CARMINUM MINORUM CORPUSCULUM

[152]algentem pulsabat equum. nec mollia fessostrata dedere torum; tenebris si caeca repressitnox iter, aut spelaea subit metuenda ferarumaut pastorali iacuit sub culmine fultus355cervicem clipeo. stat pallidus hospite magnopastor et ignoto praeclarum nomine vultumrustica sordenti genetrix ostendit alumno.illa sub horrendis praedura cubilia silvis,illi sub nivibus somni curaeque laborque360pervigil hanc requiem terris, haec otia rebusinsperata dabant; illae tibi, Roma, salutemAlpinae peperere casae.Iam foedera gentesexuerant Latiique audita clade ferocesVindelicos saltus et Norica rura tenebant.365ac veluti famuli, mendax quos mortis erilisnuntius in luxum falso rumore resolvit,dum marcent epulis atque inter vina chorosquepersultat vacuis effrena licentia tectis,si reducem dominum sors improvisa revexit,370haerent attoniti libertatemque perosusconscia servilis praecordia concutit horror:sic ducis adspectu cuncti stupuere rebelles,inque uno princeps Latiumque et tota refulsitRoma viro. frons laeta parum, non tristior aequo,non deiecta malis, mixta sed nobilis ira:376qualis in Herculeo, quotiens infanda iubebatEurystheus, fuit ore dolor vel qualis in atramsollicitus nubem maesto Iove cogitur aether.“Tantane vos” inquit “Getici fiducia belli380erigit? hinc animo frustra tumuistis inani?non ita Romanum fati violentia nomen[153]cloak, he urged on his half-frozen steed. No soft bed received his weary limbs. If the darkness forced him to halt in his advance he would either enter some dreadful beast’s den or sleep in some shepherd’s hut, his head pillowed upon his shield. The shepherd stands pale at the sight of his stately guest, and ignorant of his name the rustic mother points out to her squalid infant the glory of his face. It was those hard couches beneath the rough pines, those nights amid the snow, all that care and anxious toil, that won this peace for the world, this tranquillity it had despaired of for the empire. From out those Alpine huts, Rome, came thy salvation.Now had the peoples broken their treaties and, encouraged by the news of Latium’s trouble, had seized upon the glades of Vindelicia and the fields of Noricum. Like slaves whom news of their master’s death lures into luxury with an idle tale, if mid the debauch and while wild licence riots with wine and dance some unexpected chance bring back their lord, then they stand panic-stricken and, abhorring liberty, servile terror shakes their guilty souls; so all the rebels were struck with terror at the sight of the general and in one man the Emperor, Latium and all Rome blazed before their eyes. Joy sat not upon his countenance nor excess of gloom nor yet dejection by reason of Rome’s reverses but nobility and indignation mixed, such as filled Hercules at Eurystheus’ inhuman orders, or such as dims the face of heaven when at Jove’s frown the troubled sky is gathered into a murky cloud.“Put ye such faith,” he cried, “in Getic arms? Is it they that swell your hearts with empty pride? Fate has not brought Rome’s name so low that she

[152]

algentem pulsabat equum. nec mollia fessostrata dedere torum; tenebris si caeca repressitnox iter, aut spelaea subit metuenda ferarumaut pastorali iacuit sub culmine fultus355cervicem clipeo. stat pallidus hospite magnopastor et ignoto praeclarum nomine vultumrustica sordenti genetrix ostendit alumno.illa sub horrendis praedura cubilia silvis,illi sub nivibus somni curaeque laborque360pervigil hanc requiem terris, haec otia rebusinsperata dabant; illae tibi, Roma, salutemAlpinae peperere casae.Iam foedera gentesexuerant Latiique audita clade ferocesVindelicos saltus et Norica rura tenebant.365ac veluti famuli, mendax quos mortis erilisnuntius in luxum falso rumore resolvit,dum marcent epulis atque inter vina chorosquepersultat vacuis effrena licentia tectis,si reducem dominum sors improvisa revexit,370haerent attoniti libertatemque perosusconscia servilis praecordia concutit horror:sic ducis adspectu cuncti stupuere rebelles,inque uno princeps Latiumque et tota refulsitRoma viro. frons laeta parum, non tristior aequo,non deiecta malis, mixta sed nobilis ira:376qualis in Herculeo, quotiens infanda iubebatEurystheus, fuit ore dolor vel qualis in atramsollicitus nubem maesto Iove cogitur aether.“Tantane vos” inquit “Getici fiducia belli380erigit? hinc animo frustra tumuistis inani?non ita Romanum fati violentia nomen

algentem pulsabat equum. nec mollia fesso

strata dedere torum; tenebris si caeca repressit

nox iter, aut spelaea subit metuenda ferarum

aut pastorali iacuit sub culmine fultus355

cervicem clipeo. stat pallidus hospite magno

pastor et ignoto praeclarum nomine vultum

rustica sordenti genetrix ostendit alumno.

illa sub horrendis praedura cubilia silvis,

illi sub nivibus somni curaeque laborque360

pervigil hanc requiem terris, haec otia rebus

insperata dabant; illae tibi, Roma, salutem

Alpinae peperere casae.

Iam foedera gentes

exuerant Latiique audita clade feroces

Vindelicos saltus et Norica rura tenebant.365

ac veluti famuli, mendax quos mortis erilis

nuntius in luxum falso rumore resolvit,

dum marcent epulis atque inter vina chorosque

persultat vacuis effrena licentia tectis,

si reducem dominum sors improvisa revexit,370

haerent attoniti libertatemque perosus

conscia servilis praecordia concutit horror:

sic ducis adspectu cuncti stupuere rebelles,

inque uno princeps Latiumque et tota refulsit

Roma viro. frons laeta parum, non tristior aequo,

non deiecta malis, mixta sed nobilis ira:376

qualis in Herculeo, quotiens infanda iubebat

Eurystheus, fuit ore dolor vel qualis in atram

sollicitus nubem maesto Iove cogitur aether.

“Tantane vos” inquit “Getici fiducia belli380

erigit? hinc animo frustra tumuistis inani?

non ita Romanum fati violentia nomen

[153]cloak, he urged on his half-frozen steed. No soft bed received his weary limbs. If the darkness forced him to halt in his advance he would either enter some dreadful beast’s den or sleep in some shepherd’s hut, his head pillowed upon his shield. The shepherd stands pale at the sight of his stately guest, and ignorant of his name the rustic mother points out to her squalid infant the glory of his face. It was those hard couches beneath the rough pines, those nights amid the snow, all that care and anxious toil, that won this peace for the world, this tranquillity it had despaired of for the empire. From out those Alpine huts, Rome, came thy salvation.Now had the peoples broken their treaties and, encouraged by the news of Latium’s trouble, had seized upon the glades of Vindelicia and the fields of Noricum. Like slaves whom news of their master’s death lures into luxury with an idle tale, if mid the debauch and while wild licence riots with wine and dance some unexpected chance bring back their lord, then they stand panic-stricken and, abhorring liberty, servile terror shakes their guilty souls; so all the rebels were struck with terror at the sight of the general and in one man the Emperor, Latium and all Rome blazed before their eyes. Joy sat not upon his countenance nor excess of gloom nor yet dejection by reason of Rome’s reverses but nobility and indignation mixed, such as filled Hercules at Eurystheus’ inhuman orders, or such as dims the face of heaven when at Jove’s frown the troubled sky is gathered into a murky cloud.“Put ye such faith,” he cried, “in Getic arms? Is it they that swell your hearts with empty pride? Fate has not brought Rome’s name so low that she

[153]

cloak, he urged on his half-frozen steed. No soft bed received his weary limbs. If the darkness forced him to halt in his advance he would either enter some dreadful beast’s den or sleep in some shepherd’s hut, his head pillowed upon his shield. The shepherd stands pale at the sight of his stately guest, and ignorant of his name the rustic mother points out to her squalid infant the glory of his face. It was those hard couches beneath the rough pines, those nights amid the snow, all that care and anxious toil, that won this peace for the world, this tranquillity it had despaired of for the empire. From out those Alpine huts, Rome, came thy salvation.

Now had the peoples broken their treaties and, encouraged by the news of Latium’s trouble, had seized upon the glades of Vindelicia and the fields of Noricum. Like slaves whom news of their master’s death lures into luxury with an idle tale, if mid the debauch and while wild licence riots with wine and dance some unexpected chance bring back their lord, then they stand panic-stricken and, abhorring liberty, servile terror shakes their guilty souls; so all the rebels were struck with terror at the sight of the general and in one man the Emperor, Latium and all Rome blazed before their eyes. Joy sat not upon his countenance nor excess of gloom nor yet dejection by reason of Rome’s reverses but nobility and indignation mixed, such as filled Hercules at Eurystheus’ inhuman orders, or such as dims the face of heaven when at Jove’s frown the troubled sky is gathered into a murky cloud.

“Put ye such faith,” he cried, “in Getic arms? Is it they that swell your hearts with empty pride? Fate has not brought Rome’s name so low that she

[154]opprimit, ut vestros nequeat punire tumultusparte sui. ne vos longe sermone petitodemorer, exemplum veteris cognoscite facti:385cum ferus Ausonias perfringeret Hannibal arceset Trebiam saevo geminassent funere Cannae,nequiquam Emathium pepulit spes vana Philippum,ut velut adflictos ferro temptaret inerti.Romanos commovit atrox iniuria patres,390urgerent maiora licet, graviterque tulere,urbibus inter se claris de culmine rerumcongressis, aliquid gentes audere minores.nec poenam differre placet, sed bella gerentiPunica Laevino regis quoque proelia mandant.395paruit imperiis consul, fususque Philippus,vilia dum gravibus populis interserit arma,praetereunte manu didicit non esse potentumtemptandas, mediis quamvis in luctibus, iras.”Hoc monitu pariter nascentia bella repressit400et bello quaesivit opes legitque precantesauxilio mensus numerum, qui congruus essetnec gravis Italiae formidandusve regenti.Nec minus accepto nostrae rumore cohortes(sic ducis urget amor) properantibus undique signisconveniunt, visoque animi Stilichone recepti406singultus varios lacrimosaque gaudia miscent:sic armenta boum, vastis quae turbida silvissparsit hiems, cantus ac sibila nota magistri[155]cannot punish your rebellion with but a handful of her forces. Not to delay you with foreign tales, hear this example from your deeds of old. When warlike Hannibal was spreading destruction throughout the cities of Italy, and Cannae had doubled Trebia’s cruel losses, a vain hope drove Philip of Macedon to turn his feeble sword against a people which, as he thought, was in difficulties. The monstrous insult roused the Roman Fathers, although more pressing dangers were crowding upon them, and they took it ill that, while two great cities were disputing the mastery of the world, a lesser race should be insolent. They determine upon instant vengeance and command Laevinus, even while he conducts the war with Carthage, to do battle also with the king of Macedonia. The consul obeyed his orders, and Philip, intruding his feeble arms between mighty nations, was routed by a passing band and learned that it does not do to tempt the anger of powerful peoples even when they are in distress.”With this warning Stilicho alike checked the threatened war and won new allies for war, enrolling them at their entreaty and setting such number to their forces as should best suit—neither a burden to Italy nor a terror to its lord.Then, indeed, at the news of his return, the legions, such love they bore their general, hastened together from every side, and at the sight of Stilicho their courage revived and they broke out into sobbings and tears of joy. So when a herd of cattle has been scattered throughout some vast forest by the storm’s violence the beasts eagerly make for the sound of the ox-herd’s well-known song or whistle and

[154]

opprimit, ut vestros nequeat punire tumultusparte sui. ne vos longe sermone petitodemorer, exemplum veteris cognoscite facti:385cum ferus Ausonias perfringeret Hannibal arceset Trebiam saevo geminassent funere Cannae,nequiquam Emathium pepulit spes vana Philippum,ut velut adflictos ferro temptaret inerti.Romanos commovit atrox iniuria patres,390urgerent maiora licet, graviterque tulere,urbibus inter se claris de culmine rerumcongressis, aliquid gentes audere minores.nec poenam differre placet, sed bella gerentiPunica Laevino regis quoque proelia mandant.395paruit imperiis consul, fususque Philippus,vilia dum gravibus populis interserit arma,praetereunte manu didicit non esse potentumtemptandas, mediis quamvis in luctibus, iras.”Hoc monitu pariter nascentia bella repressit400et bello quaesivit opes legitque precantesauxilio mensus numerum, qui congruus essetnec gravis Italiae formidandusve regenti.Nec minus accepto nostrae rumore cohortes(sic ducis urget amor) properantibus undique signisconveniunt, visoque animi Stilichone recepti406singultus varios lacrimosaque gaudia miscent:sic armenta boum, vastis quae turbida silvissparsit hiems, cantus ac sibila nota magistri

opprimit, ut vestros nequeat punire tumultus

parte sui. ne vos longe sermone petito

demorer, exemplum veteris cognoscite facti:385

cum ferus Ausonias perfringeret Hannibal arces

et Trebiam saevo geminassent funere Cannae,

nequiquam Emathium pepulit spes vana Philippum,

ut velut adflictos ferro temptaret inerti.

Romanos commovit atrox iniuria patres,390

urgerent maiora licet, graviterque tulere,

urbibus inter se claris de culmine rerum

congressis, aliquid gentes audere minores.

nec poenam differre placet, sed bella gerenti

Punica Laevino regis quoque proelia mandant.395

paruit imperiis consul, fususque Philippus,

vilia dum gravibus populis interserit arma,

praetereunte manu didicit non esse potentum

temptandas, mediis quamvis in luctibus, iras.”

Hoc monitu pariter nascentia bella repressit400

et bello quaesivit opes legitque precantes

auxilio mensus numerum, qui congruus esset

nec gravis Italiae formidandusve regenti.

Nec minus accepto nostrae rumore cohortes

(sic ducis urget amor) properantibus undique signis

conveniunt, visoque animi Stilichone recepti406

singultus varios lacrimosaque gaudia miscent:

sic armenta boum, vastis quae turbida silvis

sparsit hiems, cantus ac sibila nota magistri

[155]cannot punish your rebellion with but a handful of her forces. Not to delay you with foreign tales, hear this example from your deeds of old. When warlike Hannibal was spreading destruction throughout the cities of Italy, and Cannae had doubled Trebia’s cruel losses, a vain hope drove Philip of Macedon to turn his feeble sword against a people which, as he thought, was in difficulties. The monstrous insult roused the Roman Fathers, although more pressing dangers were crowding upon them, and they took it ill that, while two great cities were disputing the mastery of the world, a lesser race should be insolent. They determine upon instant vengeance and command Laevinus, even while he conducts the war with Carthage, to do battle also with the king of Macedonia. The consul obeyed his orders, and Philip, intruding his feeble arms between mighty nations, was routed by a passing band and learned that it does not do to tempt the anger of powerful peoples even when they are in distress.”With this warning Stilicho alike checked the threatened war and won new allies for war, enrolling them at their entreaty and setting such number to their forces as should best suit—neither a burden to Italy nor a terror to its lord.Then, indeed, at the news of his return, the legions, such love they bore their general, hastened together from every side, and at the sight of Stilicho their courage revived and they broke out into sobbings and tears of joy. So when a herd of cattle has been scattered throughout some vast forest by the storm’s violence the beasts eagerly make for the sound of the ox-herd’s well-known song or whistle and

[155]

cannot punish your rebellion with but a handful of her forces. Not to delay you with foreign tales, hear this example from your deeds of old. When warlike Hannibal was spreading destruction throughout the cities of Italy, and Cannae had doubled Trebia’s cruel losses, a vain hope drove Philip of Macedon to turn his feeble sword against a people which, as he thought, was in difficulties. The monstrous insult roused the Roman Fathers, although more pressing dangers were crowding upon them, and they took it ill that, while two great cities were disputing the mastery of the world, a lesser race should be insolent. They determine upon instant vengeance and command Laevinus, even while he conducts the war with Carthage, to do battle also with the king of Macedonia. The consul obeyed his orders, and Philip, intruding his feeble arms between mighty nations, was routed by a passing band and learned that it does not do to tempt the anger of powerful peoples even when they are in distress.”

With this warning Stilicho alike checked the threatened war and won new allies for war, enrolling them at their entreaty and setting such number to their forces as should best suit—neither a burden to Italy nor a terror to its lord.

Then, indeed, at the news of his return, the legions, such love they bore their general, hastened together from every side, and at the sight of Stilicho their courage revived and they broke out into sobbings and tears of joy. So when a herd of cattle has been scattered throughout some vast forest by the storm’s violence the beasts eagerly make for the sound of the ox-herd’s well-known song or whistle and

[156]certatim repetunt et avitae pascua vallis410inque vicem se voce regunt gaudentque fidelesreddere mugitus et, qua sonus attigit aurem,rara per obscuras adparent cornua frondes.adcurrit vicina manus, quam Raetia nuperVandalicis auctam spoliis defensa probavit;415venit et extremis legio praetenta Britannis,quae Scotto dat frena truci ferroque notatasperlegit exanimes Picto moriente figuras;agmina quin etiam flavis obiecta Sygambrisquaeque domant Chattos inmansuetosque Cheruscos,huc omnes vertere minas tutumque remotis421excubiis Rhenum solo terrore relinquunt.ullane posteritas credet? Germania quondamilla ferox populis, quae vix instantibus olimprincipibus tota poterat cum mole teneri,425iam sese placidam praebet Stilichonis habenis,ut nec praesidiis nudato limite temptetexpositum calcare solum nec transeat amnem,incustoditam metuens attingere ripam.Celsior o cunctis unique aequande Camillo!430vestris namque armis Alarici fracta quievitac Brenni rabies; confusis rebus uterquedivinam tribuistis opem, sed tardior illeiam captae vindex patriae, tu sospitis ultor.o quantum mutata tuo fortuna regressu!435ut sese pariter diffudit in omnia regnimembra vigor vivusque redit color urbibus aegris![157]the pasture of their native vale, guiding their steps in answer to his voice and glad faithfully to reply with lowing, while, wherever his tones fall upon their ear, horns show themselves here and there through the dark foliage. First hasten up the neighbouring troops, their loyalty attested by their defence of Raetia and their mass of spoil from Vindelicia; next the legion that had been left to guard Britain,[54]the legion that kept the fierce Scots in check, whose men had scanned the strange devices tattooed on the faces of the dying Picts. Even the legions that faced the flaxen-haired Sygambri, and those who held the Chatti and wild Cherusci in subjection hither turned their threatening arms, leaving the Rhine, whose garrison they had formed, defended by but one thing—the fear of Rome. Will any posterity credit the tale? Germany, once the home of peoples so proud and fierce that former emperors could scarce keep them in check with the whole weight of their armies, now offers herself so willing a follower of Stilicho’s guiding hand that she neither attempts an invasion of the territory exposed to her attack by the removal of its frontier troops nor crosses the stream, too timid to approach an undefended bank.Greater art thou, Stilicho, than all; thine only rival is Camillus, whose arms broke the rash power of Brennus as thine have broken that of Alaric. At a time of dire peril ye both gave the aid of gods; but he too late avenged a captured Rome, thou one still safe. What a reversal of fortune did thy return bring about! A new vigour returned to every part of our empire alike, and the glow of health came back to our suffering cities. A[54]Legio II. Augusta. The legion referred to in l. 414 is probably III. Italica.

[156]

certatim repetunt et avitae pascua vallis410inque vicem se voce regunt gaudentque fidelesreddere mugitus et, qua sonus attigit aurem,rara per obscuras adparent cornua frondes.adcurrit vicina manus, quam Raetia nuperVandalicis auctam spoliis defensa probavit;415venit et extremis legio praetenta Britannis,quae Scotto dat frena truci ferroque notatasperlegit exanimes Picto moriente figuras;agmina quin etiam flavis obiecta Sygambrisquaeque domant Chattos inmansuetosque Cheruscos,huc omnes vertere minas tutumque remotis421excubiis Rhenum solo terrore relinquunt.ullane posteritas credet? Germania quondamilla ferox populis, quae vix instantibus olimprincipibus tota poterat cum mole teneri,425iam sese placidam praebet Stilichonis habenis,ut nec praesidiis nudato limite temptetexpositum calcare solum nec transeat amnem,incustoditam metuens attingere ripam.Celsior o cunctis unique aequande Camillo!430vestris namque armis Alarici fracta quievitac Brenni rabies; confusis rebus uterquedivinam tribuistis opem, sed tardior illeiam captae vindex patriae, tu sospitis ultor.o quantum mutata tuo fortuna regressu!435ut sese pariter diffudit in omnia regnimembra vigor vivusque redit color urbibus aegris!

certatim repetunt et avitae pascua vallis410

inque vicem se voce regunt gaudentque fideles

reddere mugitus et, qua sonus attigit aurem,

rara per obscuras adparent cornua frondes.

adcurrit vicina manus, quam Raetia nuper

Vandalicis auctam spoliis defensa probavit;415

venit et extremis legio praetenta Britannis,

quae Scotto dat frena truci ferroque notatas

perlegit exanimes Picto moriente figuras;

agmina quin etiam flavis obiecta Sygambris

quaeque domant Chattos inmansuetosque Cheruscos,

huc omnes vertere minas tutumque remotis421

excubiis Rhenum solo terrore relinquunt.

ullane posteritas credet? Germania quondam

illa ferox populis, quae vix instantibus olim

principibus tota poterat cum mole teneri,425

iam sese placidam praebet Stilichonis habenis,

ut nec praesidiis nudato limite temptet

expositum calcare solum nec transeat amnem,

incustoditam metuens attingere ripam.

Celsior o cunctis unique aequande Camillo!430

vestris namque armis Alarici fracta quievit

ac Brenni rabies; confusis rebus uterque

divinam tribuistis opem, sed tardior ille

iam captae vindex patriae, tu sospitis ultor.

o quantum mutata tuo fortuna regressu!435

ut sese pariter diffudit in omnia regni

membra vigor vivusque redit color urbibus aegris!

[157]the pasture of their native vale, guiding their steps in answer to his voice and glad faithfully to reply with lowing, while, wherever his tones fall upon their ear, horns show themselves here and there through the dark foliage. First hasten up the neighbouring troops, their loyalty attested by their defence of Raetia and their mass of spoil from Vindelicia; next the legion that had been left to guard Britain,[54]the legion that kept the fierce Scots in check, whose men had scanned the strange devices tattooed on the faces of the dying Picts. Even the legions that faced the flaxen-haired Sygambri, and those who held the Chatti and wild Cherusci in subjection hither turned their threatening arms, leaving the Rhine, whose garrison they had formed, defended by but one thing—the fear of Rome. Will any posterity credit the tale? Germany, once the home of peoples so proud and fierce that former emperors could scarce keep them in check with the whole weight of their armies, now offers herself so willing a follower of Stilicho’s guiding hand that she neither attempts an invasion of the territory exposed to her attack by the removal of its frontier troops nor crosses the stream, too timid to approach an undefended bank.Greater art thou, Stilicho, than all; thine only rival is Camillus, whose arms broke the rash power of Brennus as thine have broken that of Alaric. At a time of dire peril ye both gave the aid of gods; but he too late avenged a captured Rome, thou one still safe. What a reversal of fortune did thy return bring about! A new vigour returned to every part of our empire alike, and the glow of health came back to our suffering cities. A[54]Legio II. Augusta. The legion referred to in l. 414 is probably III. Italica.

[157]

the pasture of their native vale, guiding their steps in answer to his voice and glad faithfully to reply with lowing, while, wherever his tones fall upon their ear, horns show themselves here and there through the dark foliage. First hasten up the neighbouring troops, their loyalty attested by their defence of Raetia and their mass of spoil from Vindelicia; next the legion that had been left to guard Britain,[54]the legion that kept the fierce Scots in check, whose men had scanned the strange devices tattooed on the faces of the dying Picts. Even the legions that faced the flaxen-haired Sygambri, and those who held the Chatti and wild Cherusci in subjection hither turned their threatening arms, leaving the Rhine, whose garrison they had formed, defended by but one thing—the fear of Rome. Will any posterity credit the tale? Germany, once the home of peoples so proud and fierce that former emperors could scarce keep them in check with the whole weight of their armies, now offers herself so willing a follower of Stilicho’s guiding hand that she neither attempts an invasion of the territory exposed to her attack by the removal of its frontier troops nor crosses the stream, too timid to approach an undefended bank.

Greater art thou, Stilicho, than all; thine only rival is Camillus, whose arms broke the rash power of Brennus as thine have broken that of Alaric. At a time of dire peril ye both gave the aid of gods; but he too late avenged a captured Rome, thou one still safe. What a reversal of fortune did thy return bring about! A new vigour returned to every part of our empire alike, and the glow of health came back to our suffering cities. A

[54]Legio II. Augusta. The legion referred to in l. 414 is probably III. Italica.

[158]creditur Herculeis lucem renovasse lacertisfemina dilecti fatis impensa mariti;et iuvenem spretae laniatum fraude novercae440non sine Circaeis Latonia reddidit herbis.Cretaque, si verax narratur fabula, viditMinoum rupto puerum prodire sepulchro,quem senior vates avium clangore repertumgramine restituit: mirae nam munere sortis445dulcia mella necem, vitam dedit horridus anguis.at tuus adventus non unum corpus ab umbris,sed tot communi populos sub morte iacentestotaque Tartareis e faucibus oppida traxit.Ipso Roma die (nec adhuc ostenditur auctor)450personuit venisse ducem, laetisque Quiritesvocibus auspicium certi plausere triumphi,muniti Stilichone suo. quis gaudia veroprincipis, amplexus alacris quis disserat aulae?pulveris ambiguam nubem speculamur ab altis455turribus, incerti socios adportet an hostesille globus. mentem suspensa silentia librant,donec pulvereo sub turbine sideris instaremicuit Stilichonis apex et cognita fulsitcanities. gavisa repens per moenia clamor460tollitur “ipse venit.” portas secura per omnesturba salutatis effunditur obvia signis.non iam dilectus miseri nec falce per agros[159]woman, so the story goes, who died to save the life of a loved husband, was recalled to the upper world by the might of Hercules. Diana with the help of Circe’s magic herbs restored to life Hippolytus whom the scorned passion of a stepmother had caused to be torn in pieces. Crete, if the fable be true, saw Glaucus, son of Minos, issue living from the tomb; his body was discovered by the cries of birds to Polyidus, the aged seer, who restored him to life by means of simples; strange indeed was the ruling of fate which apportioned sweet honey as the cause of his death and a hideous serpent as the restorer of his life.[55]But thy return, Stilicho, recalled not one body from the shades but countless peoples sunk in a common death, and snatched whole towns from the jaws of Hell.That very day Rome rang with the report (though none ever knew its author) that the hero had arrived, and the citizens, assured of Stilicho’s protection, applauded this augury of certain victory. Who could tell of the Emperor’s joy, who of the courtiers’ eager greetings? From the lofty battlements we sight a distant cloud of dust and know not whether its obscurity conceals friend or foe. Suspense keeps us all in silence. Then suddenly from that dusty cloud emerged the helm of Stilicho, glittering like a star, and we recognized his gleaming white hair. Up rose the happy shout from the walls: “’Tis he.” Safe at last the crowd surges out through the gates to meet and greet the army’s return. Gone for ever are our wretched impressed levies; no longer[55]Glaucus, son of Minos, fell into a vat of honey and was drowned. Polyidus, the seer, led by an oracle, discovered the body, and was, at Minos’ command, immured with it in a tomb until he should find a means of restoring it to life. Two snakes approached the corpse, one of which Polyidus slew. Observing the other bring its dead companion to life by placing a certain herb in its mouth, Polyidus applied the same method with success to the resuscitation of Glaucus (Hyginus,Fab.136. Both Sophocles and Euripides wrote tragedies on the subject; see Soph.Frag.ed. Pearson, vol. ii. pp. 56sqq.).

[158]

creditur Herculeis lucem renovasse lacertisfemina dilecti fatis impensa mariti;et iuvenem spretae laniatum fraude novercae440non sine Circaeis Latonia reddidit herbis.Cretaque, si verax narratur fabula, viditMinoum rupto puerum prodire sepulchro,quem senior vates avium clangore repertumgramine restituit: mirae nam munere sortis445dulcia mella necem, vitam dedit horridus anguis.at tuus adventus non unum corpus ab umbris,sed tot communi populos sub morte iacentestotaque Tartareis e faucibus oppida traxit.Ipso Roma die (nec adhuc ostenditur auctor)450personuit venisse ducem, laetisque Quiritesvocibus auspicium certi plausere triumphi,muniti Stilichone suo. quis gaudia veroprincipis, amplexus alacris quis disserat aulae?pulveris ambiguam nubem speculamur ab altis455turribus, incerti socios adportet an hostesille globus. mentem suspensa silentia librant,donec pulvereo sub turbine sideris instaremicuit Stilichonis apex et cognita fulsitcanities. gavisa repens per moenia clamor460tollitur “ipse venit.” portas secura per omnesturba salutatis effunditur obvia signis.non iam dilectus miseri nec falce per agros

creditur Herculeis lucem renovasse lacertis

femina dilecti fatis impensa mariti;

et iuvenem spretae laniatum fraude novercae440

non sine Circaeis Latonia reddidit herbis.

Cretaque, si verax narratur fabula, vidit

Minoum rupto puerum prodire sepulchro,

quem senior vates avium clangore repertum

gramine restituit: mirae nam munere sortis445

dulcia mella necem, vitam dedit horridus anguis.

at tuus adventus non unum corpus ab umbris,

sed tot communi populos sub morte iacentes

totaque Tartareis e faucibus oppida traxit.

Ipso Roma die (nec adhuc ostenditur auctor)450

personuit venisse ducem, laetisque Quirites

vocibus auspicium certi plausere triumphi,

muniti Stilichone suo. quis gaudia vero

principis, amplexus alacris quis disserat aulae?

pulveris ambiguam nubem speculamur ab altis455

turribus, incerti socios adportet an hostes

ille globus. mentem suspensa silentia librant,

donec pulvereo sub turbine sideris instar

emicuit Stilichonis apex et cognita fulsit

canities. gavisa repens per moenia clamor460

tollitur “ipse venit.” portas secura per omnes

turba salutatis effunditur obvia signis.

non iam dilectus miseri nec falce per agros

[159]woman, so the story goes, who died to save the life of a loved husband, was recalled to the upper world by the might of Hercules. Diana with the help of Circe’s magic herbs restored to life Hippolytus whom the scorned passion of a stepmother had caused to be torn in pieces. Crete, if the fable be true, saw Glaucus, son of Minos, issue living from the tomb; his body was discovered by the cries of birds to Polyidus, the aged seer, who restored him to life by means of simples; strange indeed was the ruling of fate which apportioned sweet honey as the cause of his death and a hideous serpent as the restorer of his life.[55]But thy return, Stilicho, recalled not one body from the shades but countless peoples sunk in a common death, and snatched whole towns from the jaws of Hell.That very day Rome rang with the report (though none ever knew its author) that the hero had arrived, and the citizens, assured of Stilicho’s protection, applauded this augury of certain victory. Who could tell of the Emperor’s joy, who of the courtiers’ eager greetings? From the lofty battlements we sight a distant cloud of dust and know not whether its obscurity conceals friend or foe. Suspense keeps us all in silence. Then suddenly from that dusty cloud emerged the helm of Stilicho, glittering like a star, and we recognized his gleaming white hair. Up rose the happy shout from the walls: “’Tis he.” Safe at last the crowd surges out through the gates to meet and greet the army’s return. Gone for ever are our wretched impressed levies; no longer[55]Glaucus, son of Minos, fell into a vat of honey and was drowned. Polyidus, the seer, led by an oracle, discovered the body, and was, at Minos’ command, immured with it in a tomb until he should find a means of restoring it to life. Two snakes approached the corpse, one of which Polyidus slew. Observing the other bring its dead companion to life by placing a certain herb in its mouth, Polyidus applied the same method with success to the resuscitation of Glaucus (Hyginus,Fab.136. Both Sophocles and Euripides wrote tragedies on the subject; see Soph.Frag.ed. Pearson, vol. ii. pp. 56sqq.).

[159]

woman, so the story goes, who died to save the life of a loved husband, was recalled to the upper world by the might of Hercules. Diana with the help of Circe’s magic herbs restored to life Hippolytus whom the scorned passion of a stepmother had caused to be torn in pieces. Crete, if the fable be true, saw Glaucus, son of Minos, issue living from the tomb; his body was discovered by the cries of birds to Polyidus, the aged seer, who restored him to life by means of simples; strange indeed was the ruling of fate which apportioned sweet honey as the cause of his death and a hideous serpent as the restorer of his life.[55]But thy return, Stilicho, recalled not one body from the shades but countless peoples sunk in a common death, and snatched whole towns from the jaws of Hell.

That very day Rome rang with the report (though none ever knew its author) that the hero had arrived, and the citizens, assured of Stilicho’s protection, applauded this augury of certain victory. Who could tell of the Emperor’s joy, who of the courtiers’ eager greetings? From the lofty battlements we sight a distant cloud of dust and know not whether its obscurity conceals friend or foe. Suspense keeps us all in silence. Then suddenly from that dusty cloud emerged the helm of Stilicho, glittering like a star, and we recognized his gleaming white hair. Up rose the happy shout from the walls: “’Tis he.” Safe at last the crowd surges out through the gates to meet and greet the army’s return. Gone for ever are our wretched impressed levies; no longer

[55]Glaucus, son of Minos, fell into a vat of honey and was drowned. Polyidus, the seer, led by an oracle, discovered the body, and was, at Minos’ command, immured with it in a tomb until he should find a means of restoring it to life. Two snakes approached the corpse, one of which Polyidus slew. Observing the other bring its dead companion to life by placing a certain herb in its mouth, Polyidus applied the same method with success to the resuscitation of Glaucus (Hyginus,Fab.136. Both Sophocles and Euripides wrote tragedies on the subject; see Soph.Frag.ed. Pearson, vol. ii. pp. 56sqq.).

[160]deposita iaculum vibrans ignobile messornec temptat[56]clipeum proiectis sumere rastris465Bellona ridente Ceres humilisque novorumseditio clamosa ducum: sed vera iuventus,verus ductor adest et vivida Martis imago.Prospera sed quantum nostrae spes addita menti,tantum exempta Getis, qui vertice proximus astrispost Alpes iam cuncta sibi promisit apertas471nil superesse ratus, postquam tot lumina pubis,tot subitos pedites, equitum tot conspicit alascinctaque fluminibus crebris ac moenibus arvaseque velut clausum laqueis, sub pectore furtim475aestuat et nimium prono fervore petitaeiam piget Italiae, sperataque Roma tenerivisa procul. magni subeunt iam taedia coepti.occultat tamen ore metum primosque suorumconsultare iubet bellis annisque verendos.480crinigeri sedere patres, pellita Getarumcuria, quos plagis decorat numerosa cicatrixet tremulos regit hasta gradus et nititur altispro baculo contis non exarmata senectus.hic aliquis gravior natu, cui plurima dictis485consiliisque fides, defixus lumina terraeconcutiensque comam capuloque adclinis eburno:“Si numero non fallor” ait “tricesima curritbruma fere, rapidum postquam transnavimus Histrum,Romanamque manum tantis eludimus annis.490sed numquam Mavors adeo constrinxit in artum[56]temptatcodd.; Birttemptans.[161]does the reaper, laying aside his sickle, try to hurl the impotent javelin, nor Ceres lay aside her harrow and, to the amusement of Bellona, essay the buckler. Stilled are the noisy wrangles of untried leaders; here is Rome’s true strength, her true leader, Mars in human form.The more happy hopes grew in our hearts the more they deserted the Getae, who, touching the stars with their heads, after crossing the Alps accounted all their own and deemed nothing left to do. But when they saw all our glorious youth, all the quickly levied infantry, all the squadrons of horse, a countryside protected by so many rivers and fortresses, and themselves caught in a snare, a trouble they dared not voice seized their hearts and a regret that they had invaded Italy with too forward eagerness; and Rome they hoped within their grasp seemed far away. Weariness of their mighty undertaking steals over them. Yet Alaric’s face conceals his fear; he bids to the council of war those whose age or prowess had gained them the dignity of leadership. There sat the senate of long-haired, skin-clad Getic leaders. Many a scar received in battle adorned their faces, spears guide their tottering steps and, instead of a staff, old age, refusing to disarm, supports itself on their tall shafts. Then arose one older than the rest, trusted for his counsel and advice, who, fixing his gaze upon the ground, shaking his hoary locks and leaning on his ivory hilt, thus spake: “If I miscount not the years this is well-nigh the thirtieth winter since we swam across the swift Ister. All that time we have escaped defeat at the hands of Rome. Yet never, Alaric, has Mars brought your fortunes to such

[160]

deposita iaculum vibrans ignobile messornec temptat[56]clipeum proiectis sumere rastris465Bellona ridente Ceres humilisque novorumseditio clamosa ducum: sed vera iuventus,verus ductor adest et vivida Martis imago.Prospera sed quantum nostrae spes addita menti,tantum exempta Getis, qui vertice proximus astrispost Alpes iam cuncta sibi promisit apertas471nil superesse ratus, postquam tot lumina pubis,tot subitos pedites, equitum tot conspicit alascinctaque fluminibus crebris ac moenibus arvaseque velut clausum laqueis, sub pectore furtim475aestuat et nimium prono fervore petitaeiam piget Italiae, sperataque Roma tenerivisa procul. magni subeunt iam taedia coepti.occultat tamen ore metum primosque suorumconsultare iubet bellis annisque verendos.480crinigeri sedere patres, pellita Getarumcuria, quos plagis decorat numerosa cicatrixet tremulos regit hasta gradus et nititur altispro baculo contis non exarmata senectus.hic aliquis gravior natu, cui plurima dictis485consiliisque fides, defixus lumina terraeconcutiensque comam capuloque adclinis eburno:“Si numero non fallor” ait “tricesima curritbruma fere, rapidum postquam transnavimus Histrum,Romanamque manum tantis eludimus annis.490sed numquam Mavors adeo constrinxit in artum

deposita iaculum vibrans ignobile messor

nec temptat[56]clipeum proiectis sumere rastris465

Bellona ridente Ceres humilisque novorum

seditio clamosa ducum: sed vera iuventus,

verus ductor adest et vivida Martis imago.

Prospera sed quantum nostrae spes addita menti,

tantum exempta Getis, qui vertice proximus astris

post Alpes iam cuncta sibi promisit apertas471

nil superesse ratus, postquam tot lumina pubis,

tot subitos pedites, equitum tot conspicit alas

cinctaque fluminibus crebris ac moenibus arva

seque velut clausum laqueis, sub pectore furtim475

aestuat et nimium prono fervore petitae

iam piget Italiae, sperataque Roma teneri

visa procul. magni subeunt iam taedia coepti.

occultat tamen ore metum primosque suorum

consultare iubet bellis annisque verendos.480

crinigeri sedere patres, pellita Getarum

curia, quos plagis decorat numerosa cicatrix

et tremulos regit hasta gradus et nititur altis

pro baculo contis non exarmata senectus.

hic aliquis gravior natu, cui plurima dictis485

consiliisque fides, defixus lumina terrae

concutiensque comam capuloque adclinis eburno:

“Si numero non fallor” ait “tricesima currit

bruma fere, rapidum postquam transnavimus Histrum,

Romanamque manum tantis eludimus annis.490

sed numquam Mavors adeo constrinxit in artum

[56]temptatcodd.; Birttemptans.

[161]does the reaper, laying aside his sickle, try to hurl the impotent javelin, nor Ceres lay aside her harrow and, to the amusement of Bellona, essay the buckler. Stilled are the noisy wrangles of untried leaders; here is Rome’s true strength, her true leader, Mars in human form.The more happy hopes grew in our hearts the more they deserted the Getae, who, touching the stars with their heads, after crossing the Alps accounted all their own and deemed nothing left to do. But when they saw all our glorious youth, all the quickly levied infantry, all the squadrons of horse, a countryside protected by so many rivers and fortresses, and themselves caught in a snare, a trouble they dared not voice seized their hearts and a regret that they had invaded Italy with too forward eagerness; and Rome they hoped within their grasp seemed far away. Weariness of their mighty undertaking steals over them. Yet Alaric’s face conceals his fear; he bids to the council of war those whose age or prowess had gained them the dignity of leadership. There sat the senate of long-haired, skin-clad Getic leaders. Many a scar received in battle adorned their faces, spears guide their tottering steps and, instead of a staff, old age, refusing to disarm, supports itself on their tall shafts. Then arose one older than the rest, trusted for his counsel and advice, who, fixing his gaze upon the ground, shaking his hoary locks and leaning on his ivory hilt, thus spake: “If I miscount not the years this is well-nigh the thirtieth winter since we swam across the swift Ister. All that time we have escaped defeat at the hands of Rome. Yet never, Alaric, has Mars brought your fortunes to such

[161]

does the reaper, laying aside his sickle, try to hurl the impotent javelin, nor Ceres lay aside her harrow and, to the amusement of Bellona, essay the buckler. Stilled are the noisy wrangles of untried leaders; here is Rome’s true strength, her true leader, Mars in human form.

The more happy hopes grew in our hearts the more they deserted the Getae, who, touching the stars with their heads, after crossing the Alps accounted all their own and deemed nothing left to do. But when they saw all our glorious youth, all the quickly levied infantry, all the squadrons of horse, a countryside protected by so many rivers and fortresses, and themselves caught in a snare, a trouble they dared not voice seized their hearts and a regret that they had invaded Italy with too forward eagerness; and Rome they hoped within their grasp seemed far away. Weariness of their mighty undertaking steals over them. Yet Alaric’s face conceals his fear; he bids to the council of war those whose age or prowess had gained them the dignity of leadership. There sat the senate of long-haired, skin-clad Getic leaders. Many a scar received in battle adorned their faces, spears guide their tottering steps and, instead of a staff, old age, refusing to disarm, supports itself on their tall shafts. Then arose one older than the rest, trusted for his counsel and advice, who, fixing his gaze upon the ground, shaking his hoary locks and leaning on his ivory hilt, thus spake: “If I miscount not the years this is well-nigh the thirtieth winter since we swam across the swift Ister. All that time we have escaped defeat at the hands of Rome. Yet never, Alaric, has Mars brought your fortunes to such

[162]res, Alarice, tuas. per tot certamina doctocrede seni, qui te tenero vice patris ab aevogestatum parva solitus donare pharetraatque aptare breves umeris puerilibus arcus:495saepe quidem frustra monui, servator ut ictifoederis Emathia tutus tellure maneres;sed quoniam calidae rapuit te flamma iuventae,nunc saltem, si cura tibi manet ulla tuorum,his claustris evade, precor, dumque agmina longe,dum licet, Hesperiis praeceps elabere terris,501ne nova praedari cupiens et parta reponaspastorique lupus scelerum delicta priorumintra saepta luas. quid palmitis uber Etrusci,quid mihi nescioquam proprio cum Thybride Romamsemper in ore geris? referunt si vera parentes,506hanc urbem insano nullus qui Marte petivitlaetatus violasse redit; nec numina sedemdestituunt: iactata procul dicuntur in hostemfulmina divinique volant pro moenibus ignes,510seu caelum seu Roma tonat. si temnis Olympum,a magno Stilichone cave, qui semper iniquosFortuna famulante premit. scis ipse, per orasArcadiae quam densa rogis cumulaverit ossa,sanguine quam largo Graios calefecerit amnes;515extinctusque fores, ni te sub nomine legumproditio regnique favor texisset Eoi.”Talia grandaevum flammata fronte loquentem[163]straits. Take the advice of an old man who has been through countless fights, one who like a father was wont to give thee in thine earliest youth little quivers to sling across thy back and to fit short bows to thy young shoulders. Often did I urge in vain that thou should’st observe the treaty and remain safe at home in Emathia. But if the fire of hot youth hurried thee into war, now at least, I beg thee, make good thine escape from out this net if thou hast any love left for thy people. The enemy’s forces are far away; thou hast the chance; flee headlong from Italy’s lands lest, in thy desire for fresh spoils, thou lose even what thou hast got and like a wolf pay the penalty of former depredations to the shepherd by being killed within the sheepfold. Why dost thou have ever on thy lips the richness of Tuscan vineyards and some Rome or other with its Tiber? If our parents speak sooth, never has any who has assailed that city in mad war returned to boast that he has done her violence. The gods desert not their own home; thunderbolts, they tell, are hurled from afar upon her foes and unearthly fires flash before her walls, whether ’tis heaven or Rome that thunders. If thou fearest not the gods beware the might of Stilicho; fortune is ever on his side against assaulting enemies. Thou thyself knowest how high with bones he piled our funeral pyres in Arcadia, and with what vast outpourings of our blood he made the rivers of Greece run warm; and thou hadst been killed had not treason in the guise of law and the goodwill of the Emperor of the East protected thee.”While the elder spake thus Alaric, eyeing him

[162]

res, Alarice, tuas. per tot certamina doctocrede seni, qui te tenero vice patris ab aevogestatum parva solitus donare pharetraatque aptare breves umeris puerilibus arcus:495saepe quidem frustra monui, servator ut ictifoederis Emathia tutus tellure maneres;sed quoniam calidae rapuit te flamma iuventae,nunc saltem, si cura tibi manet ulla tuorum,his claustris evade, precor, dumque agmina longe,dum licet, Hesperiis praeceps elabere terris,501ne nova praedari cupiens et parta reponaspastorique lupus scelerum delicta priorumintra saepta luas. quid palmitis uber Etrusci,quid mihi nescioquam proprio cum Thybride Romamsemper in ore geris? referunt si vera parentes,506hanc urbem insano nullus qui Marte petivitlaetatus violasse redit; nec numina sedemdestituunt: iactata procul dicuntur in hostemfulmina divinique volant pro moenibus ignes,510seu caelum seu Roma tonat. si temnis Olympum,a magno Stilichone cave, qui semper iniquosFortuna famulante premit. scis ipse, per orasArcadiae quam densa rogis cumulaverit ossa,sanguine quam largo Graios calefecerit amnes;515extinctusque fores, ni te sub nomine legumproditio regnique favor texisset Eoi.”Talia grandaevum flammata fronte loquentem

res, Alarice, tuas. per tot certamina docto

crede seni, qui te tenero vice patris ab aevo

gestatum parva solitus donare pharetra

atque aptare breves umeris puerilibus arcus:495

saepe quidem frustra monui, servator ut icti

foederis Emathia tutus tellure maneres;

sed quoniam calidae rapuit te flamma iuventae,

nunc saltem, si cura tibi manet ulla tuorum,

his claustris evade, precor, dumque agmina longe,

dum licet, Hesperiis praeceps elabere terris,501

ne nova praedari cupiens et parta reponas

pastorique lupus scelerum delicta priorum

intra saepta luas. quid palmitis uber Etrusci,

quid mihi nescioquam proprio cum Thybride Romam

semper in ore geris? referunt si vera parentes,506

hanc urbem insano nullus qui Marte petivit

laetatus violasse redit; nec numina sedem

destituunt: iactata procul dicuntur in hostem

fulmina divinique volant pro moenibus ignes,510

seu caelum seu Roma tonat. si temnis Olympum,

a magno Stilichone cave, qui semper iniquos

Fortuna famulante premit. scis ipse, per oras

Arcadiae quam densa rogis cumulaverit ossa,

sanguine quam largo Graios calefecerit amnes;515

extinctusque fores, ni te sub nomine legum

proditio regnique favor texisset Eoi.”

Talia grandaevum flammata fronte loquentem

[163]straits. Take the advice of an old man who has been through countless fights, one who like a father was wont to give thee in thine earliest youth little quivers to sling across thy back and to fit short bows to thy young shoulders. Often did I urge in vain that thou should’st observe the treaty and remain safe at home in Emathia. But if the fire of hot youth hurried thee into war, now at least, I beg thee, make good thine escape from out this net if thou hast any love left for thy people. The enemy’s forces are far away; thou hast the chance; flee headlong from Italy’s lands lest, in thy desire for fresh spoils, thou lose even what thou hast got and like a wolf pay the penalty of former depredations to the shepherd by being killed within the sheepfold. Why dost thou have ever on thy lips the richness of Tuscan vineyards and some Rome or other with its Tiber? If our parents speak sooth, never has any who has assailed that city in mad war returned to boast that he has done her violence. The gods desert not their own home; thunderbolts, they tell, are hurled from afar upon her foes and unearthly fires flash before her walls, whether ’tis heaven or Rome that thunders. If thou fearest not the gods beware the might of Stilicho; fortune is ever on his side against assaulting enemies. Thou thyself knowest how high with bones he piled our funeral pyres in Arcadia, and with what vast outpourings of our blood he made the rivers of Greece run warm; and thou hadst been killed had not treason in the guise of law and the goodwill of the Emperor of the East protected thee.”While the elder spake thus Alaric, eyeing him

[163]

straits. Take the advice of an old man who has been through countless fights, one who like a father was wont to give thee in thine earliest youth little quivers to sling across thy back and to fit short bows to thy young shoulders. Often did I urge in vain that thou should’st observe the treaty and remain safe at home in Emathia. But if the fire of hot youth hurried thee into war, now at least, I beg thee, make good thine escape from out this net if thou hast any love left for thy people. The enemy’s forces are far away; thou hast the chance; flee headlong from Italy’s lands lest, in thy desire for fresh spoils, thou lose even what thou hast got and like a wolf pay the penalty of former depredations to the shepherd by being killed within the sheepfold. Why dost thou have ever on thy lips the richness of Tuscan vineyards and some Rome or other with its Tiber? If our parents speak sooth, never has any who has assailed that city in mad war returned to boast that he has done her violence. The gods desert not their own home; thunderbolts, they tell, are hurled from afar upon her foes and unearthly fires flash before her walls, whether ’tis heaven or Rome that thunders. If thou fearest not the gods beware the might of Stilicho; fortune is ever on his side against assaulting enemies. Thou thyself knowest how high with bones he piled our funeral pyres in Arcadia, and with what vast outpourings of our blood he made the rivers of Greece run warm; and thou hadst been killed had not treason in the guise of law and the goodwill of the Emperor of the East protected thee.”

While the elder spake thus Alaric, eyeing him

[164]obliquisque tuens oculis non pertulit ultra,sed rupit rabidas accensa superbia voces:520“Si non mentis inops fraudataque sensibus aetaspraeberet veniam, numquam haec opprobria linguaeturpia Danuvius me sospite ferret inultus.anne, tot Augustos Hebro qui teste fugavi,te patiar suadente fugam, cum cesserit omnis525obsequiis natura meis? subsidere nostrissub pedibus montes, arescere vidimus amnes.non ita di Getici faxint manesque parentum,ut mea converso relegam vestigia cursu.hanc ego vel victor regno vel morte tenebo530victus humum. per tot populos urbesque cucurri,fregi Alpes galeisque Padum victricibus hausi:quid restat nisi Roma mihi? gens robore nostratum quoque pollebat, nullis cum fideret armis.at nunc Illyrici postquam mihi tradita iura535meque suum fecere ducem, tot tela, tot enses,tot galeas multo Thracum sudore paraviinque meos usus vectigal vertere ferrioppida legitimo iussu Romana coëgi.sic me fata fovent; ipsi, quos omnibus annis540vastabam, servire dati: nocitura gementesarma dabant flammisque diu mollitus et artein sua damna chalybs fabro lugente rubebat.hortantes his adde deos. non somnia nobisnec volucres, sed clara palam vox edita luco:545‘rumpe omnes, Alarice, moras; hoc impiger annoAlpibus Italiae ruptis penetrabis ad urbem.’[165]askance with fiery brow, brooked his words no longer, but his enkindled pride broke forth in furious speech: “Did not witless age that has deprived thee of thy senses grant thee indulgence never, on my life, should Danube listen unavenged to such coward insults. Am I who have routed so many emperors (Hebrus’ river is my witness) to endure flight at thine advice—I whom all nature obeys? Have I not seen the mountains levelled at my feet, the rivers dried up? Never may my country’s gods, the spirits of my forefathers, allow that I retrace my footsteps on a backward path. This land shall be mine whether I hold it in fee as conqueror or in death as conquered. I have overrun so many peoples and cities, I have burst through the Alps and drunk of the waters of Eridanus from out a victor’s helmet. What is left me but Rome? My nation was strong even when it has no allied arms to help it. But now that I hold sway over Illyria, now that its people has made me their leader, I have forced the Thracians to forge me spears, swords, helmets with the sweat of their brows, and Roman towns (whose rightful overlord I now am) to contribute iron for mine own uses. Thus is fate on my side. Rome, whose territories I have laid waste year by year, has become my slave. ’Tis she has supplied me with arms; her own metal has glowed in the furnace, artfully molten and fashioned for her own undoing by reluctant smiths. The gods, too, urge me on. Not for me are dreams or birds but the clear cry uttered openly from the sacred grove: ‘Away with delay, Alaric; boldly cross the Italian Alps this year and thou shalt reach the city.’ Thus far the

[164]

obliquisque tuens oculis non pertulit ultra,sed rupit rabidas accensa superbia voces:520“Si non mentis inops fraudataque sensibus aetaspraeberet veniam, numquam haec opprobria linguaeturpia Danuvius me sospite ferret inultus.anne, tot Augustos Hebro qui teste fugavi,te patiar suadente fugam, cum cesserit omnis525obsequiis natura meis? subsidere nostrissub pedibus montes, arescere vidimus amnes.non ita di Getici faxint manesque parentum,ut mea converso relegam vestigia cursu.hanc ego vel victor regno vel morte tenebo530victus humum. per tot populos urbesque cucurri,fregi Alpes galeisque Padum victricibus hausi:quid restat nisi Roma mihi? gens robore nostratum quoque pollebat, nullis cum fideret armis.at nunc Illyrici postquam mihi tradita iura535meque suum fecere ducem, tot tela, tot enses,tot galeas multo Thracum sudore paraviinque meos usus vectigal vertere ferrioppida legitimo iussu Romana coëgi.sic me fata fovent; ipsi, quos omnibus annis540vastabam, servire dati: nocitura gementesarma dabant flammisque diu mollitus et artein sua damna chalybs fabro lugente rubebat.hortantes his adde deos. non somnia nobisnec volucres, sed clara palam vox edita luco:545‘rumpe omnes, Alarice, moras; hoc impiger annoAlpibus Italiae ruptis penetrabis ad urbem.’

obliquisque tuens oculis non pertulit ultra,

sed rupit rabidas accensa superbia voces:520

“Si non mentis inops fraudataque sensibus aetas

praeberet veniam, numquam haec opprobria linguae

turpia Danuvius me sospite ferret inultus.

anne, tot Augustos Hebro qui teste fugavi,

te patiar suadente fugam, cum cesserit omnis525

obsequiis natura meis? subsidere nostris

sub pedibus montes, arescere vidimus amnes.

non ita di Getici faxint manesque parentum,

ut mea converso relegam vestigia cursu.

hanc ego vel victor regno vel morte tenebo530

victus humum. per tot populos urbesque cucurri,

fregi Alpes galeisque Padum victricibus hausi:

quid restat nisi Roma mihi? gens robore nostra

tum quoque pollebat, nullis cum fideret armis.

at nunc Illyrici postquam mihi tradita iura535

meque suum fecere ducem, tot tela, tot enses,

tot galeas multo Thracum sudore paravi

inque meos usus vectigal vertere ferri

oppida legitimo iussu Romana coëgi.

sic me fata fovent; ipsi, quos omnibus annis540

vastabam, servire dati: nocitura gementes

arma dabant flammisque diu mollitus et arte

in sua damna chalybs fabro lugente rubebat.

hortantes his adde deos. non somnia nobis

nec volucres, sed clara palam vox edita luco:545

‘rumpe omnes, Alarice, moras; hoc impiger anno

Alpibus Italiae ruptis penetrabis ad urbem.’

[165]askance with fiery brow, brooked his words no longer, but his enkindled pride broke forth in furious speech: “Did not witless age that has deprived thee of thy senses grant thee indulgence never, on my life, should Danube listen unavenged to such coward insults. Am I who have routed so many emperors (Hebrus’ river is my witness) to endure flight at thine advice—I whom all nature obeys? Have I not seen the mountains levelled at my feet, the rivers dried up? Never may my country’s gods, the spirits of my forefathers, allow that I retrace my footsteps on a backward path. This land shall be mine whether I hold it in fee as conqueror or in death as conquered. I have overrun so many peoples and cities, I have burst through the Alps and drunk of the waters of Eridanus from out a victor’s helmet. What is left me but Rome? My nation was strong even when it has no allied arms to help it. But now that I hold sway over Illyria, now that its people has made me their leader, I have forced the Thracians to forge me spears, swords, helmets with the sweat of their brows, and Roman towns (whose rightful overlord I now am) to contribute iron for mine own uses. Thus is fate on my side. Rome, whose territories I have laid waste year by year, has become my slave. ’Tis she has supplied me with arms; her own metal has glowed in the furnace, artfully molten and fashioned for her own undoing by reluctant smiths. The gods, too, urge me on. Not for me are dreams or birds but the clear cry uttered openly from the sacred grove: ‘Away with delay, Alaric; boldly cross the Italian Alps this year and thou shalt reach the city.’ Thus far the

[165]

askance with fiery brow, brooked his words no longer, but his enkindled pride broke forth in furious speech: “Did not witless age that has deprived thee of thy senses grant thee indulgence never, on my life, should Danube listen unavenged to such coward insults. Am I who have routed so many emperors (Hebrus’ river is my witness) to endure flight at thine advice—I whom all nature obeys? Have I not seen the mountains levelled at my feet, the rivers dried up? Never may my country’s gods, the spirits of my forefathers, allow that I retrace my footsteps on a backward path. This land shall be mine whether I hold it in fee as conqueror or in death as conquered. I have overrun so many peoples and cities, I have burst through the Alps and drunk of the waters of Eridanus from out a victor’s helmet. What is left me but Rome? My nation was strong even when it has no allied arms to help it. But now that I hold sway over Illyria, now that its people has made me their leader, I have forced the Thracians to forge me spears, swords, helmets with the sweat of their brows, and Roman towns (whose rightful overlord I now am) to contribute iron for mine own uses. Thus is fate on my side. Rome, whose territories I have laid waste year by year, has become my slave. ’Tis she has supplied me with arms; her own metal has glowed in the furnace, artfully molten and fashioned for her own undoing by reluctant smiths. The gods, too, urge me on. Not for me are dreams or birds but the clear cry uttered openly from the sacred grove: ‘Away with delay, Alaric; boldly cross the Italian Alps this year and thou shalt reach the city.’ Thus far the

[166]huc iter usque datur. quis iam post talia segnisambigat aut caelo dubitet parere vocanti?”Sic ait hortatusque suos belloque viaeque550instruit. attollunt vanos oracula fastus.o semper tacita sortes ambage malignaeeventuque patens et nescia vatibus ipsisveri sera fides! Ligurum regione supremapervenit ad fluvium miri cognominis “Urbem,”555atque illic domitus vix tandem interprete casuagnovit dubiis inlusa vocabula fatis.Nec non et Stilicho pugnam poscentia movitpleno castra gradu dictisque instigat euntes:“nunc nunc, o socii, temeratae sumite tandem560Italiae poenas, obsessi principis armisexcusate nefas deploratumque Timavovulnus et Alpinum gladiis abolete pudorem.hic est, quem totiens campis fudistis Achivis,quem discors odiisque anceps civilibus orbis,565non sua vis tutata diu, dum foedera fallaxludit et alternae periuria venditat aulae.credite nunc omnes, quas dira Britannia gentes,quas Hister, quas Rhenus alit, pendere paratasin speculis: uno tot proelia vincite bello.570Romanum reparate decus molemque labantisimperii fulcite umeris; hic omnia campus[167]path is mine. Who so cowardly as to dally after this encouragement or to hesitate to obey the call of Heaven?”So he spake and made ready his army to take the road, exhorting them to combat. Prophecy serves to augment his vain pride. Ah! for the grudging oracles ever dumb with mystic utterance; ’tis the event alone that (too late) discloses the true meaning which the seers themselves could not read. Alaric reached the farthest confines of Liguria where flows a river with the strange name of the City.[57]There he suffered defeat and even then scarcely realized (though that defeat made it clear) that fate had tricked him with an ambiguous word.Stilicho, too, fails not: at full speed he advanced his army clamorous for battle and spurs their march with these words: “Friends of Rome, the time has now come for you to exact vengeance for outraged Italy. Wipe out the disgrace which the investment of your emperor by his foes has brought upon you, and let your swords end the shame which the defeat on the Timavus[58]and the enemy’s passage of the Alps has caused to Rome. This is the foe whom ye so often put to flight on the plains of Greece, whom not their own valour but a world torn by civil strife has kept safe thus far, as they treacherously mock at treaties and traffic in perjury now with the West, now the East. Reflect that all the fierce peoples of Britain and the tribes who dwell on Danube’s and Rhine’s banks are watching and stand ready. Win a victory now and so be conquerors in many an unfought war. Restore Rome to her former glory; the frame of empire is tottering; let your shoulders support it. A[57]The river on whose banks Pollentia stood. Sozomenes (ix. 6) mentions the oracle.[58]Little is known of this battle. It is to be attributed presumably to (?) November 401 and is doubtless connected with Alaric’s attempt on Aquileia (Jerome,Contra Ruf.iii. 21).

[166]

huc iter usque datur. quis iam post talia segnisambigat aut caelo dubitet parere vocanti?”Sic ait hortatusque suos belloque viaeque550instruit. attollunt vanos oracula fastus.o semper tacita sortes ambage malignaeeventuque patens et nescia vatibus ipsisveri sera fides! Ligurum regione supremapervenit ad fluvium miri cognominis “Urbem,”555atque illic domitus vix tandem interprete casuagnovit dubiis inlusa vocabula fatis.Nec non et Stilicho pugnam poscentia movitpleno castra gradu dictisque instigat euntes:“nunc nunc, o socii, temeratae sumite tandem560Italiae poenas, obsessi principis armisexcusate nefas deploratumque Timavovulnus et Alpinum gladiis abolete pudorem.hic est, quem totiens campis fudistis Achivis,quem discors odiisque anceps civilibus orbis,565non sua vis tutata diu, dum foedera fallaxludit et alternae periuria venditat aulae.credite nunc omnes, quas dira Britannia gentes,quas Hister, quas Rhenus alit, pendere paratasin speculis: uno tot proelia vincite bello.570Romanum reparate decus molemque labantisimperii fulcite umeris; hic omnia campus

huc iter usque datur. quis iam post talia segnis

ambigat aut caelo dubitet parere vocanti?”

Sic ait hortatusque suos belloque viaeque550

instruit. attollunt vanos oracula fastus.

o semper tacita sortes ambage malignae

eventuque patens et nescia vatibus ipsis

veri sera fides! Ligurum regione suprema

pervenit ad fluvium miri cognominis “Urbem,”555

atque illic domitus vix tandem interprete casu

agnovit dubiis inlusa vocabula fatis.

Nec non et Stilicho pugnam poscentia movit

pleno castra gradu dictisque instigat euntes:

“nunc nunc, o socii, temeratae sumite tandem560

Italiae poenas, obsessi principis armis

excusate nefas deploratumque Timavo

vulnus et Alpinum gladiis abolete pudorem.

hic est, quem totiens campis fudistis Achivis,

quem discors odiisque anceps civilibus orbis,565

non sua vis tutata diu, dum foedera fallax

ludit et alternae periuria venditat aulae.

credite nunc omnes, quas dira Britannia gentes,

quas Hister, quas Rhenus alit, pendere paratas

in speculis: uno tot proelia vincite bello.570

Romanum reparate decus molemque labantis

imperii fulcite umeris; hic omnia campus

[167]path is mine. Who so cowardly as to dally after this encouragement or to hesitate to obey the call of Heaven?”So he spake and made ready his army to take the road, exhorting them to combat. Prophecy serves to augment his vain pride. Ah! for the grudging oracles ever dumb with mystic utterance; ’tis the event alone that (too late) discloses the true meaning which the seers themselves could not read. Alaric reached the farthest confines of Liguria where flows a river with the strange name of the City.[57]There he suffered defeat and even then scarcely realized (though that defeat made it clear) that fate had tricked him with an ambiguous word.Stilicho, too, fails not: at full speed he advanced his army clamorous for battle and spurs their march with these words: “Friends of Rome, the time has now come for you to exact vengeance for outraged Italy. Wipe out the disgrace which the investment of your emperor by his foes has brought upon you, and let your swords end the shame which the defeat on the Timavus[58]and the enemy’s passage of the Alps has caused to Rome. This is the foe whom ye so often put to flight on the plains of Greece, whom not their own valour but a world torn by civil strife has kept safe thus far, as they treacherously mock at treaties and traffic in perjury now with the West, now the East. Reflect that all the fierce peoples of Britain and the tribes who dwell on Danube’s and Rhine’s banks are watching and stand ready. Win a victory now and so be conquerors in many an unfought war. Restore Rome to her former glory; the frame of empire is tottering; let your shoulders support it. A[57]The river on whose banks Pollentia stood. Sozomenes (ix. 6) mentions the oracle.[58]Little is known of this battle. It is to be attributed presumably to (?) November 401 and is doubtless connected with Alaric’s attempt on Aquileia (Jerome,Contra Ruf.iii. 21).

[167]

path is mine. Who so cowardly as to dally after this encouragement or to hesitate to obey the call of Heaven?”

So he spake and made ready his army to take the road, exhorting them to combat. Prophecy serves to augment his vain pride. Ah! for the grudging oracles ever dumb with mystic utterance; ’tis the event alone that (too late) discloses the true meaning which the seers themselves could not read. Alaric reached the farthest confines of Liguria where flows a river with the strange name of the City.[57]There he suffered defeat and even then scarcely realized (though that defeat made it clear) that fate had tricked him with an ambiguous word.

Stilicho, too, fails not: at full speed he advanced his army clamorous for battle and spurs their march with these words: “Friends of Rome, the time has now come for you to exact vengeance for outraged Italy. Wipe out the disgrace which the investment of your emperor by his foes has brought upon you, and let your swords end the shame which the defeat on the Timavus[58]and the enemy’s passage of the Alps has caused to Rome. This is the foe whom ye so often put to flight on the plains of Greece, whom not their own valour but a world torn by civil strife has kept safe thus far, as they treacherously mock at treaties and traffic in perjury now with the West, now the East. Reflect that all the fierce peoples of Britain and the tribes who dwell on Danube’s and Rhine’s banks are watching and stand ready. Win a victory now and so be conquerors in many an unfought war. Restore Rome to her former glory; the frame of empire is tottering; let your shoulders support it. A

[57]The river on whose banks Pollentia stood. Sozomenes (ix. 6) mentions the oracle.

[58]Little is known of this battle. It is to be attributed presumably to (?) November 401 and is doubtless connected with Alaric’s attempt on Aquileia (Jerome,Contra Ruf.iii. 21).

[168]vindicat, haec mundo pacem victoria sancit.non in Threiciis Haemi decernimus orisnec super Alpheas umbrantia Maenala ripas575constitimus; non hic Tegean Argosque tuemur:visceribus mediis ipsoque in corde videtisbella geri. patrem clipeis defendite Thybrim.”talia nunc pediti, turmae nunc mixtus equestridicta dabat.Simul externis praecepta ferebat580auxiliis. ibat patiens dicionis Alanus,qua nostrae iussere tubae, mortemque petendampro Latio docuit gentis praefectus Alanae,cui natura breves animis ingentibus artusfinxerat inmanique oculos infecerat ira;585vulneribus pars nulla vacat rescissaque contisgloria foedati splendet iactantior oris.ille tamen mandante procul Stilichone citatisacceleravit equis Italamque momordit harenam.felix Elysiisque plagis et carmine dignus,590qui male suspectam nobis impensius arsitvel leto purgare fidem; qui iudice ferrodiluit inmeritum laudato sanguine crimen!morte viri turbatus eques flectebat habenastotaque praeciso nutassent agmina cornu,595ni celer instructa Stilicho legione secutussubsidiis peditum pugnam instaurasset equestrem.Quis Musis ipsoque licet Paeane receptoenarrare queat, quantum Gradivus in illaluce suae dederit fundator originis urbi?600altius haud umquam toto descendimus ensein iugulum Scythiae, tanta nec clade superbum[169]single battle and all will be well; but one victory and the world’s peace will be assured. We fight not on the slopes of Thracian Haemus nor await our foe where Maenalus throws his shadow across the banks of Alpheus. We defend not Tegea nor Argos. No: as ye see, the scene of war is the very centre and heart of Italy. Protect Father Tiber with your shields.” Thus spake Stilicho to foot and horse.Orders were at the same time sent to the auxiliary troops. The Alans, now subject to Roman rule, followed our trumpets’ call, taught by their chief to lay down their lives in the cause of Italy. Small was his stature but great his soul and fierce anger blazed from his eyes. Covered with wounds was he and with a visage rendered the more glorious and the more proud by reason of the scar some spear-thrust had left. At Stilicho’s command he hastened up with his cavalry, fated to bite the soil of Italy in death. Happy warrior, worthy of the Elysian fields and of my meed of song, who wast eager even at the cost of life to cleanse thy loyalty from stain! The sword that spilled thy generous blood, it was thy judge, acquitting thee of that most unjust charge of treachery. Thrown into confusion by the hero’s death his horsemen turned rein and, its flank thus exposed, the whole host would have reeled had not Stilicho quickly gathered a legion and hastening to the spot rallied the cavalry to the fight with infantry support.What poet, were he inspired by the Muses or even by Apollo himself, could relate the blessings showered that day by Mars upon the city whose founder he himself was? Never was the sword of Rome plunged so deep in the Scythians’ throat;

[168]

vindicat, haec mundo pacem victoria sancit.non in Threiciis Haemi decernimus orisnec super Alpheas umbrantia Maenala ripas575constitimus; non hic Tegean Argosque tuemur:visceribus mediis ipsoque in corde videtisbella geri. patrem clipeis defendite Thybrim.”talia nunc pediti, turmae nunc mixtus equestridicta dabat.Simul externis praecepta ferebat580auxiliis. ibat patiens dicionis Alanus,qua nostrae iussere tubae, mortemque petendampro Latio docuit gentis praefectus Alanae,cui natura breves animis ingentibus artusfinxerat inmanique oculos infecerat ira;585vulneribus pars nulla vacat rescissaque contisgloria foedati splendet iactantior oris.ille tamen mandante procul Stilichone citatisacceleravit equis Italamque momordit harenam.felix Elysiisque plagis et carmine dignus,590qui male suspectam nobis impensius arsitvel leto purgare fidem; qui iudice ferrodiluit inmeritum laudato sanguine crimen!morte viri turbatus eques flectebat habenastotaque praeciso nutassent agmina cornu,595ni celer instructa Stilicho legione secutussubsidiis peditum pugnam instaurasset equestrem.Quis Musis ipsoque licet Paeane receptoenarrare queat, quantum Gradivus in illaluce suae dederit fundator originis urbi?600altius haud umquam toto descendimus ensein iugulum Scythiae, tanta nec clade superbum

vindicat, haec mundo pacem victoria sancit.

non in Threiciis Haemi decernimus oris

nec super Alpheas umbrantia Maenala ripas575

constitimus; non hic Tegean Argosque tuemur:

visceribus mediis ipsoque in corde videtis

bella geri. patrem clipeis defendite Thybrim.”

talia nunc pediti, turmae nunc mixtus equestri

dicta dabat.

Simul externis praecepta ferebat580

auxiliis. ibat patiens dicionis Alanus,

qua nostrae iussere tubae, mortemque petendam

pro Latio docuit gentis praefectus Alanae,

cui natura breves animis ingentibus artus

finxerat inmanique oculos infecerat ira;585

vulneribus pars nulla vacat rescissaque contis

gloria foedati splendet iactantior oris.

ille tamen mandante procul Stilichone citatis

acceleravit equis Italamque momordit harenam.

felix Elysiisque plagis et carmine dignus,590

qui male suspectam nobis impensius arsit

vel leto purgare fidem; qui iudice ferro

diluit inmeritum laudato sanguine crimen!

morte viri turbatus eques flectebat habenas

totaque praeciso nutassent agmina cornu,595

ni celer instructa Stilicho legione secutus

subsidiis peditum pugnam instaurasset equestrem.

Quis Musis ipsoque licet Paeane recepto

enarrare queat, quantum Gradivus in illa

luce suae dederit fundator originis urbi?600

altius haud umquam toto descendimus ense

in iugulum Scythiae, tanta nec clade superbum

[169]single battle and all will be well; but one victory and the world’s peace will be assured. We fight not on the slopes of Thracian Haemus nor await our foe where Maenalus throws his shadow across the banks of Alpheus. We defend not Tegea nor Argos. No: as ye see, the scene of war is the very centre and heart of Italy. Protect Father Tiber with your shields.” Thus spake Stilicho to foot and horse.Orders were at the same time sent to the auxiliary troops. The Alans, now subject to Roman rule, followed our trumpets’ call, taught by their chief to lay down their lives in the cause of Italy. Small was his stature but great his soul and fierce anger blazed from his eyes. Covered with wounds was he and with a visage rendered the more glorious and the more proud by reason of the scar some spear-thrust had left. At Stilicho’s command he hastened up with his cavalry, fated to bite the soil of Italy in death. Happy warrior, worthy of the Elysian fields and of my meed of song, who wast eager even at the cost of life to cleanse thy loyalty from stain! The sword that spilled thy generous blood, it was thy judge, acquitting thee of that most unjust charge of treachery. Thrown into confusion by the hero’s death his horsemen turned rein and, its flank thus exposed, the whole host would have reeled had not Stilicho quickly gathered a legion and hastening to the spot rallied the cavalry to the fight with infantry support.What poet, were he inspired by the Muses or even by Apollo himself, could relate the blessings showered that day by Mars upon the city whose founder he himself was? Never was the sword of Rome plunged so deep in the Scythians’ throat;

[169]

single battle and all will be well; but one victory and the world’s peace will be assured. We fight not on the slopes of Thracian Haemus nor await our foe where Maenalus throws his shadow across the banks of Alpheus. We defend not Tegea nor Argos. No: as ye see, the scene of war is the very centre and heart of Italy. Protect Father Tiber with your shields.” Thus spake Stilicho to foot and horse.

Orders were at the same time sent to the auxiliary troops. The Alans, now subject to Roman rule, followed our trumpets’ call, taught by their chief to lay down their lives in the cause of Italy. Small was his stature but great his soul and fierce anger blazed from his eyes. Covered with wounds was he and with a visage rendered the more glorious and the more proud by reason of the scar some spear-thrust had left. At Stilicho’s command he hastened up with his cavalry, fated to bite the soil of Italy in death. Happy warrior, worthy of the Elysian fields and of my meed of song, who wast eager even at the cost of life to cleanse thy loyalty from stain! The sword that spilled thy generous blood, it was thy judge, acquitting thee of that most unjust charge of treachery. Thrown into confusion by the hero’s death his horsemen turned rein and, its flank thus exposed, the whole host would have reeled had not Stilicho quickly gathered a legion and hastening to the spot rallied the cavalry to the fight with infantry support.

What poet, were he inspired by the Muses or even by Apollo himself, could relate the blessings showered that day by Mars upon the city whose founder he himself was? Never was the sword of Rome plunged so deep in the Scythians’ throat;

[170]contudimus Tanain vel cornua fregimus Histri.invisum miles sitiens haurire cruoremper varias vestes onerataque plaustra metallo605transit et argenti cumulos et caedis avaruscontemptas proculcat opes; pretiosior aurosanguis erat; passim neglecti prodiga lucriturba furens strictis odium mucronibus explet.purpureos cultus absumptique igne Valentis610exuvias miserisque graves crateras ab Argisraptaque flagranti spirantia signa Corinthocallidus ante pedes venientibus obicit hostisincassum; neque enim feralis praeda moratur,sed iustos praebent stimulos monumenta doloris.615Adseritur ferro captivum vulgus, et omnesdiversae vocis populi, quos traxerat hostisservitio, tandem dominorum strage redemptiblanda cruentatis adfigunt oscula dextrisdesertosque lares et pignora laeta revisunt.620miratur sua quemque domus cladesque renarrantordine; tum grati referunt miracula belli.Quis tibi tunc, Alarice, dolor, cum Marte perirentdivitiae spoliisque diu quaesita supellexpulsaretque tuas ululatus coniugis aures,625coniugis, invicto dudum quae freta maritodemens Ausonidum gemmata monilia matrumRomanasque alta famulas cervice petebat![171]never was Tanais’ pride abased by such a crushing defeat nor the horns of Ister so broken. Thirsting to drink the enemy’s hateful blood our soldiers passed by rich and varied raiment, carts laden with gold, heaps of silver, and, eager for the foe’s destruction, spurned his wealth. They held blood of more account than gold; none of them would stoop to pick up the fortune that lay at their feet but drew their swords and sated their wild fury. The crafty foe threw in the path of our advancing troops the robes of scarlet dye, and other spoils reft from Valens[59]who perished in the flames, heavy mixing-bowls looted from unhappy Argos and lifelike statues rescued from burning Corinth—all in vain, for this ill-omened booty, so far from delaying our men, reminded them of past reverses and so the more inflamed their righteous indignation.The crowd of prisoners is loosed from its fetters and all the peoples of different tongue whom the Getae had led away captive. Freed at last by the slaughter of their captors they plant thankful kisses on the bloody hands of their deliverers and hasten back to their long-lost homes and their dear children. At each his household looks in wonder as they tell the story of their woes and then recount the marvel of welcome victory.What must then have been thy despair, Alaric, when ruin overwhelmed thy wealth and all that gear that years of robbing had won thee, when there struck thine ear the cries of that wife of thine who, too confident in her long unconquered husband, demanded in her madness the jewelled necklaces of Italian matrons for her proud neck and Roman girls for her tire-women! The fair girls[59]At Adrianople, Aug. 9, 378; see Introduction, p. vii.

[170]

contudimus Tanain vel cornua fregimus Histri.invisum miles sitiens haurire cruoremper varias vestes onerataque plaustra metallo605transit et argenti cumulos et caedis avaruscontemptas proculcat opes; pretiosior aurosanguis erat; passim neglecti prodiga lucriturba furens strictis odium mucronibus explet.purpureos cultus absumptique igne Valentis610exuvias miserisque graves crateras ab Argisraptaque flagranti spirantia signa Corinthocallidus ante pedes venientibus obicit hostisincassum; neque enim feralis praeda moratur,sed iustos praebent stimulos monumenta doloris.615Adseritur ferro captivum vulgus, et omnesdiversae vocis populi, quos traxerat hostisservitio, tandem dominorum strage redemptiblanda cruentatis adfigunt oscula dextrisdesertosque lares et pignora laeta revisunt.620miratur sua quemque domus cladesque renarrantordine; tum grati referunt miracula belli.Quis tibi tunc, Alarice, dolor, cum Marte perirentdivitiae spoliisque diu quaesita supellexpulsaretque tuas ululatus coniugis aures,625coniugis, invicto dudum quae freta maritodemens Ausonidum gemmata monilia matrumRomanasque alta famulas cervice petebat!

contudimus Tanain vel cornua fregimus Histri.

invisum miles sitiens haurire cruorem

per varias vestes onerataque plaustra metallo605

transit et argenti cumulos et caedis avarus

contemptas proculcat opes; pretiosior auro

sanguis erat; passim neglecti prodiga lucri

turba furens strictis odium mucronibus explet.

purpureos cultus absumptique igne Valentis610

exuvias miserisque graves crateras ab Argis

raptaque flagranti spirantia signa Corintho

callidus ante pedes venientibus obicit hostis

incassum; neque enim feralis praeda moratur,

sed iustos praebent stimulos monumenta doloris.615

Adseritur ferro captivum vulgus, et omnes

diversae vocis populi, quos traxerat hostis

servitio, tandem dominorum strage redempti

blanda cruentatis adfigunt oscula dextris

desertosque lares et pignora laeta revisunt.620

miratur sua quemque domus cladesque renarrant

ordine; tum grati referunt miracula belli.

Quis tibi tunc, Alarice, dolor, cum Marte perirent

divitiae spoliisque diu quaesita supellex

pulsaretque tuas ululatus coniugis aures,625

coniugis, invicto dudum quae freta marito

demens Ausonidum gemmata monilia matrum

Romanasque alta famulas cervice petebat!

[171]never was Tanais’ pride abased by such a crushing defeat nor the horns of Ister so broken. Thirsting to drink the enemy’s hateful blood our soldiers passed by rich and varied raiment, carts laden with gold, heaps of silver, and, eager for the foe’s destruction, spurned his wealth. They held blood of more account than gold; none of them would stoop to pick up the fortune that lay at their feet but drew their swords and sated their wild fury. The crafty foe threw in the path of our advancing troops the robes of scarlet dye, and other spoils reft from Valens[59]who perished in the flames, heavy mixing-bowls looted from unhappy Argos and lifelike statues rescued from burning Corinth—all in vain, for this ill-omened booty, so far from delaying our men, reminded them of past reverses and so the more inflamed their righteous indignation.The crowd of prisoners is loosed from its fetters and all the peoples of different tongue whom the Getae had led away captive. Freed at last by the slaughter of their captors they plant thankful kisses on the bloody hands of their deliverers and hasten back to their long-lost homes and their dear children. At each his household looks in wonder as they tell the story of their woes and then recount the marvel of welcome victory.What must then have been thy despair, Alaric, when ruin overwhelmed thy wealth and all that gear that years of robbing had won thee, when there struck thine ear the cries of that wife of thine who, too confident in her long unconquered husband, demanded in her madness the jewelled necklaces of Italian matrons for her proud neck and Roman girls for her tire-women! The fair girls[59]At Adrianople, Aug. 9, 378; see Introduction, p. vii.

[171]

never was Tanais’ pride abased by such a crushing defeat nor the horns of Ister so broken. Thirsting to drink the enemy’s hateful blood our soldiers passed by rich and varied raiment, carts laden with gold, heaps of silver, and, eager for the foe’s destruction, spurned his wealth. They held blood of more account than gold; none of them would stoop to pick up the fortune that lay at their feet but drew their swords and sated their wild fury. The crafty foe threw in the path of our advancing troops the robes of scarlet dye, and other spoils reft from Valens[59]who perished in the flames, heavy mixing-bowls looted from unhappy Argos and lifelike statues rescued from burning Corinth—all in vain, for this ill-omened booty, so far from delaying our men, reminded them of past reverses and so the more inflamed their righteous indignation.

The crowd of prisoners is loosed from its fetters and all the peoples of different tongue whom the Getae had led away captive. Freed at last by the slaughter of their captors they plant thankful kisses on the bloody hands of their deliverers and hasten back to their long-lost homes and their dear children. At each his household looks in wonder as they tell the story of their woes and then recount the marvel of welcome victory.

What must then have been thy despair, Alaric, when ruin overwhelmed thy wealth and all that gear that years of robbing had won thee, when there struck thine ear the cries of that wife of thine who, too confident in her long unconquered husband, demanded in her madness the jewelled necklaces of Italian matrons for her proud neck and Roman girls for her tire-women! The fair girls

[59]At Adrianople, Aug. 9, 378; see Introduction, p. vii.

[172]scilicet Argolicas Ephyreiadasque puellascoeperat et pulchras iam fastidire Lacaenas.630sed dea quae nimiis obstat Rhamnusia votisingemuit flexitque rotam: domat aspera victospauperies, unoque die Romana rependitquidquid ter denis acies amisimus annis.O celebranda mihi cunctis Pollentia saeclis!635o meritum nomen! felicibus apta triumphis!virtutis fatale solum, memorabile bustumbarbariae! nam saepe locis ac finibus illisplena lacessito rediit vindicta Quirino.illic Oceani stagnis excita supremis640Cimbrica tempestas alias emissa per Alpesisdem procubuit campis. iam protinus aetasadveniens geminae gentis permisceat ossaet duplices signet titulos commune tropaeum:“hic Cimbros fortesque Getas, Stilichone peremptoset Mario claris ducibus, tegit Itala tellus.646discite vesanae Romam non temnere gentes.”[173]of Greece from Corinth and Sparta were, forsooth, not good enough now for so great a lady. But Nemesis, the goddess worshipped at Rhamnus, she whose pleasure it is to check unbridled desire, was wroth and turned her wheel; harsh poverty overwhelms the vanquished, and in one day Rome’s arm requites all that we have lost in thirty years.Thy glory, Pollentia, shall live for ever; worthy is thy name to be celebrated by my song, a fit theme for rejoicing and for triumph. Fate pre-ordained thee to be the scene of our victory and the burial-place of the barbarians. Full often have thy fields and plains seen ample vengeance exacted for aggression against the descendants of Romulus. ’Twas there, in that same countryside, that the Cimbric hordes, bearing down upon Rome from Ocean’s farthest shore and crossing the Alps by another pass, suffered their final defeat. The coming generation should mingle the bones of these two races and engrave with this one inscription the monument which records our double victory: “Here beneath the soil of Italy lie the bodies of brave Cimbri and Getae: their death they owed to our famous generals Marius and Stilicho. Learn, presumptuous peoples, not to despise Rome.”

[172]

scilicet Argolicas Ephyreiadasque puellascoeperat et pulchras iam fastidire Lacaenas.630sed dea quae nimiis obstat Rhamnusia votisingemuit flexitque rotam: domat aspera victospauperies, unoque die Romana rependitquidquid ter denis acies amisimus annis.O celebranda mihi cunctis Pollentia saeclis!635o meritum nomen! felicibus apta triumphis!virtutis fatale solum, memorabile bustumbarbariae! nam saepe locis ac finibus illisplena lacessito rediit vindicta Quirino.illic Oceani stagnis excita supremis640Cimbrica tempestas alias emissa per Alpesisdem procubuit campis. iam protinus aetasadveniens geminae gentis permisceat ossaet duplices signet titulos commune tropaeum:“hic Cimbros fortesque Getas, Stilichone peremptoset Mario claris ducibus, tegit Itala tellus.646discite vesanae Romam non temnere gentes.”

scilicet Argolicas Ephyreiadasque puellas

coeperat et pulchras iam fastidire Lacaenas.630

sed dea quae nimiis obstat Rhamnusia votis

ingemuit flexitque rotam: domat aspera victos

pauperies, unoque die Romana rependit

quidquid ter denis acies amisimus annis.

O celebranda mihi cunctis Pollentia saeclis!635

o meritum nomen! felicibus apta triumphis!

virtutis fatale solum, memorabile bustum

barbariae! nam saepe locis ac finibus illis

plena lacessito rediit vindicta Quirino.

illic Oceani stagnis excita supremis640

Cimbrica tempestas alias emissa per Alpes

isdem procubuit campis. iam protinus aetas

adveniens geminae gentis permisceat ossa

et duplices signet titulos commune tropaeum:

“hic Cimbros fortesque Getas, Stilichone peremptos

et Mario claris ducibus, tegit Itala tellus.646

discite vesanae Romam non temnere gentes.”

[173]of Greece from Corinth and Sparta were, forsooth, not good enough now for so great a lady. But Nemesis, the goddess worshipped at Rhamnus, she whose pleasure it is to check unbridled desire, was wroth and turned her wheel; harsh poverty overwhelms the vanquished, and in one day Rome’s arm requites all that we have lost in thirty years.Thy glory, Pollentia, shall live for ever; worthy is thy name to be celebrated by my song, a fit theme for rejoicing and for triumph. Fate pre-ordained thee to be the scene of our victory and the burial-place of the barbarians. Full often have thy fields and plains seen ample vengeance exacted for aggression against the descendants of Romulus. ’Twas there, in that same countryside, that the Cimbric hordes, bearing down upon Rome from Ocean’s farthest shore and crossing the Alps by another pass, suffered their final defeat. The coming generation should mingle the bones of these two races and engrave with this one inscription the monument which records our double victory: “Here beneath the soil of Italy lie the bodies of brave Cimbri and Getae: their death they owed to our famous generals Marius and Stilicho. Learn, presumptuous peoples, not to despise Rome.”

[173]

of Greece from Corinth and Sparta were, forsooth, not good enough now for so great a lady. But Nemesis, the goddess worshipped at Rhamnus, she whose pleasure it is to check unbridled desire, was wroth and turned her wheel; harsh poverty overwhelms the vanquished, and in one day Rome’s arm requites all that we have lost in thirty years.

Thy glory, Pollentia, shall live for ever; worthy is thy name to be celebrated by my song, a fit theme for rejoicing and for triumph. Fate pre-ordained thee to be the scene of our victory and the burial-place of the barbarians. Full often have thy fields and plains seen ample vengeance exacted for aggression against the descendants of Romulus. ’Twas there, in that same countryside, that the Cimbric hordes, bearing down upon Rome from Ocean’s farthest shore and crossing the Alps by another pass, suffered their final defeat. The coming generation should mingle the bones of these two races and engrave with this one inscription the monument which records our double victory: “Here beneath the soil of Italy lie the bodies of brave Cimbri and Getae: their death they owed to our famous generals Marius and Stilicho. Learn, presumptuous peoples, not to despise Rome.”

[174]CARMINUM MINORUM CORPUSCULUMI. (XIII.)Ad Stilichonem.Solitas galea fulgere comas,Stilicho, molli necte corona.cessent litui saevumque proculMartem felix taeda releget.tractus ab aula rursus in aulam5redeat sanguis. patris officiisiunge potenti pignora dextra.gener Augusti pridem fueras,nunc rursus eris socer Augusti.quae iam rabies livoris erit?10vel quis dabitur color invidiae?Stilicho socer est, pater est Stilicho.II. (LXXXV.)Descriptio portus Smyrnensis.Urbs in conspectu montana cacumina velattranquillo praetenta mari. ducentia portumcornua pacatas removent Aquilonibus undas.hic exarmatum terris cingentibus aequorclauditur et placidam discit servare quietem.5[175]SHORTER POEMSI. (XIII.)To Stilicho.Crown with a wreath of flowers, Stilicho, that head more often graced with the shining helmet. Bid cease the trumpets and let the happy marriage-torch banish fierce war afar. Let the blood derived from a kingly race flow on through royal veins. Do a father’s duty and establish the firm bond of wedlock between thy daughter and adoptive son. Thou wert an emperor’s son-in-law; now an emperor will be thine. What cause is there now for envy, what excuse for jealousy? Stilicho is at once father and father-in-law.II. (LXXXV.)Description of the harbour at Smyrna.The city that meets our gaze veils the mountain peaks, fronting a tranquil sea. The two headlands that enclose the harbour protect the quiet water from the north wind. Here the sea is disarmed by the encircling land and learns to lie in undisturbed tranquillity.

[174]

I. (XIII.)

Ad Stilichonem.

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

Solitas galea fulgere comas,

Stilicho, molli necte corona.

cessent litui saevumque procul

Martem felix taeda releget.

tractus ab aula rursus in aulam5

redeat sanguis. patris officiis

iunge potenti pignora dextra.

gener Augusti pridem fueras,

nunc rursus eris socer Augusti.

quae iam rabies livoris erit?10

vel quis dabitur color invidiae?

Stilicho socer est, pater est Stilicho.

II. (LXXXV.)

Descriptio portus Smyrnensis.

Urbs in conspectu montana cacumina velattranquillo praetenta mari. ducentia portumcornua pacatas removent Aquilonibus undas.hic exarmatum terris cingentibus aequorclauditur et placidam discit servare quietem.5

Urbs in conspectu montana cacumina velat

tranquillo praetenta mari. ducentia portum

cornua pacatas removent Aquilonibus undas.

hic exarmatum terris cingentibus aequor

clauditur et placidam discit servare quietem.5

[175]SHORTER POEMSI. (XIII.)To Stilicho.Crown with a wreath of flowers, Stilicho, that head more often graced with the shining helmet. Bid cease the trumpets and let the happy marriage-torch banish fierce war afar. Let the blood derived from a kingly race flow on through royal veins. Do a father’s duty and establish the firm bond of wedlock between thy daughter and adoptive son. Thou wert an emperor’s son-in-law; now an emperor will be thine. What cause is there now for envy, what excuse for jealousy? Stilicho is at once father and father-in-law.II. (LXXXV.)Description of the harbour at Smyrna.The city that meets our gaze veils the mountain peaks, fronting a tranquil sea. The two headlands that enclose the harbour protect the quiet water from the north wind. Here the sea is disarmed by the encircling land and learns to lie in undisturbed tranquillity.

[175]

I. (XIII.)

To Stilicho.

Crown with a wreath of flowers, Stilicho, that head more often graced with the shining helmet. Bid cease the trumpets and let the happy marriage-torch banish fierce war afar. Let the blood derived from a kingly race flow on through royal veins. Do a father’s duty and establish the firm bond of wedlock between thy daughter and adoptive son. Thou wert an emperor’s son-in-law; now an emperor will be thine. What cause is there now for envy, what excuse for jealousy? Stilicho is at once father and father-in-law.

II. (LXXXV.)

Description of the harbour at Smyrna.

The city that meets our gaze veils the mountain peaks, fronting a tranquil sea. The two headlands that enclose the harbour protect the quiet water from the north wind. Here the sea is disarmed by the encircling land and learns to lie in undisturbed tranquillity.

[176]III. (LXXXI.)Ad Aeternalem.Quidquid Castalio de gurgite Phoebus anhelat,quidquid fatidico mugit cortina recessu,carmina sunt; sed verba negant communia Musae.carmina sola loquor: sic me meus implet Apollo.IV. (LIV.)Descriptio armenti.Non tales quondam species tulit armentorumtellus tergemino subdita Geryoni.non tales, Clitumne, lavas in gurgite tauros,Tarpeio referunt quos pia vota Iovi.non talis Tyrias sparsisse iuvencus harenas5dicitur, optatum quando revexit onus.non Cretaeus ager nec amati conscia tauriGnosos nec similes paverit Ida feros.ipse et dispariles monstro commissus in artusqui crimen matris prodidit[60]ore novo10Cres puer haud talem potuisset reddere formam,portassent totum si fera membra patrem.[60]prodiditcod. Med. (and Cuiacius). Birtcondidit.[177]III. (LXXXI.)To Aeternalis.[61]Phoebus’ every breath from the Castalian spring, the tripod’s every moan within the shrine of prophecy—all these are poetry. Of prose the Muses will have none. In poetry only can I express myself, so wholly does my patron, Apollo, possess me.IV. (LIV.)Description of a Herd.Not such were the beauteous herds that the land once ruled over by triple Geryon produced. Not such the bulls thou bathest, Clitumnus, in thy stream for pious vows to offer duly to Tarpeian Jove. Not such the steer that, they say, scattered the sand of Tyre[62]what time he brought home his well-loved burden. Not the fields of Crete, nor Gnossos that knew of passion for a bull, nor Ida could have pastured the like. Even he whose monstrous figure united ill-assorted limbs, the Cretan child[63]who by his strange form revealed his mother’s shame—even he could scarce have shown a shape so fair hadallhis rough limbs resembled those of his sire.[61]Aeternalis was proconsul of Asia in 396 (Cod. Theod.iv. 4. 3, xi. 39. 12).[62]Tyrias, because Europa was the daughter of Phoenix, eponymous king of Phoenicia. Ovid depicts her as being carried away from Tyre (Fastiv. 605;Met.ii. 845).[63]i.e.the Minotaur.

[176]

III. (LXXXI.)

Ad Aeternalem.

Quidquid Castalio de gurgite Phoebus anhelat,quidquid fatidico mugit cortina recessu,carmina sunt; sed verba negant communia Musae.carmina sola loquor: sic me meus implet Apollo.

Quidquid Castalio de gurgite Phoebus anhelat,

quidquid fatidico mugit cortina recessu,

carmina sunt; sed verba negant communia Musae.

carmina sola loquor: sic me meus implet Apollo.

IV. (LIV.)

Descriptio armenti.

Non tales quondam species tulit armentorumtellus tergemino subdita Geryoni.non tales, Clitumne, lavas in gurgite tauros,Tarpeio referunt quos pia vota Iovi.non talis Tyrias sparsisse iuvencus harenas5dicitur, optatum quando revexit onus.non Cretaeus ager nec amati conscia tauriGnosos nec similes paverit Ida feros.ipse et dispariles monstro commissus in artusqui crimen matris prodidit[60]ore novo10Cres puer haud talem potuisset reddere formam,portassent totum si fera membra patrem.

Non tales quondam species tulit armentorum

tellus tergemino subdita Geryoni.

non tales, Clitumne, lavas in gurgite tauros,

Tarpeio referunt quos pia vota Iovi.

non talis Tyrias sparsisse iuvencus harenas5

dicitur, optatum quando revexit onus.

non Cretaeus ager nec amati conscia tauri

Gnosos nec similes paverit Ida feros.

ipse et dispariles monstro commissus in artus

qui crimen matris prodidit[60]ore novo10

Cres puer haud talem potuisset reddere formam,

portassent totum si fera membra patrem.

[60]prodiditcod. Med. (and Cuiacius). Birtcondidit.

[177]III. (LXXXI.)To Aeternalis.[61]Phoebus’ every breath from the Castalian spring, the tripod’s every moan within the shrine of prophecy—all these are poetry. Of prose the Muses will have none. In poetry only can I express myself, so wholly does my patron, Apollo, possess me.IV. (LIV.)Description of a Herd.Not such were the beauteous herds that the land once ruled over by triple Geryon produced. Not such the bulls thou bathest, Clitumnus, in thy stream for pious vows to offer duly to Tarpeian Jove. Not such the steer that, they say, scattered the sand of Tyre[62]what time he brought home his well-loved burden. Not the fields of Crete, nor Gnossos that knew of passion for a bull, nor Ida could have pastured the like. Even he whose monstrous figure united ill-assorted limbs, the Cretan child[63]who by his strange form revealed his mother’s shame—even he could scarce have shown a shape so fair hadallhis rough limbs resembled those of his sire.[61]Aeternalis was proconsul of Asia in 396 (Cod. Theod.iv. 4. 3, xi. 39. 12).[62]Tyrias, because Europa was the daughter of Phoenix, eponymous king of Phoenicia. Ovid depicts her as being carried away from Tyre (Fastiv. 605;Met.ii. 845).[63]i.e.the Minotaur.

[177]

III. (LXXXI.)

To Aeternalis.[61]

Phoebus’ every breath from the Castalian spring, the tripod’s every moan within the shrine of prophecy—all these are poetry. Of prose the Muses will have none. In poetry only can I express myself, so wholly does my patron, Apollo, possess me.

IV. (LIV.)

Description of a Herd.

Not such were the beauteous herds that the land once ruled over by triple Geryon produced. Not such the bulls thou bathest, Clitumnus, in thy stream for pious vows to offer duly to Tarpeian Jove. Not such the steer that, they say, scattered the sand of Tyre[62]what time he brought home his well-loved burden. Not the fields of Crete, nor Gnossos that knew of passion for a bull, nor Ida could have pastured the like. Even he whose monstrous figure united ill-assorted limbs, the Cretan child[63]who by his strange form revealed his mother’s shame—even he could scarce have shown a shape so fair hadallhis rough limbs resembled those of his sire.

[61]Aeternalis was proconsul of Asia in 396 (Cod. Theod.iv. 4. 3, xi. 39. 12).

[62]Tyrias, because Europa was the daughter of Phoenix, eponymous king of Phoenicia. Ovid depicts her as being carried away from Tyre (Fastiv. 605;Met.ii. 845).

[63]i.e.the Minotaur.

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