Latin toga while thine iron chariot remains unused and thy steeds disport them in the pastures of Eridanus.Not unworthy of reverence nor but newly acquainted with war is the family of Trajan and that Spanish house which has showered diadems upon the world. No common stream was held worthy[145]As marking a festival; see note on vii. 3.

[286]

(VIII.)

Auspiciis iterum sese regalibus annusinduit et nota fruitur iactantior aula,limina nec passi circum privata morariexultant reduces Augusto consule fasces,cernis ut armorum proceres legumque potentes5patricios sumant[144]habitus? et more Gabinodiscolor incedit legio positisque parumperbellorum signis sequitur vexilla Quirini.lictori cedunt aquilae ridetque togatusmiles et in mediis effulget curia castris.10ipsa Palatino circumvallata senatuiam trabeam Bellona gerit parmamque removitet galeam sacras umeris vectura curules.nec te laurigeras pudeat, Gradive, securespacata gestare manu Latiaque micantem15loricam mutare toga, dum ferreus haeretcurrus et Eridani ludunt per prata iugales.Haud indigna coli nec nuper cognita MartiUlpia progenies et quae diademata mundosparsit Hibera domus. nec tantam vilior unda20

Auspiciis iterum sese regalibus annus

induit et nota fruitur iactantior aula,

limina nec passi circum privata morari

exultant reduces Augusto consule fasces,

cernis ut armorum proceres legumque potentes5

patricios sumant[144]habitus? et more Gabino

discolor incedit legio positisque parumper

bellorum signis sequitur vexilla Quirini.

lictori cedunt aquilae ridetque togatus

miles et in mediis effulget curia castris.10

ipsa Palatino circumvallata senatu

iam trabeam Bellona gerit parmamque removit

et galeam sacras umeris vectura curules.

nec te laurigeras pudeat, Gradive, secures

pacata gestare manu Latiaque micantem15

loricam mutare toga, dum ferreus haeret

currus et Eridani ludunt per prata iugales.

Haud indigna coli nec nuper cognita Marti

Ulpia progenies et quae diademata mundo

sparsit Hibera domus. nec tantam vilior unda20

[144]sumantB; Birt readssumunt, following the otherMSS.

[287]PANEGYRIC ON THE FOURTH CONSULSHIP OF THE EMPEROR HONORIUS (A.D.398)(VIII.)Once more the year opens under royal auspices and enjoys in fuller pride its famous prince; not brooking to linger around private thresholds the returning fasces rejoice in Caesar’s consulship. Seest thou how the armed chiefs and mighty judges don the raiment of senators? and the soldiers step forth in garb of peaceful hue worn Gabine[145]wise, and laying aside for a season the standards of war follow the banner of Quirinus. The eagles give way to the lictors, the smiling soldier wears the toga of peace and the senate-house casts its brilliance in the midst of the camp. Bellona herself, surrounded by a noble band of senators, puts on the consul’s gown and lays by her shield and helmet in order to harness the sacred curule chair to her shoulders. Think it no shame, Gradivus, to bear the laurel-crowned axes in a hand of peace and to exchange thy shining breastplate for the Latin toga while thine iron chariot remains unused and thy steeds disport them in the pastures of Eridanus.Not unworthy of reverence nor but newly acquainted with war is the family of Trajan and that Spanish house which has showered diadems upon the world. No common stream was held worthy[145]As marking a festival; see note on vii. 3.

[287]

(VIII.)

Once more the year opens under royal auspices and enjoys in fuller pride its famous prince; not brooking to linger around private thresholds the returning fasces rejoice in Caesar’s consulship. Seest thou how the armed chiefs and mighty judges don the raiment of senators? and the soldiers step forth in garb of peaceful hue worn Gabine[145]wise, and laying aside for a season the standards of war follow the banner of Quirinus. The eagles give way to the lictors, the smiling soldier wears the toga of peace and the senate-house casts its brilliance in the midst of the camp. Bellona herself, surrounded by a noble band of senators, puts on the consul’s gown and lays by her shield and helmet in order to harness the sacred curule chair to her shoulders. Think it no shame, Gradivus, to bear the laurel-crowned axes in a hand of peace and to exchange thy shining breastplate for the Latin toga while thine iron chariot remains unused and thy steeds disport them in the pastures of Eridanus.

Not unworthy of reverence nor but newly acquainted with war is the family of Trajan and that Spanish house which has showered diadems upon the world. No common stream was held worthy

[145]As marking a festival; see note on vii. 3.

[288]promeruit gentis seriem: cunabula fovitOceanus; terrae dominos pelagique futurosinmenso decuit rerum de principe nasci.hinc processit avus, cui post Arctoa frementiclassica Massylas adnexuit Africa laurus,25ille, Caledoniis posuit qui castra pruinis,qui medios Libyae sub casside pertulit aestus,terribilis Mauro debellatorque Britannilitoris ac pariter Boreae vastator et Austri.quid rigor aeternus, caeli quid frigora prosunt30ignotumque fretum? maduerunt Saxone fusoOrcades; incaluit Pictorum sanguine Thyle;Scottorum cumulos flevit glacialis Hiverne.quid calor obsistit forti? per vasta cucurritAethiopum cinxitque novis Atlanta maniplis,35virgineum Tritona bibit sparsosque venenisGorgoneos vidit thalamos et vile virentesHesperidum risit, quos ditat fabula, ramos.arx incensa Iubae, rabies Maurusia ferrocessit et antiqui penetralia diruta Bocchi.40Sed laudes genitor longe transgressus avitassubdidit Oceanum sceptris et margine caeliclausit opes, quantum distant a Tigride Gades,inter se Tanais quantum Nilusque relinquunt:haec tamen innumeris per se quaesita tropaeis,45[289]to water the homeland of so illustrious a race; Ocean laved their cradle, for it befitted the future lords of earth and sea to have their origin in the great father[146]of all things. Hence came Theodosius, grandfather of Honorius, for whom, exultant after his northern victories, Africa twined fresh laurels won from the Massylae. ’Twas he who pitched his camp amid the snows of Caledonia,[147]who never doffed his helmet for all the heat of a Libyan summer, who struck terror into the Moors, brought into subjection the coasts of Britain and with equal success laid waste the north and the south. What avail against him the eternal snows, the frozen air, the uncharted sea? The Orcades ran red with Saxon slaughter; Thule was warm with the blood of Picts; ice-bound Hibernia wept for the heaps of slain Scots. Could heat stay the advance of a courageous general? No; he overran the deserts of Ethiopia, invested Atlas with troops strange to him, drank of lake Triton where was born the virgin goddess Minerva, beheld the Gorgon’s empoisoned lair, and laughed to see the common verdure of those gardens of the Hesperides which story had clothed with gold. Juba’s fortress was burned down, the frenzied valour of the Moor yielded to the sword and the palace of ancient Bocchus was razed to the ground.But thy father’s fame far surpassed that of thy grandsire: he subdued Ocean to his governance and set the sky for border to his kingdom, ruling from Gades to the Tigris, and all that lies ’twixt Tanais and Nile; yet all these lands won by countless triumphs of his own, he gained them not by gift[146]Claudian is thinking of such passages in Homer ase.g.Il.xiv. 245-246:ῤέεθραὨκεανοῦ, ὅς περ γένεσις πάντεσσι τέτυκται,or perhaps Vergil’sOceanumque patrem rerum(Virg.Georg.iv. 382).[147]Cf.note on xv. 216.

[288]

promeruit gentis seriem: cunabula fovitOceanus; terrae dominos pelagique futurosinmenso decuit rerum de principe nasci.hinc processit avus, cui post Arctoa frementiclassica Massylas adnexuit Africa laurus,25ille, Caledoniis posuit qui castra pruinis,qui medios Libyae sub casside pertulit aestus,terribilis Mauro debellatorque Britannilitoris ac pariter Boreae vastator et Austri.quid rigor aeternus, caeli quid frigora prosunt30ignotumque fretum? maduerunt Saxone fusoOrcades; incaluit Pictorum sanguine Thyle;Scottorum cumulos flevit glacialis Hiverne.quid calor obsistit forti? per vasta cucurritAethiopum cinxitque novis Atlanta maniplis,35virgineum Tritona bibit sparsosque venenisGorgoneos vidit thalamos et vile virentesHesperidum risit, quos ditat fabula, ramos.arx incensa Iubae, rabies Maurusia ferrocessit et antiqui penetralia diruta Bocchi.40Sed laudes genitor longe transgressus avitassubdidit Oceanum sceptris et margine caeliclausit opes, quantum distant a Tigride Gades,inter se Tanais quantum Nilusque relinquunt:haec tamen innumeris per se quaesita tropaeis,45

promeruit gentis seriem: cunabula fovit

Oceanus; terrae dominos pelagique futuros

inmenso decuit rerum de principe nasci.

hinc processit avus, cui post Arctoa frementi

classica Massylas adnexuit Africa laurus,25

ille, Caledoniis posuit qui castra pruinis,

qui medios Libyae sub casside pertulit aestus,

terribilis Mauro debellatorque Britanni

litoris ac pariter Boreae vastator et Austri.

quid rigor aeternus, caeli quid frigora prosunt30

ignotumque fretum? maduerunt Saxone fuso

Orcades; incaluit Pictorum sanguine Thyle;

Scottorum cumulos flevit glacialis Hiverne.

quid calor obsistit forti? per vasta cucurrit

Aethiopum cinxitque novis Atlanta maniplis,35

virgineum Tritona bibit sparsosque venenis

Gorgoneos vidit thalamos et vile virentes

Hesperidum risit, quos ditat fabula, ramos.

arx incensa Iubae, rabies Maurusia ferro

cessit et antiqui penetralia diruta Bocchi.40

Sed laudes genitor longe transgressus avitas

subdidit Oceanum sceptris et margine caeli

clausit opes, quantum distant a Tigride Gades,

inter se Tanais quantum Nilusque relinquunt:

haec tamen innumeris per se quaesita tropaeis,45

[289]to water the homeland of so illustrious a race; Ocean laved their cradle, for it befitted the future lords of earth and sea to have their origin in the great father[146]of all things. Hence came Theodosius, grandfather of Honorius, for whom, exultant after his northern victories, Africa twined fresh laurels won from the Massylae. ’Twas he who pitched his camp amid the snows of Caledonia,[147]who never doffed his helmet for all the heat of a Libyan summer, who struck terror into the Moors, brought into subjection the coasts of Britain and with equal success laid waste the north and the south. What avail against him the eternal snows, the frozen air, the uncharted sea? The Orcades ran red with Saxon slaughter; Thule was warm with the blood of Picts; ice-bound Hibernia wept for the heaps of slain Scots. Could heat stay the advance of a courageous general? No; he overran the deserts of Ethiopia, invested Atlas with troops strange to him, drank of lake Triton where was born the virgin goddess Minerva, beheld the Gorgon’s empoisoned lair, and laughed to see the common verdure of those gardens of the Hesperides which story had clothed with gold. Juba’s fortress was burned down, the frenzied valour of the Moor yielded to the sword and the palace of ancient Bocchus was razed to the ground.But thy father’s fame far surpassed that of thy grandsire: he subdued Ocean to his governance and set the sky for border to his kingdom, ruling from Gades to the Tigris, and all that lies ’twixt Tanais and Nile; yet all these lands won by countless triumphs of his own, he gained them not by gift[146]Claudian is thinking of such passages in Homer ase.g.Il.xiv. 245-246:ῤέεθραὨκεανοῦ, ὅς περ γένεσις πάντεσσι τέτυκται,or perhaps Vergil’sOceanumque patrem rerum(Virg.Georg.iv. 382).[147]Cf.note on xv. 216.

[289]

to water the homeland of so illustrious a race; Ocean laved their cradle, for it befitted the future lords of earth and sea to have their origin in the great father[146]of all things. Hence came Theodosius, grandfather of Honorius, for whom, exultant after his northern victories, Africa twined fresh laurels won from the Massylae. ’Twas he who pitched his camp amid the snows of Caledonia,[147]who never doffed his helmet for all the heat of a Libyan summer, who struck terror into the Moors, brought into subjection the coasts of Britain and with equal success laid waste the north and the south. What avail against him the eternal snows, the frozen air, the uncharted sea? The Orcades ran red with Saxon slaughter; Thule was warm with the blood of Picts; ice-bound Hibernia wept for the heaps of slain Scots. Could heat stay the advance of a courageous general? No; he overran the deserts of Ethiopia, invested Atlas with troops strange to him, drank of lake Triton where was born the virgin goddess Minerva, beheld the Gorgon’s empoisoned lair, and laughed to see the common verdure of those gardens of the Hesperides which story had clothed with gold. Juba’s fortress was burned down, the frenzied valour of the Moor yielded to the sword and the palace of ancient Bocchus was razed to the ground.

But thy father’s fame far surpassed that of thy grandsire: he subdued Ocean to his governance and set the sky for border to his kingdom, ruling from Gades to the Tigris, and all that lies ’twixt Tanais and Nile; yet all these lands won by countless triumphs of his own, he gained them not by gift

[146]Claudian is thinking of such passages in Homer ase.g.Il.xiv. 245-246:ῤέεθραὨκεανοῦ, ὅς περ γένεσις πάντεσσι τέτυκται,or perhaps Vergil’sOceanumque patrem rerum(Virg.Georg.iv. 382).

[146]Claudian is thinking of such passages in Homer ase.g.Il.xiv. 245-246:

ῤέεθραὨκεανοῦ, ὅς περ γένεσις πάντεσσι τέτυκται,

ῤέεθρα

Ὠκεανοῦ, ὅς περ γένεσις πάντεσσι τέτυκται,

or perhaps Vergil’sOceanumque patrem rerum(Virg.Georg.iv. 382).

[147]Cf.note on xv. 216.

[290]non generis dono, non ambitione potitus.digna legi virtus. ultro se purpura supplexobtulit et solus meruit regnare rogatus.nam cum barbaries penitus commota gementeminrueret Rhodopen et mixto turbine gentes50jam deserta suas in nos transfunderet Arctos,Danuvii totae vomerent cum proelia ripae,cum Geticis ingens premeretur Mysia plaustrisflavaque Bistonios operirent agmina campos,omnibus adflictis et vel labentibus ictu55vel prope casuris: unus tot funera contrarestitit extinxitque faces agrisque colonosreddidit et leti rapuit de faucibus urbes.nulla relicta foret Romani nominis umbra,ni pater ille tuus iamiam ruitura subisset60pondera turbatamque ratem certaque levassetnaufragium commune manu: velut ordine ruptocum procul insanae traherent Phaëthonta quadrigaesaeviretque dies terramque et stagna propinquihaurirent radii, solito cum murmure torvis65sol occurrit equis; qui postquam rursus erilesagnovere sonos, rediit meliore magistromachina concentusque poli, currusque recepitimperium flammaeque modum.Sic traditus illeservatusque Oriens. at non pars altera rerum70tradita: bis possessa manu, bis parta periclis.per varium gemini scelus erupere tyrannitractibus occiduis: hunc saeva Britannia fudit;[291]of birth or from lust of power. It was his own merit secured his election. Unsought the purple begged his acceptance of itself; he alone when asked to rule was worthy to do so. For when unrest at home drove barbarian hordes over unhappy Rhodope and the now deserted north had poured its tribes in wild confusion across our borders, when all the banks of Danube poured forth battles and broad Mysia rang beneath the chariots of the Getae, when flaxen-haired hordes covered the plains of Thrace and amid this universal ruin all was either prostrate or tottering to its fall, one man alone withstood the tide of disaster, quenched the flames, restored to the husbandmen their fields and snatched the cities from the very jaws of destruction. No shadow of Rome’s name had survived had not thy sire borne up the tottering mass, succoured the storm-tossed bark and with sure hand averted universal shipwreck. As when the maddened coursers broke from their path and carried Phaëthon far astray, when day’s heat grew fierce and the sun’s rays, brought near to earth, dried up both land and sea, Phoebus checked his fierce horses with his wonted voice; for they knew once more their master’s tones, and with a happier guide heaven’s harmonious order was restored; for now the chariot again accepted government and its fires control.Thus was the East entrusted to him and thus was its salvation assured; but the other half of the world was not so entrusted: twice was the West gained by valour, twice won by dangers. In those lands of the sunset by manifold crime there arose to power tyrants twain: wild Britain produced one (Maximus), the other (Eugenius) was chosen

[290]

non generis dono, non ambitione potitus.digna legi virtus. ultro se purpura supplexobtulit et solus meruit regnare rogatus.nam cum barbaries penitus commota gementeminrueret Rhodopen et mixto turbine gentes50jam deserta suas in nos transfunderet Arctos,Danuvii totae vomerent cum proelia ripae,cum Geticis ingens premeretur Mysia plaustrisflavaque Bistonios operirent agmina campos,omnibus adflictis et vel labentibus ictu55vel prope casuris: unus tot funera contrarestitit extinxitque faces agrisque colonosreddidit et leti rapuit de faucibus urbes.nulla relicta foret Romani nominis umbra,ni pater ille tuus iamiam ruitura subisset60pondera turbatamque ratem certaque levassetnaufragium commune manu: velut ordine ruptocum procul insanae traherent Phaëthonta quadrigaesaeviretque dies terramque et stagna propinquihaurirent radii, solito cum murmure torvis65sol occurrit equis; qui postquam rursus erilesagnovere sonos, rediit meliore magistromachina concentusque poli, currusque recepitimperium flammaeque modum.Sic traditus illeservatusque Oriens. at non pars altera rerum70tradita: bis possessa manu, bis parta periclis.per varium gemini scelus erupere tyrannitractibus occiduis: hunc saeva Britannia fudit;

non generis dono, non ambitione potitus.

digna legi virtus. ultro se purpura supplex

obtulit et solus meruit regnare rogatus.

nam cum barbaries penitus commota gementem

inrueret Rhodopen et mixto turbine gentes50

jam deserta suas in nos transfunderet Arctos,

Danuvii totae vomerent cum proelia ripae,

cum Geticis ingens premeretur Mysia plaustris

flavaque Bistonios operirent agmina campos,

omnibus adflictis et vel labentibus ictu55

vel prope casuris: unus tot funera contra

restitit extinxitque faces agrisque colonos

reddidit et leti rapuit de faucibus urbes.

nulla relicta foret Romani nominis umbra,

ni pater ille tuus iamiam ruitura subisset60

pondera turbatamque ratem certaque levasset

naufragium commune manu: velut ordine rupto

cum procul insanae traherent Phaëthonta quadrigae

saeviretque dies terramque et stagna propinqui

haurirent radii, solito cum murmure torvis65

sol occurrit equis; qui postquam rursus eriles

agnovere sonos, rediit meliore magistro

machina concentusque poli, currusque recepit

imperium flammaeque modum.

Sic traditus ille

servatusque Oriens. at non pars altera rerum70

tradita: bis possessa manu, bis parta periclis.

per varium gemini scelus erupere tyranni

tractibus occiduis: hunc saeva Britannia fudit;

[291]of birth or from lust of power. It was his own merit secured his election. Unsought the purple begged his acceptance of itself; he alone when asked to rule was worthy to do so. For when unrest at home drove barbarian hordes over unhappy Rhodope and the now deserted north had poured its tribes in wild confusion across our borders, when all the banks of Danube poured forth battles and broad Mysia rang beneath the chariots of the Getae, when flaxen-haired hordes covered the plains of Thrace and amid this universal ruin all was either prostrate or tottering to its fall, one man alone withstood the tide of disaster, quenched the flames, restored to the husbandmen their fields and snatched the cities from the very jaws of destruction. No shadow of Rome’s name had survived had not thy sire borne up the tottering mass, succoured the storm-tossed bark and with sure hand averted universal shipwreck. As when the maddened coursers broke from their path and carried Phaëthon far astray, when day’s heat grew fierce and the sun’s rays, brought near to earth, dried up both land and sea, Phoebus checked his fierce horses with his wonted voice; for they knew once more their master’s tones, and with a happier guide heaven’s harmonious order was restored; for now the chariot again accepted government and its fires control.Thus was the East entrusted to him and thus was its salvation assured; but the other half of the world was not so entrusted: twice was the West gained by valour, twice won by dangers. In those lands of the sunset by manifold crime there arose to power tyrants twain: wild Britain produced one (Maximus), the other (Eugenius) was chosen

[291]

of birth or from lust of power. It was his own merit secured his election. Unsought the purple begged his acceptance of itself; he alone when asked to rule was worthy to do so. For when unrest at home drove barbarian hordes over unhappy Rhodope and the now deserted north had poured its tribes in wild confusion across our borders, when all the banks of Danube poured forth battles and broad Mysia rang beneath the chariots of the Getae, when flaxen-haired hordes covered the plains of Thrace and amid this universal ruin all was either prostrate or tottering to its fall, one man alone withstood the tide of disaster, quenched the flames, restored to the husbandmen their fields and snatched the cities from the very jaws of destruction. No shadow of Rome’s name had survived had not thy sire borne up the tottering mass, succoured the storm-tossed bark and with sure hand averted universal shipwreck. As when the maddened coursers broke from their path and carried Phaëthon far astray, when day’s heat grew fierce and the sun’s rays, brought near to earth, dried up both land and sea, Phoebus checked his fierce horses with his wonted voice; for they knew once more their master’s tones, and with a happier guide heaven’s harmonious order was restored; for now the chariot again accepted government and its fires control.

Thus was the East entrusted to him and thus was its salvation assured; but the other half of the world was not so entrusted: twice was the West gained by valour, twice won by dangers. In those lands of the sunset by manifold crime there arose to power tyrants twain: wild Britain produced one (Maximus), the other (Eugenius) was chosen

[292]hunc sibi Germanus famulum delegerat exul:ausus uterque nefas, domini respersus uterque75insontis iugulo. novitas audere priorisuadebat cautumque dabant exempla sequentem.hic nova moliri praeceps, hic quaerere tutaprovidus; hic fusis, collectis viribus ille;hic vagus excurrens, hic intra claustra reductus.80dissimiles, sed morte pares, evadere neutridedecus aut mixtis licuit procumbere telis.amissa specie, raptis insignibus amboin vultus rediere suos manibusque revinctisoblati gladiis summittunt colla paratis85et vitam veniamque rogant. pro damna pudoris!qui modo tam densas nutu movere cohortes,in quos iam dubius sese libraverat orbis,non hostes victore cadunt, sed iudice sontes;damnat voce reos, petiit quos Marte tyrannos.90amborum periere duces: hic sponte carinadecidit in fluctus, illum suus abstulit ensis;hunc Alpes, hunc pontus habet. solacia caesisfratribus haec ultor tribuit: necis auctor uterquelabitur; Augustas par victima mitigat umbras.95has dedit inferias tumulis, iuvenumque duorumpurpureos merito placavit sanguine manes.Illi iustitiam confirmavere triumphi,[293]as a tool by a Frankish outlaw (Arbogast). Both dared monstrous guilt; both stained their hands with an innocent emperor’s[148]blood. Sudden elevation inspired Maximus with audacity, his failure taught his successor caution. Maximus was quick to arm rebellion, Eugenius careful to attempt only what was safe. The one o’erran the country, spreading his forces in all directions, the other kept his troops together and himself secure behind a rampart. Different were they, but in their deaths alike. To neither was it granted to escape an ignominious end and to fall in the thick of the fight. Gone was their glory, their weapons were reft from them and they reduced to their former state; their arms were bound behind their backs and they stretched forth their necks to the sword’s imminent stroke, begging for pardon and for life. What a fall did pride there suffer! They who but lately had moved such countless cohorts with but a nod, into whose palm a wavering world had hung ready to drop, fall not as warriors at a victor’s hand but as malefactors before a judge; he sentences with his voice as criminals those whom he assailed in war as tyrants. With both perished their lieutenants: Andragathius hurled himself from his ship into the waves, Arbogast took his life with his own sword; the Alps mark the tomb of the one, the sea of the other. This solace at least the avenger afforded to those murdered brothers that both the authors of their deaths themselves were slain; two victims went to appease those royal ghosts. Such was Theodosius’ oblation at their tomb and with the blood of the guilty he appeased the shades of the two young emperors.Those triumphs stablished Justice on her throne[148]Maximus was responsible for the murder of the Emperor Gratian, Eugenius for that of Valentinian II. See Introduction, p. viii.

[292]

hunc sibi Germanus famulum delegerat exul:ausus uterque nefas, domini respersus uterque75insontis iugulo. novitas audere priorisuadebat cautumque dabant exempla sequentem.hic nova moliri praeceps, hic quaerere tutaprovidus; hic fusis, collectis viribus ille;hic vagus excurrens, hic intra claustra reductus.80dissimiles, sed morte pares, evadere neutridedecus aut mixtis licuit procumbere telis.amissa specie, raptis insignibus amboin vultus rediere suos manibusque revinctisoblati gladiis summittunt colla paratis85et vitam veniamque rogant. pro damna pudoris!qui modo tam densas nutu movere cohortes,in quos iam dubius sese libraverat orbis,non hostes victore cadunt, sed iudice sontes;damnat voce reos, petiit quos Marte tyrannos.90amborum periere duces: hic sponte carinadecidit in fluctus, illum suus abstulit ensis;hunc Alpes, hunc pontus habet. solacia caesisfratribus haec ultor tribuit: necis auctor uterquelabitur; Augustas par victima mitigat umbras.95has dedit inferias tumulis, iuvenumque duorumpurpureos merito placavit sanguine manes.Illi iustitiam confirmavere triumphi,

hunc sibi Germanus famulum delegerat exul:

ausus uterque nefas, domini respersus uterque75

insontis iugulo. novitas audere priori

suadebat cautumque dabant exempla sequentem.

hic nova moliri praeceps, hic quaerere tuta

providus; hic fusis, collectis viribus ille;

hic vagus excurrens, hic intra claustra reductus.80

dissimiles, sed morte pares, evadere neutri

dedecus aut mixtis licuit procumbere telis.

amissa specie, raptis insignibus ambo

in vultus rediere suos manibusque revinctis

oblati gladiis summittunt colla paratis85

et vitam veniamque rogant. pro damna pudoris!

qui modo tam densas nutu movere cohortes,

in quos iam dubius sese libraverat orbis,

non hostes victore cadunt, sed iudice sontes;

damnat voce reos, petiit quos Marte tyrannos.90

amborum periere duces: hic sponte carina

decidit in fluctus, illum suus abstulit ensis;

hunc Alpes, hunc pontus habet. solacia caesis

fratribus haec ultor tribuit: necis auctor uterque

labitur; Augustas par victima mitigat umbras.95

has dedit inferias tumulis, iuvenumque duorum

purpureos merito placavit sanguine manes.

Illi iustitiam confirmavere triumphi,

[293]as a tool by a Frankish outlaw (Arbogast). Both dared monstrous guilt; both stained their hands with an innocent emperor’s[148]blood. Sudden elevation inspired Maximus with audacity, his failure taught his successor caution. Maximus was quick to arm rebellion, Eugenius careful to attempt only what was safe. The one o’erran the country, spreading his forces in all directions, the other kept his troops together and himself secure behind a rampart. Different were they, but in their deaths alike. To neither was it granted to escape an ignominious end and to fall in the thick of the fight. Gone was their glory, their weapons were reft from them and they reduced to their former state; their arms were bound behind their backs and they stretched forth their necks to the sword’s imminent stroke, begging for pardon and for life. What a fall did pride there suffer! They who but lately had moved such countless cohorts with but a nod, into whose palm a wavering world had hung ready to drop, fall not as warriors at a victor’s hand but as malefactors before a judge; he sentences with his voice as criminals those whom he assailed in war as tyrants. With both perished their lieutenants: Andragathius hurled himself from his ship into the waves, Arbogast took his life with his own sword; the Alps mark the tomb of the one, the sea of the other. This solace at least the avenger afforded to those murdered brothers that both the authors of their deaths themselves were slain; two victims went to appease those royal ghosts. Such was Theodosius’ oblation at their tomb and with the blood of the guilty he appeased the shades of the two young emperors.Those triumphs stablished Justice on her throne[148]Maximus was responsible for the murder of the Emperor Gratian, Eugenius for that of Valentinian II. See Introduction, p. viii.

[293]

as a tool by a Frankish outlaw (Arbogast). Both dared monstrous guilt; both stained their hands with an innocent emperor’s[148]blood. Sudden elevation inspired Maximus with audacity, his failure taught his successor caution. Maximus was quick to arm rebellion, Eugenius careful to attempt only what was safe. The one o’erran the country, spreading his forces in all directions, the other kept his troops together and himself secure behind a rampart. Different were they, but in their deaths alike. To neither was it granted to escape an ignominious end and to fall in the thick of the fight. Gone was their glory, their weapons were reft from them and they reduced to their former state; their arms were bound behind their backs and they stretched forth their necks to the sword’s imminent stroke, begging for pardon and for life. What a fall did pride there suffer! They who but lately had moved such countless cohorts with but a nod, into whose palm a wavering world had hung ready to drop, fall not as warriors at a victor’s hand but as malefactors before a judge; he sentences with his voice as criminals those whom he assailed in war as tyrants. With both perished their lieutenants: Andragathius hurled himself from his ship into the waves, Arbogast took his life with his own sword; the Alps mark the tomb of the one, the sea of the other. This solace at least the avenger afforded to those murdered brothers that both the authors of their deaths themselves were slain; two victims went to appease those royal ghosts. Such was Theodosius’ oblation at their tomb and with the blood of the guilty he appeased the shades of the two young emperors.

Those triumphs stablished Justice on her throne

[148]Maximus was responsible for the murder of the Emperor Gratian, Eugenius for that of Valentinian II. See Introduction, p. viii.

[294]praesentes docuere deos. hinc saecula discantindomitum nihil esse pio tutumve nocenti:100nuntius ipse sui longas incognitus egitpraevento rumore vias, inopinus utrumqueperculit et clausos montes, ut plana, reliquit.extruite inmanes scopulos, attollite turres,cingite vos fluviis, vastas opponite silvas,105Garganum Alpinis Appenninumque nivalempermixtis sociate iugis et rupibus Haemumaddite Caucasiis, involvite Pelion Ossae:non dabitis murum sceleri. qui vindicet, ibit:omnia subsident meliori pervia causae.110Nec tamen oblitus civem cedentibus atroxpartibus infremuit; non insultare iacentimalebat: mitis precibus, pietatis abundans,poenae parcus erat; paci non intulit iram;post acies odiis idem qui terminus armis.115profuit hoc vincente capi, multosque subactosprospera[149]laturae commendavere catenae.magnarum largitor opum, largitor honorumpronus et in melius gaudens convertere fata.hinc amor, hinc validum devoto milite robur.120hinc natis mansura fides.Hoc nobilis ortunasceris aequaeva cum maiestate creatusnullaque privatae passus contagia sortis.omnibus acceptis ultro te regia solumprotulit et patrio felix adolescis in ostro,125[149]Birt, with theMSS.,aspera; I return to theprosperaof the edit. princeps.[295]and taught that heaven gives help. From them let the ages learn that righteousness need fear no foe and guilt expect no safety. Himself his own messenger, outstripping the rumour of his approach, Theodosius traversed those long journeys undetected by his enemies. Suddenly he fell on both, passing over entrenched mountains as if they were a plain. Build up monstrous rocks, raise towers, surround yourselves with rivers, set limitless forests to protect you, put Garganus and the snowy Apennines upon the summits of the Alps that all form one vast mountain barrier, plant Haemus on the crags of Caucasus, roll Pelion on Ossa, yet will ye not gain security for guilt. The avenger will come; for the better cause all things shall sink to make a path.Yet never did Theodosius forget that he and the vanquished were fellow-citizens, nor was his anger implacable against those who yielded. Not his the choice to exult over the fallen. His ears were open to prayers, his clemency unbounded, his vengeance restrained. His anger did not survive the war to darken the days of peace; the day that set an end to the combat set an end to his wrath. Capture by such a victor was a gain; and many a conquered foe did their chains commend to future fortune.[150]As liberal of money as of honours he was ever bent to redress the injuries of fate. Hence the love, the fortitude, the devotion of his troops; hence their abiding loyalty to his sons.Child of so noble a sire, thy kingly state was coëval with thy birth nor ever knewest thou the soilure of a private lot. To thee all things came unsought; thee only[151]did a palace rear; thy happy growth was in ancestral purple, and thy limbs, never[150]i.e.by winning first the pity and then the favour of Theodosius.[151]“Only,” because Arcadius was bornbeforeTheodosius became emperor.

[294]

praesentes docuere deos. hinc saecula discantindomitum nihil esse pio tutumve nocenti:100nuntius ipse sui longas incognitus egitpraevento rumore vias, inopinus utrumqueperculit et clausos montes, ut plana, reliquit.extruite inmanes scopulos, attollite turres,cingite vos fluviis, vastas opponite silvas,105Garganum Alpinis Appenninumque nivalempermixtis sociate iugis et rupibus Haemumaddite Caucasiis, involvite Pelion Ossae:non dabitis murum sceleri. qui vindicet, ibit:omnia subsident meliori pervia causae.110Nec tamen oblitus civem cedentibus atroxpartibus infremuit; non insultare iacentimalebat: mitis precibus, pietatis abundans,poenae parcus erat; paci non intulit iram;post acies odiis idem qui terminus armis.115profuit hoc vincente capi, multosque subactosprospera[149]laturae commendavere catenae.magnarum largitor opum, largitor honorumpronus et in melius gaudens convertere fata.hinc amor, hinc validum devoto milite robur.120hinc natis mansura fides.Hoc nobilis ortunasceris aequaeva cum maiestate creatusnullaque privatae passus contagia sortis.omnibus acceptis ultro te regia solumprotulit et patrio felix adolescis in ostro,125

praesentes docuere deos. hinc saecula discant

indomitum nihil esse pio tutumve nocenti:100

nuntius ipse sui longas incognitus egit

praevento rumore vias, inopinus utrumque

perculit et clausos montes, ut plana, reliquit.

extruite inmanes scopulos, attollite turres,

cingite vos fluviis, vastas opponite silvas,105

Garganum Alpinis Appenninumque nivalem

permixtis sociate iugis et rupibus Haemum

addite Caucasiis, involvite Pelion Ossae:

non dabitis murum sceleri. qui vindicet, ibit:

omnia subsident meliori pervia causae.110

Nec tamen oblitus civem cedentibus atrox

partibus infremuit; non insultare iacenti

malebat: mitis precibus, pietatis abundans,

poenae parcus erat; paci non intulit iram;

post acies odiis idem qui terminus armis.115

profuit hoc vincente capi, multosque subactos

prospera[149]laturae commendavere catenae.

magnarum largitor opum, largitor honorum

pronus et in melius gaudens convertere fata.

hinc amor, hinc validum devoto milite robur.120

hinc natis mansura fides.

Hoc nobilis ortu

nasceris aequaeva cum maiestate creatus

nullaque privatae passus contagia sortis.

omnibus acceptis ultro te regia solum

protulit et patrio felix adolescis in ostro,125

[149]Birt, with theMSS.,aspera; I return to theprosperaof the edit. princeps.

[295]and taught that heaven gives help. From them let the ages learn that righteousness need fear no foe and guilt expect no safety. Himself his own messenger, outstripping the rumour of his approach, Theodosius traversed those long journeys undetected by his enemies. Suddenly he fell on both, passing over entrenched mountains as if they were a plain. Build up monstrous rocks, raise towers, surround yourselves with rivers, set limitless forests to protect you, put Garganus and the snowy Apennines upon the summits of the Alps that all form one vast mountain barrier, plant Haemus on the crags of Caucasus, roll Pelion on Ossa, yet will ye not gain security for guilt. The avenger will come; for the better cause all things shall sink to make a path.Yet never did Theodosius forget that he and the vanquished were fellow-citizens, nor was his anger implacable against those who yielded. Not his the choice to exult over the fallen. His ears were open to prayers, his clemency unbounded, his vengeance restrained. His anger did not survive the war to darken the days of peace; the day that set an end to the combat set an end to his wrath. Capture by such a victor was a gain; and many a conquered foe did their chains commend to future fortune.[150]As liberal of money as of honours he was ever bent to redress the injuries of fate. Hence the love, the fortitude, the devotion of his troops; hence their abiding loyalty to his sons.Child of so noble a sire, thy kingly state was coëval with thy birth nor ever knewest thou the soilure of a private lot. To thee all things came unsought; thee only[151]did a palace rear; thy happy growth was in ancestral purple, and thy limbs, never[150]i.e.by winning first the pity and then the favour of Theodosius.[151]“Only,” because Arcadius was bornbeforeTheodosius became emperor.

[295]

and taught that heaven gives help. From them let the ages learn that righteousness need fear no foe and guilt expect no safety. Himself his own messenger, outstripping the rumour of his approach, Theodosius traversed those long journeys undetected by his enemies. Suddenly he fell on both, passing over entrenched mountains as if they were a plain. Build up monstrous rocks, raise towers, surround yourselves with rivers, set limitless forests to protect you, put Garganus and the snowy Apennines upon the summits of the Alps that all form one vast mountain barrier, plant Haemus on the crags of Caucasus, roll Pelion on Ossa, yet will ye not gain security for guilt. The avenger will come; for the better cause all things shall sink to make a path.

Yet never did Theodosius forget that he and the vanquished were fellow-citizens, nor was his anger implacable against those who yielded. Not his the choice to exult over the fallen. His ears were open to prayers, his clemency unbounded, his vengeance restrained. His anger did not survive the war to darken the days of peace; the day that set an end to the combat set an end to his wrath. Capture by such a victor was a gain; and many a conquered foe did their chains commend to future fortune.[150]As liberal of money as of honours he was ever bent to redress the injuries of fate. Hence the love, the fortitude, the devotion of his troops; hence their abiding loyalty to his sons.

Child of so noble a sire, thy kingly state was coëval with thy birth nor ever knewest thou the soilure of a private lot. To thee all things came unsought; thee only[151]did a palace rear; thy happy growth was in ancestral purple, and thy limbs, never

[150]i.e.by winning first the pity and then the favour of Theodosius.

[151]“Only,” because Arcadius was bornbeforeTheodosius became emperor.

[296]membraque vestitu numquam violata profanoin sacros cecidere sinus. Hispania patremauriferis eduxit aquis, te gaudet alumnoBosphorus. Hesperio de limine surgit origo,sed nutrix Aurora tibi; pro pignore tanto130certatur, geminus civem te vindicat axis.Herculis et Bromii sustentat gloria Thebas,haesit Apollineo Delos Latonia partuCretaque se iactat tenero reptata Tonanti;sed melior Delo, Dictaeis clarior oris135quae dedit hoc numen regio; non litora nostrosufficerent angusta deo. nec inhospita Cynthisaxa tuos artus duro laesere cubili:adclinis genetrix auro, circumflua gemmisin Tyrios enixa toros; ululata verendis140aula puerperiis. quae tunc documenta futuri?quae voces avium? quanti per inane volatus?qui vatum discursus erat? tibi corniger Hammonet dudum taciti rupere silentia Delphi,te Persae cecinere magi, te sensit Etruscus145augur et inspectis Babylonius horruit astris,Chaldaei stupuere senes Cumanaque rursusintonuit rupes, rabidae delubra Sibyllae.nec te progenitum Cybeleius aere sonorolustravit Corybas: exercitus undique fulgens150adstitit; ambitur signis augustior infans,sentit adorantes galeas, redditque ferocemvagitum lituus.Vitam tibi contulit idem[297]outraged by garb profane, were laid upon a hallowed lap. Spain with its rivers of gold gave birth to thy sire; Bosporus boasts thee among its children. The West is the cradle of thy race but the East was thine own nurse; rivals are they for so dear a pledge, either hemisphere claims thee as its citizen. The fame of Hercules and Bacchus has immortalized Thebes; when Latona gave birth to Apollo in Delos that island stayed its errant course; it is Crete’s boast that over its fields the infant Thunderer crawled. But the land that brought divine Honorius to birth is a greater than Delos, a more famous than Crete. Such narrow shores would not suffice our god. Nor did the bleak rocks of Cynthus hurt thy body with their rough bed; on couch of gold, clothed in jewelled raiment, thy mother gave birth to thee amid Tyrian purples; a palace rang with joy at that royal deliverance. What presages were there not then of future prosperity? what songs of birds, what flights of good omen in the heavens? What was the hurrying to and fro of seers? Hornèd Ammon and Delphi so long dumb at length broke their silence; Persian magi prophesied thy triumphs; Tuscan augurs felt thine influence; seers of Babylon beheld the stars and trembled; amazement seized the Chaldaean priests; the rock of Cumae, shrine of raging Sibyl, thundered once again. Cybele’s corybants surrounded not thy cradle with the clatter of their brazen shields; a shining host stood by thee on every side. Standards of war hedged in the royal babe who marked the bowed helmets of the worshipping soldiery while the trumpet’s blare answered his warlike cries.The day that gave thee birth gave thee a kingdom;

[296]

membraque vestitu numquam violata profanoin sacros cecidere sinus. Hispania patremauriferis eduxit aquis, te gaudet alumnoBosphorus. Hesperio de limine surgit origo,sed nutrix Aurora tibi; pro pignore tanto130certatur, geminus civem te vindicat axis.Herculis et Bromii sustentat gloria Thebas,haesit Apollineo Delos Latonia partuCretaque se iactat tenero reptata Tonanti;sed melior Delo, Dictaeis clarior oris135quae dedit hoc numen regio; non litora nostrosufficerent angusta deo. nec inhospita Cynthisaxa tuos artus duro laesere cubili:adclinis genetrix auro, circumflua gemmisin Tyrios enixa toros; ululata verendis140aula puerperiis. quae tunc documenta futuri?quae voces avium? quanti per inane volatus?qui vatum discursus erat? tibi corniger Hammonet dudum taciti rupere silentia Delphi,te Persae cecinere magi, te sensit Etruscus145augur et inspectis Babylonius horruit astris,Chaldaei stupuere senes Cumanaque rursusintonuit rupes, rabidae delubra Sibyllae.nec te progenitum Cybeleius aere sonorolustravit Corybas: exercitus undique fulgens150adstitit; ambitur signis augustior infans,sentit adorantes galeas, redditque ferocemvagitum lituus.Vitam tibi contulit idem

membraque vestitu numquam violata profano

in sacros cecidere sinus. Hispania patrem

auriferis eduxit aquis, te gaudet alumno

Bosphorus. Hesperio de limine surgit origo,

sed nutrix Aurora tibi; pro pignore tanto130

certatur, geminus civem te vindicat axis.

Herculis et Bromii sustentat gloria Thebas,

haesit Apollineo Delos Latonia partu

Cretaque se iactat tenero reptata Tonanti;

sed melior Delo, Dictaeis clarior oris135

quae dedit hoc numen regio; non litora nostro

sufficerent angusta deo. nec inhospita Cynthi

saxa tuos artus duro laesere cubili:

adclinis genetrix auro, circumflua gemmis

in Tyrios enixa toros; ululata verendis140

aula puerperiis. quae tunc documenta futuri?

quae voces avium? quanti per inane volatus?

qui vatum discursus erat? tibi corniger Hammon

et dudum taciti rupere silentia Delphi,

te Persae cecinere magi, te sensit Etruscus145

augur et inspectis Babylonius horruit astris,

Chaldaei stupuere senes Cumanaque rursus

intonuit rupes, rabidae delubra Sibyllae.

nec te progenitum Cybeleius aere sonoro

lustravit Corybas: exercitus undique fulgens150

adstitit; ambitur signis augustior infans,

sentit adorantes galeas, redditque ferocem

vagitum lituus.

Vitam tibi contulit idem

[297]outraged by garb profane, were laid upon a hallowed lap. Spain with its rivers of gold gave birth to thy sire; Bosporus boasts thee among its children. The West is the cradle of thy race but the East was thine own nurse; rivals are they for so dear a pledge, either hemisphere claims thee as its citizen. The fame of Hercules and Bacchus has immortalized Thebes; when Latona gave birth to Apollo in Delos that island stayed its errant course; it is Crete’s boast that over its fields the infant Thunderer crawled. But the land that brought divine Honorius to birth is a greater than Delos, a more famous than Crete. Such narrow shores would not suffice our god. Nor did the bleak rocks of Cynthus hurt thy body with their rough bed; on couch of gold, clothed in jewelled raiment, thy mother gave birth to thee amid Tyrian purples; a palace rang with joy at that royal deliverance. What presages were there not then of future prosperity? what songs of birds, what flights of good omen in the heavens? What was the hurrying to and fro of seers? Hornèd Ammon and Delphi so long dumb at length broke their silence; Persian magi prophesied thy triumphs; Tuscan augurs felt thine influence; seers of Babylon beheld the stars and trembled; amazement seized the Chaldaean priests; the rock of Cumae, shrine of raging Sibyl, thundered once again. Cybele’s corybants surrounded not thy cradle with the clatter of their brazen shields; a shining host stood by thee on every side. Standards of war hedged in the royal babe who marked the bowed helmets of the worshipping soldiery while the trumpet’s blare answered his warlike cries.The day that gave thee birth gave thee a kingdom;

[297]

outraged by garb profane, were laid upon a hallowed lap. Spain with its rivers of gold gave birth to thy sire; Bosporus boasts thee among its children. The West is the cradle of thy race but the East was thine own nurse; rivals are they for so dear a pledge, either hemisphere claims thee as its citizen. The fame of Hercules and Bacchus has immortalized Thebes; when Latona gave birth to Apollo in Delos that island stayed its errant course; it is Crete’s boast that over its fields the infant Thunderer crawled. But the land that brought divine Honorius to birth is a greater than Delos, a more famous than Crete. Such narrow shores would not suffice our god. Nor did the bleak rocks of Cynthus hurt thy body with their rough bed; on couch of gold, clothed in jewelled raiment, thy mother gave birth to thee amid Tyrian purples; a palace rang with joy at that royal deliverance. What presages were there not then of future prosperity? what songs of birds, what flights of good omen in the heavens? What was the hurrying to and fro of seers? Hornèd Ammon and Delphi so long dumb at length broke their silence; Persian magi prophesied thy triumphs; Tuscan augurs felt thine influence; seers of Babylon beheld the stars and trembled; amazement seized the Chaldaean priests; the rock of Cumae, shrine of raging Sibyl, thundered once again. Cybele’s corybants surrounded not thy cradle with the clatter of their brazen shields; a shining host stood by thee on every side. Standards of war hedged in the royal babe who marked the bowed helmets of the worshipping soldiery while the trumpet’s blare answered his warlike cries.

The day that gave thee birth gave thee a kingdom;

[298]imperiumque dies; inter cunabula consulproveheris, signas posito modo nomine fastos155donaturque tibi, qui te produxerat, annus.ipsa Quirinali parvum te cinxit amictumater et ad primas docuit reptare curules.uberibus sanctis inmortalique dearumcrescis adoratus gremio: tibi saepe Diana160Maenalios arcus venatricesque pharetrassuspendit, puerile decus; tu saepe Minervaelusisti clipeo fulvamque impune pererransaegida tractasti blandos interritus angues;saepe tuas etiam iam tum gaudente marito165velavit regina comas festinaque votipraesumptum diadema dedit, tum lenibus ulnissustulit et magno porrexit ad oscula patri.nec dilatus honos: mutatur principe Caesar;protinus aequaris fratri.170Non certius umquamhortati superi, nullis praesentior aetheradfuit ominibus. tenebris involverat atralumen hiems densosque Notus collegerat imbres.sed mox, cum solita miles te voce levasset,nubila dissolvit Phoebus pariterque dabantur175sceptra tibi mundoque dies: caligine liberBosphorus adversam patitur Calchedona cerni.nec tantum vicina nitent, sed tota repulsisnubibus exuitur Thrace, Pangaea renidentinsuetosque palus radios Maeotia vibrat.180[299]in thy cradle thou wast raised to the consulship.[152]With the name so recently bestowed upon thee thou dowerest the fasti and the year wherein thou wert born is consecrated to thee. Thy mother herself wrapped thy small form in the consular robe and directed thy first steps to the curule chair. Nourished at a goddess’ breasts, honoured with the embraces of immortal arms thou grewest to maturity. Oft to grace thy boyish form Diana hung upon thy shoulders her Maenalian bow and huntress’ quiver; oft thou didst sport with Minerva’s shield and, crawling unharmed over her glittering aegis, didst caress its friendly serpents with fearless hand. Often even in those early days thy mother beneath thy sire’s happy gaze crowned thy tender locks and, anticipating the answer to her prayers, gave thee the diadem that was to be thine hereafter; then raising thee in her gentle arms she held thee up to receive thy mighty father’s kiss. Nor was that honour long in coming; thou, then Caesar, didst become emperor and wert straightway made equal with thy brother.[153]Never was the encouragement of the gods more sure, never did heaven attend with more favouring omens. Black tempest had shrouded the light in darkness and the south wind gathered thick rain-clouds, when of a sudden, so soon as the soldiers had borne thee aloft with customary shout, Phoebus scattered the clouds and at the same moment was given to thee the sceptre, to the world light. Bosporus, freed from clouds, permits a sight of Chalcedon on the farther shore; nor is it only the vicinity of Byzantium that is bathed in brightness; the clouds are driven back and all Thrace is cleared; Pangaeus shows afar and lake Maeotis makes quiver the rays he[152]Honorius, who was born Sept. 9, 384, was made consul for 386.[153]Arcadius was made Augustus Jan. 16 (? 19), 383: Honorius not till Nov. 20, 393. Both succeeded to the throne Jan. 17, 395.

[298]

imperiumque dies; inter cunabula consulproveheris, signas posito modo nomine fastos155donaturque tibi, qui te produxerat, annus.ipsa Quirinali parvum te cinxit amictumater et ad primas docuit reptare curules.uberibus sanctis inmortalique dearumcrescis adoratus gremio: tibi saepe Diana160Maenalios arcus venatricesque pharetrassuspendit, puerile decus; tu saepe Minervaelusisti clipeo fulvamque impune pererransaegida tractasti blandos interritus angues;saepe tuas etiam iam tum gaudente marito165velavit regina comas festinaque votipraesumptum diadema dedit, tum lenibus ulnissustulit et magno porrexit ad oscula patri.nec dilatus honos: mutatur principe Caesar;protinus aequaris fratri.170Non certius umquamhortati superi, nullis praesentior aetheradfuit ominibus. tenebris involverat atralumen hiems densosque Notus collegerat imbres.sed mox, cum solita miles te voce levasset,nubila dissolvit Phoebus pariterque dabantur175sceptra tibi mundoque dies: caligine liberBosphorus adversam patitur Calchedona cerni.nec tantum vicina nitent, sed tota repulsisnubibus exuitur Thrace, Pangaea renidentinsuetosque palus radios Maeotia vibrat.180

imperiumque dies; inter cunabula consul

proveheris, signas posito modo nomine fastos155

donaturque tibi, qui te produxerat, annus.

ipsa Quirinali parvum te cinxit amictu

mater et ad primas docuit reptare curules.

uberibus sanctis inmortalique dearum

crescis adoratus gremio: tibi saepe Diana160

Maenalios arcus venatricesque pharetras

suspendit, puerile decus; tu saepe Minervae

lusisti clipeo fulvamque impune pererrans

aegida tractasti blandos interritus angues;

saepe tuas etiam iam tum gaudente marito165

velavit regina comas festinaque voti

praesumptum diadema dedit, tum lenibus ulnis

sustulit et magno porrexit ad oscula patri.

nec dilatus honos: mutatur principe Caesar;

protinus aequaris fratri.170

Non certius umquam

hortati superi, nullis praesentior aether

adfuit ominibus. tenebris involverat atra

lumen hiems densosque Notus collegerat imbres.

sed mox, cum solita miles te voce levasset,

nubila dissolvit Phoebus pariterque dabantur175

sceptra tibi mundoque dies: caligine liber

Bosphorus adversam patitur Calchedona cerni.

nec tantum vicina nitent, sed tota repulsis

nubibus exuitur Thrace, Pangaea renident

insuetosque palus radios Maeotia vibrat.180

[299]in thy cradle thou wast raised to the consulship.[152]With the name so recently bestowed upon thee thou dowerest the fasti and the year wherein thou wert born is consecrated to thee. Thy mother herself wrapped thy small form in the consular robe and directed thy first steps to the curule chair. Nourished at a goddess’ breasts, honoured with the embraces of immortal arms thou grewest to maturity. Oft to grace thy boyish form Diana hung upon thy shoulders her Maenalian bow and huntress’ quiver; oft thou didst sport with Minerva’s shield and, crawling unharmed over her glittering aegis, didst caress its friendly serpents with fearless hand. Often even in those early days thy mother beneath thy sire’s happy gaze crowned thy tender locks and, anticipating the answer to her prayers, gave thee the diadem that was to be thine hereafter; then raising thee in her gentle arms she held thee up to receive thy mighty father’s kiss. Nor was that honour long in coming; thou, then Caesar, didst become emperor and wert straightway made equal with thy brother.[153]Never was the encouragement of the gods more sure, never did heaven attend with more favouring omens. Black tempest had shrouded the light in darkness and the south wind gathered thick rain-clouds, when of a sudden, so soon as the soldiers had borne thee aloft with customary shout, Phoebus scattered the clouds and at the same moment was given to thee the sceptre, to the world light. Bosporus, freed from clouds, permits a sight of Chalcedon on the farther shore; nor is it only the vicinity of Byzantium that is bathed in brightness; the clouds are driven back and all Thrace is cleared; Pangaeus shows afar and lake Maeotis makes quiver the rays he[152]Honorius, who was born Sept. 9, 384, was made consul for 386.[153]Arcadius was made Augustus Jan. 16 (? 19), 383: Honorius not till Nov. 20, 393. Both succeeded to the throne Jan. 17, 395.

[299]

in thy cradle thou wast raised to the consulship.[152]With the name so recently bestowed upon thee thou dowerest the fasti and the year wherein thou wert born is consecrated to thee. Thy mother herself wrapped thy small form in the consular robe and directed thy first steps to the curule chair. Nourished at a goddess’ breasts, honoured with the embraces of immortal arms thou grewest to maturity. Oft to grace thy boyish form Diana hung upon thy shoulders her Maenalian bow and huntress’ quiver; oft thou didst sport with Minerva’s shield and, crawling unharmed over her glittering aegis, didst caress its friendly serpents with fearless hand. Often even in those early days thy mother beneath thy sire’s happy gaze crowned thy tender locks and, anticipating the answer to her prayers, gave thee the diadem that was to be thine hereafter; then raising thee in her gentle arms she held thee up to receive thy mighty father’s kiss. Nor was that honour long in coming; thou, then Caesar, didst become emperor and wert straightway made equal with thy brother.[153]

Never was the encouragement of the gods more sure, never did heaven attend with more favouring omens. Black tempest had shrouded the light in darkness and the south wind gathered thick rain-clouds, when of a sudden, so soon as the soldiers had borne thee aloft with customary shout, Phoebus scattered the clouds and at the same moment was given to thee the sceptre, to the world light. Bosporus, freed from clouds, permits a sight of Chalcedon on the farther shore; nor is it only the vicinity of Byzantium that is bathed in brightness; the clouds are driven back and all Thrace is cleared; Pangaeus shows afar and lake Maeotis makes quiver the rays he

[152]Honorius, who was born Sept. 9, 384, was made consul for 386.

[153]Arcadius was made Augustus Jan. 16 (? 19), 383: Honorius not till Nov. 20, 393. Both succeeded to the throne Jan. 17, 395.

[300]nec Boreas nimbos aut sol ardentior egit:imperii lux illa fuit; praesagus obibatcuncta nitor risitque tuo natura sereno.visa etiam medio populis mirantibus audaxstella die, dubitanda nihil nec crine retuso185languida, sed quantus numeratur nocte Bootes,emicuitque plagis alieni temporis hospesignis et agnosci potuit, cum luna lateret:sive parens Augusta fuit, seu forte reluxitdivi sidus avi, seu te properantibus astris190cernere sol patiens caelum commune remisit.adparet quid signa ferant. ventura potestasclaruit Ascanio, subita cum luce comaruminnocuus flagraret apex Phrygioque volutusvertice fatalis redimiret tempora candor.195at tua caelestes inlustrant omina flammae.talis ab Idaeis primaevus Iuppiter antrispossessi stetit arce poli famulosque recepitnatura tradente deos; lanugine nondumvernabant vultus nec adhuc per colla fluebant200moturae convexa comae; tum scindere nubesdiscebat fulmenque rudi torquere lacerto.Laetior augurio genitor natisque superbusiam paribus duplici fultus consorte redibatsplendebatque pio complexus pignora curru.205haud aliter summo gemini cum patre Lacones,progenies Ledaea, sedent: in utroque relucetfrater, utroque soror; simili chlamys effluit auro;[301]rarely sees. ’Tis not Boreas nor yet Phoebus’ warmer breath that has put the mists to flight. That light was an emperor’s star. A prophetic radiance was over all things, and with thy brightness Nature laughed. Even at mid-day did a wondering people gaze upon a bold star (’twas clear to behold)—no dulled nor stunted beams but bright as Boötes’ nightly lamp. At a strange hour its brilliance lit up the sky and its fires could be clearly seen though the moon lay hid. May be it was the Queen mother’s star or the return of thy grandsire’s now become a god, or may be the generous sun agreed to share the heavens with all the stars that hasted to behold thee. The meaning of those signs is now unmistakable. Clear was the prophecy of Ascanius’ coming power when an aureole crowned his locks, yet harmed them not, and when the fires of fate encircled his head and played about his temples.[154]Thy future the very fires of heaven foretell. So the young Jove, issuing from the caves of Ida, stood upon the summit of the conquered sky and received the homage of the gods whom Nature handed to his charge. The bloom of youth had not yet clothed his cheeks nor flowed there o’er his neck the curls whose stirrings were to shake the world. He was yet learning how to cleave the clouds and hurl the thunderbolt with unpractised hand.Gladdened by that augury and proud of his now equal sons the sire returned, upstayed on the two princes and lovingly embracing his children in glittering car. Even so the Spartan twins, the sons of Leda, sit with highest Jove; in each his brother is mirrored, in each their sister; round each alike flows a golden dress, and star-crowned are the[154]Virgil mentions the portent (Aen.ii. 682).

[300]

nec Boreas nimbos aut sol ardentior egit:imperii lux illa fuit; praesagus obibatcuncta nitor risitque tuo natura sereno.visa etiam medio populis mirantibus audaxstella die, dubitanda nihil nec crine retuso185languida, sed quantus numeratur nocte Bootes,emicuitque plagis alieni temporis hospesignis et agnosci potuit, cum luna lateret:sive parens Augusta fuit, seu forte reluxitdivi sidus avi, seu te properantibus astris190cernere sol patiens caelum commune remisit.adparet quid signa ferant. ventura potestasclaruit Ascanio, subita cum luce comaruminnocuus flagraret apex Phrygioque volutusvertice fatalis redimiret tempora candor.195at tua caelestes inlustrant omina flammae.talis ab Idaeis primaevus Iuppiter antrispossessi stetit arce poli famulosque recepitnatura tradente deos; lanugine nondumvernabant vultus nec adhuc per colla fluebant200moturae convexa comae; tum scindere nubesdiscebat fulmenque rudi torquere lacerto.Laetior augurio genitor natisque superbusiam paribus duplici fultus consorte redibatsplendebatque pio complexus pignora curru.205haud aliter summo gemini cum patre Lacones,progenies Ledaea, sedent: in utroque relucetfrater, utroque soror; simili chlamys effluit auro;

nec Boreas nimbos aut sol ardentior egit:

imperii lux illa fuit; praesagus obibat

cuncta nitor risitque tuo natura sereno.

visa etiam medio populis mirantibus audax

stella die, dubitanda nihil nec crine retuso185

languida, sed quantus numeratur nocte Bootes,

emicuitque plagis alieni temporis hospes

ignis et agnosci potuit, cum luna lateret:

sive parens Augusta fuit, seu forte reluxit

divi sidus avi, seu te properantibus astris190

cernere sol patiens caelum commune remisit.

adparet quid signa ferant. ventura potestas

claruit Ascanio, subita cum luce comarum

innocuus flagraret apex Phrygioque volutus

vertice fatalis redimiret tempora candor.195

at tua caelestes inlustrant omina flammae.

talis ab Idaeis primaevus Iuppiter antris

possessi stetit arce poli famulosque recepit

natura tradente deos; lanugine nondum

vernabant vultus nec adhuc per colla fluebant200

moturae convexa comae; tum scindere nubes

discebat fulmenque rudi torquere lacerto.

Laetior augurio genitor natisque superbus

iam paribus duplici fultus consorte redibat

splendebatque pio complexus pignora curru.205

haud aliter summo gemini cum patre Lacones,

progenies Ledaea, sedent: in utroque relucet

frater, utroque soror; simili chlamys effluit auro;

[301]rarely sees. ’Tis not Boreas nor yet Phoebus’ warmer breath that has put the mists to flight. That light was an emperor’s star. A prophetic radiance was over all things, and with thy brightness Nature laughed. Even at mid-day did a wondering people gaze upon a bold star (’twas clear to behold)—no dulled nor stunted beams but bright as Boötes’ nightly lamp. At a strange hour its brilliance lit up the sky and its fires could be clearly seen though the moon lay hid. May be it was the Queen mother’s star or the return of thy grandsire’s now become a god, or may be the generous sun agreed to share the heavens with all the stars that hasted to behold thee. The meaning of those signs is now unmistakable. Clear was the prophecy of Ascanius’ coming power when an aureole crowned his locks, yet harmed them not, and when the fires of fate encircled his head and played about his temples.[154]Thy future the very fires of heaven foretell. So the young Jove, issuing from the caves of Ida, stood upon the summit of the conquered sky and received the homage of the gods whom Nature handed to his charge. The bloom of youth had not yet clothed his cheeks nor flowed there o’er his neck the curls whose stirrings were to shake the world. He was yet learning how to cleave the clouds and hurl the thunderbolt with unpractised hand.Gladdened by that augury and proud of his now equal sons the sire returned, upstayed on the two princes and lovingly embracing his children in glittering car. Even so the Spartan twins, the sons of Leda, sit with highest Jove; in each his brother is mirrored, in each their sister; round each alike flows a golden dress, and star-crowned are the[154]Virgil mentions the portent (Aen.ii. 682).

[301]

rarely sees. ’Tis not Boreas nor yet Phoebus’ warmer breath that has put the mists to flight. That light was an emperor’s star. A prophetic radiance was over all things, and with thy brightness Nature laughed. Even at mid-day did a wondering people gaze upon a bold star (’twas clear to behold)—no dulled nor stunted beams but bright as Boötes’ nightly lamp. At a strange hour its brilliance lit up the sky and its fires could be clearly seen though the moon lay hid. May be it was the Queen mother’s star or the return of thy grandsire’s now become a god, or may be the generous sun agreed to share the heavens with all the stars that hasted to behold thee. The meaning of those signs is now unmistakable. Clear was the prophecy of Ascanius’ coming power when an aureole crowned his locks, yet harmed them not, and when the fires of fate encircled his head and played about his temples.[154]Thy future the very fires of heaven foretell. So the young Jove, issuing from the caves of Ida, stood upon the summit of the conquered sky and received the homage of the gods whom Nature handed to his charge. The bloom of youth had not yet clothed his cheeks nor flowed there o’er his neck the curls whose stirrings were to shake the world. He was yet learning how to cleave the clouds and hurl the thunderbolt with unpractised hand.

Gladdened by that augury and proud of his now equal sons the sire returned, upstayed on the two princes and lovingly embracing his children in glittering car. Even so the Spartan twins, the sons of Leda, sit with highest Jove; in each his brother is mirrored, in each their sister; round each alike flows a golden dress, and star-crowned are the

[154]Virgil mentions the portent (Aen.ii. 682).

[302]stellati pariter crines. iuvat ipse Tonantemerror et ambiguae placet ignorantia matri;210Eurotas proprios discernere nescit alumnos.Ut domus excepit reduces, ibi talia tecumpro rerum stabili fertur dicione locutus:“Si tibi Parthorurm solium Fortuna dedisset,care puer, terrisque procul venerandus Eois215barbarus Arsacio consurgeret ore tiaras:sufficeret sublime genus luxuque fluentemdeside nobilitas posset te sola tueri.altera Romanae longe rectoribus aulaecondicio. virtute decet, non sanguine niti.220maior et utilior fato coniuncta potenti,vile latens virtus. quid enim? submersa tenebrisproderit obscuro veluti sine remige puppisvel lyra quae reticet vel qui non tenditur arcus.“Hanc tamen haud quisquam, qui non agnoverit ante225semet et incertos animi placaverit aestus,inveniet; longis illuc ambagibus itur.disce orbi, quod quisque sibi. cum conderet artusnostros, aetheriis miscens terrena, Prometheus,sinceram patri mentem furatus Olympo230continuit claustris indignantemque revinxitet, cum non aliter possent mortalia fingi,adiunxit geminas. illae cum corpore lapsaeintereunt, haec sola manet bustoque superstesevolat. hanc alta capitis fundavit in arce235mandatricem operum prospecturamque labori;[303]locks of both. The Thunderer rejoices in his very uncertainty, and to their hesitating mother her ignorance brings delight; Eurotas cannot make distinction between his own nurslings.When all had returned to the palace, Theodosius, anxious for the world’s just governance, is said to have addressed thee in these terms:“Had fortune, my dear son, given thee the throne of Parthia, hadst thou been a descendant of the Arsacid house and did the tiara, adored by Eastern lands afar, tower upon thy forehead, thy long lineage would be enough, and thy birth alone would protect thee, though wantoning in idle luxury. Very different is the state of Rome’s emperor. ’Tis merit, not blood, must be his support. Virtue hidden hath no value, united with power ’tis both more effective and more useful. Nay, o’erwhelmed in darkness it will no more advantage its obscure possessor than a vessel with no oars, a silent lyre, an unstrung bow.“Yet virtue none shall find that has not first learned to know himself and stilled the uncertain waves of passion within him. Long and winding is the path that leads thereto. What each man learns in his own interests learn thou in the interests of the world. When Prometheus mixed earthly and heavenly elements and so formed human kind, he stole man’s spirit pure from his own heavenly home, held it imprisoned and bound despite its outcries, and since humanity could be formed in no other way he added two more souls.[155]These fail and perish with the body; the first alone remains, survives the pyre and flies away. This soul he stationed in the lofty fastness of the brain to control and oversee the work and labours of the body. The other[155]Claudian here follows the Platonic psychology which divides the soul into τὸ ἐπιθυμητικόν, τὸ θυμοειδές, the two (” geminas” ) baser elements, and τὸ λογιστικόν (the “haec” of l. 234).

[302]

stellati pariter crines. iuvat ipse Tonantemerror et ambiguae placet ignorantia matri;210Eurotas proprios discernere nescit alumnos.Ut domus excepit reduces, ibi talia tecumpro rerum stabili fertur dicione locutus:“Si tibi Parthorurm solium Fortuna dedisset,care puer, terrisque procul venerandus Eois215barbarus Arsacio consurgeret ore tiaras:sufficeret sublime genus luxuque fluentemdeside nobilitas posset te sola tueri.altera Romanae longe rectoribus aulaecondicio. virtute decet, non sanguine niti.220maior et utilior fato coniuncta potenti,vile latens virtus. quid enim? submersa tenebrisproderit obscuro veluti sine remige puppisvel lyra quae reticet vel qui non tenditur arcus.“Hanc tamen haud quisquam, qui non agnoverit ante225semet et incertos animi placaverit aestus,inveniet; longis illuc ambagibus itur.disce orbi, quod quisque sibi. cum conderet artusnostros, aetheriis miscens terrena, Prometheus,sinceram patri mentem furatus Olympo230continuit claustris indignantemque revinxitet, cum non aliter possent mortalia fingi,adiunxit geminas. illae cum corpore lapsaeintereunt, haec sola manet bustoque superstesevolat. hanc alta capitis fundavit in arce235mandatricem operum prospecturamque labori;

stellati pariter crines. iuvat ipse Tonantem

error et ambiguae placet ignorantia matri;210

Eurotas proprios discernere nescit alumnos.

Ut domus excepit reduces, ibi talia tecum

pro rerum stabili fertur dicione locutus:

“Si tibi Parthorurm solium Fortuna dedisset,

care puer, terrisque procul venerandus Eois215

barbarus Arsacio consurgeret ore tiaras:

sufficeret sublime genus luxuque fluentem

deside nobilitas posset te sola tueri.

altera Romanae longe rectoribus aulae

condicio. virtute decet, non sanguine niti.220

maior et utilior fato coniuncta potenti,

vile latens virtus. quid enim? submersa tenebris

proderit obscuro veluti sine remige puppis

vel lyra quae reticet vel qui non tenditur arcus.

“Hanc tamen haud quisquam, qui non agnoverit ante225

semet et incertos animi placaverit aestus,

inveniet; longis illuc ambagibus itur.

disce orbi, quod quisque sibi. cum conderet artus

nostros, aetheriis miscens terrena, Prometheus,

sinceram patri mentem furatus Olympo230

continuit claustris indignantemque revinxit

et, cum non aliter possent mortalia fingi,

adiunxit geminas. illae cum corpore lapsae

intereunt, haec sola manet bustoque superstes

evolat. hanc alta capitis fundavit in arce235

mandatricem operum prospecturamque labori;

[303]locks of both. The Thunderer rejoices in his very uncertainty, and to their hesitating mother her ignorance brings delight; Eurotas cannot make distinction between his own nurslings.When all had returned to the palace, Theodosius, anxious for the world’s just governance, is said to have addressed thee in these terms:“Had fortune, my dear son, given thee the throne of Parthia, hadst thou been a descendant of the Arsacid house and did the tiara, adored by Eastern lands afar, tower upon thy forehead, thy long lineage would be enough, and thy birth alone would protect thee, though wantoning in idle luxury. Very different is the state of Rome’s emperor. ’Tis merit, not blood, must be his support. Virtue hidden hath no value, united with power ’tis both more effective and more useful. Nay, o’erwhelmed in darkness it will no more advantage its obscure possessor than a vessel with no oars, a silent lyre, an unstrung bow.“Yet virtue none shall find that has not first learned to know himself and stilled the uncertain waves of passion within him. Long and winding is the path that leads thereto. What each man learns in his own interests learn thou in the interests of the world. When Prometheus mixed earthly and heavenly elements and so formed human kind, he stole man’s spirit pure from his own heavenly home, held it imprisoned and bound despite its outcries, and since humanity could be formed in no other way he added two more souls.[155]These fail and perish with the body; the first alone remains, survives the pyre and flies away. This soul he stationed in the lofty fastness of the brain to control and oversee the work and labours of the body. The other[155]Claudian here follows the Platonic psychology which divides the soul into τὸ ἐπιθυμητικόν, τὸ θυμοειδές, the two (” geminas” ) baser elements, and τὸ λογιστικόν (the “haec” of l. 234).

[303]

locks of both. The Thunderer rejoices in his very uncertainty, and to their hesitating mother her ignorance brings delight; Eurotas cannot make distinction between his own nurslings.

When all had returned to the palace, Theodosius, anxious for the world’s just governance, is said to have addressed thee in these terms:

“Had fortune, my dear son, given thee the throne of Parthia, hadst thou been a descendant of the Arsacid house and did the tiara, adored by Eastern lands afar, tower upon thy forehead, thy long lineage would be enough, and thy birth alone would protect thee, though wantoning in idle luxury. Very different is the state of Rome’s emperor. ’Tis merit, not blood, must be his support. Virtue hidden hath no value, united with power ’tis both more effective and more useful. Nay, o’erwhelmed in darkness it will no more advantage its obscure possessor than a vessel with no oars, a silent lyre, an unstrung bow.

“Yet virtue none shall find that has not first learned to know himself and stilled the uncertain waves of passion within him. Long and winding is the path that leads thereto. What each man learns in his own interests learn thou in the interests of the world. When Prometheus mixed earthly and heavenly elements and so formed human kind, he stole man’s spirit pure from his own heavenly home, held it imprisoned and bound despite its outcries, and since humanity could be formed in no other way he added two more souls.[155]These fail and perish with the body; the first alone remains, survives the pyre and flies away. This soul he stationed in the lofty fastness of the brain to control and oversee the work and labours of the body. The other

[155]Claudian here follows the Platonic psychology which divides the soul into τὸ ἐπιθυμητικόν, τὸ θυμοειδές, the two (” geminas” ) baser elements, and τὸ λογιστικόν (the “haec” of l. 234).

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