Chapter 10

[228]aeternam ne perdat avem, flammasque fidelesadmonet, ut rerum decus inmortale remittant.Continuo dispersa vigor per membra volutus65aestuat et venas recidivus sanguis inundat.victuri cineres nullo cogente moveriincipiunt plumaque rudem vestire favillam.qui fuerat genitor, natus nunc prosilit idemsucceditque novus: geminae confinia vitae70exiguo medius discrimine separat ignis.Protinus ad Nilum manes sacrare paternosauctoremque globum Phariae telluris ad orasferre iuvat. velox alienum pergit in orbemportans gramineo clausum velamine funus.75innumerae comitantur aves stipatque volantemalituum suspensa cohors. exercitus ingensobnubit vario late convexa meatu.nec quisquam tantis e milibus obvius audetire duci, sed regis iter fragrantis adorant.80non ferus accipiter, non armiger ipse Tonantisbella movet: commune facit reverentia foedus.talis barbaricas flavo de Tigride turmasductor Parthus agit: gemmis et divite cultuluxurians sertis apicem regalibus ornat;85auro frenat equum, perfusam murice vestemAssyria signatur acu tumidusque regendocelsa per famulas acies dicione superbit.Clara per Aegyptum placidis notissima sacrisurbs Titana colit, centumque adcline columnis90invehitur templum Thebano monte revulsis.[229]perish not, and calls upon the sun, mindful of his promise, to restore its immortal glory to the world.Straightway the life spirit surges through his scattered limbs; the renovated blood floods his veins. The ashes show signs of life; they begin to move though there is none to move them, and feathers clothe the mass of cinders. He who was but now the sire comes forth from the pyre the son and successor; between life and life lay but that brief space wherein the pyre burned.His first delight is to consecrate his father’s spirit by the banks of the Nile and to carry to the land of Egypt the burned mass from which he was born. With all speed he wings his way to that foreign strand, carrying the remains in a covering of grass. Birds innumerable accompany him, and whole flocks thereof throng his airy flight. Their mighty host shuts out the sky where’er it passes. But from among so vast an assemblage none dares outstrip the leader; all follow respectfully in the balmy wake of their king. Neither the fierce hawk nor the eagle, Jove’s own armour-bearer, fall to fighting; in honour of their common master a truce is observed by all. Thus the Parthian monarch leads his barbarous hosts by yellow Tigris’ banks, all glorious with jewels and rich ornament and decks his tiara with royal garlands; his horse’s bridle is of gold, Assyrian embroidery embellishes his scarlet robes, and proud with sovereignty he lords it o’er his numberless slaves.There is in Egypt a well-known city celebrated for its pious sacrifices and dedicated to the worship of the Sun. Its temple rests on a hundred columns hewn from the quarries of Thebes. Here, as the

[228]

aeternam ne perdat avem, flammasque fidelesadmonet, ut rerum decus inmortale remittant.Continuo dispersa vigor per membra volutus65aestuat et venas recidivus sanguis inundat.victuri cineres nullo cogente moveriincipiunt plumaque rudem vestire favillam.qui fuerat genitor, natus nunc prosilit idemsucceditque novus: geminae confinia vitae70exiguo medius discrimine separat ignis.Protinus ad Nilum manes sacrare paternosauctoremque globum Phariae telluris ad orasferre iuvat. velox alienum pergit in orbemportans gramineo clausum velamine funus.75innumerae comitantur aves stipatque volantemalituum suspensa cohors. exercitus ingensobnubit vario late convexa meatu.nec quisquam tantis e milibus obvius audetire duci, sed regis iter fragrantis adorant.80non ferus accipiter, non armiger ipse Tonantisbella movet: commune facit reverentia foedus.talis barbaricas flavo de Tigride turmasductor Parthus agit: gemmis et divite cultuluxurians sertis apicem regalibus ornat;85auro frenat equum, perfusam murice vestemAssyria signatur acu tumidusque regendocelsa per famulas acies dicione superbit.Clara per Aegyptum placidis notissima sacrisurbs Titana colit, centumque adcline columnis90invehitur templum Thebano monte revulsis.

aeternam ne perdat avem, flammasque fideles

admonet, ut rerum decus inmortale remittant.

Continuo dispersa vigor per membra volutus65

aestuat et venas recidivus sanguis inundat.

victuri cineres nullo cogente moveri

incipiunt plumaque rudem vestire favillam.

qui fuerat genitor, natus nunc prosilit idem

succeditque novus: geminae confinia vitae70

exiguo medius discrimine separat ignis.

Protinus ad Nilum manes sacrare paternos

auctoremque globum Phariae telluris ad oras

ferre iuvat. velox alienum pergit in orbem

portans gramineo clausum velamine funus.75

innumerae comitantur aves stipatque volantem

alituum suspensa cohors. exercitus ingens

obnubit vario late convexa meatu.

nec quisquam tantis e milibus obvius audet

ire duci, sed regis iter fragrantis adorant.80

non ferus accipiter, non armiger ipse Tonantis

bella movet: commune facit reverentia foedus.

talis barbaricas flavo de Tigride turmas

ductor Parthus agit: gemmis et divite cultu

luxurians sertis apicem regalibus ornat;85

auro frenat equum, perfusam murice vestem

Assyria signatur acu tumidusque regendo

celsa per famulas acies dicione superbit.

Clara per Aegyptum placidis notissima sacris

urbs Titana colit, centumque adcline columnis90

invehitur templum Thebano monte revulsis.

[229]perish not, and calls upon the sun, mindful of his promise, to restore its immortal glory to the world.Straightway the life spirit surges through his scattered limbs; the renovated blood floods his veins. The ashes show signs of life; they begin to move though there is none to move them, and feathers clothe the mass of cinders. He who was but now the sire comes forth from the pyre the son and successor; between life and life lay but that brief space wherein the pyre burned.His first delight is to consecrate his father’s spirit by the banks of the Nile and to carry to the land of Egypt the burned mass from which he was born. With all speed he wings his way to that foreign strand, carrying the remains in a covering of grass. Birds innumerable accompany him, and whole flocks thereof throng his airy flight. Their mighty host shuts out the sky where’er it passes. But from among so vast an assemblage none dares outstrip the leader; all follow respectfully in the balmy wake of their king. Neither the fierce hawk nor the eagle, Jove’s own armour-bearer, fall to fighting; in honour of their common master a truce is observed by all. Thus the Parthian monarch leads his barbarous hosts by yellow Tigris’ banks, all glorious with jewels and rich ornament and decks his tiara with royal garlands; his horse’s bridle is of gold, Assyrian embroidery embellishes his scarlet robes, and proud with sovereignty he lords it o’er his numberless slaves.There is in Egypt a well-known city celebrated for its pious sacrifices and dedicated to the worship of the Sun. Its temple rests on a hundred columns hewn from the quarries of Thebes. Here, as the

[229]

perish not, and calls upon the sun, mindful of his promise, to restore its immortal glory to the world.

Straightway the life spirit surges through his scattered limbs; the renovated blood floods his veins. The ashes show signs of life; they begin to move though there is none to move them, and feathers clothe the mass of cinders. He who was but now the sire comes forth from the pyre the son and successor; between life and life lay but that brief space wherein the pyre burned.

His first delight is to consecrate his father’s spirit by the banks of the Nile and to carry to the land of Egypt the burned mass from which he was born. With all speed he wings his way to that foreign strand, carrying the remains in a covering of grass. Birds innumerable accompany him, and whole flocks thereof throng his airy flight. Their mighty host shuts out the sky where’er it passes. But from among so vast an assemblage none dares outstrip the leader; all follow respectfully in the balmy wake of their king. Neither the fierce hawk nor the eagle, Jove’s own armour-bearer, fall to fighting; in honour of their common master a truce is observed by all. Thus the Parthian monarch leads his barbarous hosts by yellow Tigris’ banks, all glorious with jewels and rich ornament and decks his tiara with royal garlands; his horse’s bridle is of gold, Assyrian embroidery embellishes his scarlet robes, and proud with sovereignty he lords it o’er his numberless slaves.

There is in Egypt a well-known city celebrated for its pious sacrifices and dedicated to the worship of the Sun. Its temple rests on a hundred columns hewn from the quarries of Thebes. Here, as the

[230]illic, ut perhibent, patriam de more reponitcongeriem vultumque dei veneratus erilemiam flammae commendat onus, iam destinat arissemina relliquiasque sui: mirata relucent95limina; divino spirant altaria fumo,et Pelusiacas productus ad usque paludesIndus odor penetrat nares completque salubritempestate viros et nectare dulcior auraostia nigrantis Nili septena vaporat.100O felix heresque tui! quo solvimur omnes,hoc tibi suppeditat vires; praebetur origoper cinerem, moritur te non pereunte senectus.vidisti quodcumque fuit; te saecula testecuncta revolvuntur; nosti quo tempore pontus105fuderit elatas scopulis stagnantibus undas,quis Phaëthonteis erroribus arserit annus,et clades te nulla rapit solusque superstesedomita tellure manes: non stamina Parcaein te dira legunt nec ius habuere nocendi.110XXVIII. (XLVII.)Nilus.Felix, qui Pharias proscindit vomere terras:nubila non sperat tenebris condentia caelumnec graviter flantes pluviali frigore Caurosinvocat aut arcum variata luce rubentem.[231]story tells, the Phoenix is wont to store his father’s ashes and, adoring the image of the god, his master, to entrust his precious burden to the flames. He places on the altar that from which he is sprung and that which remains of himself. Bright shines the wondrous threshold; the fragrant shrine is filled with the holy smoke of the altar and the odour of Indian incense, penetrating even as far as the Pelusiac marshes, fills the nostrils of men, flooding them with its kindly influence and with a scent sweeter than that of nectar perfumes the seven mouths of the dark Nile.Happy bird, heir to thine own self! Death which proves our undoing restores thy strength. Thine ashes give thee life and though thou perish not thine old age dies. Thou hast beheld all that has been, hast witnessed the passing of the ages. Thou knowest when it was that the waves of the sea rose and o’erflowed the rocks, what year it was that Phaëthon’s error devoted to the flames. Yet did no destruction overwhelm thee; sole survivor thou livest to see the earth subdued; against thee the Fates gather not up their threads, powerless to do thee harm.XXVIII. (XLVII.)The Nile.[94]Blessèd is the man who cleaves the soil of Egypt with his plough; he need not hope for clouds to shroud the heavens in darkness nor call upon the storm-winds that bring the chilling rain or the rainbow bright with its various colours.[94]Claudian again borrows from Herodotus (ii. 20-27).

[230]

illic, ut perhibent, patriam de more reponitcongeriem vultumque dei veneratus erilemiam flammae commendat onus, iam destinat arissemina relliquiasque sui: mirata relucent95limina; divino spirant altaria fumo,et Pelusiacas productus ad usque paludesIndus odor penetrat nares completque salubritempestate viros et nectare dulcior auraostia nigrantis Nili septena vaporat.100O felix heresque tui! quo solvimur omnes,hoc tibi suppeditat vires; praebetur origoper cinerem, moritur te non pereunte senectus.vidisti quodcumque fuit; te saecula testecuncta revolvuntur; nosti quo tempore pontus105fuderit elatas scopulis stagnantibus undas,quis Phaëthonteis erroribus arserit annus,et clades te nulla rapit solusque superstesedomita tellure manes: non stamina Parcaein te dira legunt nec ius habuere nocendi.110

illic, ut perhibent, patriam de more reponit

congeriem vultumque dei veneratus erilem

iam flammae commendat onus, iam destinat aris

semina relliquiasque sui: mirata relucent95

limina; divino spirant altaria fumo,

et Pelusiacas productus ad usque paludes

Indus odor penetrat nares completque salubri

tempestate viros et nectare dulcior aura

ostia nigrantis Nili septena vaporat.100

O felix heresque tui! quo solvimur omnes,

hoc tibi suppeditat vires; praebetur origo

per cinerem, moritur te non pereunte senectus.

vidisti quodcumque fuit; te saecula teste

cuncta revolvuntur; nosti quo tempore pontus105

fuderit elatas scopulis stagnantibus undas,

quis Phaëthonteis erroribus arserit annus,

et clades te nulla rapit solusque superstes

edomita tellure manes: non stamina Parcae

in te dira legunt nec ius habuere nocendi.110

XXVIII. (XLVII.)

Nilus.

Felix, qui Pharias proscindit vomere terras:nubila non sperat tenebris condentia caelumnec graviter flantes pluviali frigore Caurosinvocat aut arcum variata luce rubentem.

Felix, qui Pharias proscindit vomere terras:

nubila non sperat tenebris condentia caelum

nec graviter flantes pluviali frigore Cauros

invocat aut arcum variata luce rubentem.

[231]story tells, the Phoenix is wont to store his father’s ashes and, adoring the image of the god, his master, to entrust his precious burden to the flames. He places on the altar that from which he is sprung and that which remains of himself. Bright shines the wondrous threshold; the fragrant shrine is filled with the holy smoke of the altar and the odour of Indian incense, penetrating even as far as the Pelusiac marshes, fills the nostrils of men, flooding them with its kindly influence and with a scent sweeter than that of nectar perfumes the seven mouths of the dark Nile.Happy bird, heir to thine own self! Death which proves our undoing restores thy strength. Thine ashes give thee life and though thou perish not thine old age dies. Thou hast beheld all that has been, hast witnessed the passing of the ages. Thou knowest when it was that the waves of the sea rose and o’erflowed the rocks, what year it was that Phaëthon’s error devoted to the flames. Yet did no destruction overwhelm thee; sole survivor thou livest to see the earth subdued; against thee the Fates gather not up their threads, powerless to do thee harm.XXVIII. (XLVII.)The Nile.[94]Blessèd is the man who cleaves the soil of Egypt with his plough; he need not hope for clouds to shroud the heavens in darkness nor call upon the storm-winds that bring the chilling rain or the rainbow bright with its various colours.[94]Claudian again borrows from Herodotus (ii. 20-27).

[231]

story tells, the Phoenix is wont to store his father’s ashes and, adoring the image of the god, his master, to entrust his precious burden to the flames. He places on the altar that from which he is sprung and that which remains of himself. Bright shines the wondrous threshold; the fragrant shrine is filled with the holy smoke of the altar and the odour of Indian incense, penetrating even as far as the Pelusiac marshes, fills the nostrils of men, flooding them with its kindly influence and with a scent sweeter than that of nectar perfumes the seven mouths of the dark Nile.

Happy bird, heir to thine own self! Death which proves our undoing restores thy strength. Thine ashes give thee life and though thou perish not thine old age dies. Thou hast beheld all that has been, hast witnessed the passing of the ages. Thou knowest when it was that the waves of the sea rose and o’erflowed the rocks, what year it was that Phaëthon’s error devoted to the flames. Yet did no destruction overwhelm thee; sole survivor thou livest to see the earth subdued; against thee the Fates gather not up their threads, powerless to do thee harm.

XXVIII. (XLVII.)

The Nile.[94]

Blessèd is the man who cleaves the soil of Egypt with his plough; he need not hope for clouds to shroud the heavens in darkness nor call upon the storm-winds that bring the chilling rain or the rainbow bright with its various colours.

[94]Claudian again borrows from Herodotus (ii. 20-27).

[232]Aegyptus sine nube ferax imbresque serenos5sola tenet; secura poli, non indiga ventigaudet aquis, quas ipsa vehit, Niloque redundat:qui rapido tractu mediis elatus ab Austris,flammiferae patiens zonae cancrique calentis,fluctibus ignotis nostrum procurrit in orbem10secreto de fonte cadens, qui semper inaniquaerendus ratione latet, nec contigit ullihoc vidisse caput: fertur sine teste creatusflumina profundens alieni conscia caeli.inde vago lapsu Libyam dispersus in omnem15Aethiopum per mille ruit nigrantia regnaet loca continuo solis damnata vaporeinrorat populisque salus sitientibus erratper Meroën Blemyasque feros atramque Syenem.hunc bibit infrenis Garamas domitorque ferarum20Gyrraeus, qui vasta colit sub rupibus antra,qui ramos ebeni, dentes qui vellit eburnos,et gens compositis crinem velata sagittis.Nec vero similes causas crescentibus undisaut tempus meruit. glacie non ille soluta25nec circumfuso scopulis exuberat imbre.nam cum tristis hiems alias produxerit undas,tunc Nilum retinent ripae; cum languida cessantflumina, tunc Nilus mutato iure tumescit.quippe quod ex omni fluvio spoliaverit aestas,30hoc Nilo natura refert, totumque per orbemcollectae partes unum revocantur in amnem;[233]Fertile is Egypt without clouds; here alone is sunshine and yet rain. She regards not the sky, needs not the wind; enough for her the water she herself contains, Nile’s overflow. This swiftly-flowing river rises in the mountainous country of the south where it suffers the heats of the torrid zone and of the scorching Crab and issues forth from regions unknown into our world. Whence it comes none knows, for vain has ever been the search after its springing nor has any ever seen that source. ’Tis said that, fashioned without witness, it pours forth waters that have known a clime other than ours. Thence with errant stream it stretches through all Libya, and through Ethiopia’s thousand dusky kingdoms where it waters lands condemned to the sun’s unceasing fires, saviour of thirsting peoples, and threads its course across Meroë and black Syene and through the country of the wild Blemyae. The unconquered Garamantes and the Gyrraei who can tame wild animals drink of its waters, as do those tribes who dwell in huge rocky caverns, gathering the wood of ebony-trees and robbing the elephant of his tusks of ivory, and the folk who wear arrows in their hair.Neither the cause nor yet the season of its overflow is the same as that of other rivers. Its waters rise neither because of melted snows nor by reason of rains flooding its rocky marge; for when dull winter giveth increase to other rivers Nile keeps within his banks; when other rivers flow with diminished stream, Nile, under other laws, rises. For of a truth whatever toll summer has exacted from all rivers Nature repays to the Nile, and waters gathered together from the whole world meet thus

[232]

Aegyptus sine nube ferax imbresque serenos5sola tenet; secura poli, non indiga ventigaudet aquis, quas ipsa vehit, Niloque redundat:qui rapido tractu mediis elatus ab Austris,flammiferae patiens zonae cancrique calentis,fluctibus ignotis nostrum procurrit in orbem10secreto de fonte cadens, qui semper inaniquaerendus ratione latet, nec contigit ullihoc vidisse caput: fertur sine teste creatusflumina profundens alieni conscia caeli.inde vago lapsu Libyam dispersus in omnem15Aethiopum per mille ruit nigrantia regnaet loca continuo solis damnata vaporeinrorat populisque salus sitientibus erratper Meroën Blemyasque feros atramque Syenem.hunc bibit infrenis Garamas domitorque ferarum20Gyrraeus, qui vasta colit sub rupibus antra,qui ramos ebeni, dentes qui vellit eburnos,et gens compositis crinem velata sagittis.Nec vero similes causas crescentibus undisaut tempus meruit. glacie non ille soluta25nec circumfuso scopulis exuberat imbre.nam cum tristis hiems alias produxerit undas,tunc Nilum retinent ripae; cum languida cessantflumina, tunc Nilus mutato iure tumescit.quippe quod ex omni fluvio spoliaverit aestas,30hoc Nilo natura refert, totumque per orbemcollectae partes unum revocantur in amnem;

Aegyptus sine nube ferax imbresque serenos5

sola tenet; secura poli, non indiga venti

gaudet aquis, quas ipsa vehit, Niloque redundat:

qui rapido tractu mediis elatus ab Austris,

flammiferae patiens zonae cancrique calentis,

fluctibus ignotis nostrum procurrit in orbem10

secreto de fonte cadens, qui semper inani

quaerendus ratione latet, nec contigit ulli

hoc vidisse caput: fertur sine teste creatus

flumina profundens alieni conscia caeli.

inde vago lapsu Libyam dispersus in omnem15

Aethiopum per mille ruit nigrantia regna

et loca continuo solis damnata vapore

inrorat populisque salus sitientibus errat

per Meroën Blemyasque feros atramque Syenem.

hunc bibit infrenis Garamas domitorque ferarum20

Gyrraeus, qui vasta colit sub rupibus antra,

qui ramos ebeni, dentes qui vellit eburnos,

et gens compositis crinem velata sagittis.

Nec vero similes causas crescentibus undis

aut tempus meruit. glacie non ille soluta25

nec circumfuso scopulis exuberat imbre.

nam cum tristis hiems alias produxerit undas,

tunc Nilum retinent ripae; cum languida cessant

flumina, tunc Nilus mutato iure tumescit.

quippe quod ex omni fluvio spoliaverit aestas,30

hoc Nilo natura refert, totumque per orbem

collectae partes unum revocantur in amnem;

[233]Fertile is Egypt without clouds; here alone is sunshine and yet rain. She regards not the sky, needs not the wind; enough for her the water she herself contains, Nile’s overflow. This swiftly-flowing river rises in the mountainous country of the south where it suffers the heats of the torrid zone and of the scorching Crab and issues forth from regions unknown into our world. Whence it comes none knows, for vain has ever been the search after its springing nor has any ever seen that source. ’Tis said that, fashioned without witness, it pours forth waters that have known a clime other than ours. Thence with errant stream it stretches through all Libya, and through Ethiopia’s thousand dusky kingdoms where it waters lands condemned to the sun’s unceasing fires, saviour of thirsting peoples, and threads its course across Meroë and black Syene and through the country of the wild Blemyae. The unconquered Garamantes and the Gyrraei who can tame wild animals drink of its waters, as do those tribes who dwell in huge rocky caverns, gathering the wood of ebony-trees and robbing the elephant of his tusks of ivory, and the folk who wear arrows in their hair.Neither the cause nor yet the season of its overflow is the same as that of other rivers. Its waters rise neither because of melted snows nor by reason of rains flooding its rocky marge; for when dull winter giveth increase to other rivers Nile keeps within his banks; when other rivers flow with diminished stream, Nile, under other laws, rises. For of a truth whatever toll summer has exacted from all rivers Nature repays to the Nile, and waters gathered together from the whole world meet thus

[233]

Fertile is Egypt without clouds; here alone is sunshine and yet rain. She regards not the sky, needs not the wind; enough for her the water she herself contains, Nile’s overflow. This swiftly-flowing river rises in the mountainous country of the south where it suffers the heats of the torrid zone and of the scorching Crab and issues forth from regions unknown into our world. Whence it comes none knows, for vain has ever been the search after its springing nor has any ever seen that source. ’Tis said that, fashioned without witness, it pours forth waters that have known a clime other than ours. Thence with errant stream it stretches through all Libya, and through Ethiopia’s thousand dusky kingdoms where it waters lands condemned to the sun’s unceasing fires, saviour of thirsting peoples, and threads its course across Meroë and black Syene and through the country of the wild Blemyae. The unconquered Garamantes and the Gyrraei who can tame wild animals drink of its waters, as do those tribes who dwell in huge rocky caverns, gathering the wood of ebony-trees and robbing the elephant of his tusks of ivory, and the folk who wear arrows in their hair.

Neither the cause nor yet the season of its overflow is the same as that of other rivers. Its waters rise neither because of melted snows nor by reason of rains flooding its rocky marge; for when dull winter giveth increase to other rivers Nile keeps within his banks; when other rivers flow with diminished stream, Nile, under other laws, rises. For of a truth whatever toll summer has exacted from all rivers Nature repays to the Nile, and waters gathered together from the whole world meet thus

[234]quoque die Titana canis flagrantior armatet rapit umores madidos venasque calorecompescit radiisque potentibus aestuat axis,35Nilo bruma venit, contraria tempora mundo:defectis solitum referens cultoribus aequoreffluit Aegaeo stagnantior, acrior altoIonio seseque patentibus explicat arvis:fluctuat omnis ager; remis sonuere novales;40saepius, aestivo iaceat cum forte sopore,cernit cum stabulis armenta natantia pastor.XXIX. (XLVIII.)Magnes.Quisquis sollicita mundum ratione secutussemina rimatur rerum, quo luna laboratdefectu, quae causa iubet pallescere solem,unde rubescentes ferali crine cometae,unde fluant venti, trepidae quis viscera terrae5concutiat motus, quis fulgura ducat hiatus,unde tonent nubes, quo lumine floreat arcus,hoc mihi quaerenti, si quid deprendere verimens valet, expediat.Lapis est cognomine magnesdecolor obscurus vilis. non ille repexam10caesariem regum, non candida virginis ornatcolla nec insigni splendet per cingula morsu;sed nova si nigri videas miracula saxi,tunc pulchros superat cultus et quidquid Eois[235]in one river. Then when the Dog-star increases the heat of the sun and sucks up all moisture, drying up earth’s veins and filling heaven with its scorching rays, winter comes upon the Nile, though elsewhere all is summer. Then, bringing back to the fainting husbandmen its accustomed waters, it o’erflows ampler than the Aegean, fiercer than the deep Ionian, and spreads itself over the low-lying country. All the fields are aswim; plough-land sounds to the beat of the oar, and full often the shepherd, o’ercome with summer’s heat, wakes to see flocks and fold carried away by the flood.XXIX. (XLVIII.)The Magnet.Whosoever with anxious thought examines the universe and searches out the origin of things—the reason of the sun’s and moon’s eclipse, the causes of comets’ red and baneful fires, the source of the winds, the motion that makes the earth to quake, the force that splits the heavens in twain, the noise of the thunder, the brilliance of the rainbow, let this man (if man’s mind has any power to conceive the truth) explain to me something I would fain understand.There is a stone called the loadstone; black, dull, and common. It does not adorn the braided hair of kings nor the snowy necks of girls, nor yet shine in the jewelled buckles of warriors’ belts. But consider the marvellous properties of this dull-looking stone and you will see that it is of more worth than lovely gems and any pearl sought of

[234]

quoque die Titana canis flagrantior armatet rapit umores madidos venasque calorecompescit radiisque potentibus aestuat axis,35Nilo bruma venit, contraria tempora mundo:defectis solitum referens cultoribus aequoreffluit Aegaeo stagnantior, acrior altoIonio seseque patentibus explicat arvis:fluctuat omnis ager; remis sonuere novales;40saepius, aestivo iaceat cum forte sopore,cernit cum stabulis armenta natantia pastor.

quoque die Titana canis flagrantior armat

et rapit umores madidos venasque calore

compescit radiisque potentibus aestuat axis,35

Nilo bruma venit, contraria tempora mundo:

defectis solitum referens cultoribus aequor

effluit Aegaeo stagnantior, acrior alto

Ionio seseque patentibus explicat arvis:

fluctuat omnis ager; remis sonuere novales;40

saepius, aestivo iaceat cum forte sopore,

cernit cum stabulis armenta natantia pastor.

XXIX. (XLVIII.)

Magnes.

Quisquis sollicita mundum ratione secutussemina rimatur rerum, quo luna laboratdefectu, quae causa iubet pallescere solem,unde rubescentes ferali crine cometae,unde fluant venti, trepidae quis viscera terrae5concutiat motus, quis fulgura ducat hiatus,unde tonent nubes, quo lumine floreat arcus,hoc mihi quaerenti, si quid deprendere verimens valet, expediat.Lapis est cognomine magnesdecolor obscurus vilis. non ille repexam10caesariem regum, non candida virginis ornatcolla nec insigni splendet per cingula morsu;sed nova si nigri videas miracula saxi,tunc pulchros superat cultus et quidquid Eois

Quisquis sollicita mundum ratione secutus

semina rimatur rerum, quo luna laborat

defectu, quae causa iubet pallescere solem,

unde rubescentes ferali crine cometae,

unde fluant venti, trepidae quis viscera terrae5

concutiat motus, quis fulgura ducat hiatus,

unde tonent nubes, quo lumine floreat arcus,

hoc mihi quaerenti, si quid deprendere veri

mens valet, expediat.

Lapis est cognomine magnes

decolor obscurus vilis. non ille repexam10

caesariem regum, non candida virginis ornat

colla nec insigni splendet per cingula morsu;

sed nova si nigri videas miracula saxi,

tunc pulchros superat cultus et quidquid Eois

[235]in one river. Then when the Dog-star increases the heat of the sun and sucks up all moisture, drying up earth’s veins and filling heaven with its scorching rays, winter comes upon the Nile, though elsewhere all is summer. Then, bringing back to the fainting husbandmen its accustomed waters, it o’erflows ampler than the Aegean, fiercer than the deep Ionian, and spreads itself over the low-lying country. All the fields are aswim; plough-land sounds to the beat of the oar, and full often the shepherd, o’ercome with summer’s heat, wakes to see flocks and fold carried away by the flood.XXIX. (XLVIII.)The Magnet.Whosoever with anxious thought examines the universe and searches out the origin of things—the reason of the sun’s and moon’s eclipse, the causes of comets’ red and baneful fires, the source of the winds, the motion that makes the earth to quake, the force that splits the heavens in twain, the noise of the thunder, the brilliance of the rainbow, let this man (if man’s mind has any power to conceive the truth) explain to me something I would fain understand.There is a stone called the loadstone; black, dull, and common. It does not adorn the braided hair of kings nor the snowy necks of girls, nor yet shine in the jewelled buckles of warriors’ belts. But consider the marvellous properties of this dull-looking stone and you will see that it is of more worth than lovely gems and any pearl sought of

[235]

in one river. Then when the Dog-star increases the heat of the sun and sucks up all moisture, drying up earth’s veins and filling heaven with its scorching rays, winter comes upon the Nile, though elsewhere all is summer. Then, bringing back to the fainting husbandmen its accustomed waters, it o’erflows ampler than the Aegean, fiercer than the deep Ionian, and spreads itself over the low-lying country. All the fields are aswim; plough-land sounds to the beat of the oar, and full often the shepherd, o’ercome with summer’s heat, wakes to see flocks and fold carried away by the flood.

XXIX. (XLVIII.)

The Magnet.

Whosoever with anxious thought examines the universe and searches out the origin of things—the reason of the sun’s and moon’s eclipse, the causes of comets’ red and baneful fires, the source of the winds, the motion that makes the earth to quake, the force that splits the heavens in twain, the noise of the thunder, the brilliance of the rainbow, let this man (if man’s mind has any power to conceive the truth) explain to me something I would fain understand.

There is a stone called the loadstone; black, dull, and common. It does not adorn the braided hair of kings nor the snowy necks of girls, nor yet shine in the jewelled buckles of warriors’ belts. But consider the marvellous properties of this dull-looking stone and you will see that it is of more worth than lovely gems and any pearl sought of

[236]Indus litoribus Rubra scrutatur in alga.15nam ferro meruit vitam ferrique rigorevescitur; hoc dulces epulas, hoc pabula novit;hinc proprias renovat vires; hinc fusa per artusaspera secretum servant alimenta vigorem;hoc absente perit: tristi morientia torpent20membra fame, venasque sitis consumit apertas.Mavors, sanguinea qui cuspide verberat urbes,et Venus, humanas quae laxat in otia curas,aurati delubra tenent communia templi.effigies non una deis: sed ferrea Martis25forma nitet, Venerem magnetica gemma figurat.illis conubium celebrat de more sacerdos.ducit flamma choros; festa frondentia myrtolimina cinguntur, roseisque cubilia surguntfloribus, et thalamum dotalis purpura velat.30hic mirum consurgit opus: Cytherea maritumsponte rapit caelique toros imitata priorespectora lascivo flatu Mavortia nectitet tantum suspendit onus galeaeque lacertosimplicat et vivis totum complexibus ambit.35ille lacessitus longo spiraminis actuarcanis trahitur gemma de coniuge nodis.pronuba fit Natura deis ferrumque maritataura tenax: subitis sociantur numina furtis.Quis calor infudit geminis alterna metallis40foedera? quae duras iungit concordia mentes?flagrat anhela silex et amicam saucia sentitmateriem placidosque chalybs cognoscit amores.[237]Indian amid the seaweed on the Red Sea’s shores. It lives on iron and feeds on its inflexible nature; iron is its food and nourishment; from iron it recruits its strength. This seemingly inedible food, circulating throughout its body, renews its hidden powers. Without iron the loadstone dies; its bulk wastes away from lack of nourishment and thirst parches its emptied veins.Mars, who strikes cities with his bloody spear, and Venus, who changes human cares to ease, share a common shrine and temple built of gold. Each deity has his own image; Mars, a polished iron statue, Venus, one fashioned of the loadstone. The priest duly celebrates their union. The nuptial torch precedes the choir; myrtle wreaths adorn the portals, the couches are piled with roses, while cloth of scarlet dye, as befits a marriage, adorns the bridal chamber. But, lo, a prodigy: Cytherea, without quitting her station, attracts her husband to her, and recalling the scene of which heaven was once witness, clasps Mars to her bosom with amorous breath. There she holds him suspended; her arms enfold the helmet of the god and clasp his whole body in a lifelike embrace. He, stirred by the far-compelling influence of her breath, is drawn towards her by the secret chains of his jewel-bride. Nature presides over the divine marriage; a binding breath woos the steel to wedlock; suddenly two deities are mated in secret union.What hidden warmth infuses mutual sympathy into these twin metals? What harmony makes one their stubborn souls? The stone sighs and burns, and smitten with love recognizes in the iron the object of its desire, while the iron experiences a

[236]

Indus litoribus Rubra scrutatur in alga.15nam ferro meruit vitam ferrique rigorevescitur; hoc dulces epulas, hoc pabula novit;hinc proprias renovat vires; hinc fusa per artusaspera secretum servant alimenta vigorem;hoc absente perit: tristi morientia torpent20membra fame, venasque sitis consumit apertas.Mavors, sanguinea qui cuspide verberat urbes,et Venus, humanas quae laxat in otia curas,aurati delubra tenent communia templi.effigies non una deis: sed ferrea Martis25forma nitet, Venerem magnetica gemma figurat.illis conubium celebrat de more sacerdos.ducit flamma choros; festa frondentia myrtolimina cinguntur, roseisque cubilia surguntfloribus, et thalamum dotalis purpura velat.30hic mirum consurgit opus: Cytherea maritumsponte rapit caelique toros imitata priorespectora lascivo flatu Mavortia nectitet tantum suspendit onus galeaeque lacertosimplicat et vivis totum complexibus ambit.35ille lacessitus longo spiraminis actuarcanis trahitur gemma de coniuge nodis.pronuba fit Natura deis ferrumque maritataura tenax: subitis sociantur numina furtis.Quis calor infudit geminis alterna metallis40foedera? quae duras iungit concordia mentes?flagrat anhela silex et amicam saucia sentitmateriem placidosque chalybs cognoscit amores.

Indus litoribus Rubra scrutatur in alga.15

nam ferro meruit vitam ferrique rigore

vescitur; hoc dulces epulas, hoc pabula novit;

hinc proprias renovat vires; hinc fusa per artus

aspera secretum servant alimenta vigorem;

hoc absente perit: tristi morientia torpent20

membra fame, venasque sitis consumit apertas.

Mavors, sanguinea qui cuspide verberat urbes,

et Venus, humanas quae laxat in otia curas,

aurati delubra tenent communia templi.

effigies non una deis: sed ferrea Martis25

forma nitet, Venerem magnetica gemma figurat.

illis conubium celebrat de more sacerdos.

ducit flamma choros; festa frondentia myrto

limina cinguntur, roseisque cubilia surgunt

floribus, et thalamum dotalis purpura velat.30

hic mirum consurgit opus: Cytherea maritum

sponte rapit caelique toros imitata priores

pectora lascivo flatu Mavortia nectit

et tantum suspendit onus galeaeque lacertos

implicat et vivis totum complexibus ambit.35

ille lacessitus longo spiraminis actu

arcanis trahitur gemma de coniuge nodis.

pronuba fit Natura deis ferrumque maritat

aura tenax: subitis sociantur numina furtis.

Quis calor infudit geminis alterna metallis40

foedera? quae duras iungit concordia mentes?

flagrat anhela silex et amicam saucia sentit

materiem placidosque chalybs cognoscit amores.

[237]Indian amid the seaweed on the Red Sea’s shores. It lives on iron and feeds on its inflexible nature; iron is its food and nourishment; from iron it recruits its strength. This seemingly inedible food, circulating throughout its body, renews its hidden powers. Without iron the loadstone dies; its bulk wastes away from lack of nourishment and thirst parches its emptied veins.Mars, who strikes cities with his bloody spear, and Venus, who changes human cares to ease, share a common shrine and temple built of gold. Each deity has his own image; Mars, a polished iron statue, Venus, one fashioned of the loadstone. The priest duly celebrates their union. The nuptial torch precedes the choir; myrtle wreaths adorn the portals, the couches are piled with roses, while cloth of scarlet dye, as befits a marriage, adorns the bridal chamber. But, lo, a prodigy: Cytherea, without quitting her station, attracts her husband to her, and recalling the scene of which heaven was once witness, clasps Mars to her bosom with amorous breath. There she holds him suspended; her arms enfold the helmet of the god and clasp his whole body in a lifelike embrace. He, stirred by the far-compelling influence of her breath, is drawn towards her by the secret chains of his jewel-bride. Nature presides over the divine marriage; a binding breath woos the steel to wedlock; suddenly two deities are mated in secret union.What hidden warmth infuses mutual sympathy into these twin metals? What harmony makes one their stubborn souls? The stone sighs and burns, and smitten with love recognizes in the iron the object of its desire, while the iron experiences a

[237]

Indian amid the seaweed on the Red Sea’s shores. It lives on iron and feeds on its inflexible nature; iron is its food and nourishment; from iron it recruits its strength. This seemingly inedible food, circulating throughout its body, renews its hidden powers. Without iron the loadstone dies; its bulk wastes away from lack of nourishment and thirst parches its emptied veins.

Mars, who strikes cities with his bloody spear, and Venus, who changes human cares to ease, share a common shrine and temple built of gold. Each deity has his own image; Mars, a polished iron statue, Venus, one fashioned of the loadstone. The priest duly celebrates their union. The nuptial torch precedes the choir; myrtle wreaths adorn the portals, the couches are piled with roses, while cloth of scarlet dye, as befits a marriage, adorns the bridal chamber. But, lo, a prodigy: Cytherea, without quitting her station, attracts her husband to her, and recalling the scene of which heaven was once witness, clasps Mars to her bosom with amorous breath. There she holds him suspended; her arms enfold the helmet of the god and clasp his whole body in a lifelike embrace. He, stirred by the far-compelling influence of her breath, is drawn towards her by the secret chains of his jewel-bride. Nature presides over the divine marriage; a binding breath woos the steel to wedlock; suddenly two deities are mated in secret union.

What hidden warmth infuses mutual sympathy into these twin metals? What harmony makes one their stubborn souls? The stone sighs and burns, and smitten with love recognizes in the iron the object of its desire, while the iron experiences a

[238]sic Venus horrificum belli compescere regemet vultum mollire solet, cum sanguine praeceps45aestuat et strictis mucronibus asperat iras.sola feris occurrit equis solvitque tumorempectoris et blando praecordia temperat igni.pax animo tranquilla datur, pugnasque calentesdeserit et rutilas declinat in oscula cristas.50Quae tibi, saeve puer, non est permissa potestas?tu magnum superas fulmen caeloque relictofluctibus in mediis cogis mugire Tonantem.iam gelidas rupes vivoque carentia sensumembra feris, iam saxa tuis obnoxia telis,55et lapides suus ardor agit, ferrumque teneturinlecebris; rigido regnant in marmore flammae.XXX. (XXIX.)Laus Serenae.Dic, mea Calliope, tanto cur tempore differsPierio meritam serto redimire Serenam?vile putas donum, solitam consurgere gemmiset Rubro radiare mari si floribus ornesreginae regina comam? sed floribus illis,5quos neque frigoribus Boreas nec Sirius uritaestibus, aeterno sed veris honore rubentes[239]gentle attraction for the stone. It is thus that Venus often holds the fierce god of war in check and softens his fiery glance when the angry blood boils within him and with drawn sword he whets his wrath. She alone can face his fierce steeds and appease the tumult of his heart, calming his anger with gentle flame. Peace and quiet are restored within his soul; he abjures the heat of battle and bends his head, helmed with ruddy plumes, to kiss the goddess.Cruel boy, is aught beyond thy powers? Thou dost master the mighty thunderbolt; thou canst force the Thunderer to leave the sky and bellow amid the waves. Now thou showest that thou canst smite cold rocks and shapes not instinct with feeling or life, that stone can be wounded by thine arrows. Rocks are stirred by a passion of their own; iron is obedient to thy blandishments; thy flames exercise dominion over hardest marl.XXX. (XXIX.)In praise of Serena.[95]Say, my Muse, why tarriest thou so long to crown Serena’s brows with the Pierian garland they so well deserve? Thinkest thou the gift too poor shouldst thou, a queen, deck but with flowers the head of a queen accustomed rather to wear a tiara bright with all the jewels of the Red Sea? Nay, those flowers of thine are such that neither Boreas’ cold blast nor Sirius’ scorching heat can hurt them; theirs is the bloom of everlasting spring for they[95]For Serena, niece and adoptive daughter of Theodosius and wife of Stilicho,cf.Introduction, p. xvi. I follow Vollmer (in Pauly-Wissowa, art. “Claudianus”) rather than Birt in dating this poemcirc.398 and XXXI. as 404.

[238]

sic Venus horrificum belli compescere regemet vultum mollire solet, cum sanguine praeceps45aestuat et strictis mucronibus asperat iras.sola feris occurrit equis solvitque tumorempectoris et blando praecordia temperat igni.pax animo tranquilla datur, pugnasque calentesdeserit et rutilas declinat in oscula cristas.50Quae tibi, saeve puer, non est permissa potestas?tu magnum superas fulmen caeloque relictofluctibus in mediis cogis mugire Tonantem.iam gelidas rupes vivoque carentia sensumembra feris, iam saxa tuis obnoxia telis,55et lapides suus ardor agit, ferrumque teneturinlecebris; rigido regnant in marmore flammae.

sic Venus horrificum belli compescere regem

et vultum mollire solet, cum sanguine praeceps45

aestuat et strictis mucronibus asperat iras.

sola feris occurrit equis solvitque tumorem

pectoris et blando praecordia temperat igni.

pax animo tranquilla datur, pugnasque calentes

deserit et rutilas declinat in oscula cristas.50

Quae tibi, saeve puer, non est permissa potestas?

tu magnum superas fulmen caeloque relicto

fluctibus in mediis cogis mugire Tonantem.

iam gelidas rupes vivoque carentia sensu

membra feris, iam saxa tuis obnoxia telis,55

et lapides suus ardor agit, ferrumque tenetur

inlecebris; rigido regnant in marmore flammae.

XXX. (XXIX.)

Laus Serenae.

Dic, mea Calliope, tanto cur tempore differsPierio meritam serto redimire Serenam?vile putas donum, solitam consurgere gemmiset Rubro radiare mari si floribus ornesreginae regina comam? sed floribus illis,5quos neque frigoribus Boreas nec Sirius uritaestibus, aeterno sed veris honore rubentes

Dic, mea Calliope, tanto cur tempore differs

Pierio meritam serto redimire Serenam?

vile putas donum, solitam consurgere gemmis

et Rubro radiare mari si floribus ornes

reginae regina comam? sed floribus illis,5

quos neque frigoribus Boreas nec Sirius urit

aestibus, aeterno sed veris honore rubentes

[239]gentle attraction for the stone. It is thus that Venus often holds the fierce god of war in check and softens his fiery glance when the angry blood boils within him and with drawn sword he whets his wrath. She alone can face his fierce steeds and appease the tumult of his heart, calming his anger with gentle flame. Peace and quiet are restored within his soul; he abjures the heat of battle and bends his head, helmed with ruddy plumes, to kiss the goddess.Cruel boy, is aught beyond thy powers? Thou dost master the mighty thunderbolt; thou canst force the Thunderer to leave the sky and bellow amid the waves. Now thou showest that thou canst smite cold rocks and shapes not instinct with feeling or life, that stone can be wounded by thine arrows. Rocks are stirred by a passion of their own; iron is obedient to thy blandishments; thy flames exercise dominion over hardest marl.XXX. (XXIX.)In praise of Serena.[95]Say, my Muse, why tarriest thou so long to crown Serena’s brows with the Pierian garland they so well deserve? Thinkest thou the gift too poor shouldst thou, a queen, deck but with flowers the head of a queen accustomed rather to wear a tiara bright with all the jewels of the Red Sea? Nay, those flowers of thine are such that neither Boreas’ cold blast nor Sirius’ scorching heat can hurt them; theirs is the bloom of everlasting spring for they[95]For Serena, niece and adoptive daughter of Theodosius and wife of Stilicho,cf.Introduction, p. xvi. I follow Vollmer (in Pauly-Wissowa, art. “Claudianus”) rather than Birt in dating this poemcirc.398 and XXXI. as 404.

[239]

gentle attraction for the stone. It is thus that Venus often holds the fierce god of war in check and softens his fiery glance when the angry blood boils within him and with drawn sword he whets his wrath. She alone can face his fierce steeds and appease the tumult of his heart, calming his anger with gentle flame. Peace and quiet are restored within his soul; he abjures the heat of battle and bends his head, helmed with ruddy plumes, to kiss the goddess.

Cruel boy, is aught beyond thy powers? Thou dost master the mighty thunderbolt; thou canst force the Thunderer to leave the sky and bellow amid the waves. Now thou showest that thou canst smite cold rocks and shapes not instinct with feeling or life, that stone can be wounded by thine arrows. Rocks are stirred by a passion of their own; iron is obedient to thy blandishments; thy flames exercise dominion over hardest marl.

XXX. (XXIX.)

In praise of Serena.[95]

Say, my Muse, why tarriest thou so long to crown Serena’s brows with the Pierian garland they so well deserve? Thinkest thou the gift too poor shouldst thou, a queen, deck but with flowers the head of a queen accustomed rather to wear a tiara bright with all the jewels of the Red Sea? Nay, those flowers of thine are such that neither Boreas’ cold blast nor Sirius’ scorching heat can hurt them; theirs is the bloom of everlasting spring for they

[95]For Serena, niece and adoptive daughter of Theodosius and wife of Stilicho,cf.Introduction, p. xvi. I follow Vollmer (in Pauly-Wissowa, art. “Claudianus”) rather than Birt in dating this poemcirc.398 and XXXI. as 404.

[240]fons Aganippea Permessius educat unda:unde piae pascuntur apes et prata legentestransmittunt saeclis Heliconia mella futuris.10Dignius an vates alios exercuit unumfemineae virtutis opus? quod sponte redemptocasta maritali successit Thessala fatoinque suos migrare virum non abnuit annos,hoc Grai memorant. Latiis movet ora Camenis15praescia fatorum Tanaquil rediensque per undasCloelia Thybrinas et eodem flumine ducensClaudia virgineo cunctantem crine Cybeben.anne aliud toto molitur carminis actuMaeonii mens alta senis? quod stagna Charybdis20armavit, quod Scylla canes, quod pocula Circe,Antiphatae vitata fames surdoque carinaremige Sirenum cantus transvecta tenaces,lumine fraudatus Cyclops, contempta Calypso:Penelopae decus est atque uni tanta paratur25scaena pudicitiae. terrae pelagique laboreset saevi totidem bellis quot fluctibus anniconiugii docuere fidem. sit Claudia felixteste dea castosque probet sub numine moresabsolvens puppisque moras crimenque pudoris:30Penelope trahat arte procos fallatque furentesstamina nocturnae relegens Laërtia telae:non tamen audebunt titulis certare Serenae.[241]have grown by Permessus’ fount and been watered by Aganippe’s wave. Those flowers have fed the holy bees that skim the meadows and transmit the honey of Helicon to coming generations.Did ever the single theme of woman’s worth more fitly stir other bards? The Greeks sing of Alcestis, that chaste Thessalian, who, to win her husband from death, freely offered herself in his stead, allowing him to enjoy her own span of life. The Latin Muse takes prophetic Tanaquil[96]for her theme or Cloelia breasting Tiber’s waves in her return to Rome or the maiden Claudia dragging with her own hair the ship which bore Cybele, what time it stuck fast in that same stream. Does old Homer’s soaring soul essay aught else throughout his song? Dangers from Charybdis’ gulf, from Scylla’s dogs, from Circe’s cup, the escape of Ulysses from the greed of Antiphate, the passage of the ship between the rocks where sat the Sirens to whose alluring voices the rowers were deaf, the blinding of Cyclops, the desertion of Calypso—all these do but redound to the glory of Penelope, and the whole scene is set to display her chastity alone. Toils by land and sea, ten years of war, ten years of wandering, all do but illustrate the fidelity of a wife. Let Claudia rejoice in the goddess’ witness and with heaven’s help vindicate her claim to chastity, freeing at the same moment the vessel’s stern and her own character from shame. Let Penelope by artful delays deceive the madness of the suitors and, ever faithful to Ulysses, delude their solicitations, ever winding up again by night the warp of her day-spun web. Yet shall not one of these heroines dare to vie with Serena.[96]Tanaquil, sister of the elder Tarquin, wife of the Etruscan Lucumo; for her prophetic powers see Livy i. 34. 8. Cloelia, a hostage with Porsenna, swam back to Rome (Livy ii. 13. 6). When the image of Cybele was brought to Rome (204B.C.) and the boat stuck in a shallow at the Tiber’s mouth it was said that only a chaste woman could move it. Claudia, who had been accused of adultery, took hold of the rope and towed the vessel to shore.

[240]

fons Aganippea Permessius educat unda:unde piae pascuntur apes et prata legentestransmittunt saeclis Heliconia mella futuris.10Dignius an vates alios exercuit unumfemineae virtutis opus? quod sponte redemptocasta maritali successit Thessala fatoinque suos migrare virum non abnuit annos,hoc Grai memorant. Latiis movet ora Camenis15praescia fatorum Tanaquil rediensque per undasCloelia Thybrinas et eodem flumine ducensClaudia virgineo cunctantem crine Cybeben.anne aliud toto molitur carminis actuMaeonii mens alta senis? quod stagna Charybdis20armavit, quod Scylla canes, quod pocula Circe,Antiphatae vitata fames surdoque carinaremige Sirenum cantus transvecta tenaces,lumine fraudatus Cyclops, contempta Calypso:Penelopae decus est atque uni tanta paratur25scaena pudicitiae. terrae pelagique laboreset saevi totidem bellis quot fluctibus anniconiugii docuere fidem. sit Claudia felixteste dea castosque probet sub numine moresabsolvens puppisque moras crimenque pudoris:30Penelope trahat arte procos fallatque furentesstamina nocturnae relegens Laërtia telae:non tamen audebunt titulis certare Serenae.

fons Aganippea Permessius educat unda:

unde piae pascuntur apes et prata legentes

transmittunt saeclis Heliconia mella futuris.10

Dignius an vates alios exercuit unum

femineae virtutis opus? quod sponte redempto

casta maritali successit Thessala fato

inque suos migrare virum non abnuit annos,

hoc Grai memorant. Latiis movet ora Camenis15

praescia fatorum Tanaquil rediensque per undas

Cloelia Thybrinas et eodem flumine ducens

Claudia virgineo cunctantem crine Cybeben.

anne aliud toto molitur carminis actu

Maeonii mens alta senis? quod stagna Charybdis20

armavit, quod Scylla canes, quod pocula Circe,

Antiphatae vitata fames surdoque carina

remige Sirenum cantus transvecta tenaces,

lumine fraudatus Cyclops, contempta Calypso:

Penelopae decus est atque uni tanta paratur25

scaena pudicitiae. terrae pelagique labores

et saevi totidem bellis quot fluctibus anni

coniugii docuere fidem. sit Claudia felix

teste dea castosque probet sub numine mores

absolvens puppisque moras crimenque pudoris:30

Penelope trahat arte procos fallatque furentes

stamina nocturnae relegens Laërtia telae:

non tamen audebunt titulis certare Serenae.

[241]have grown by Permessus’ fount and been watered by Aganippe’s wave. Those flowers have fed the holy bees that skim the meadows and transmit the honey of Helicon to coming generations.Did ever the single theme of woman’s worth more fitly stir other bards? The Greeks sing of Alcestis, that chaste Thessalian, who, to win her husband from death, freely offered herself in his stead, allowing him to enjoy her own span of life. The Latin Muse takes prophetic Tanaquil[96]for her theme or Cloelia breasting Tiber’s waves in her return to Rome or the maiden Claudia dragging with her own hair the ship which bore Cybele, what time it stuck fast in that same stream. Does old Homer’s soaring soul essay aught else throughout his song? Dangers from Charybdis’ gulf, from Scylla’s dogs, from Circe’s cup, the escape of Ulysses from the greed of Antiphate, the passage of the ship between the rocks where sat the Sirens to whose alluring voices the rowers were deaf, the blinding of Cyclops, the desertion of Calypso—all these do but redound to the glory of Penelope, and the whole scene is set to display her chastity alone. Toils by land and sea, ten years of war, ten years of wandering, all do but illustrate the fidelity of a wife. Let Claudia rejoice in the goddess’ witness and with heaven’s help vindicate her claim to chastity, freeing at the same moment the vessel’s stern and her own character from shame. Let Penelope by artful delays deceive the madness of the suitors and, ever faithful to Ulysses, delude their solicitations, ever winding up again by night the warp of her day-spun web. Yet shall not one of these heroines dare to vie with Serena.[96]Tanaquil, sister of the elder Tarquin, wife of the Etruscan Lucumo; for her prophetic powers see Livy i. 34. 8. Cloelia, a hostage with Porsenna, swam back to Rome (Livy ii. 13. 6). When the image of Cybele was brought to Rome (204B.C.) and the boat stuck in a shallow at the Tiber’s mouth it was said that only a chaste woman could move it. Claudia, who had been accused of adultery, took hold of the rope and towed the vessel to shore.

[241]

have grown by Permessus’ fount and been watered by Aganippe’s wave. Those flowers have fed the holy bees that skim the meadows and transmit the honey of Helicon to coming generations.

Did ever the single theme of woman’s worth more fitly stir other bards? The Greeks sing of Alcestis, that chaste Thessalian, who, to win her husband from death, freely offered herself in his stead, allowing him to enjoy her own span of life. The Latin Muse takes prophetic Tanaquil[96]for her theme or Cloelia breasting Tiber’s waves in her return to Rome or the maiden Claudia dragging with her own hair the ship which bore Cybele, what time it stuck fast in that same stream. Does old Homer’s soaring soul essay aught else throughout his song? Dangers from Charybdis’ gulf, from Scylla’s dogs, from Circe’s cup, the escape of Ulysses from the greed of Antiphate, the passage of the ship between the rocks where sat the Sirens to whose alluring voices the rowers were deaf, the blinding of Cyclops, the desertion of Calypso—all these do but redound to the glory of Penelope, and the whole scene is set to display her chastity alone. Toils by land and sea, ten years of war, ten years of wandering, all do but illustrate the fidelity of a wife. Let Claudia rejoice in the goddess’ witness and with heaven’s help vindicate her claim to chastity, freeing at the same moment the vessel’s stern and her own character from shame. Let Penelope by artful delays deceive the madness of the suitors and, ever faithful to Ulysses, delude their solicitations, ever winding up again by night the warp of her day-spun web. Yet shall not one of these heroines dare to vie with Serena.

[96]Tanaquil, sister of the elder Tarquin, wife of the Etruscan Lucumo; for her prophetic powers see Livy i. 34. 8. Cloelia, a hostage with Porsenna, swam back to Rome (Livy ii. 13. 6). When the image of Cybele was brought to Rome (204B.C.) and the boat stuck in a shallow at the Tiber’s mouth it was said that only a chaste woman could move it. Claudia, who had been accused of adultery, took hold of the rope and towed the vessel to shore.

[242]Quodsi nobilitas cunctis exordia panditlaudibus atque omnes redeunt in semina causae,35quis venerabilior sanguis, quae maior origoquam regalis erit? non hoc privata dederelimina nec tantum poterat contingere nomenangustis laribus; patruo te principe celsambellipotens inlustrat avus, qui signa Britanno40intulit Oceano Gaetulaque reppulit arma.claram Scipiadum taceat Cornelia gentemseque minus iactet Libycis dotata trophaeis.cardine tu gemino laurus praetendis avitas:inde Caledoniis, Australibus inde parentum45cingeris exuviis. necdum moderamina mundisumpserat illa domus, cum te Lucina beatisadderet astrorum radiis, o maxima rerumgloria: post genitam didicit regnare Serenam.Quid dignum memorare tuis, Hispania, terris50vox humana valet? primo lavat aequore solemIndia: tu fessos exacta luce iugalesproluis inque tuo respirant sidera fluctu.dives equis, frugum facilis, pretiosa metallis,principibus fecunda piis, tibi saecula debent55Traianum; series his fontibus Aelia fluxit.hinc senior, pater, hinc iuvenum diademata fratrum.namque aliae gentes, quas foedere Roma recepitaut armis domuit, varios aptantur in ususimperii; Phariae segetes et Punica messis60castrorum devota cibo; dat Gallia robur[243]But if noble birth opens the first path to fame and all its causes are to be traced to ancestry, what blood more noble, what birth more gentle than that of royalty? Such majesty could not have flourished within the house of a mere commoner nor could glory so great have sprung from any simple home. Thou art famous for that thine uncle was an emperor, more famous by reason of the warlike deeds of thy grandsire[97]who carried the Roman eagles across the British Channel and repulsed the armed bands of the Gaetulians. Cornelia, daughter of the Scipios, must cease to vaunt her high birth and to boast that she received for dower the spoils of Carthage. Thou canst point to ancestral triumphs in either hemisphere; on thy brow sit two crowns, the one won by thy sires from Scotland, the other from the South. Thou glory of the world, what time Lucina assisted at the birth of thee, our new star, thy house had not yet taken on itself the government of the whole earth; not till after Serena’s birth did it know world-empire.What human voice can worthily sing thy praises, Spain? Though India first bathes the new-born sun in her ocean yet when the light dies thou waterest his wearied steeds and in thy waves the stars find refreshment. Rich in horses, bounteous in crops, dowered with mines, prolific in good emperors, to thee the world owes Trajan, from thee sprang the Aelian[98]race. From thy land came the brothers who now govern us and their father. Other races whom Rome has either received into alliance or subdued by arms serve the varying needs of empire: the corn of Egypt, the harvests of Africa go to feed our armies; Gaul recruits our powerful legions;[97]For Theodosius the eldercf.note on xv. 216.[98]Referring to Hadrian.

[242]

Quodsi nobilitas cunctis exordia panditlaudibus atque omnes redeunt in semina causae,35quis venerabilior sanguis, quae maior origoquam regalis erit? non hoc privata dederelimina nec tantum poterat contingere nomenangustis laribus; patruo te principe celsambellipotens inlustrat avus, qui signa Britanno40intulit Oceano Gaetulaque reppulit arma.claram Scipiadum taceat Cornelia gentemseque minus iactet Libycis dotata trophaeis.cardine tu gemino laurus praetendis avitas:inde Caledoniis, Australibus inde parentum45cingeris exuviis. necdum moderamina mundisumpserat illa domus, cum te Lucina beatisadderet astrorum radiis, o maxima rerumgloria: post genitam didicit regnare Serenam.Quid dignum memorare tuis, Hispania, terris50vox humana valet? primo lavat aequore solemIndia: tu fessos exacta luce iugalesproluis inque tuo respirant sidera fluctu.dives equis, frugum facilis, pretiosa metallis,principibus fecunda piis, tibi saecula debent55Traianum; series his fontibus Aelia fluxit.hinc senior, pater, hinc iuvenum diademata fratrum.namque aliae gentes, quas foedere Roma recepitaut armis domuit, varios aptantur in ususimperii; Phariae segetes et Punica messis60castrorum devota cibo; dat Gallia robur

Quodsi nobilitas cunctis exordia pandit

laudibus atque omnes redeunt in semina causae,35

quis venerabilior sanguis, quae maior origo

quam regalis erit? non hoc privata dedere

limina nec tantum poterat contingere nomen

angustis laribus; patruo te principe celsam

bellipotens inlustrat avus, qui signa Britanno40

intulit Oceano Gaetulaque reppulit arma.

claram Scipiadum taceat Cornelia gentem

seque minus iactet Libycis dotata trophaeis.

cardine tu gemino laurus praetendis avitas:

inde Caledoniis, Australibus inde parentum45

cingeris exuviis. necdum moderamina mundi

sumpserat illa domus, cum te Lucina beatis

adderet astrorum radiis, o maxima rerum

gloria: post genitam didicit regnare Serenam.

Quid dignum memorare tuis, Hispania, terris50

vox humana valet? primo lavat aequore solem

India: tu fessos exacta luce iugales

proluis inque tuo respirant sidera fluctu.

dives equis, frugum facilis, pretiosa metallis,

principibus fecunda piis, tibi saecula debent55

Traianum; series his fontibus Aelia fluxit.

hinc senior, pater, hinc iuvenum diademata fratrum.

namque aliae gentes, quas foedere Roma recepit

aut armis domuit, varios aptantur in usus

imperii; Phariae segetes et Punica messis60

castrorum devota cibo; dat Gallia robur

[243]But if noble birth opens the first path to fame and all its causes are to be traced to ancestry, what blood more noble, what birth more gentle than that of royalty? Such majesty could not have flourished within the house of a mere commoner nor could glory so great have sprung from any simple home. Thou art famous for that thine uncle was an emperor, more famous by reason of the warlike deeds of thy grandsire[97]who carried the Roman eagles across the British Channel and repulsed the armed bands of the Gaetulians. Cornelia, daughter of the Scipios, must cease to vaunt her high birth and to boast that she received for dower the spoils of Carthage. Thou canst point to ancestral triumphs in either hemisphere; on thy brow sit two crowns, the one won by thy sires from Scotland, the other from the South. Thou glory of the world, what time Lucina assisted at the birth of thee, our new star, thy house had not yet taken on itself the government of the whole earth; not till after Serena’s birth did it know world-empire.What human voice can worthily sing thy praises, Spain? Though India first bathes the new-born sun in her ocean yet when the light dies thou waterest his wearied steeds and in thy waves the stars find refreshment. Rich in horses, bounteous in crops, dowered with mines, prolific in good emperors, to thee the world owes Trajan, from thee sprang the Aelian[98]race. From thy land came the brothers who now govern us and their father. Other races whom Rome has either received into alliance or subdued by arms serve the varying needs of empire: the corn of Egypt, the harvests of Africa go to feed our armies; Gaul recruits our powerful legions;[97]For Theodosius the eldercf.note on xv. 216.[98]Referring to Hadrian.

[243]

But if noble birth opens the first path to fame and all its causes are to be traced to ancestry, what blood more noble, what birth more gentle than that of royalty? Such majesty could not have flourished within the house of a mere commoner nor could glory so great have sprung from any simple home. Thou art famous for that thine uncle was an emperor, more famous by reason of the warlike deeds of thy grandsire[97]who carried the Roman eagles across the British Channel and repulsed the armed bands of the Gaetulians. Cornelia, daughter of the Scipios, must cease to vaunt her high birth and to boast that she received for dower the spoils of Carthage. Thou canst point to ancestral triumphs in either hemisphere; on thy brow sit two crowns, the one won by thy sires from Scotland, the other from the South. Thou glory of the world, what time Lucina assisted at the birth of thee, our new star, thy house had not yet taken on itself the government of the whole earth; not till after Serena’s birth did it know world-empire.

What human voice can worthily sing thy praises, Spain? Though India first bathes the new-born sun in her ocean yet when the light dies thou waterest his wearied steeds and in thy waves the stars find refreshment. Rich in horses, bounteous in crops, dowered with mines, prolific in good emperors, to thee the world owes Trajan, from thee sprang the Aelian[98]race. From thy land came the brothers who now govern us and their father. Other races whom Rome has either received into alliance or subdued by arms serve the varying needs of empire: the corn of Egypt, the harvests of Africa go to feed our armies; Gaul recruits our powerful legions;

[97]For Theodosius the eldercf.note on xv. 216.

[98]Referring to Hadrian.

[244]militis; Illyricis sudant equitatibus alae:sola novum Latiis vectigal Hiberia rebuscontulit Augustos. fruges, aeraria, milesundique conveniunt totoque ex orbe leguntur:65haec generat qui cuncta regant. nec laude virorumcenseri contenta fuit, nisi matribus aequevinceret et gemino certatim splendida sexuFlaccillam Mariamque daret pulchramque Serenam.Te nascente ferunt per pinguia culta tumentem70divitiis undasse Tagum; Callaecia risitfloribus et roseis formosus Duria ripisvellere purpureo passim mutavit ovile.Cantaber Oceanus vicino litore gemmasexpuit; effossis nec pallidus Astur oberrat75montibus: oblatum sacris natalibus aurumvulgo vena vomit, Pyrenaeisque sub antrisignea flumineae legere ceraunia Nymphae;quaeque relabentes undas aestumque secutaein refluos venere palam Nereides amnes80confessae plausu dominam cecinere futurisauspicium thalamis. alio tum parvus in axecrescebat Stilicho votique ignarus agebat,debita cui longe coniunx, penitusque remotoorbe parabatur tanti concordia fati.85Nec tua mortalis meruit cunabula nutrix.ubera prima dabant gremio redolente Napaeaeternaque te nudis innectens Gratia membrisadflavit docuitque loqui. quacumque per herbamreptares, fluxere rosae, candentia nasci90[245]Illyria produces stout horsemen for our cavalry. But Spain alone pays that rarest tribute—the gift of emperors. Corn, money, soldiers come from all the world over and are gathered together from every quarter of the globe; Spain gives us men to govern and direct all this. Nor was she content to be esteemed only for her famous heroes, did she not also excel in heroines, and, emulous to win glory from either sex, bestow upon us Flaccilla,[99]Maria, and the fair Serena.At thy[100]birth they tell how swelling Tagus o’erflowed the rich fields with gold; Galicia laughed with flowers and on the rose-covered banks of Duria’s fair stream the once white fleeces of the sheep were everywhere turned to purple grain. The Cantabrian main cast up jewels upon the shore, and the pale Asturian delves no more into the bowels of the mountain; on the day hallowed by thy birth earth poured forth gold as dross from her open veins. Beneath the caves of the Pyrenees the river Nymphs gather the fiery thunder-stones. The Nereids, yielding to the flowing tide, followed the flooding waves up the river’s courses; there, in the sight of all, they acknowledged thee their queen by their applause and celebrated thy coming marriage in prophetic strains. And all the time beneath another sky grew the young Stilicho; he lived unwitting of his fortune, of the destined bride that awaited him afar, and in a distant world was the union of such high destinies prepared.No mortal nurse was worthy to watch over thy cradle. First the Nymphs gave thee suck at their fragrant breasts; the three Graces held thee in their arms and breathing upon thee taught thee to speak. Roses sprang where’er thou didst creep over the[99]Flaccilla, wife of Theodosius the Great (cf.x. 43).[100]i.e.Serena’s.

[244]

militis; Illyricis sudant equitatibus alae:sola novum Latiis vectigal Hiberia rebuscontulit Augustos. fruges, aeraria, milesundique conveniunt totoque ex orbe leguntur:65haec generat qui cuncta regant. nec laude virorumcenseri contenta fuit, nisi matribus aequevinceret et gemino certatim splendida sexuFlaccillam Mariamque daret pulchramque Serenam.Te nascente ferunt per pinguia culta tumentem70divitiis undasse Tagum; Callaecia risitfloribus et roseis formosus Duria ripisvellere purpureo passim mutavit ovile.Cantaber Oceanus vicino litore gemmasexpuit; effossis nec pallidus Astur oberrat75montibus: oblatum sacris natalibus aurumvulgo vena vomit, Pyrenaeisque sub antrisignea flumineae legere ceraunia Nymphae;quaeque relabentes undas aestumque secutaein refluos venere palam Nereides amnes80confessae plausu dominam cecinere futurisauspicium thalamis. alio tum parvus in axecrescebat Stilicho votique ignarus agebat,debita cui longe coniunx, penitusque remotoorbe parabatur tanti concordia fati.85Nec tua mortalis meruit cunabula nutrix.ubera prima dabant gremio redolente Napaeaeternaque te nudis innectens Gratia membrisadflavit docuitque loqui. quacumque per herbamreptares, fluxere rosae, candentia nasci90

militis; Illyricis sudant equitatibus alae:

sola novum Latiis vectigal Hiberia rebus

contulit Augustos. fruges, aeraria, miles

undique conveniunt totoque ex orbe leguntur:65

haec generat qui cuncta regant. nec laude virorum

censeri contenta fuit, nisi matribus aeque

vinceret et gemino certatim splendida sexu

Flaccillam Mariamque daret pulchramque Serenam.

Te nascente ferunt per pinguia culta tumentem70

divitiis undasse Tagum; Callaecia risit

floribus et roseis formosus Duria ripis

vellere purpureo passim mutavit ovile.

Cantaber Oceanus vicino litore gemmas

expuit; effossis nec pallidus Astur oberrat75

montibus: oblatum sacris natalibus aurum

vulgo vena vomit, Pyrenaeisque sub antris

ignea flumineae legere ceraunia Nymphae;

quaeque relabentes undas aestumque secutae

in refluos venere palam Nereides amnes80

confessae plausu dominam cecinere futuris

auspicium thalamis. alio tum parvus in axe

crescebat Stilicho votique ignarus agebat,

debita cui longe coniunx, penitusque remoto

orbe parabatur tanti concordia fati.85

Nec tua mortalis meruit cunabula nutrix.

ubera prima dabant gremio redolente Napaeae

ternaque te nudis innectens Gratia membris

adflavit docuitque loqui. quacumque per herbam

reptares, fluxere rosae, candentia nasci90

[245]Illyria produces stout horsemen for our cavalry. But Spain alone pays that rarest tribute—the gift of emperors. Corn, money, soldiers come from all the world over and are gathered together from every quarter of the globe; Spain gives us men to govern and direct all this. Nor was she content to be esteemed only for her famous heroes, did she not also excel in heroines, and, emulous to win glory from either sex, bestow upon us Flaccilla,[99]Maria, and the fair Serena.At thy[100]birth they tell how swelling Tagus o’erflowed the rich fields with gold; Galicia laughed with flowers and on the rose-covered banks of Duria’s fair stream the once white fleeces of the sheep were everywhere turned to purple grain. The Cantabrian main cast up jewels upon the shore, and the pale Asturian delves no more into the bowels of the mountain; on the day hallowed by thy birth earth poured forth gold as dross from her open veins. Beneath the caves of the Pyrenees the river Nymphs gather the fiery thunder-stones. The Nereids, yielding to the flowing tide, followed the flooding waves up the river’s courses; there, in the sight of all, they acknowledged thee their queen by their applause and celebrated thy coming marriage in prophetic strains. And all the time beneath another sky grew the young Stilicho; he lived unwitting of his fortune, of the destined bride that awaited him afar, and in a distant world was the union of such high destinies prepared.No mortal nurse was worthy to watch over thy cradle. First the Nymphs gave thee suck at their fragrant breasts; the three Graces held thee in their arms and breathing upon thee taught thee to speak. Roses sprang where’er thou didst creep over the[99]Flaccilla, wife of Theodosius the Great (cf.x. 43).[100]i.e.Serena’s.

[245]

Illyria produces stout horsemen for our cavalry. But Spain alone pays that rarest tribute—the gift of emperors. Corn, money, soldiers come from all the world over and are gathered together from every quarter of the globe; Spain gives us men to govern and direct all this. Nor was she content to be esteemed only for her famous heroes, did she not also excel in heroines, and, emulous to win glory from either sex, bestow upon us Flaccilla,[99]Maria, and the fair Serena.

At thy[100]birth they tell how swelling Tagus o’erflowed the rich fields with gold; Galicia laughed with flowers and on the rose-covered banks of Duria’s fair stream the once white fleeces of the sheep were everywhere turned to purple grain. The Cantabrian main cast up jewels upon the shore, and the pale Asturian delves no more into the bowels of the mountain; on the day hallowed by thy birth earth poured forth gold as dross from her open veins. Beneath the caves of the Pyrenees the river Nymphs gather the fiery thunder-stones. The Nereids, yielding to the flowing tide, followed the flooding waves up the river’s courses; there, in the sight of all, they acknowledged thee their queen by their applause and celebrated thy coming marriage in prophetic strains. And all the time beneath another sky grew the young Stilicho; he lived unwitting of his fortune, of the destined bride that awaited him afar, and in a distant world was the union of such high destinies prepared.

No mortal nurse was worthy to watch over thy cradle. First the Nymphs gave thee suck at their fragrant breasts; the three Graces held thee in their arms and breathing upon thee taught thee to speak. Roses sprang where’er thou didst creep over the

[99]Flaccilla, wife of Theodosius the Great (cf.x. 43).

[100]i.e.Serena’s.

[246]lilia; si placido cessissent lumina somno,purpura surgebat violae, factura cubilegramineum, vernatque tori regalis imago,omina non audet genetrix tam magna faterisuccessusque suos arcani conscia voti95spe trepidante tegit.Gestabat Honorius artote pater amplexu. quotiens ad limina princepsTheodosius privatus adhuc fraterna veniret,oscula libabat teque ad sua tecta ferebatlaetior; in matrem teneris conversa querellis:100“quid me de propriis auferre penatibus?” inquis:“imperat hic semper!” praesagia luserat erroret dedit augurium regnis infantia linguae,defuncto genitore tuo sublimis adoptatte patruus magnique animo solacia luctus105restituens propius quam si genuisset amavitdefuncti fratis subolem; nec carior olimmutua Ledaeos devinxit cura Lacones:addidit et proprio germana vocabula natoquaque datur fratris speciem sibi reddit adempti.110denique cum rerum summas electus habenassusciperet, non ante suis intendit amorempignoribus quam te pariter fidamque sororemlitus ad Eoum terris acciret Hiberis.Deseritur iam ripa Tagi Zephyrique relictis115sedibus Aurorae famulas properatur ad urbes.incedunt geminae proles fraterna puellae:inde Serena minor, prior hinc Thermantia natu,expertes thalami, quarum Cythereia necdum[247]grass and white lilies blossomed there; didst thou close thine eyes in quiet sleep, there burgeoned the purple violet to adorn thy grassy couch with her imperial colour. Thy mother dared not tell of such great omens and, knowing her own secret vow, hides with eager hope the fulfilment she prays for.Thy father Honorius held thee in a close embrace. Whenever Theodosius—not emperor then—came to his brother’s house he covered thee with kisses and loved to take thee with him to his own home. Then turning to thy mother with gentle complaint, “Why,” thou saidst, “take me from my own home? This man ever commands.[101]” Prophetic was the sportive word and thine infant lips gave augury of empire. At the death of thy sire thine illustrious uncle adopted thee and to console thee for the bitterness of that loss, bestowed upon thee, his brother’s child, more love than he could have bestowed on any child of his own. Leda’s twin sons were not united with a bond of affection more sure. He gave his own son the name his brother had borne, hoping in some way to discover in that son the image of the brother he had loved and lost. Finally, when the people’s choice had summoned him to take up the reins of empire, Theodosius would not vouchsafe his sons any proof of his affection for them until he had summoned thee and thy faithful sister from Spain to the lands of morning.So now they leave Tagus’ banks and the home of the west winds and hasten towards the cities that recognize the empery of the east. They come, the maidens twain, his brother’s children, on this side Serena the younger, on that Thermantia[102]the elder born, strange as yet to love; nor has Hymen bent[101]Claudian plays on the wordsimperatandimperator.[102]This Thermantia is not to be confused with her niece Thermantia, daughter of Serena and Stilicho (x. 339).

[246]

lilia; si placido cessissent lumina somno,purpura surgebat violae, factura cubilegramineum, vernatque tori regalis imago,omina non audet genetrix tam magna faterisuccessusque suos arcani conscia voti95spe trepidante tegit.Gestabat Honorius artote pater amplexu. quotiens ad limina princepsTheodosius privatus adhuc fraterna veniret,oscula libabat teque ad sua tecta ferebatlaetior; in matrem teneris conversa querellis:100“quid me de propriis auferre penatibus?” inquis:“imperat hic semper!” praesagia luserat erroret dedit augurium regnis infantia linguae,defuncto genitore tuo sublimis adoptatte patruus magnique animo solacia luctus105restituens propius quam si genuisset amavitdefuncti fratis subolem; nec carior olimmutua Ledaeos devinxit cura Lacones:addidit et proprio germana vocabula natoquaque datur fratris speciem sibi reddit adempti.110denique cum rerum summas electus habenassusciperet, non ante suis intendit amorempignoribus quam te pariter fidamque sororemlitus ad Eoum terris acciret Hiberis.Deseritur iam ripa Tagi Zephyrique relictis115sedibus Aurorae famulas properatur ad urbes.incedunt geminae proles fraterna puellae:inde Serena minor, prior hinc Thermantia natu,expertes thalami, quarum Cythereia necdum

lilia; si placido cessissent lumina somno,

purpura surgebat violae, factura cubile

gramineum, vernatque tori regalis imago,

omina non audet genetrix tam magna fateri

successusque suos arcani conscia voti95

spe trepidante tegit.

Gestabat Honorius arto

te pater amplexu. quotiens ad limina princeps

Theodosius privatus adhuc fraterna veniret,

oscula libabat teque ad sua tecta ferebat

laetior; in matrem teneris conversa querellis:100

“quid me de propriis auferre penatibus?” inquis:

“imperat hic semper!” praesagia luserat error

et dedit augurium regnis infantia linguae,

defuncto genitore tuo sublimis adoptat

te patruus magnique animo solacia luctus105

restituens propius quam si genuisset amavit

defuncti fratis subolem; nec carior olim

mutua Ledaeos devinxit cura Lacones:

addidit et proprio germana vocabula nato

quaque datur fratris speciem sibi reddit adempti.110

denique cum rerum summas electus habenas

susciperet, non ante suis intendit amorem

pignoribus quam te pariter fidamque sororem

litus ad Eoum terris acciret Hiberis.

Deseritur iam ripa Tagi Zephyrique relictis115

sedibus Aurorae famulas properatur ad urbes.

incedunt geminae proles fraterna puellae:

inde Serena minor, prior hinc Thermantia natu,

expertes thalami, quarum Cythereia necdum

[247]grass and white lilies blossomed there; didst thou close thine eyes in quiet sleep, there burgeoned the purple violet to adorn thy grassy couch with her imperial colour. Thy mother dared not tell of such great omens and, knowing her own secret vow, hides with eager hope the fulfilment she prays for.Thy father Honorius held thee in a close embrace. Whenever Theodosius—not emperor then—came to his brother’s house he covered thee with kisses and loved to take thee with him to his own home. Then turning to thy mother with gentle complaint, “Why,” thou saidst, “take me from my own home? This man ever commands.[101]” Prophetic was the sportive word and thine infant lips gave augury of empire. At the death of thy sire thine illustrious uncle adopted thee and to console thee for the bitterness of that loss, bestowed upon thee, his brother’s child, more love than he could have bestowed on any child of his own. Leda’s twin sons were not united with a bond of affection more sure. He gave his own son the name his brother had borne, hoping in some way to discover in that son the image of the brother he had loved and lost. Finally, when the people’s choice had summoned him to take up the reins of empire, Theodosius would not vouchsafe his sons any proof of his affection for them until he had summoned thee and thy faithful sister from Spain to the lands of morning.So now they leave Tagus’ banks and the home of the west winds and hasten towards the cities that recognize the empery of the east. They come, the maidens twain, his brother’s children, on this side Serena the younger, on that Thermantia[102]the elder born, strange as yet to love; nor has Hymen bent[101]Claudian plays on the wordsimperatandimperator.[102]This Thermantia is not to be confused with her niece Thermantia, daughter of Serena and Stilicho (x. 339).

[247]

grass and white lilies blossomed there; didst thou close thine eyes in quiet sleep, there burgeoned the purple violet to adorn thy grassy couch with her imperial colour. Thy mother dared not tell of such great omens and, knowing her own secret vow, hides with eager hope the fulfilment she prays for.

Thy father Honorius held thee in a close embrace. Whenever Theodosius—not emperor then—came to his brother’s house he covered thee with kisses and loved to take thee with him to his own home. Then turning to thy mother with gentle complaint, “Why,” thou saidst, “take me from my own home? This man ever commands.[101]” Prophetic was the sportive word and thine infant lips gave augury of empire. At the death of thy sire thine illustrious uncle adopted thee and to console thee for the bitterness of that loss, bestowed upon thee, his brother’s child, more love than he could have bestowed on any child of his own. Leda’s twin sons were not united with a bond of affection more sure. He gave his own son the name his brother had borne, hoping in some way to discover in that son the image of the brother he had loved and lost. Finally, when the people’s choice had summoned him to take up the reins of empire, Theodosius would not vouchsafe his sons any proof of his affection for them until he had summoned thee and thy faithful sister from Spain to the lands of morning.

So now they leave Tagus’ banks and the home of the west winds and hasten towards the cities that recognize the empery of the east. They come, the maidens twain, his brother’s children, on this side Serena the younger, on that Thermantia[102]the elder born, strange as yet to love; nor has Hymen bent

[101]Claudian plays on the wordsimperatandimperator.

[102]This Thermantia is not to be confused with her niece Thermantia, daughter of Serena and Stilicho (x. 339).

[248]sub iuga cervices niveas Hymenaeus adegit.120utraque luminibus timidum micat, utraque pulchroexcitat ore faces. qualis Latonia virgoet solo Iove nata soror cum forte revisuntaequorei sortem patrui (spumantia ceduntaequora castarum gressus venerata dearum;125non ludit Galatea procax, non improbus audettangere Cymothoën Triton totoque severosindicit mores pelago pudor ipsaque Proteusarcet ab amplexu turpi Neptunia monstra):tales sceptriferi visurae tecta parentis130limen Honoriades penetrant regale sorores.ambas ille quidem patrio complexus amore,sed merito pietas in te proclivior ibat;et quotiens, rerum moles ut publica cogit,tristior aut ira tumidus flagrante redibat,135cum patrem nati fugerent atque ipsa timeretcommotum Flaccilla virum, tu sola frementemfrangere, tu blando poteras sermone mederi.adloquiis haerere tuis, secreta fateri.[103]Prisca puellares reverentia transilit annos.140non talem Triviae confert laudator HomerusAlcinoo genitam, quae dum per litora vestesexplicat et famulas exercet laeta choreis,auratam iaculata pilam post naufraga somniotia progressum foliis expavit Ulixen.145Pierius labor et veterum tibi carmina vatumludus erat: quos Smyrna dedit, quos Mantua libros[103]MSS.havefideli; P marks the passage as corrupt. I adopt Birt’sfateriand, with Heinsius and Buecheler, suppose a line fallen out between 138 and 139.[249]their snowy necks to the yoke of Venus. Spirited yet modest is the glance of each; of each the beauty fires the hearts of men. Such as are Diana and her sister, motherless child of Jove, when they visit the realm of their uncle, lord of the sea (the foaming waves grow smooth before them in honour of the approach of the chaste goddesses; Galatea ceases her mad frolics, bold Triton dares not clasp Cymothoë in his embrace; o’er the whole ocean the dictates of purity hold sway and Proteus prevents even Neptune’s flocks from indulging in their shameless amours)—even such the daughters of Honorius enter the palace and view the home of their royal parent. Both did the prince embrace with a father’s love but justly did affection turn more readily to thee. Often when, his heart troubled by the anxieties of public business, he returned home depressed or angered, when his own sons fled his presence and even Flaccilla feared to approach her exasperated husband, thou alone wert able to stay his wrath and bring healing with sweet converse. On thy words he would hang, to thee confess his secret thoughts.Thy modesty, worthy of an earlier age, surpassed even that of modest girlhood. Less chaste than thee was that daughter of Alcinous whom Homer, in his praises of her, compares to Diana; she who spread her clothes on the shore to dry and sported with her attendant maids, throwing a golden ball from hand to hand until she fled in alarm from Ulysses issuing forth from the thicket where he had been enjoying sleep after his shipwreck.The study of the Muses and the songs of poets of olden time were thy delight. Turning the pages of Homer, bard of Smyrna, or those of Virgil,

[248]

sub iuga cervices niveas Hymenaeus adegit.120utraque luminibus timidum micat, utraque pulchroexcitat ore faces. qualis Latonia virgoet solo Iove nata soror cum forte revisuntaequorei sortem patrui (spumantia ceduntaequora castarum gressus venerata dearum;125non ludit Galatea procax, non improbus audettangere Cymothoën Triton totoque severosindicit mores pelago pudor ipsaque Proteusarcet ab amplexu turpi Neptunia monstra):tales sceptriferi visurae tecta parentis130limen Honoriades penetrant regale sorores.ambas ille quidem patrio complexus amore,sed merito pietas in te proclivior ibat;et quotiens, rerum moles ut publica cogit,tristior aut ira tumidus flagrante redibat,135cum patrem nati fugerent atque ipsa timeretcommotum Flaccilla virum, tu sola frementemfrangere, tu blando poteras sermone mederi.adloquiis haerere tuis, secreta fateri.[103]Prisca puellares reverentia transilit annos.140non talem Triviae confert laudator HomerusAlcinoo genitam, quae dum per litora vestesexplicat et famulas exercet laeta choreis,auratam iaculata pilam post naufraga somniotia progressum foliis expavit Ulixen.145Pierius labor et veterum tibi carmina vatumludus erat: quos Smyrna dedit, quos Mantua libros

sub iuga cervices niveas Hymenaeus adegit.120

utraque luminibus timidum micat, utraque pulchro

excitat ore faces. qualis Latonia virgo

et solo Iove nata soror cum forte revisunt

aequorei sortem patrui (spumantia cedunt

aequora castarum gressus venerata dearum;125

non ludit Galatea procax, non improbus audet

tangere Cymothoën Triton totoque severos

indicit mores pelago pudor ipsaque Proteus

arcet ab amplexu turpi Neptunia monstra):

tales sceptriferi visurae tecta parentis130

limen Honoriades penetrant regale sorores.

ambas ille quidem patrio complexus amore,

sed merito pietas in te proclivior ibat;

et quotiens, rerum moles ut publica cogit,

tristior aut ira tumidus flagrante redibat,135

cum patrem nati fugerent atque ipsa timeret

commotum Flaccilla virum, tu sola frementem

frangere, tu blando poteras sermone mederi.

adloquiis haerere tuis, secreta fateri.[103]

Prisca puellares reverentia transilit annos.140

non talem Triviae confert laudator Homerus

Alcinoo genitam, quae dum per litora vestes

explicat et famulas exercet laeta choreis,

auratam iaculata pilam post naufraga somni

otia progressum foliis expavit Ulixen.145

Pierius labor et veterum tibi carmina vatum

ludus erat: quos Smyrna dedit, quos Mantua libros

[103]MSS.havefideli; P marks the passage as corrupt. I adopt Birt’sfateriand, with Heinsius and Buecheler, suppose a line fallen out between 138 and 139.

[249]their snowy necks to the yoke of Venus. Spirited yet modest is the glance of each; of each the beauty fires the hearts of men. Such as are Diana and her sister, motherless child of Jove, when they visit the realm of their uncle, lord of the sea (the foaming waves grow smooth before them in honour of the approach of the chaste goddesses; Galatea ceases her mad frolics, bold Triton dares not clasp Cymothoë in his embrace; o’er the whole ocean the dictates of purity hold sway and Proteus prevents even Neptune’s flocks from indulging in their shameless amours)—even such the daughters of Honorius enter the palace and view the home of their royal parent. Both did the prince embrace with a father’s love but justly did affection turn more readily to thee. Often when, his heart troubled by the anxieties of public business, he returned home depressed or angered, when his own sons fled his presence and even Flaccilla feared to approach her exasperated husband, thou alone wert able to stay his wrath and bring healing with sweet converse. On thy words he would hang, to thee confess his secret thoughts.Thy modesty, worthy of an earlier age, surpassed even that of modest girlhood. Less chaste than thee was that daughter of Alcinous whom Homer, in his praises of her, compares to Diana; she who spread her clothes on the shore to dry and sported with her attendant maids, throwing a golden ball from hand to hand until she fled in alarm from Ulysses issuing forth from the thicket where he had been enjoying sleep after his shipwreck.The study of the Muses and the songs of poets of olden time were thy delight. Turning the pages of Homer, bard of Smyrna, or those of Virgil,

[249]

their snowy necks to the yoke of Venus. Spirited yet modest is the glance of each; of each the beauty fires the hearts of men. Such as are Diana and her sister, motherless child of Jove, when they visit the realm of their uncle, lord of the sea (the foaming waves grow smooth before them in honour of the approach of the chaste goddesses; Galatea ceases her mad frolics, bold Triton dares not clasp Cymothoë in his embrace; o’er the whole ocean the dictates of purity hold sway and Proteus prevents even Neptune’s flocks from indulging in their shameless amours)—even such the daughters of Honorius enter the palace and view the home of their royal parent. Both did the prince embrace with a father’s love but justly did affection turn more readily to thee. Often when, his heart troubled by the anxieties of public business, he returned home depressed or angered, when his own sons fled his presence and even Flaccilla feared to approach her exasperated husband, thou alone wert able to stay his wrath and bring healing with sweet converse. On thy words he would hang, to thee confess his secret thoughts.

Thy modesty, worthy of an earlier age, surpassed even that of modest girlhood. Less chaste than thee was that daughter of Alcinous whom Homer, in his praises of her, compares to Diana; she who spread her clothes on the shore to dry and sported with her attendant maids, throwing a golden ball from hand to hand until she fled in alarm from Ulysses issuing forth from the thicket where he had been enjoying sleep after his shipwreck.

The study of the Muses and the songs of poets of olden time were thy delight. Turning the pages of Homer, bard of Smyrna, or those of Virgil,

[250]percurrens damnas Helenam nec parcis Elissae.nobiliora tenent animos exempla pudicos:Laodamia sequens remeantem rursus ad umbras150Phylaciden et prona ruens Capaneia coniunxcommunes ardente viro mixtura favillas,et gravis incumbens casto Lucretia ferro,vulnere quae proprio facinus testata tyranniarmavit patriae iustos in bella dolores155exule Tarquinio, memorandaque concidit unoulta pudicitiam libertatemque cruore.talia facta libens non tu virtute minore,sed fato meliore legis.Iam nubilis aetasprincipe sollicito votis erexerat aulam160incertis, quem tanta tori fortuna maneret.Antiquos loquitur Musarum pagina reges,quod dura sub lege procos certare iuberent,empturos thalamum dubii discrimine leti,et sua crudeles gauderent pignora mortis165ambitione peti. curru Pisaea marinofugit praeda Pelops; nam perfidus obice regisprodidit Oenomai deceptus Myrtilus axem.Hippomenes trepidus cursu ferroque secutamaurato volucrem flexit Schoeneida pomo.170Herculeas vidit Fluvio luctante palaestrasmoenibus ex altis Calydon pretiumque laboriDeianira fuit, cum pectore victor anheloAlcides fremeret retroque Acheloius iretdecolor: attonitae stringebant vulnera Nymphae;175saucia truncato pallebant flumina cornu.[251]poet of Mantua, thou findest fault with Helen nor canst approve of Dido. Thy chaste mind fastens upon examples more noble: Laodamia following Protesilaus as he returned to the shades; Euadne who cast herself on the flaming pyre whereon her husband Capaneus perished, wishing to mingle her ashes with his; grave Lucrece who fell upon a chaste sword, she who self-slain bore witness to the tyrant’s crime, aroused to war her country’s righteous wrath, drove Tarquin into exile and died gloriously, having avenged by her one sacrifice both chastity and freedom. Of such deeds thou dost read with joy, thyself not less in virtue though more blessed of fortune.Now that thou art of an age for marriage the hopes of the young courtiers run high, but the prince hesitates to select the happy man who is to share thy couch and regal state.The pages of the poets tell how ancient kings bade suitors contend on the hard terms of purchasing the bride at hazard of their lives, and rejoiced that death should be the wooer of their daughters. Pelops escaped the weapons of Pisa’s king, thanks to the chariot Neptune gave him, for it was Myrtilus who tricked King Oenomaus by withdrawing the lynch-pin from the chariot-wheel. Panting Hippomenes got the better of Atalanta, daughter of Schoeneus, who followed close on his traces, a sword in her hand, by means of the golden apples. The inhabitants of Calydon watched from their high battlements the struggle of Hercules with the river-god when, Deianira being the prize of victory, the panting hero shouted in triumph and Achelous paled and shrank away, shorn of his horn, the wound whereof the astonished river nymphs sought to heal.

[250]

percurrens damnas Helenam nec parcis Elissae.nobiliora tenent animos exempla pudicos:Laodamia sequens remeantem rursus ad umbras150Phylaciden et prona ruens Capaneia coniunxcommunes ardente viro mixtura favillas,et gravis incumbens casto Lucretia ferro,vulnere quae proprio facinus testata tyranniarmavit patriae iustos in bella dolores155exule Tarquinio, memorandaque concidit unoulta pudicitiam libertatemque cruore.talia facta libens non tu virtute minore,sed fato meliore legis.Iam nubilis aetasprincipe sollicito votis erexerat aulam160incertis, quem tanta tori fortuna maneret.Antiquos loquitur Musarum pagina reges,quod dura sub lege procos certare iuberent,empturos thalamum dubii discrimine leti,et sua crudeles gauderent pignora mortis165ambitione peti. curru Pisaea marinofugit praeda Pelops; nam perfidus obice regisprodidit Oenomai deceptus Myrtilus axem.Hippomenes trepidus cursu ferroque secutamaurato volucrem flexit Schoeneida pomo.170Herculeas vidit Fluvio luctante palaestrasmoenibus ex altis Calydon pretiumque laboriDeianira fuit, cum pectore victor anheloAlcides fremeret retroque Acheloius iretdecolor: attonitae stringebant vulnera Nymphae;175saucia truncato pallebant flumina cornu.

percurrens damnas Helenam nec parcis Elissae.

nobiliora tenent animos exempla pudicos:

Laodamia sequens remeantem rursus ad umbras150

Phylaciden et prona ruens Capaneia coniunx

communes ardente viro mixtura favillas,

et gravis incumbens casto Lucretia ferro,

vulnere quae proprio facinus testata tyranni

armavit patriae iustos in bella dolores155

exule Tarquinio, memorandaque concidit uno

ulta pudicitiam libertatemque cruore.

talia facta libens non tu virtute minore,

sed fato meliore legis.

Iam nubilis aetas

principe sollicito votis erexerat aulam160

incertis, quem tanta tori fortuna maneret.

Antiquos loquitur Musarum pagina reges,

quod dura sub lege procos certare iuberent,

empturos thalamum dubii discrimine leti,

et sua crudeles gauderent pignora mortis165

ambitione peti. curru Pisaea marino

fugit praeda Pelops; nam perfidus obice regis

prodidit Oenomai deceptus Myrtilus axem.

Hippomenes trepidus cursu ferroque secutam

aurato volucrem flexit Schoeneida pomo.170

Herculeas vidit Fluvio luctante palaestras

moenibus ex altis Calydon pretiumque labori

Deianira fuit, cum pectore victor anhelo

Alcides fremeret retroque Acheloius iret

decolor: attonitae stringebant vulnera Nymphae;175

saucia truncato pallebant flumina cornu.

[251]poet of Mantua, thou findest fault with Helen nor canst approve of Dido. Thy chaste mind fastens upon examples more noble: Laodamia following Protesilaus as he returned to the shades; Euadne who cast herself on the flaming pyre whereon her husband Capaneus perished, wishing to mingle her ashes with his; grave Lucrece who fell upon a chaste sword, she who self-slain bore witness to the tyrant’s crime, aroused to war her country’s righteous wrath, drove Tarquin into exile and died gloriously, having avenged by her one sacrifice both chastity and freedom. Of such deeds thou dost read with joy, thyself not less in virtue though more blessed of fortune.Now that thou art of an age for marriage the hopes of the young courtiers run high, but the prince hesitates to select the happy man who is to share thy couch and regal state.The pages of the poets tell how ancient kings bade suitors contend on the hard terms of purchasing the bride at hazard of their lives, and rejoiced that death should be the wooer of their daughters. Pelops escaped the weapons of Pisa’s king, thanks to the chariot Neptune gave him, for it was Myrtilus who tricked King Oenomaus by withdrawing the lynch-pin from the chariot-wheel. Panting Hippomenes got the better of Atalanta, daughter of Schoeneus, who followed close on his traces, a sword in her hand, by means of the golden apples. The inhabitants of Calydon watched from their high battlements the struggle of Hercules with the river-god when, Deianira being the prize of victory, the panting hero shouted in triumph and Achelous paled and shrank away, shorn of his horn, the wound whereof the astonished river nymphs sought to heal.

[251]

poet of Mantua, thou findest fault with Helen nor canst approve of Dido. Thy chaste mind fastens upon examples more noble: Laodamia following Protesilaus as he returned to the shades; Euadne who cast herself on the flaming pyre whereon her husband Capaneus perished, wishing to mingle her ashes with his; grave Lucrece who fell upon a chaste sword, she who self-slain bore witness to the tyrant’s crime, aroused to war her country’s righteous wrath, drove Tarquin into exile and died gloriously, having avenged by her one sacrifice both chastity and freedom. Of such deeds thou dost read with joy, thyself not less in virtue though more blessed of fortune.

Now that thou art of an age for marriage the hopes of the young courtiers run high, but the prince hesitates to select the happy man who is to share thy couch and regal state.

The pages of the poets tell how ancient kings bade suitors contend on the hard terms of purchasing the bride at hazard of their lives, and rejoiced that death should be the wooer of their daughters. Pelops escaped the weapons of Pisa’s king, thanks to the chariot Neptune gave him, for it was Myrtilus who tricked King Oenomaus by withdrawing the lynch-pin from the chariot-wheel. Panting Hippomenes got the better of Atalanta, daughter of Schoeneus, who followed close on his traces, a sword in her hand, by means of the golden apples. The inhabitants of Calydon watched from their high battlements the struggle of Hercules with the river-god when, Deianira being the prize of victory, the panting hero shouted in triumph and Achelous paled and shrank away, shorn of his horn, the wound whereof the astonished river nymphs sought to heal.

Back to Index Next