Chapter 11

[252]te non Hesperidum pomis, non amne subacto,non socerum fallente rota, sed iudice dignusAugusto variis Stilicho spectatus in armisaccipit et regni dotes virtute paravit.180saepe duces meritis bello tribuere coronas:hunc cingit muralis honos; hunc civica quercusnexuit; hunc domitis ambit rostrata carinis.solus, militiae mira mercede, iugalempromeruit Stilicho socero referente coronam.185Agnovit patrui similem Thermantia curam;nupsit et illa duci; sed longe fata sororisinferiora tuis. alio tibi numine taedasaccendit Romana Salus magnisque coronisconiugium fit causa tuum. dilectus equorum,190quos Phrygiae matres Argaeaque gramina pastaesemine Cappadocum sacris praesaepibus edunt,primus honor, gemino mox inde e germine[104]duxitagmina commissosque labor sic gessit honores,ut semper merito princeps cum magna dedisset,195deberet maiora tamen. si bellica nubesingrueret, quamvis annis et iure minoricedere grandaevos equitum peditumque magistrosadspiceres totumque palam permittere Martem,nec gradus aetatisque pudor senioribus obstat,200ne iuveni parere velint. ceu flamine molli[104]germineis the reading adopted by the Aldine ed. TheMSS.vary. Birt conjecturesex ordine.[253]But it is neither to the apples of the Hesperides nor to victory over a river nor to treacherous tampering with a chariot-wheel that Stilicho owes the winning of thy hand; the emperor himself adjudged him worthy thereof, for that his valour had been proved in countless wars; his own courage won him an empress to wife. Generals have often bestowed decorations on those who have deserved them in battle: one man wins the mural crown, another the civic wreath, a third, for having defeated an enemy’s fleet, the naval decoration. Stilicho is the only warrior who, as the reward for signal services in war, has won from a grateful father’s hand the crown of marriage.Thermantia owes her uncle no lesser debt of gratitude: she too was married to a general. But how far inferior to thine, Serena, was thy sister’s fortune! For thee with fairer promise Rome’s guardian-angel kindles the torches, and glorious are the garlands that thy marriage brings. First to be set in his charge is the care of the horses reared in the royal stables, whose dams were Phrygian mares, or such as have pastured on Argos’ plains, whose sires were Cappadocians. Soon he exercises a double command in the army[105]and fulfils his functions with such energy and success that, howsoever great the honours heaped upon him by the emperor, his deserts are ever in excess of his reward. Whenever the cloud of war threatened thou mightest have seen experienced commanders of horse and foot give way to a leader younger and of less exalted rank and without more ado entrust to him the whole war. Neither rank nor age stays older men through shame from ready obedience to a youth. As when on a calm sea[105]i.e.magister utriusque militiaein the East.

[252]

te non Hesperidum pomis, non amne subacto,non socerum fallente rota, sed iudice dignusAugusto variis Stilicho spectatus in armisaccipit et regni dotes virtute paravit.180saepe duces meritis bello tribuere coronas:hunc cingit muralis honos; hunc civica quercusnexuit; hunc domitis ambit rostrata carinis.solus, militiae mira mercede, iugalempromeruit Stilicho socero referente coronam.185Agnovit patrui similem Thermantia curam;nupsit et illa duci; sed longe fata sororisinferiora tuis. alio tibi numine taedasaccendit Romana Salus magnisque coronisconiugium fit causa tuum. dilectus equorum,190quos Phrygiae matres Argaeaque gramina pastaesemine Cappadocum sacris praesaepibus edunt,primus honor, gemino mox inde e germine[104]duxitagmina commissosque labor sic gessit honores,ut semper merito princeps cum magna dedisset,195deberet maiora tamen. si bellica nubesingrueret, quamvis annis et iure minoricedere grandaevos equitum peditumque magistrosadspiceres totumque palam permittere Martem,nec gradus aetatisque pudor senioribus obstat,200ne iuveni parere velint. ceu flamine molli

te non Hesperidum pomis, non amne subacto,

non socerum fallente rota, sed iudice dignus

Augusto variis Stilicho spectatus in armis

accipit et regni dotes virtute paravit.180

saepe duces meritis bello tribuere coronas:

hunc cingit muralis honos; hunc civica quercus

nexuit; hunc domitis ambit rostrata carinis.

solus, militiae mira mercede, iugalem

promeruit Stilicho socero referente coronam.185

Agnovit patrui similem Thermantia curam;

nupsit et illa duci; sed longe fata sororis

inferiora tuis. alio tibi numine taedas

accendit Romana Salus magnisque coronis

coniugium fit causa tuum. dilectus equorum,190

quos Phrygiae matres Argaeaque gramina pastae

semine Cappadocum sacris praesaepibus edunt,

primus honor, gemino mox inde e germine[104]duxit

agmina commissosque labor sic gessit honores,

ut semper merito princeps cum magna dedisset,195

deberet maiora tamen. si bellica nubes

ingrueret, quamvis annis et iure minori

cedere grandaevos equitum peditumque magistros

adspiceres totumque palam permittere Martem,

nec gradus aetatisque pudor senioribus obstat,200

ne iuveni parere velint. ceu flamine molli

[104]germineis the reading adopted by the Aldine ed. TheMSS.vary. Birt conjecturesex ordine.

[253]But it is neither to the apples of the Hesperides nor to victory over a river nor to treacherous tampering with a chariot-wheel that Stilicho owes the winning of thy hand; the emperor himself adjudged him worthy thereof, for that his valour had been proved in countless wars; his own courage won him an empress to wife. Generals have often bestowed decorations on those who have deserved them in battle: one man wins the mural crown, another the civic wreath, a third, for having defeated an enemy’s fleet, the naval decoration. Stilicho is the only warrior who, as the reward for signal services in war, has won from a grateful father’s hand the crown of marriage.Thermantia owes her uncle no lesser debt of gratitude: she too was married to a general. But how far inferior to thine, Serena, was thy sister’s fortune! For thee with fairer promise Rome’s guardian-angel kindles the torches, and glorious are the garlands that thy marriage brings. First to be set in his charge is the care of the horses reared in the royal stables, whose dams were Phrygian mares, or such as have pastured on Argos’ plains, whose sires were Cappadocians. Soon he exercises a double command in the army[105]and fulfils his functions with such energy and success that, howsoever great the honours heaped upon him by the emperor, his deserts are ever in excess of his reward. Whenever the cloud of war threatened thou mightest have seen experienced commanders of horse and foot give way to a leader younger and of less exalted rank and without more ado entrust to him the whole war. Neither rank nor age stays older men through shame from ready obedience to a youth. As when on a calm sea[105]i.e.magister utriusque militiaein the East.

[253]

But it is neither to the apples of the Hesperides nor to victory over a river nor to treacherous tampering with a chariot-wheel that Stilicho owes the winning of thy hand; the emperor himself adjudged him worthy thereof, for that his valour had been proved in countless wars; his own courage won him an empress to wife. Generals have often bestowed decorations on those who have deserved them in battle: one man wins the mural crown, another the civic wreath, a third, for having defeated an enemy’s fleet, the naval decoration. Stilicho is the only warrior who, as the reward for signal services in war, has won from a grateful father’s hand the crown of marriage.

Thermantia owes her uncle no lesser debt of gratitude: she too was married to a general. But how far inferior to thine, Serena, was thy sister’s fortune! For thee with fairer promise Rome’s guardian-angel kindles the torches, and glorious are the garlands that thy marriage brings. First to be set in his charge is the care of the horses reared in the royal stables, whose dams were Phrygian mares, or such as have pastured on Argos’ plains, whose sires were Cappadocians. Soon he exercises a double command in the army[105]and fulfils his functions with such energy and success that, howsoever great the honours heaped upon him by the emperor, his deserts are ever in excess of his reward. Whenever the cloud of war threatened thou mightest have seen experienced commanders of horse and foot give way to a leader younger and of less exalted rank and without more ado entrust to him the whole war. Neither rank nor age stays older men through shame from ready obedience to a youth. As when on a calm sea

[105]i.e.magister utriusque militiaein the East.

[254]tranquillisque fretis clavum sibi quisque regendumvindicat; incumbat si turbidus Auster et undapulset utrumque latus, posito certamine nautaecontenti meliore manu seseque pavere205confessi (finem studiis fecere procellae):haud aliter Stilicho, fremuit cum Thracia bellitempestas, cunctis pariter cedentibus unuseligitur ductor; suffragia quippe peregitiudex vera timor; victus ratione salutisQuis tibi tunc per membra tremor quantaeque cadebantubertim lacrimae, cum saeva vocantibus armaiam lituis madido respectans lumina vultuoptares reducem galeaeque inserta minaci215oscula cristati raperes festina mariti!gaudia quae rursus, cum post victricia tandemclassica sidereas ferratum pectus in ulnasexciperes, castae tuto per dulcia noctisotia pugnarum seriem narrare iuberes!220non illo nitidos umquam bellante capilloscomere, non solitos gemmarum sumere cultus:numinibus votisque vacas et supplice crineverris humum: teritur neglectae gratia formaecum proprio reditura viro.Nec deside cura225segnis marcet amor: laudem prudentia bellifeminea pro parte subit. dum gentibus illeconfligit, vigili tu prospicis omnia sensu,ne quid in absentem virtutibus obvia semperaudeat invidiae rabies neu fervor iniquus,230ne qua procul positis furto subsederit armis[255]every sailor maintains his right to manage the rudder, but if the blustering south wind comes upon them and the waves buffet them on either side, then contention ceases and the sailors accepting a more skilful hand admit their fear (for the storm has set a term to their jealousy), even so Stilicho when the storm of war broke out in Thrace was chosen as commander-in-chief over the heads of all. Fear, that surest of judges, won him the votes of all; regard for safety o’ermastered ambition and jealousy was overthrown by dread.How thou didst tremble and weep when the cruel bugles summoned thy lord to arms! With a countenance wet with tears thou saw’st him leave thy home praying for his safe return after snatching the final hasty kiss from between the bars of his crested helmet’s visor. But again what joy when at length he returned, preceded by the clarion of victory and thou couldst hold his still mailed form in thy loving arms once more! How sweet the long hours of the chaste night wherein thou badest him tell in safety the story of his battles. Whilst he was at the wars thou didst not comb thy shining hair nor wear the jewels that were wont to adorn thee. Thy time is spent in worship and in prayer as thy suppliant tresses sweep the temple floor; uncared for perishes the gracious beauty that shall return with thine own lord.But love languishes not in idleness and sloth; as far as it could a woman’s watchful care seconds his deeds of glory. While he warred with foreign nations thou keepest guard lest mad envy or burning calumny should dare aught against him while far away, and lest, when war was ended abroad, treachery should lie secretly in wait to injure him

[254]

tranquillisque fretis clavum sibi quisque regendumvindicat; incumbat si turbidus Auster et undapulset utrumque latus, posito certamine nautaecontenti meliore manu seseque pavere205confessi (finem studiis fecere procellae):haud aliter Stilicho, fremuit cum Thracia bellitempestas, cunctis pariter cedentibus unuseligitur ductor; suffragia quippe peregitiudex vera timor; victus ratione salutisQuis tibi tunc per membra tremor quantaeque cadebantubertim lacrimae, cum saeva vocantibus armaiam lituis madido respectans lumina vultuoptares reducem galeaeque inserta minaci215oscula cristati raperes festina mariti!gaudia quae rursus, cum post victricia tandemclassica sidereas ferratum pectus in ulnasexciperes, castae tuto per dulcia noctisotia pugnarum seriem narrare iuberes!220non illo nitidos umquam bellante capilloscomere, non solitos gemmarum sumere cultus:numinibus votisque vacas et supplice crineverris humum: teritur neglectae gratia formaecum proprio reditura viro.Nec deside cura225segnis marcet amor: laudem prudentia bellifeminea pro parte subit. dum gentibus illeconfligit, vigili tu prospicis omnia sensu,ne quid in absentem virtutibus obvia semperaudeat invidiae rabies neu fervor iniquus,230ne qua procul positis furto subsederit armis

tranquillisque fretis clavum sibi quisque regendum

vindicat; incumbat si turbidus Auster et unda

pulset utrumque latus, posito certamine nautae

contenti meliore manu seseque pavere205

confessi (finem studiis fecere procellae):

haud aliter Stilicho, fremuit cum Thracia belli

tempestas, cunctis pariter cedentibus unus

eligitur ductor; suffragia quippe peregit

iudex vera timor; victus ratione salutis

Quis tibi tunc per membra tremor quantaeque cadebant

ubertim lacrimae, cum saeva vocantibus arma

iam lituis madido respectans lumina vultu

optares reducem galeaeque inserta minaci215

oscula cristati raperes festina mariti!

gaudia quae rursus, cum post victricia tandem

classica sidereas ferratum pectus in ulnas

exciperes, castae tuto per dulcia noctis

otia pugnarum seriem narrare iuberes!220

non illo nitidos umquam bellante capillos

comere, non solitos gemmarum sumere cultus:

numinibus votisque vacas et supplice crine

verris humum: teritur neglectae gratia formae

cum proprio reditura viro.

Nec deside cura225

segnis marcet amor: laudem prudentia belli

feminea pro parte subit. dum gentibus ille

confligit, vigili tu prospicis omnia sensu,

ne quid in absentem virtutibus obvia semper

audeat invidiae rabies neu fervor iniquus,230

ne qua procul positis furto subsederit armis

[255]every sailor maintains his right to manage the rudder, but if the blustering south wind comes upon them and the waves buffet them on either side, then contention ceases and the sailors accepting a more skilful hand admit their fear (for the storm has set a term to their jealousy), even so Stilicho when the storm of war broke out in Thrace was chosen as commander-in-chief over the heads of all. Fear, that surest of judges, won him the votes of all; regard for safety o’ermastered ambition and jealousy was overthrown by dread.How thou didst tremble and weep when the cruel bugles summoned thy lord to arms! With a countenance wet with tears thou saw’st him leave thy home praying for his safe return after snatching the final hasty kiss from between the bars of his crested helmet’s visor. But again what joy when at length he returned, preceded by the clarion of victory and thou couldst hold his still mailed form in thy loving arms once more! How sweet the long hours of the chaste night wherein thou badest him tell in safety the story of his battles. Whilst he was at the wars thou didst not comb thy shining hair nor wear the jewels that were wont to adorn thee. Thy time is spent in worship and in prayer as thy suppliant tresses sweep the temple floor; uncared for perishes the gracious beauty that shall return with thine own lord.But love languishes not in idleness and sloth; as far as it could a woman’s watchful care seconds his deeds of glory. While he warred with foreign nations thou keepest guard lest mad envy or burning calumny should dare aught against him while far away, and lest, when war was ended abroad, treachery should lie secretly in wait to injure him

[255]

every sailor maintains his right to manage the rudder, but if the blustering south wind comes upon them and the waves buffet them on either side, then contention ceases and the sailors accepting a more skilful hand admit their fear (for the storm has set a term to their jealousy), even so Stilicho when the storm of war broke out in Thrace was chosen as commander-in-chief over the heads of all. Fear, that surest of judges, won him the votes of all; regard for safety o’ermastered ambition and jealousy was overthrown by dread.

How thou didst tremble and weep when the cruel bugles summoned thy lord to arms! With a countenance wet with tears thou saw’st him leave thy home praying for his safe return after snatching the final hasty kiss from between the bars of his crested helmet’s visor. But again what joy when at length he returned, preceded by the clarion of victory and thou couldst hold his still mailed form in thy loving arms once more! How sweet the long hours of the chaste night wherein thou badest him tell in safety the story of his battles. Whilst he was at the wars thou didst not comb thy shining hair nor wear the jewels that were wont to adorn thee. Thy time is spent in worship and in prayer as thy suppliant tresses sweep the temple floor; uncared for perishes the gracious beauty that shall return with thine own lord.

But love languishes not in idleness and sloth; as far as it could a woman’s watchful care seconds his deeds of glory. While he warred with foreign nations thou keepest guard lest mad envy or burning calumny should dare aught against him while far away, and lest, when war was ended abroad, treachery should lie secretly in wait to injure him

[256]calliditas nocitura domi. tu sedula quondamRufino meditante nefas, cum quaereret artesin ducis exitium coniuratosque foveretcontra pila Getas, motus rimata latentes235mandatis tremebunda virum scriptisque monebas.XXXI. (XL.)Epistula ad Serenam.Orphea cum primae sociarent numina taedaeruraque compleret Thracia festus Hymen,certavere ferae picturataeque volucres,dona suo vati quae potiora darent,quippe antri memores, cautes ubi saepe sonorae5praebuerant dulci mira theatra lyrae.Caucasio crystalla ferunt de vertice lynces,grypes Hyperborei pondera fulva soli,furatae Veneris prato per inane columbaeflorea conexis serta tulere rosis,10fractaque nobilium ramis electra sororumcycnus oloriferi vexit ab amne Padi,et Nilo Pygmaea grues post bella remensoore legunt Rubri germina cara maris.venit et extremo Phoenix longaevus ab Euro15adportans unco cinnama rara pede.nulla avium pecudumque fuit, quae ferre negaretvectigal meritae conubiale lyrae.Tunc opibus totoque Heliconis sedula regnoornabat propriam Calliopea nurum.20[257]at home. Thou didst indeed once show thy vigilance what time Rufinus, hatching his plots, sought means to destroy his master by traitorously stirring up the Getae against Rome, for thou didst search out his foul conspiracy and in fear for thy husband’s safety, didst send him warning by letters and messages.XXXI. (XL.)Letter to Serena.At the first kindling of Orpheus’ marriage-torch when festive Hymen filled the countryside of Thrace the beasts and gay-plumaged birds strove among themselves what best gifts they could bring their poet. Mindful of the cave whose sounding rocks had offered a wondrous theatre for his tuneful lyre, the lynxes brought him crystal from the summits of Caucasus; griffins golden nuggets from regions of the north; doves wreaths of roses and other flowers which they had flown to gather from Venus’ meadow; the swan bore from the stream of its native Padus amber broken from the boughs of the famed sisters[106]; while the cranes, after their war with the pygmies, recrossed the Nile and gathered in their mouths the precious pearls of the Red Sea. There came, too, immortal Phoenix from the distant East, bearing rare spices in his curvèd talons. No bird nor beast was there but brought to that marriage-feast tribute so richly deserved by Orpheus’ lyre.Busily Calliopea decked her son’s bride with her riches and all the treasures of Helicon, and, moreover,[106]i.e.of Phaëthon, who were changed into poplars.

[256]

calliditas nocitura domi. tu sedula quondamRufino meditante nefas, cum quaereret artesin ducis exitium coniuratosque foveretcontra pila Getas, motus rimata latentes235mandatis tremebunda virum scriptisque monebas.

calliditas nocitura domi. tu sedula quondam

Rufino meditante nefas, cum quaereret artes

in ducis exitium coniuratosque foveret

contra pila Getas, motus rimata latentes235

mandatis tremebunda virum scriptisque monebas.

XXXI. (XL.)

Epistula ad Serenam.

Orphea cum primae sociarent numina taedaeruraque compleret Thracia festus Hymen,certavere ferae picturataeque volucres,dona suo vati quae potiora darent,quippe antri memores, cautes ubi saepe sonorae5praebuerant dulci mira theatra lyrae.Caucasio crystalla ferunt de vertice lynces,grypes Hyperborei pondera fulva soli,furatae Veneris prato per inane columbaeflorea conexis serta tulere rosis,10fractaque nobilium ramis electra sororumcycnus oloriferi vexit ab amne Padi,et Nilo Pygmaea grues post bella remensoore legunt Rubri germina cara maris.venit et extremo Phoenix longaevus ab Euro15adportans unco cinnama rara pede.nulla avium pecudumque fuit, quae ferre negaretvectigal meritae conubiale lyrae.Tunc opibus totoque Heliconis sedula regnoornabat propriam Calliopea nurum.20

Orphea cum primae sociarent numina taedae

ruraque compleret Thracia festus Hymen,

certavere ferae picturataeque volucres,

dona suo vati quae potiora darent,

quippe antri memores, cautes ubi saepe sonorae5

praebuerant dulci mira theatra lyrae.

Caucasio crystalla ferunt de vertice lynces,

grypes Hyperborei pondera fulva soli,

furatae Veneris prato per inane columbae

florea conexis serta tulere rosis,10

fractaque nobilium ramis electra sororum

cycnus oloriferi vexit ab amne Padi,

et Nilo Pygmaea grues post bella remenso

ore legunt Rubri germina cara maris.

venit et extremo Phoenix longaevus ab Euro15

adportans unco cinnama rara pede.

nulla avium pecudumque fuit, quae ferre negaret

vectigal meritae conubiale lyrae.

Tunc opibus totoque Heliconis sedula regno

ornabat propriam Calliopea nurum.20

[257]at home. Thou didst indeed once show thy vigilance what time Rufinus, hatching his plots, sought means to destroy his master by traitorously stirring up the Getae against Rome, for thou didst search out his foul conspiracy and in fear for thy husband’s safety, didst send him warning by letters and messages.XXXI. (XL.)Letter to Serena.At the first kindling of Orpheus’ marriage-torch when festive Hymen filled the countryside of Thrace the beasts and gay-plumaged birds strove among themselves what best gifts they could bring their poet. Mindful of the cave whose sounding rocks had offered a wondrous theatre for his tuneful lyre, the lynxes brought him crystal from the summits of Caucasus; griffins golden nuggets from regions of the north; doves wreaths of roses and other flowers which they had flown to gather from Venus’ meadow; the swan bore from the stream of its native Padus amber broken from the boughs of the famed sisters[106]; while the cranes, after their war with the pygmies, recrossed the Nile and gathered in their mouths the precious pearls of the Red Sea. There came, too, immortal Phoenix from the distant East, bearing rare spices in his curvèd talons. No bird nor beast was there but brought to that marriage-feast tribute so richly deserved by Orpheus’ lyre.Busily Calliopea decked her son’s bride with her riches and all the treasures of Helicon, and, moreover,[106]i.e.of Phaëthon, who were changed into poplars.

[257]

at home. Thou didst indeed once show thy vigilance what time Rufinus, hatching his plots, sought means to destroy his master by traitorously stirring up the Getae against Rome, for thou didst search out his foul conspiracy and in fear for thy husband’s safety, didst send him warning by letters and messages.

XXXI. (XL.)

Letter to Serena.

At the first kindling of Orpheus’ marriage-torch when festive Hymen filled the countryside of Thrace the beasts and gay-plumaged birds strove among themselves what best gifts they could bring their poet. Mindful of the cave whose sounding rocks had offered a wondrous theatre for his tuneful lyre, the lynxes brought him crystal from the summits of Caucasus; griffins golden nuggets from regions of the north; doves wreaths of roses and other flowers which they had flown to gather from Venus’ meadow; the swan bore from the stream of its native Padus amber broken from the boughs of the famed sisters[106]; while the cranes, after their war with the pygmies, recrossed the Nile and gathered in their mouths the precious pearls of the Red Sea. There came, too, immortal Phoenix from the distant East, bearing rare spices in his curvèd talons. No bird nor beast was there but brought to that marriage-feast tribute so richly deserved by Orpheus’ lyre.

Busily Calliopea decked her son’s bride with her riches and all the treasures of Helicon, and, moreover,

[106]i.e.of Phaëthon, who were changed into poplars.

[258]ipsam praeterea dominam stellantis Olympiad nati thalamos ausa rogare parens.nec sprevit regina deum vel matris honorevel iusto vatis ducta favore pii,qui sibi carminibus totiens lustraverat aras25Iunonis blanda numina voce canensproeliaque altisoni referens Phlegraea mariti,Titanum fractas Enceladique minas.ilicet adventu noctem dignata iugalemaddidit augendis munera sacra toris,30munera mortales non admittentia cultus,munera, quae solos fas habuisse deos.sed quod Threicio Iuno placabilis Orphei,hoc poteris votis esse, Serena, meis.illius expectent famulantia sidera nutum;35sub pedibus regitur terra fretumque tuis.non ego, cum peterem, sollemni more procorumpromisi gregibus pascua plena meisnec, quod mille mihi lateant sub palmite collesfluctuet et glauca pinguis oliva coma,40nec, quod nostra Ceres numerosa falce laboretaurataeque ferant culmina celsa trabes.suffecit mandasse deam: tua littera nobiset pecus et segetes et domus ampla fuit.inflexit soceros et maiestate petendi45texit pauperiem nominis umbra tui.quid non perficeret scribentis voce Serenaevel genius regni vel pietatis amor?Atque utinam sub luce tui contingeret orisconiugis et castris et solio generi50[259]with a mother’s pride dared to invite to her son’s wedding the queen of starry heaven herself. The queen of the gods spurned not her request either out of respect for Calliopea herself or because she was drawn by a just affection for the pious poet who had so often in her honour chanted his songs before her altars, hymning Juno’s godhead with his sweet voice and telling of the battles of her lord the Thunderer waged on the plains of Phlegra, and of the menace of Enceladus and the Titans there broken. Straightway, counting the marriage—night worthy of her presence, she brought heavenly gifts to deck the bridal, gifts such as stoop not to adorn mortals, gifts that the gods alone may possess. But as Juno showed herself gracious to Thracian Orpheus, so wilt thou, Serena, be favourable to my prayers. The stars, her slaves, obey the nod of her head; thee land and sea, subdued beneath thy feet, obey. I did not, as other suitors use, promise at my courtship fields where graze unnumbered flocks nor hills covered with countless vines, nor rich olive-trees waving in the breeze their grey foliage, nor harvests reaped by a thousand scythes, nor a lofty palace with golden pillars. Enough was the mandate of a goddess; thy letter, Serena, stands me in stead of flocks, of harvests, of palace. The shadow of thy name has won over her parents and an imperial prayer concealed my poverty. When Serena writes, what with such words could not the empire’s spirit or duteous love accomplish?[107]Would heaven had allowed me to solemnize the longed-for day in the light of thy presence, in thy[107]Claudian means that Serena’s imperial position and his own respect therefor ensure his obedience. Serena had written (littera, l. 43) urging Claudian to marry, and the poet uses the letter to urge his suit (ll. 37-46).

[258]

ipsam praeterea dominam stellantis Olympiad nati thalamos ausa rogare parens.nec sprevit regina deum vel matris honorevel iusto vatis ducta favore pii,qui sibi carminibus totiens lustraverat aras25Iunonis blanda numina voce canensproeliaque altisoni referens Phlegraea mariti,Titanum fractas Enceladique minas.ilicet adventu noctem dignata iugalemaddidit augendis munera sacra toris,30munera mortales non admittentia cultus,munera, quae solos fas habuisse deos.sed quod Threicio Iuno placabilis Orphei,hoc poteris votis esse, Serena, meis.illius expectent famulantia sidera nutum;35sub pedibus regitur terra fretumque tuis.non ego, cum peterem, sollemni more procorumpromisi gregibus pascua plena meisnec, quod mille mihi lateant sub palmite collesfluctuet et glauca pinguis oliva coma,40nec, quod nostra Ceres numerosa falce laboretaurataeque ferant culmina celsa trabes.suffecit mandasse deam: tua littera nobiset pecus et segetes et domus ampla fuit.inflexit soceros et maiestate petendi45texit pauperiem nominis umbra tui.quid non perficeret scribentis voce Serenaevel genius regni vel pietatis amor?Atque utinam sub luce tui contingeret orisconiugis et castris et solio generi50

ipsam praeterea dominam stellantis Olympi

ad nati thalamos ausa rogare parens.

nec sprevit regina deum vel matris honore

vel iusto vatis ducta favore pii,

qui sibi carminibus totiens lustraverat aras25

Iunonis blanda numina voce canens

proeliaque altisoni referens Phlegraea mariti,

Titanum fractas Enceladique minas.

ilicet adventu noctem dignata iugalem

addidit augendis munera sacra toris,30

munera mortales non admittentia cultus,

munera, quae solos fas habuisse deos.

sed quod Threicio Iuno placabilis Orphei,

hoc poteris votis esse, Serena, meis.

illius expectent famulantia sidera nutum;35

sub pedibus regitur terra fretumque tuis.

non ego, cum peterem, sollemni more procorum

promisi gregibus pascua plena meis

nec, quod mille mihi lateant sub palmite colles

fluctuet et glauca pinguis oliva coma,40

nec, quod nostra Ceres numerosa falce laboret

aurataeque ferant culmina celsa trabes.

suffecit mandasse deam: tua littera nobis

et pecus et segetes et domus ampla fuit.

inflexit soceros et maiestate petendi45

texit pauperiem nominis umbra tui.

quid non perficeret scribentis voce Serenae

vel genius regni vel pietatis amor?

Atque utinam sub luce tui contingeret oris

coniugis et castris et solio generi50

[259]with a mother’s pride dared to invite to her son’s wedding the queen of starry heaven herself. The queen of the gods spurned not her request either out of respect for Calliopea herself or because she was drawn by a just affection for the pious poet who had so often in her honour chanted his songs before her altars, hymning Juno’s godhead with his sweet voice and telling of the battles of her lord the Thunderer waged on the plains of Phlegra, and of the menace of Enceladus and the Titans there broken. Straightway, counting the marriage—night worthy of her presence, she brought heavenly gifts to deck the bridal, gifts such as stoop not to adorn mortals, gifts that the gods alone may possess. But as Juno showed herself gracious to Thracian Orpheus, so wilt thou, Serena, be favourable to my prayers. The stars, her slaves, obey the nod of her head; thee land and sea, subdued beneath thy feet, obey. I did not, as other suitors use, promise at my courtship fields where graze unnumbered flocks nor hills covered with countless vines, nor rich olive-trees waving in the breeze their grey foliage, nor harvests reaped by a thousand scythes, nor a lofty palace with golden pillars. Enough was the mandate of a goddess; thy letter, Serena, stands me in stead of flocks, of harvests, of palace. The shadow of thy name has won over her parents and an imperial prayer concealed my poverty. When Serena writes, what with such words could not the empire’s spirit or duteous love accomplish?[107]Would heaven had allowed me to solemnize the longed-for day in the light of thy presence, in thy[107]Claudian means that Serena’s imperial position and his own respect therefor ensure his obedience. Serena had written (littera, l. 43) urging Claudian to marry, and the poet uses the letter to urge his suit (ll. 37-46).

[259]

with a mother’s pride dared to invite to her son’s wedding the queen of starry heaven herself. The queen of the gods spurned not her request either out of respect for Calliopea herself or because she was drawn by a just affection for the pious poet who had so often in her honour chanted his songs before her altars, hymning Juno’s godhead with his sweet voice and telling of the battles of her lord the Thunderer waged on the plains of Phlegra, and of the menace of Enceladus and the Titans there broken. Straightway, counting the marriage—night worthy of her presence, she brought heavenly gifts to deck the bridal, gifts such as stoop not to adorn mortals, gifts that the gods alone may possess. But as Juno showed herself gracious to Thracian Orpheus, so wilt thou, Serena, be favourable to my prayers. The stars, her slaves, obey the nod of her head; thee land and sea, subdued beneath thy feet, obey. I did not, as other suitors use, promise at my courtship fields where graze unnumbered flocks nor hills covered with countless vines, nor rich olive-trees waving in the breeze their grey foliage, nor harvests reaped by a thousand scythes, nor a lofty palace with golden pillars. Enough was the mandate of a goddess; thy letter, Serena, stands me in stead of flocks, of harvests, of palace. The shadow of thy name has won over her parents and an imperial prayer concealed my poverty. When Serena writes, what with such words could not the empire’s spirit or duteous love accomplish?[107]

Would heaven had allowed me to solemnize the longed-for day in the light of thy presence, in thy

[107]Claudian means that Serena’s imperial position and his own respect therefor ensure his obedience. Serena had written (littera, l. 43) urging Claudian to marry, and the poet uses the letter to urge his suit (ll. 37-46).

[260]optatum celebrare diem! me iungeret auspexpurpura, me sancto cingeret aula choro.et mihi quam scriptis desponderat ante puellam,coniugiis eadem pronuba dextra daret.nunc medium quoniam votis maioribus aequor55invidet et Libycae dissidet ora plagae,saltem absens, regina, fave reditusque secundosadnue sidereo laeta supercilio.terrarum tu pande vias, tu mitibus Eurisaequora pacari prosperiora iube,60ut tibi Pierides doctumque fluens Aganippedebita servato vota cliente canant.XXXII. (XCV.)De salvatore.Christe potens rerum, redeuntis conditor aevi,vox summi sensusque dei, quem fudit ab altamente pater tantique dedit consortia regni,impia tu nostrae domuisti crimina vitaepassus corporea numen[108]vestire figura5adfarique palam populos hominemque fateri;quemque utero inclusum Mariae mox numine visovirginei tumuere sinus, innuptaque materarcano stupuit compleri viscera partu[108]numenKoch;mundumBirt (following theMSS.); he suggestsmentem.[261]lord’s camp, before thy son-in-law’s throne. The royal purple would have been a good omen for our union, the august assembly of the court would have graced the ceremony and the hand which, by writing that letter, promised me my bride would have kindled the torch to light her to the altar. Now that the envious sea deprives me of my fondest hopes and stretches between thee and the coasts of Libya, yet, though absent, be gracious unto me, O queen, and of thy goodness grant me a safe return as by a nod of thy head thou, a goddess, canst do. Make straight the paths of earth; bid but gentle breezes blow and a calm sea prosper my voyage, that the Muses and Aganippe’s stream, the fount of song, may hymn thy praises in gratitude for the saving of their servant, the poet.[109]XXXII. (XCV.)Of the Saviour.Christ, lord of the world, founder of a new age of gold, voice and wisdom of the Most High, proceeding from the Father’s lofty mind and given by that Father a share in the governance of this great universe, thou hast overcome the sins of this our mortal life, for thou hast suffered thy Godhead to be clothed in human form and hath allowed mankind to address thee face to face and confess thee man. The swelling womb of the Virgin Mary conceived thee after that she had been visited by the angel, and the unwed mother, destined to give birth to her own creator, was astonished at the unborn[109]The Muses themselves are to hymn Serena for having by her prayers (l. 60) secured the safe return of their servant, Claudian.

[260]

optatum celebrare diem! me iungeret auspexpurpura, me sancto cingeret aula choro.et mihi quam scriptis desponderat ante puellam,coniugiis eadem pronuba dextra daret.nunc medium quoniam votis maioribus aequor55invidet et Libycae dissidet ora plagae,saltem absens, regina, fave reditusque secundosadnue sidereo laeta supercilio.terrarum tu pande vias, tu mitibus Eurisaequora pacari prosperiora iube,60ut tibi Pierides doctumque fluens Aganippedebita servato vota cliente canant.

optatum celebrare diem! me iungeret auspex

purpura, me sancto cingeret aula choro.

et mihi quam scriptis desponderat ante puellam,

coniugiis eadem pronuba dextra daret.

nunc medium quoniam votis maioribus aequor55

invidet et Libycae dissidet ora plagae,

saltem absens, regina, fave reditusque secundos

adnue sidereo laeta supercilio.

terrarum tu pande vias, tu mitibus Euris

aequora pacari prosperiora iube,60

ut tibi Pierides doctumque fluens Aganippe

debita servato vota cliente canant.

XXXII. (XCV.)

De salvatore.

Christe potens rerum, redeuntis conditor aevi,vox summi sensusque dei, quem fudit ab altamente pater tantique dedit consortia regni,impia tu nostrae domuisti crimina vitaepassus corporea numen[108]vestire figura5adfarique palam populos hominemque fateri;quemque utero inclusum Mariae mox numine visovirginei tumuere sinus, innuptaque materarcano stupuit compleri viscera partu

Christe potens rerum, redeuntis conditor aevi,

vox summi sensusque dei, quem fudit ab alta

mente pater tantique dedit consortia regni,

impia tu nostrae domuisti crimina vitae

passus corporea numen[108]vestire figura5

adfarique palam populos hominemque fateri;

quemque utero inclusum Mariae mox numine viso

virginei tumuere sinus, innuptaque mater

arcano stupuit compleri viscera partu

[108]numenKoch;mundumBirt (following theMSS.); he suggestsmentem.

[261]lord’s camp, before thy son-in-law’s throne. The royal purple would have been a good omen for our union, the august assembly of the court would have graced the ceremony and the hand which, by writing that letter, promised me my bride would have kindled the torch to light her to the altar. Now that the envious sea deprives me of my fondest hopes and stretches between thee and the coasts of Libya, yet, though absent, be gracious unto me, O queen, and of thy goodness grant me a safe return as by a nod of thy head thou, a goddess, canst do. Make straight the paths of earth; bid but gentle breezes blow and a calm sea prosper my voyage, that the Muses and Aganippe’s stream, the fount of song, may hymn thy praises in gratitude for the saving of their servant, the poet.[109]XXXII. (XCV.)Of the Saviour.Christ, lord of the world, founder of a new age of gold, voice and wisdom of the Most High, proceeding from the Father’s lofty mind and given by that Father a share in the governance of this great universe, thou hast overcome the sins of this our mortal life, for thou hast suffered thy Godhead to be clothed in human form and hath allowed mankind to address thee face to face and confess thee man. The swelling womb of the Virgin Mary conceived thee after that she had been visited by the angel, and the unwed mother, destined to give birth to her own creator, was astonished at the unborn[109]The Muses themselves are to hymn Serena for having by her prayers (l. 60) secured the safe return of their servant, Claudian.

[261]

lord’s camp, before thy son-in-law’s throne. The royal purple would have been a good omen for our union, the august assembly of the court would have graced the ceremony and the hand which, by writing that letter, promised me my bride would have kindled the torch to light her to the altar. Now that the envious sea deprives me of my fondest hopes and stretches between thee and the coasts of Libya, yet, though absent, be gracious unto me, O queen, and of thy goodness grant me a safe return as by a nod of thy head thou, a goddess, canst do. Make straight the paths of earth; bid but gentle breezes blow and a calm sea prosper my voyage, that the Muses and Aganippe’s stream, the fount of song, may hymn thy praises in gratitude for the saving of their servant, the poet.[109]

XXXII. (XCV.)

Of the Saviour.

Christ, lord of the world, founder of a new age of gold, voice and wisdom of the Most High, proceeding from the Father’s lofty mind and given by that Father a share in the governance of this great universe, thou hast overcome the sins of this our mortal life, for thou hast suffered thy Godhead to be clothed in human form and hath allowed mankind to address thee face to face and confess thee man. The swelling womb of the Virgin Mary conceived thee after that she had been visited by the angel, and the unwed mother, destined to give birth to her own creator, was astonished at the unborn

[109]The Muses themselves are to hymn Serena for having by her prayers (l. 60) secured the safe return of their servant, Claudian.

[262]auctorem paritura suum: mortalia corda10artificem texere poli, mundique repertorpars fuit humani generis, latuitque sub unopectore, qui totum late complectitur orbem,et qui non spatiis terrae, non aequoris undanec capitur caelo, parvos confluxit in artus.15quin et supplicii nomen nexusque subisti,ut nos subriperes leto mortemque fugaresmorte tua, mox aetherias evectus in auraspurgata repetens laetum tellure parentem.Augustum foveas, festis ut saepe diebus20annua sinceri celebret ieiunia sacri.XXXIII.-XXXIX.De crystallo cui aqua inerat.XXXIII. (LVI.)Possedit glacies naturae signa prioriset fit parte lapis, frigora parte negat.sollers lusit hiems, imperfectoque rigorenobilior vivis gemma tumescit aquis.XXXIV. (LVII.)Lymphae, quae tegitis cognato carcere lymphas,et, quae nunc estis quaeque fuistis, aquae,quod vos ingenium iunxit? qua frigoris artetorpuit et maduit prodigiosa silex?quis tepor inclusus securas vindicat undas?5interior glacies quo liquefacta Noto?gemma quibus causis arcano mobilis aestuvel concreta fuit vel resoluta gelu?[263]child that grew within her body. A mortal womb hid the artificer of the heavens: the creator of the world became a part of human nature. In one body was conceived the God who embraces the whole wide world, and he whom nor earth nor sea nor sky can contain was enclosed by the limbs of a little child. Thou wert punished and didst suffer too, for our sins, to save us from destruction, and didst by thy death overcome Death. Then didst Thou ascend into Heaven, returning to the Father who rejoiced at the salvation of the world.Bless Thou our Emperor that at holy seasons he may for many years to come observe the fast-days of the calendar.XXXIII-XXXIXOn a Crystal enclosing a Drop of Water.1. This piece of ice still shows traces of its original nature: part of it has become stone, part resisted the cold. It is a freak of winter’s, more precious by reason of its incomplete crystallization, for that the jewel contains within itself living water.2. Ye waters, who confine waters in a prison akin to them, ye that are liquid still and ye that were so, what wit has united you? By what trick of freezing is the marvellous stone at once hard and wet? What containèd heat has protected those enclosed waters? what warm wind melted that heart of ice? How comes it that the jewel in whose heart the water ebbs and flows was either made solid or liquid by frost?

[262]

auctorem paritura suum: mortalia corda10artificem texere poli, mundique repertorpars fuit humani generis, latuitque sub unopectore, qui totum late complectitur orbem,et qui non spatiis terrae, non aequoris undanec capitur caelo, parvos confluxit in artus.15quin et supplicii nomen nexusque subisti,ut nos subriperes leto mortemque fugaresmorte tua, mox aetherias evectus in auraspurgata repetens laetum tellure parentem.Augustum foveas, festis ut saepe diebus20annua sinceri celebret ieiunia sacri.

auctorem paritura suum: mortalia corda10

artificem texere poli, mundique repertor

pars fuit humani generis, latuitque sub uno

pectore, qui totum late complectitur orbem,

et qui non spatiis terrae, non aequoris unda

nec capitur caelo, parvos confluxit in artus.15

quin et supplicii nomen nexusque subisti,

ut nos subriperes leto mortemque fugares

morte tua, mox aetherias evectus in auras

purgata repetens laetum tellure parentem.

Augustum foveas, festis ut saepe diebus20

annua sinceri celebret ieiunia sacri.

XXXIII.-XXXIX.

De crystallo cui aqua inerat.

XXXIII. (LVI.)

Possedit glacies naturae signa prioriset fit parte lapis, frigora parte negat.sollers lusit hiems, imperfectoque rigorenobilior vivis gemma tumescit aquis.

Possedit glacies naturae signa prioris

et fit parte lapis, frigora parte negat.

sollers lusit hiems, imperfectoque rigore

nobilior vivis gemma tumescit aquis.

XXXIV. (LVII.)

Lymphae, quae tegitis cognato carcere lymphas,et, quae nunc estis quaeque fuistis, aquae,quod vos ingenium iunxit? qua frigoris artetorpuit et maduit prodigiosa silex?quis tepor inclusus securas vindicat undas?5interior glacies quo liquefacta Noto?gemma quibus causis arcano mobilis aestuvel concreta fuit vel resoluta gelu?

Lymphae, quae tegitis cognato carcere lymphas,

et, quae nunc estis quaeque fuistis, aquae,

quod vos ingenium iunxit? qua frigoris arte

torpuit et maduit prodigiosa silex?

quis tepor inclusus securas vindicat undas?5

interior glacies quo liquefacta Noto?

gemma quibus causis arcano mobilis aestu

vel concreta fuit vel resoluta gelu?

[263]child that grew within her body. A mortal womb hid the artificer of the heavens: the creator of the world became a part of human nature. In one body was conceived the God who embraces the whole wide world, and he whom nor earth nor sea nor sky can contain was enclosed by the limbs of a little child. Thou wert punished and didst suffer too, for our sins, to save us from destruction, and didst by thy death overcome Death. Then didst Thou ascend into Heaven, returning to the Father who rejoiced at the salvation of the world.Bless Thou our Emperor that at holy seasons he may for many years to come observe the fast-days of the calendar.XXXIII-XXXIXOn a Crystal enclosing a Drop of Water.1. This piece of ice still shows traces of its original nature: part of it has become stone, part resisted the cold. It is a freak of winter’s, more precious by reason of its incomplete crystallization, for that the jewel contains within itself living water.2. Ye waters, who confine waters in a prison akin to them, ye that are liquid still and ye that were so, what wit has united you? By what trick of freezing is the marvellous stone at once hard and wet? What containèd heat has protected those enclosed waters? what warm wind melted that heart of ice? How comes it that the jewel in whose heart the water ebbs and flows was either made solid or liquid by frost?

[263]

child that grew within her body. A mortal womb hid the artificer of the heavens: the creator of the world became a part of human nature. In one body was conceived the God who embraces the whole wide world, and he whom nor earth nor sea nor sky can contain was enclosed by the limbs of a little child. Thou wert punished and didst suffer too, for our sins, to save us from destruction, and didst by thy death overcome Death. Then didst Thou ascend into Heaven, returning to the Father who rejoiced at the salvation of the world.

Bless Thou our Emperor that at holy seasons he may for many years to come observe the fast-days of the calendar.

XXXIII-XXXIX

On a Crystal enclosing a Drop of Water.

1. This piece of ice still shows traces of its original nature: part of it has become stone, part resisted the cold. It is a freak of winter’s, more precious by reason of its incomplete crystallization, for that the jewel contains within itself living water.

2. Ye waters, who confine waters in a prison akin to them, ye that are liquid still and ye that were so, what wit has united you? By what trick of freezing is the marvellous stone at once hard and wet? What containèd heat has protected those enclosed waters? what warm wind melted that heart of ice? How comes it that the jewel in whose heart the water ebbs and flows was either made solid or liquid by frost?

[264]XXXV. (LVIII.)Solibus indomitum glacies Alpina rigoremsumebat nimio iam pretiosa gelunec potuit toto mentiri corpore gemmam,sed medio mansit proditor orbe latex.auctus honor; liquidi crescunt miracula saxi,et conservatae plus meruistis aquae.XXXVI. (LIX.)Adspice porrectam splendenti fragmine venam,qua trahitur limes lucidiore gelu.hic nullum Borean nec brumam sentit opacusumor, sed varias itque reditque vias.non illum constrinxit hiems, non Sirius axis,5aetatis spatium non tenuavit edax.XXXVII. (LX.)Clauditur inmunis convexo tegmine rivus,duratisque vagus fons operitur aquis.nonne vides, propriis ut spumet gemma lacuniset refluos ducant pocula viva sinusudaque pingatur radiis obstantibus Iris,secretas hiemes sollicitante die?5mira silex mirusque latex, et flumina vincitet lapides merito, quod fluit et lapis est.XXXVIII. (LXI.)Dum crystalla puer contingere lubrica gaudetet gelidum tenero pollice versat onus,vidit perspicuo deprensas marmore lymphas,dura quibus solis parcere novit hiems,et siccum relegens labris sitientibus orbem5inrita quaesitis oscula fixit aquis.[265]3. Alpine ice was becoming so hard that the sun could not melt it, and this excess of cold was like to make it precious as diamond. But it could not imitate that stone in its entirety for at its heart lay a drop of water which betrayed its nature. As crystal its value is enhanced, for this liquid rock is accounted a miracle and the water enclosed within it increases its rarity.4. See this vein which runs in a bright streak through the translucent ice. This hidden water fears not any blast of Boreas nor winter’s chill but runs this way and that. It is not frozen by December’s cold, nor dried up by July’s sun, nor wasted away by all-consuming time.5. Safely hidden away in this round covering is a stream, an errant spring, enclosed within frozen waters. Mark you not how the crystal is all awash in its cavernous heart where living waters surge this way and that, and how, when the sun penetrates its frozen depths, the hues of the rainbow are reflected in it? Wonderful stone, wonderful water: stranger than all rivers and all stones because it is a stone and yet fluid.6. Children love to handle this shining crystal and turn its chilly mass over and over in their little hands; they see imprisoned in the transparent rock the water which alone winter forebore to freeze. Placing the dry sphere against their thirsty lips they press useless kisses on that which guards the waters they desire.

[264]

XXXV. (LVIII.)

Solibus indomitum glacies Alpina rigoremsumebat nimio iam pretiosa gelunec potuit toto mentiri corpore gemmam,sed medio mansit proditor orbe latex.auctus honor; liquidi crescunt miracula saxi,et conservatae plus meruistis aquae.

Solibus indomitum glacies Alpina rigorem

sumebat nimio iam pretiosa gelu

nec potuit toto mentiri corpore gemmam,

sed medio mansit proditor orbe latex.

auctus honor; liquidi crescunt miracula saxi,

et conservatae plus meruistis aquae.

XXXVI. (LIX.)

Adspice porrectam splendenti fragmine venam,qua trahitur limes lucidiore gelu.hic nullum Borean nec brumam sentit opacusumor, sed varias itque reditque vias.non illum constrinxit hiems, non Sirius axis,5aetatis spatium non tenuavit edax.

Adspice porrectam splendenti fragmine venam,

qua trahitur limes lucidiore gelu.

hic nullum Borean nec brumam sentit opacus

umor, sed varias itque reditque vias.

non illum constrinxit hiems, non Sirius axis,5

aetatis spatium non tenuavit edax.

XXXVII. (LX.)

Clauditur inmunis convexo tegmine rivus,duratisque vagus fons operitur aquis.nonne vides, propriis ut spumet gemma lacuniset refluos ducant pocula viva sinusudaque pingatur radiis obstantibus Iris,secretas hiemes sollicitante die?5mira silex mirusque latex, et flumina vincitet lapides merito, quod fluit et lapis est.

Clauditur inmunis convexo tegmine rivus,

duratisque vagus fons operitur aquis.

nonne vides, propriis ut spumet gemma lacunis

et refluos ducant pocula viva sinus

udaque pingatur radiis obstantibus Iris,

secretas hiemes sollicitante die?5

mira silex mirusque latex, et flumina vincit

et lapides merito, quod fluit et lapis est.

XXXVIII. (LXI.)

Dum crystalla puer contingere lubrica gaudetet gelidum tenero pollice versat onus,vidit perspicuo deprensas marmore lymphas,dura quibus solis parcere novit hiems,et siccum relegens labris sitientibus orbem5inrita quaesitis oscula fixit aquis.

Dum crystalla puer contingere lubrica gaudet

et gelidum tenero pollice versat onus,

vidit perspicuo deprensas marmore lymphas,

dura quibus solis parcere novit hiems,

et siccum relegens labris sitientibus orbem5

inrita quaesitis oscula fixit aquis.

[265]3. Alpine ice was becoming so hard that the sun could not melt it, and this excess of cold was like to make it precious as diamond. But it could not imitate that stone in its entirety for at its heart lay a drop of water which betrayed its nature. As crystal its value is enhanced, for this liquid rock is accounted a miracle and the water enclosed within it increases its rarity.4. See this vein which runs in a bright streak through the translucent ice. This hidden water fears not any blast of Boreas nor winter’s chill but runs this way and that. It is not frozen by December’s cold, nor dried up by July’s sun, nor wasted away by all-consuming time.5. Safely hidden away in this round covering is a stream, an errant spring, enclosed within frozen waters. Mark you not how the crystal is all awash in its cavernous heart where living waters surge this way and that, and how, when the sun penetrates its frozen depths, the hues of the rainbow are reflected in it? Wonderful stone, wonderful water: stranger than all rivers and all stones because it is a stone and yet fluid.6. Children love to handle this shining crystal and turn its chilly mass over and over in their little hands; they see imprisoned in the transparent rock the water which alone winter forebore to freeze. Placing the dry sphere against their thirsty lips they press useless kisses on that which guards the waters they desire.

[265]

3. Alpine ice was becoming so hard that the sun could not melt it, and this excess of cold was like to make it precious as diamond. But it could not imitate that stone in its entirety for at its heart lay a drop of water which betrayed its nature. As crystal its value is enhanced, for this liquid rock is accounted a miracle and the water enclosed within it increases its rarity.

4. See this vein which runs in a bright streak through the translucent ice. This hidden water fears not any blast of Boreas nor winter’s chill but runs this way and that. It is not frozen by December’s cold, nor dried up by July’s sun, nor wasted away by all-consuming time.

5. Safely hidden away in this round covering is a stream, an errant spring, enclosed within frozen waters. Mark you not how the crystal is all awash in its cavernous heart where living waters surge this way and that, and how, when the sun penetrates its frozen depths, the hues of the rainbow are reflected in it? Wonderful stone, wonderful water: stranger than all rivers and all stones because it is a stone and yet fluid.

6. Children love to handle this shining crystal and turn its chilly mass over and over in their little hands; they see imprisoned in the transparent rock the water which alone winter forebore to freeze. Placing the dry sphere against their thirsty lips they press useless kisses on that which guards the waters they desire.

[266]XXXIX. (LXII.)Marmoreum ne sperne globum: spectacula transitregia nec Rubro vilior iste mari.informis glacies, saxum rude, nulla figuraegratia, sed raras inter habetur opes.XL. (XLI.)Epistula ad Olybrium.Quid rear, adfatus quod non mihi dirigis ullosnec redit alterno pollice ducta salus?scribendine labor? sed quae tam prona facultas,carmina seu fundis seu Cicerone tonas?cedere divitiis animi fortuna fatetur5et tantas oris copia vincit opes.An rarus qui scripta ferat? quin tempore nullocessant Flaminiae pulverulenta viae.cum fluat ingenium, cum sit qui dicta reportet,quae, nisi contemnor, causa relicta tibi?10despicis ergo tuum, si fas est credere, vatemperfidus, et spatio debilitatur amor.Excidimusne tibi? lucem iam condet Hydaspes,et Tartesiaco, Sol, oriere vado,candescet Geticis Meroë conversa pruinis15claraque se vetito proluet Ursa mari,et, si iam nostros fastidit Olybrius ignes,constat Oresteam nil valuisse fidem.[267]7. Do not despise this sphere of rock-crystal. Kings’ palaces contain no rarer jewel, nor are the Red Sea’s pearls of greater value. It may be shapeless ice, unpolished rock, a rough, uncarven mass, yet is it accounted among the most precious of riches.XL. (XLI.)Letter to Olybrius.What am I to think, that you send me no greeting, that no “Good wishes” traced by your fingers come back to me in turn? Is writing so difficult? Nay, who so eloquent as thou whether thou dost compose verses or, a second Cicero, thunder forth thy speeches? Greater even than thy riches is thy genius, greater thine eloquence even than thy wealth. Are the posts infrequent? Nay, couriers’ feet never allow the dust to lie on the Flaminian Way. If, then, thou hast the power to write and messengers in plenty to carry thy letters what reason hast thou for thy silence unless indeed thou wish to slight me? I take it thou hast abandoned thy poet and wilt have none of him (though I can scarce believe it); or distance has made thy heart less fond. Dost thou forget me? Now shall Hydaspes lay the day to rest, and thou, O sun, rise from out the seas of Spain; now shall Egypt change her nature and glisten with Getic frost and the Bear bathe him in forbidden waters. No, if Olybrius now disdains my love then ’tis sure Orestes’ loyalty availed nought. Nay come, banish

[266]

XXXIX. (LXII.)

Marmoreum ne sperne globum: spectacula transitregia nec Rubro vilior iste mari.informis glacies, saxum rude, nulla figuraegratia, sed raras inter habetur opes.

Marmoreum ne sperne globum: spectacula transit

regia nec Rubro vilior iste mari.

informis glacies, saxum rude, nulla figurae

gratia, sed raras inter habetur opes.

XL. (XLI.)

Epistula ad Olybrium.

Quid rear, adfatus quod non mihi dirigis ullosnec redit alterno pollice ducta salus?scribendine labor? sed quae tam prona facultas,carmina seu fundis seu Cicerone tonas?cedere divitiis animi fortuna fatetur5et tantas oris copia vincit opes.An rarus qui scripta ferat? quin tempore nullocessant Flaminiae pulverulenta viae.cum fluat ingenium, cum sit qui dicta reportet,quae, nisi contemnor, causa relicta tibi?10despicis ergo tuum, si fas est credere, vatemperfidus, et spatio debilitatur amor.Excidimusne tibi? lucem iam condet Hydaspes,et Tartesiaco, Sol, oriere vado,candescet Geticis Meroë conversa pruinis15claraque se vetito proluet Ursa mari,et, si iam nostros fastidit Olybrius ignes,constat Oresteam nil valuisse fidem.

Quid rear, adfatus quod non mihi dirigis ullos

nec redit alterno pollice ducta salus?

scribendine labor? sed quae tam prona facultas,

carmina seu fundis seu Cicerone tonas?

cedere divitiis animi fortuna fatetur5

et tantas oris copia vincit opes.

An rarus qui scripta ferat? quin tempore nullo

cessant Flaminiae pulverulenta viae.

cum fluat ingenium, cum sit qui dicta reportet,

quae, nisi contemnor, causa relicta tibi?10

despicis ergo tuum, si fas est credere, vatem

perfidus, et spatio debilitatur amor.

Excidimusne tibi? lucem iam condet Hydaspes,

et Tartesiaco, Sol, oriere vado,

candescet Geticis Meroë conversa pruinis15

claraque se vetito proluet Ursa mari,

et, si iam nostros fastidit Olybrius ignes,

constat Oresteam nil valuisse fidem.

[267]7. Do not despise this sphere of rock-crystal. Kings’ palaces contain no rarer jewel, nor are the Red Sea’s pearls of greater value. It may be shapeless ice, unpolished rock, a rough, uncarven mass, yet is it accounted among the most precious of riches.XL. (XLI.)Letter to Olybrius.What am I to think, that you send me no greeting, that no “Good wishes” traced by your fingers come back to me in turn? Is writing so difficult? Nay, who so eloquent as thou whether thou dost compose verses or, a second Cicero, thunder forth thy speeches? Greater even than thy riches is thy genius, greater thine eloquence even than thy wealth. Are the posts infrequent? Nay, couriers’ feet never allow the dust to lie on the Flaminian Way. If, then, thou hast the power to write and messengers in plenty to carry thy letters what reason hast thou for thy silence unless indeed thou wish to slight me? I take it thou hast abandoned thy poet and wilt have none of him (though I can scarce believe it); or distance has made thy heart less fond. Dost thou forget me? Now shall Hydaspes lay the day to rest, and thou, O sun, rise from out the seas of Spain; now shall Egypt change her nature and glisten with Getic frost and the Bear bathe him in forbidden waters. No, if Olybrius now disdains my love then ’tis sure Orestes’ loyalty availed nought. Nay come, banish

[267]

7. Do not despise this sphere of rock-crystal. Kings’ palaces contain no rarer jewel, nor are the Red Sea’s pearls of greater value. It may be shapeless ice, unpolished rock, a rough, uncarven mass, yet is it accounted among the most precious of riches.

XL. (XLI.)

Letter to Olybrius.

What am I to think, that you send me no greeting, that no “Good wishes” traced by your fingers come back to me in turn? Is writing so difficult? Nay, who so eloquent as thou whether thou dost compose verses or, a second Cicero, thunder forth thy speeches? Greater even than thy riches is thy genius, greater thine eloquence even than thy wealth. Are the posts infrequent? Nay, couriers’ feet never allow the dust to lie on the Flaminian Way. If, then, thou hast the power to write and messengers in plenty to carry thy letters what reason hast thou for thy silence unless indeed thou wish to slight me? I take it thou hast abandoned thy poet and wilt have none of him (though I can scarce believe it); or distance has made thy heart less fond. Dost thou forget me? Now shall Hydaspes lay the day to rest, and thou, O sun, rise from out the seas of Spain; now shall Egypt change her nature and glisten with Getic frost and the Bear bathe him in forbidden waters. No, if Olybrius now disdains my love then ’tis sure Orestes’ loyalty availed nought. Nay come, banish

[268]Quin age rumpe moras solaturusque sodalemabsens eloquio fertiliore doce,20crebraque facundo festinet littera cursulibris atque animis insinuanda meis.dignatus tenui Caesar scripsisse Maroni,nec tibi dedecori Musa futura. vale.XLI. (XLII.)Ad Probinum.Quem, precor, inter nos habitura silentia finem?quando dabit caras littera grata vices?me timidum vel te potius dixisse superbumconvenit? alterius crimen utrumque tenet.transfluxere dies et, dum scripsisse priorem5paenitet, aeternas itur in usque moras.sed quid agam? coepisse vetat reverentia vestri;hinc amor hortatur scribere. vincat amor.“fors iuvat audentes” prisci sententia vatis.hac duce non dubitem te reticente loqui;10audax aut si quid penitus peccasse videbor,arguar, ingrati non subiturus onus.Romanos bibimus primum te consule fonteset Latiae accessit Graia Thalia togae,incipiensque tuis a fascibus omina cepi15fataque debebo posteriora tibi.ergo lacessitus tandem rescribe rogantiet patria florens sorte, Probine, vale.[269]delay and to console thy friend speak to him from far away with richer eloquence; hither let many a letter hasten with winged speech, to find its way to my shelves and to my heart. Augustus disdained not to write to poor Vergil and my muse shall never bring thee shame. Farewell.XLI.Letter to Probinus.[110]How long, pray, shall there be silence between us? When shall a welcome letter win a dear return? Is it right to call me timid or rather thee proud? Surely each shares the other’s fault. The days slip away and while each is ashamed to be the first to write our hesitation leads to an unbroken silence. Yet what am I to do? Respect forbids me to write first; love encourages me to do so. Let love have his way. Fortune favours the brave, as the old poet sang. Under her guidance I could not hesitate to speak, though thou still keep silence. If I shall seem overbold or guilty of some grave fault, thou mayst blame but I shall not bear the burden of ingratitude. ’Twas when thou wert consul that I first drank of the stream of Latin song and that my Muse, deserting Hellas, assumed the Roman toga.[111]From thy consulship my youth drew its omens and to thee I shall owe my future destiny. Be moved by my importunity and after so long a delay answer my letter. Farewell, Probinus; be thy father’s fortune thine.[110]See note on i. 8 and Introduction, p. xiii.[111]See Introduction, p. xiii.

[268]

Quin age rumpe moras solaturusque sodalemabsens eloquio fertiliore doce,20crebraque facundo festinet littera cursulibris atque animis insinuanda meis.dignatus tenui Caesar scripsisse Maroni,nec tibi dedecori Musa futura. vale.

Quin age rumpe moras solaturusque sodalem

absens eloquio fertiliore doce,20

crebraque facundo festinet littera cursu

libris atque animis insinuanda meis.

dignatus tenui Caesar scripsisse Maroni,

nec tibi dedecori Musa futura. vale.

XLI. (XLII.)

Ad Probinum.

Quem, precor, inter nos habitura silentia finem?quando dabit caras littera grata vices?me timidum vel te potius dixisse superbumconvenit? alterius crimen utrumque tenet.transfluxere dies et, dum scripsisse priorem5paenitet, aeternas itur in usque moras.sed quid agam? coepisse vetat reverentia vestri;hinc amor hortatur scribere. vincat amor.“fors iuvat audentes” prisci sententia vatis.hac duce non dubitem te reticente loqui;10audax aut si quid penitus peccasse videbor,arguar, ingrati non subiturus onus.Romanos bibimus primum te consule fonteset Latiae accessit Graia Thalia togae,incipiensque tuis a fascibus omina cepi15fataque debebo posteriora tibi.ergo lacessitus tandem rescribe rogantiet patria florens sorte, Probine, vale.

Quem, precor, inter nos habitura silentia finem?

quando dabit caras littera grata vices?

me timidum vel te potius dixisse superbum

convenit? alterius crimen utrumque tenet.

transfluxere dies et, dum scripsisse priorem5

paenitet, aeternas itur in usque moras.

sed quid agam? coepisse vetat reverentia vestri;

hinc amor hortatur scribere. vincat amor.

“fors iuvat audentes” prisci sententia vatis.

hac duce non dubitem te reticente loqui;10

audax aut si quid penitus peccasse videbor,

arguar, ingrati non subiturus onus.

Romanos bibimus primum te consule fontes

et Latiae accessit Graia Thalia togae,

incipiensque tuis a fascibus omina cepi15

fataque debebo posteriora tibi.

ergo lacessitus tandem rescribe roganti

et patria florens sorte, Probine, vale.

[269]delay and to console thy friend speak to him from far away with richer eloquence; hither let many a letter hasten with winged speech, to find its way to my shelves and to my heart. Augustus disdained not to write to poor Vergil and my muse shall never bring thee shame. Farewell.XLI.Letter to Probinus.[110]How long, pray, shall there be silence between us? When shall a welcome letter win a dear return? Is it right to call me timid or rather thee proud? Surely each shares the other’s fault. The days slip away and while each is ashamed to be the first to write our hesitation leads to an unbroken silence. Yet what am I to do? Respect forbids me to write first; love encourages me to do so. Let love have his way. Fortune favours the brave, as the old poet sang. Under her guidance I could not hesitate to speak, though thou still keep silence. If I shall seem overbold or guilty of some grave fault, thou mayst blame but I shall not bear the burden of ingratitude. ’Twas when thou wert consul that I first drank of the stream of Latin song and that my Muse, deserting Hellas, assumed the Roman toga.[111]From thy consulship my youth drew its omens and to thee I shall owe my future destiny. Be moved by my importunity and after so long a delay answer my letter. Farewell, Probinus; be thy father’s fortune thine.[110]See note on i. 8 and Introduction, p. xiii.[111]See Introduction, p. xiii.

[269]

delay and to console thy friend speak to him from far away with richer eloquence; hither let many a letter hasten with winged speech, to find its way to my shelves and to my heart. Augustus disdained not to write to poor Vergil and my muse shall never bring thee shame. Farewell.

XLI.

Letter to Probinus.[110]

How long, pray, shall there be silence between us? When shall a welcome letter win a dear return? Is it right to call me timid or rather thee proud? Surely each shares the other’s fault. The days slip away and while each is ashamed to be the first to write our hesitation leads to an unbroken silence. Yet what am I to do? Respect forbids me to write first; love encourages me to do so. Let love have his way. Fortune favours the brave, as the old poet sang. Under her guidance I could not hesitate to speak, though thou still keep silence. If I shall seem overbold or guilty of some grave fault, thou mayst blame but I shall not bear the burden of ingratitude. ’Twas when thou wert consul that I first drank of the stream of Latin song and that my Muse, deserting Hellas, assumed the Roman toga.[111]From thy consulship my youth drew its omens and to thee I shall owe my future destiny. Be moved by my importunity and after so long a delay answer my letter. Farewell, Probinus; be thy father’s fortune thine.

[110]See note on i. 8 and Introduction, p. xiii.

[111]See Introduction, p. xiii.

[270]XLII. (LIII.)De apro et leone.Torvus aper fulvusque leo coiere superbisviribus, hic saeta saevior, ille iuba;hunc Mars, hunc laudat Cybele. dominatur uterquemontibus; Herculeus sudor uterque fuit.XLIII. (LXXV.)In Curetium.Fallaces vitreo stellas componere mundoet vaga Saturni sidera saepe queriventurumque Iovem paucis promittere nummisCureti genitor noverat Uranius.in prolem dilata ruunt periuria patris5et poenam merito filius ore luit.nam spurcos avidae lambit meretricis hiatusconsumens luxu flagitiisque domumet, quas fallacis collegit lingua parentis,has eadem nati lingua refundit opes.10XLIV. (LXXVI.)In eundem Curetium.Si tua, Cureti, penitus cognoscere quaerissidera, patre tuo certius ipse loquar.quod furis, adversi dedit inclementia Martis;quod procul a Musis, debilis Arcas erat;[271]XLII. (LIII.)The Wild Boar and the Lion.A dark boar and a tawny lion met once in battle, each exulting in his strength: the one shook his cruel bristles, the other his dreadful mane. One was Mars’ favourite, the other Cybele’s: both are kings of the mountains, both engaged the labours of Hercules.XLIII. (LXXV.)Against Curetius.[112]Uranius, Curetius’ father, could set deceptive stars in a sphere of glass, gloomily shake his head over the errant course of Saturn, or ensure for a trifle the favourable influence of Jupiter. The father’s chicanery meets with its punishment, so long deferred, in the son whose mouth needs must pay the just penalty. For filthy are his delights and he wastes all his substance in wantoning and debauchery. And so the tongue of the son has squandered all the riches which that of his lying father gathered together.XLIV. (LXXVI.)The Same.Wouldst thou, Curetius, have sure knowledge of thy horoscope, I can give it thee better than even thy father. Thy madness thou owest to the evil influence of Mars; thine ignorance of poetry to[112]We know nothing further of Curetius.

[270]

XLII. (LIII.)

De apro et leone.

Torvus aper fulvusque leo coiere superbisviribus, hic saeta saevior, ille iuba;hunc Mars, hunc laudat Cybele. dominatur uterquemontibus; Herculeus sudor uterque fuit.

Torvus aper fulvusque leo coiere superbis

viribus, hic saeta saevior, ille iuba;

hunc Mars, hunc laudat Cybele. dominatur uterque

montibus; Herculeus sudor uterque fuit.

XLIII. (LXXV.)

In Curetium.

Fallaces vitreo stellas componere mundoet vaga Saturni sidera saepe queriventurumque Iovem paucis promittere nummisCureti genitor noverat Uranius.in prolem dilata ruunt periuria patris5et poenam merito filius ore luit.nam spurcos avidae lambit meretricis hiatusconsumens luxu flagitiisque domumet, quas fallacis collegit lingua parentis,has eadem nati lingua refundit opes.10

Fallaces vitreo stellas componere mundo

et vaga Saturni sidera saepe queri

venturumque Iovem paucis promittere nummis

Cureti genitor noverat Uranius.

in prolem dilata ruunt periuria patris5

et poenam merito filius ore luit.

nam spurcos avidae lambit meretricis hiatus

consumens luxu flagitiisque domum

et, quas fallacis collegit lingua parentis,

has eadem nati lingua refundit opes.10

XLIV. (LXXVI.)

In eundem Curetium.

Si tua, Cureti, penitus cognoscere quaerissidera, patre tuo certius ipse loquar.quod furis, adversi dedit inclementia Martis;quod procul a Musis, debilis Arcas erat;

Si tua, Cureti, penitus cognoscere quaeris

sidera, patre tuo certius ipse loquar.

quod furis, adversi dedit inclementia Martis;

quod procul a Musis, debilis Arcas erat;

[271]XLII. (LIII.)The Wild Boar and the Lion.A dark boar and a tawny lion met once in battle, each exulting in his strength: the one shook his cruel bristles, the other his dreadful mane. One was Mars’ favourite, the other Cybele’s: both are kings of the mountains, both engaged the labours of Hercules.XLIII. (LXXV.)Against Curetius.[112]Uranius, Curetius’ father, could set deceptive stars in a sphere of glass, gloomily shake his head over the errant course of Saturn, or ensure for a trifle the favourable influence of Jupiter. The father’s chicanery meets with its punishment, so long deferred, in the son whose mouth needs must pay the just penalty. For filthy are his delights and he wastes all his substance in wantoning and debauchery. And so the tongue of the son has squandered all the riches which that of his lying father gathered together.XLIV. (LXXVI.)The Same.Wouldst thou, Curetius, have sure knowledge of thy horoscope, I can give it thee better than even thy father. Thy madness thou owest to the evil influence of Mars; thine ignorance of poetry to[112]We know nothing further of Curetius.

[271]

XLII. (LIII.)

The Wild Boar and the Lion.

A dark boar and a tawny lion met once in battle, each exulting in his strength: the one shook his cruel bristles, the other his dreadful mane. One was Mars’ favourite, the other Cybele’s: both are kings of the mountains, both engaged the labours of Hercules.

XLIII. (LXXV.)

Against Curetius.[112]

Uranius, Curetius’ father, could set deceptive stars in a sphere of glass, gloomily shake his head over the errant course of Saturn, or ensure for a trifle the favourable influence of Jupiter. The father’s chicanery meets with its punishment, so long deferred, in the son whose mouth needs must pay the just penalty. For filthy are his delights and he wastes all his substance in wantoning and debauchery. And so the tongue of the son has squandered all the riches which that of his lying father gathered together.

XLIV. (LXXVI.)

The Same.

Wouldst thou, Curetius, have sure knowledge of thy horoscope, I can give it thee better than even thy father. Thy madness thou owest to the evil influence of Mars; thine ignorance of poetry to

[112]We know nothing further of Curetius.

[272]quod turpem pateris iam cano podice morbum,5femineis signis Luna Venusque fuit;attrivit Saturnus opes. hoc prorsus in unohaereo: quae cunnum lambere causa facit?XLV. (LV.)De concha.Transferat huc liquidos fontes Heliconia Naiset patulo conchae divitis orbe fluat.namque latex doctae qui laverit ora Serenae,ultra Pegaseas numen habebit aquas.XLVI. (LXXII.)De chlamyde et frenis.Non semper clipei metuendum gentibus orbemdilecto studiosa parens fabricabat Achilli,Lemnia nec semper supplex ardentis adibatantra dei nato galeam factura comantem,sed placidos etiam cinctus et mitia pacis5ornamenta dabat, bello quibus ille peractoconspicuus reges inter fulgeret Achivos.ipsa manu chlamydes ostro texebat et auro,frenaque, quae volucrem Xanthum Baliumque decerent,aequore quaesitis onerabat sedula gemmis.10At tibi diversis, princeps altissime, certantobsequiis soceri. Stilicho Mavortia confertmunera, barbaricas strages Rhenique triumphos.reginae contenta modum servare Serenain tua sollicitas urget velamina telas.15[273]enfeebling Mercury; thy shameful disease and premature decay to lady Moon and lady Venus; Saturn has robbed thee of thy property. But this one fact is beyond me:—what causes thy filthy ways?XLV. (LV.)The Shell.Nymph, come from Helicon and pour herein thy limpid waters; fill all the vast extent of this wondrous shell. Surely the water that has bathed the face of the poetess Serena will have more virtue than all the streams of Castalia.XLVI. (LXXII.)On a Cloak and a Bridle.His loving mother did not always fashion for her dear son Achilles those round shields that did affright the world; she did not constantly approach the fiery caverns of the god of Lemnos, begging a plumèd helmet for her son. She gave him, besides these, garments of peace and unwarlike adornments wherewith, after the toils of war, he might shine conspicuous among the chiefs of the Achaeans. With her own hand she wove him cloaks of purple and gold and with patient care studded with ocean gems bridles to adorn his fleet steeds, Xanthus and Balius.On thee, most puissant emperor, thy wife’s parents bestow diverse presents. Stilicho gives thee warlike gifts—slaughter of barbarians and victories on the Rhine; Serena, content to do such work as befits a queen, plies her busy loom to weave thee raiment.

[272]

quod turpem pateris iam cano podice morbum,5femineis signis Luna Venusque fuit;attrivit Saturnus opes. hoc prorsus in unohaereo: quae cunnum lambere causa facit?

quod turpem pateris iam cano podice morbum,5

femineis signis Luna Venusque fuit;

attrivit Saturnus opes. hoc prorsus in uno

haereo: quae cunnum lambere causa facit?

XLV. (LV.)

De concha.

Transferat huc liquidos fontes Heliconia Naiset patulo conchae divitis orbe fluat.namque latex doctae qui laverit ora Serenae,ultra Pegaseas numen habebit aquas.

Transferat huc liquidos fontes Heliconia Nais

et patulo conchae divitis orbe fluat.

namque latex doctae qui laverit ora Serenae,

ultra Pegaseas numen habebit aquas.

XLVI. (LXXII.)

De chlamyde et frenis.

Non semper clipei metuendum gentibus orbemdilecto studiosa parens fabricabat Achilli,Lemnia nec semper supplex ardentis adibatantra dei nato galeam factura comantem,sed placidos etiam cinctus et mitia pacis5ornamenta dabat, bello quibus ille peractoconspicuus reges inter fulgeret Achivos.ipsa manu chlamydes ostro texebat et auro,frenaque, quae volucrem Xanthum Baliumque decerent,aequore quaesitis onerabat sedula gemmis.10At tibi diversis, princeps altissime, certantobsequiis soceri. Stilicho Mavortia confertmunera, barbaricas strages Rhenique triumphos.reginae contenta modum servare Serenain tua sollicitas urget velamina telas.15

Non semper clipei metuendum gentibus orbem

dilecto studiosa parens fabricabat Achilli,

Lemnia nec semper supplex ardentis adibat

antra dei nato galeam factura comantem,

sed placidos etiam cinctus et mitia pacis5

ornamenta dabat, bello quibus ille peracto

conspicuus reges inter fulgeret Achivos.

ipsa manu chlamydes ostro texebat et auro,

frenaque, quae volucrem Xanthum Baliumque decerent,

aequore quaesitis onerabat sedula gemmis.10

At tibi diversis, princeps altissime, certant

obsequiis soceri. Stilicho Mavortia confert

munera, barbaricas strages Rhenique triumphos.

reginae contenta modum servare Serena

in tua sollicitas urget velamina telas.15

[273]enfeebling Mercury; thy shameful disease and premature decay to lady Moon and lady Venus; Saturn has robbed thee of thy property. But this one fact is beyond me:—what causes thy filthy ways?XLV. (LV.)The Shell.Nymph, come from Helicon and pour herein thy limpid waters; fill all the vast extent of this wondrous shell. Surely the water that has bathed the face of the poetess Serena will have more virtue than all the streams of Castalia.XLVI. (LXXII.)On a Cloak and a Bridle.His loving mother did not always fashion for her dear son Achilles those round shields that did affright the world; she did not constantly approach the fiery caverns of the god of Lemnos, begging a plumèd helmet for her son. She gave him, besides these, garments of peace and unwarlike adornments wherewith, after the toils of war, he might shine conspicuous among the chiefs of the Achaeans. With her own hand she wove him cloaks of purple and gold and with patient care studded with ocean gems bridles to adorn his fleet steeds, Xanthus and Balius.On thee, most puissant emperor, thy wife’s parents bestow diverse presents. Stilicho gives thee warlike gifts—slaughter of barbarians and victories on the Rhine; Serena, content to do such work as befits a queen, plies her busy loom to weave thee raiment.

[273]

enfeebling Mercury; thy shameful disease and premature decay to lady Moon and lady Venus; Saturn has robbed thee of thy property. But this one fact is beyond me:—what causes thy filthy ways?

XLV. (LV.)

The Shell.

Nymph, come from Helicon and pour herein thy limpid waters; fill all the vast extent of this wondrous shell. Surely the water that has bathed the face of the poetess Serena will have more virtue than all the streams of Castalia.

XLVI. (LXXII.)

On a Cloak and a Bridle.

His loving mother did not always fashion for her dear son Achilles those round shields that did affright the world; she did not constantly approach the fiery caverns of the god of Lemnos, begging a plumèd helmet for her son. She gave him, besides these, garments of peace and unwarlike adornments wherewith, after the toils of war, he might shine conspicuous among the chiefs of the Achaeans. With her own hand she wove him cloaks of purple and gold and with patient care studded with ocean gems bridles to adorn his fleet steeds, Xanthus and Balius.

On thee, most puissant emperor, thy wife’s parents bestow diverse presents. Stilicho gives thee warlike gifts—slaughter of barbarians and victories on the Rhine; Serena, content to do such work as befits a queen, plies her busy loom to weave thee raiment.

[274]XLVII. (LXXIII.)De equo dono dato.O felix sonipes, tanti cui frena mererinuminis et sacris licuit servire lupatis,seu tua per campos vento iuba lusit Hiberos,seu te Cappadocum gelida sub valle natantemArgaeae lavere nives, seu laeta solebas5Thessaliae rapido perstringere pascua cursu:accipe regales cultus et crine superbuserecto virides spumis perfunde smaragdos.luxurient tumido gemmata monilia collo,nobilis auratos iam purpura vestiat armos,10et medium te zona liget variata colorumfloribus et castae manibus sudata Serenae,Persarum gentile decus. sic quippe laboratmaternis studiis nec dedignatur equestresmoliri phaleras genero latura decorem.15XLVIII. (LXX.)De zona equi regii missa Honorio Augusta a Serena.Accipe parva tuae, princeps venerande, sororismunera, quae manibus texuit ipsa suis,dumque auro phalerae, gemmis dum frena renident,hac uterum zona cinge frementis equi,sive illum Armeniis aluerunt gramina campis5turbidus Argaea seu nive lavit Halys,sanguineo virides morsu vexare smaragdoset Tyrio dignum terga rubere toro.[275]XLVII. (LXXIII.)On a Gift to a Horse.Happy steed, whose good fortune it is to obey the directing hand of a god and to be guided by a sacred bit. Whether on the plains of Spain the wind tossed thy mane in sport, or thou didst bathe in the melted snows of Mount Argaeus, in some fertile valley of Cappadocia, or thou didst scour the rich pasture-lands of Thessaly in wind-swift course, receive this royal harness and, tossing thy proud mane, fleck with foam the bridle studded with emeralds. Arch thy haughty neck beneath its collar of pearls; let cloth of purple and gold clothe thy shoulders and a belt of many colours worked by Serena’s chaste hands pass beneath thy belly. ’Tis an ornament worthy the kings of Persia. Such is her motherly love that to enhance her son-in-law’s glory she disdains not to embroider the very harness of his horses.XLVIII. (LXX.)On a Strap embroidered by Serena for Honorius’ Horse.Receive at a sister’s hand a small gift, revered prince, a gift embroidered by her own hand; the bridle of thy champing steed is of gold, his head-harness studded with jewels; use now this strap to pass beneath his belly. Whether his home was the grassy plain of Armenia, or by the Halys, swollen with the melted snows of Mount Argaeus wherein he was wont to bathe, he well deserves an emerald-encrusted bit to champ in his blood-flecked mouth and cloth of Tyrian purple to adorn his back. How

[274]

XLVII. (LXXIII.)

De equo dono dato.

O felix sonipes, tanti cui frena mererinuminis et sacris licuit servire lupatis,seu tua per campos vento iuba lusit Hiberos,seu te Cappadocum gelida sub valle natantemArgaeae lavere nives, seu laeta solebas5Thessaliae rapido perstringere pascua cursu:accipe regales cultus et crine superbuserecto virides spumis perfunde smaragdos.luxurient tumido gemmata monilia collo,nobilis auratos iam purpura vestiat armos,10et medium te zona liget variata colorumfloribus et castae manibus sudata Serenae,Persarum gentile decus. sic quippe laboratmaternis studiis nec dedignatur equestresmoliri phaleras genero latura decorem.15

O felix sonipes, tanti cui frena mereri

numinis et sacris licuit servire lupatis,

seu tua per campos vento iuba lusit Hiberos,

seu te Cappadocum gelida sub valle natantem

Argaeae lavere nives, seu laeta solebas5

Thessaliae rapido perstringere pascua cursu:

accipe regales cultus et crine superbus

erecto virides spumis perfunde smaragdos.

luxurient tumido gemmata monilia collo,

nobilis auratos iam purpura vestiat armos,10

et medium te zona liget variata colorum

floribus et castae manibus sudata Serenae,

Persarum gentile decus. sic quippe laborat

maternis studiis nec dedignatur equestres

moliri phaleras genero latura decorem.15

XLVIII. (LXX.)

De zona equi regii missa Honorio Augusta a Serena.

Accipe parva tuae, princeps venerande, sororismunera, quae manibus texuit ipsa suis,dumque auro phalerae, gemmis dum frena renident,hac uterum zona cinge frementis equi,sive illum Armeniis aluerunt gramina campis5turbidus Argaea seu nive lavit Halys,sanguineo virides morsu vexare smaragdoset Tyrio dignum terga rubere toro.

Accipe parva tuae, princeps venerande, sororis

munera, quae manibus texuit ipsa suis,

dumque auro phalerae, gemmis dum frena renident,

hac uterum zona cinge frementis equi,

sive illum Armeniis aluerunt gramina campis5

turbidus Argaea seu nive lavit Halys,

sanguineo virides morsu vexare smaragdos

et Tyrio dignum terga rubere toro.

[275]XLVII. (LXXIII.)On a Gift to a Horse.Happy steed, whose good fortune it is to obey the directing hand of a god and to be guided by a sacred bit. Whether on the plains of Spain the wind tossed thy mane in sport, or thou didst bathe in the melted snows of Mount Argaeus, in some fertile valley of Cappadocia, or thou didst scour the rich pasture-lands of Thessaly in wind-swift course, receive this royal harness and, tossing thy proud mane, fleck with foam the bridle studded with emeralds. Arch thy haughty neck beneath its collar of pearls; let cloth of purple and gold clothe thy shoulders and a belt of many colours worked by Serena’s chaste hands pass beneath thy belly. ’Tis an ornament worthy the kings of Persia. Such is her motherly love that to enhance her son-in-law’s glory she disdains not to embroider the very harness of his horses.XLVIII. (LXX.)On a Strap embroidered by Serena for Honorius’ Horse.Receive at a sister’s hand a small gift, revered prince, a gift embroidered by her own hand; the bridle of thy champing steed is of gold, his head-harness studded with jewels; use now this strap to pass beneath his belly. Whether his home was the grassy plain of Armenia, or by the Halys, swollen with the melted snows of Mount Argaeus wherein he was wont to bathe, he well deserves an emerald-encrusted bit to champ in his blood-flecked mouth and cloth of Tyrian purple to adorn his back. How

[275]

XLVII. (LXXIII.)

On a Gift to a Horse.

Happy steed, whose good fortune it is to obey the directing hand of a god and to be guided by a sacred bit. Whether on the plains of Spain the wind tossed thy mane in sport, or thou didst bathe in the melted snows of Mount Argaeus, in some fertile valley of Cappadocia, or thou didst scour the rich pasture-lands of Thessaly in wind-swift course, receive this royal harness and, tossing thy proud mane, fleck with foam the bridle studded with emeralds. Arch thy haughty neck beneath its collar of pearls; let cloth of purple and gold clothe thy shoulders and a belt of many colours worked by Serena’s chaste hands pass beneath thy belly. ’Tis an ornament worthy the kings of Persia. Such is her motherly love that to enhance her son-in-law’s glory she disdains not to embroider the very harness of his horses.

XLVIII. (LXX.)

On a Strap embroidered by Serena for Honorius’ Horse.

Receive at a sister’s hand a small gift, revered prince, a gift embroidered by her own hand; the bridle of thy champing steed is of gold, his head-harness studded with jewels; use now this strap to pass beneath his belly. Whether his home was the grassy plain of Armenia, or by the Halys, swollen with the melted snows of Mount Argaeus wherein he was wont to bathe, he well deserves an emerald-encrusted bit to champ in his blood-flecked mouth and cloth of Tyrian purple to adorn his back. How

[276]o quantum formae sibi conscius erigit armosspargit et excussis colla superba iubis!10augescit brevitas doni pietate Serenae,quae volucres etiam fratribus ornat equos.XLIX. (XLVI.)De torpedine.Quis non indomitam dirae torpedinis artemaudiit et merito signatas nomine vires?Illa quidem mollis segnique obnixa natatureptat et attritis vix languida serpit harenis.sed latus armavit gelido natura veneno,5et frigus, quo cuncta rigent animata[113], medullismiscuit et proprias hiemes per viscera duxit.naturam iuvat ipsa dolis et conscia sortisutitur ingenio longeque extenta per algasattactu confisa subit. inmobilis haeret:10qui tetigere iacent. successu laeta resurgitet vivos impune ferox depascitur artus.Si quando vestita cibis incautior aerahauserit et curvis frenari senserit hamis,non fugit aut vano conatur vellere morsu,15sed proprius nigrae iungit se callida saetaeet meminit captiva sui longeque per undaspigra venenatis effundit flamina venis.per saetam vis alta meat fluctusque relinquitabsentem victura virum: metuendus ab imis20[113]MSS.armatawhich Birt prints, suggestingafflatain a note;animatais Scaliger’s emendation.[277]conscious he is of his own beauty as he steps high and shakes his flowing mane over his proud neck! The slight nature of the present is dignified by the affection of Serena who for her brothers decks even their swift steeds.XLIX. (XLVI.)The Electric Ray.Who has not heard of the invincible skill of the dread torpedo and of the powers that win it its name?Its body is soft and its motion slow. Scarcely does it mark the sand o’er which it crawls so sluggishly. But nature has armed its flanks with a numbing poison and mingled with its marrow chill to freeze all living creatures, hiding as it were its own winter in its heart. The fish seconds nature’s efforts with its own guilefulness; knowing its own capabilities, it employs cunning, and trusting to its power of touch lies stretched full length among the seaweed and so attacks its prey. It stays motionless; all that have touched it lie benumbed. Then, when success has crowned its efforts, it springs up and greedily devours without fear the living limbs of its victim.Should it carelessly swallow a piece of bait that hides a hook of bronze and feel the pull of the jagged barbs, it does not swim away nor seek to free itself by vainly biting at the line; but artfully approaches the dark line and, though a prisoner, forgets not its skill, emitting from its poisonous veins an effluence which spreads far and wide through the water. The poison’s bane leaves the sea and creeps up the line; it will soon prove too much for the distant fisherman.

[276]

o quantum formae sibi conscius erigit armosspargit et excussis colla superba iubis!10augescit brevitas doni pietate Serenae,quae volucres etiam fratribus ornat equos.

o quantum formae sibi conscius erigit armos

spargit et excussis colla superba iubis!10

augescit brevitas doni pietate Serenae,

quae volucres etiam fratribus ornat equos.

XLIX. (XLVI.)

De torpedine.

Quis non indomitam dirae torpedinis artemaudiit et merito signatas nomine vires?Illa quidem mollis segnique obnixa natatureptat et attritis vix languida serpit harenis.sed latus armavit gelido natura veneno,5et frigus, quo cuncta rigent animata[113], medullismiscuit et proprias hiemes per viscera duxit.naturam iuvat ipsa dolis et conscia sortisutitur ingenio longeque extenta per algasattactu confisa subit. inmobilis haeret:10qui tetigere iacent. successu laeta resurgitet vivos impune ferox depascitur artus.Si quando vestita cibis incautior aerahauserit et curvis frenari senserit hamis,non fugit aut vano conatur vellere morsu,15sed proprius nigrae iungit se callida saetaeet meminit captiva sui longeque per undaspigra venenatis effundit flamina venis.per saetam vis alta meat fluctusque relinquitabsentem victura virum: metuendus ab imis20

Quis non indomitam dirae torpedinis artem

audiit et merito signatas nomine vires?

Illa quidem mollis segnique obnixa natatu

reptat et attritis vix languida serpit harenis.

sed latus armavit gelido natura veneno,5

et frigus, quo cuncta rigent animata[113], medullis

miscuit et proprias hiemes per viscera duxit.

naturam iuvat ipsa dolis et conscia sortis

utitur ingenio longeque extenta per algas

attactu confisa subit. inmobilis haeret:10

qui tetigere iacent. successu laeta resurgit

et vivos impune ferox depascitur artus.

Si quando vestita cibis incautior aera

hauserit et curvis frenari senserit hamis,

non fugit aut vano conatur vellere morsu,15

sed proprius nigrae iungit se callida saetae

et meminit captiva sui longeque per undas

pigra venenatis effundit flamina venis.

per saetam vis alta meat fluctusque relinquit

absentem victura virum: metuendus ab imis20

[113]MSS.armatawhich Birt prints, suggestingafflatain a note;animatais Scaliger’s emendation.

[277]conscious he is of his own beauty as he steps high and shakes his flowing mane over his proud neck! The slight nature of the present is dignified by the affection of Serena who for her brothers decks even their swift steeds.XLIX. (XLVI.)The Electric Ray.Who has not heard of the invincible skill of the dread torpedo and of the powers that win it its name?Its body is soft and its motion slow. Scarcely does it mark the sand o’er which it crawls so sluggishly. But nature has armed its flanks with a numbing poison and mingled with its marrow chill to freeze all living creatures, hiding as it were its own winter in its heart. The fish seconds nature’s efforts with its own guilefulness; knowing its own capabilities, it employs cunning, and trusting to its power of touch lies stretched full length among the seaweed and so attacks its prey. It stays motionless; all that have touched it lie benumbed. Then, when success has crowned its efforts, it springs up and greedily devours without fear the living limbs of its victim.Should it carelessly swallow a piece of bait that hides a hook of bronze and feel the pull of the jagged barbs, it does not swim away nor seek to free itself by vainly biting at the line; but artfully approaches the dark line and, though a prisoner, forgets not its skill, emitting from its poisonous veins an effluence which spreads far and wide through the water. The poison’s bane leaves the sea and creeps up the line; it will soon prove too much for the distant fisherman.

[277]

conscious he is of his own beauty as he steps high and shakes his flowing mane over his proud neck! The slight nature of the present is dignified by the affection of Serena who for her brothers decks even their swift steeds.

XLIX. (XLVI.)

The Electric Ray.

Who has not heard of the invincible skill of the dread torpedo and of the powers that win it its name?

Its body is soft and its motion slow. Scarcely does it mark the sand o’er which it crawls so sluggishly. But nature has armed its flanks with a numbing poison and mingled with its marrow chill to freeze all living creatures, hiding as it were its own winter in its heart. The fish seconds nature’s efforts with its own guilefulness; knowing its own capabilities, it employs cunning, and trusting to its power of touch lies stretched full length among the seaweed and so attacks its prey. It stays motionless; all that have touched it lie benumbed. Then, when success has crowned its efforts, it springs up and greedily devours without fear the living limbs of its victim.

Should it carelessly swallow a piece of bait that hides a hook of bronze and feel the pull of the jagged barbs, it does not swim away nor seek to free itself by vainly biting at the line; but artfully approaches the dark line and, though a prisoner, forgets not its skill, emitting from its poisonous veins an effluence which spreads far and wide through the water. The poison’s bane leaves the sea and creeps up the line; it will soon prove too much for the distant fisherman.

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