Chapter 4

[78]naturam cumulante manu, spoliisque micantes50innumeros arcus. acies stupet igne metalliet circumfuso trepidans obtunditur auro.Agnoscisne tuos, princeps venerande, penates?haec sunt, quae primis olim miratus in annispatre pio monstrante puer. nil optimus ille55divorum toto meruit felicius aevo,quam quod Romuleis victor sub moenibus egitte consorte dies, cum se melioribus addensexemplis civem gereret terrore remoto,alternos cum plebe iocos dilectaque passus60iurgia patriciasque domos privataque passimvisere deposito dignatus limina fastu.publicus hinc ardescit amor, cum moribus aequisinclinat populo regale modestia culmen.teque rudem vitae, quamvis diademate necdum65cingebare comas, socium sumebat honorumpurpureo fotum gremio, parvumque triumphisimbuit et magnis docuit praeludere fatis.et linguis variae gentes missique rogatumfoedera Persarum proceres cum patre sedentem70hac quondam videre domo positoque tiaramsummisere genu. tecum praelarga vocavitditandas ad dona tribus; fulgentia tecumcollecti trabeatus adit delubra senatusRomano puerum gaudens offerre favori,75ut novus imperio iam tunc adsuesceret heres.[79]hand of man has added to the work of nature, the countless triumphal arches glittering with spoils. The eyes are dazed by the blaze of metal and blink outwearied by the surrounding gold.Adored Prince, dost thou recognize thy house? ’Tis the same that thy loving sire showed to thy wondering eyes while yet thou wert a boy of tender years. Never in all his life did Theodosius, best of all the gods, better deserve our love than when, triumphant over all his foes, he came with thee to Rome to sojourn within its walls, and there, following the example of the noblest emperors, lived as a simple citizen, not seeking to inspire terror by his name but condescending to exchange banter and harmless raillery with the people and as ready to lay aside his rank and visit the homes of the poor as to enter the palaces of the noble. ’Tis thus the public love is kindled when with just humanity modesty bids royal state stoop to the people. And thee, while still but a boy, though the crown had not yet encircled thy head, thy father took to share his honours,[24]cherishing thee in his royal bosom, giving thy youth its first taste of triumphs and teaching it the prelude of its mighty destiny. Peoples of every tongue and Persian chiefs sent to solicit alliance in Rome[25]once saw thee seated with thy father in this very palace and bowing the knee laid their crowns at thy feet. Thou wert at his side when he summoned the tribes to receive a bounteous largess: with thee he entered the hallowed portals of the assembled senate clad in the consul’s robe, right glad to introduce his son to the goodwill of the Roman Fathers, that so his youthful heir might grow familiar with empire.[24]Honorius was made Augustus Nov. 20, 393, shortly after his ninth birthday.[25]The Persians seem to have sent embassies to Rome both in 387 and 389 (Themistius,Orat.xix. p. 227).

[78]

naturam cumulante manu, spoliisque micantes50innumeros arcus. acies stupet igne metalliet circumfuso trepidans obtunditur auro.Agnoscisne tuos, princeps venerande, penates?haec sunt, quae primis olim miratus in annispatre pio monstrante puer. nil optimus ille55divorum toto meruit felicius aevo,quam quod Romuleis victor sub moenibus egitte consorte dies, cum se melioribus addensexemplis civem gereret terrore remoto,alternos cum plebe iocos dilectaque passus60iurgia patriciasque domos privataque passimvisere deposito dignatus limina fastu.publicus hinc ardescit amor, cum moribus aequisinclinat populo regale modestia culmen.teque rudem vitae, quamvis diademate necdum65cingebare comas, socium sumebat honorumpurpureo fotum gremio, parvumque triumphisimbuit et magnis docuit praeludere fatis.et linguis variae gentes missique rogatumfoedera Persarum proceres cum patre sedentem70hac quondam videre domo positoque tiaramsummisere genu. tecum praelarga vocavitditandas ad dona tribus; fulgentia tecumcollecti trabeatus adit delubra senatusRomano puerum gaudens offerre favori,75ut novus imperio iam tunc adsuesceret heres.

naturam cumulante manu, spoliisque micantes50

innumeros arcus. acies stupet igne metalli

et circumfuso trepidans obtunditur auro.

Agnoscisne tuos, princeps venerande, penates?

haec sunt, quae primis olim miratus in annis

patre pio monstrante puer. nil optimus ille55

divorum toto meruit felicius aevo,

quam quod Romuleis victor sub moenibus egit

te consorte dies, cum se melioribus addens

exemplis civem gereret terrore remoto,

alternos cum plebe iocos dilectaque passus60

iurgia patriciasque domos privataque passim

visere deposito dignatus limina fastu.

publicus hinc ardescit amor, cum moribus aequis

inclinat populo regale modestia culmen.

teque rudem vitae, quamvis diademate necdum65

cingebare comas, socium sumebat honorum

purpureo fotum gremio, parvumque triumphis

imbuit et magnis docuit praeludere fatis.

et linguis variae gentes missique rogatum

foedera Persarum proceres cum patre sedentem70

hac quondam videre domo positoque tiaram

summisere genu. tecum praelarga vocavit

ditandas ad dona tribus; fulgentia tecum

collecti trabeatus adit delubra senatus

Romano puerum gaudens offerre favori,75

ut novus imperio iam tunc adsuesceret heres.

[79]hand of man has added to the work of nature, the countless triumphal arches glittering with spoils. The eyes are dazed by the blaze of metal and blink outwearied by the surrounding gold.Adored Prince, dost thou recognize thy house? ’Tis the same that thy loving sire showed to thy wondering eyes while yet thou wert a boy of tender years. Never in all his life did Theodosius, best of all the gods, better deserve our love than when, triumphant over all his foes, he came with thee to Rome to sojourn within its walls, and there, following the example of the noblest emperors, lived as a simple citizen, not seeking to inspire terror by his name but condescending to exchange banter and harmless raillery with the people and as ready to lay aside his rank and visit the homes of the poor as to enter the palaces of the noble. ’Tis thus the public love is kindled when with just humanity modesty bids royal state stoop to the people. And thee, while still but a boy, though the crown had not yet encircled thy head, thy father took to share his honours,[24]cherishing thee in his royal bosom, giving thy youth its first taste of triumphs and teaching it the prelude of its mighty destiny. Peoples of every tongue and Persian chiefs sent to solicit alliance in Rome[25]once saw thee seated with thy father in this very palace and bowing the knee laid their crowns at thy feet. Thou wert at his side when he summoned the tribes to receive a bounteous largess: with thee he entered the hallowed portals of the assembled senate clad in the consul’s robe, right glad to introduce his son to the goodwill of the Roman Fathers, that so his youthful heir might grow familiar with empire.[24]Honorius was made Augustus Nov. 20, 393, shortly after his ninth birthday.[25]The Persians seem to have sent embassies to Rome both in 387 and 389 (Themistius,Orat.xix. p. 227).

[79]

hand of man has added to the work of nature, the countless triumphal arches glittering with spoils. The eyes are dazed by the blaze of metal and blink outwearied by the surrounding gold.

Adored Prince, dost thou recognize thy house? ’Tis the same that thy loving sire showed to thy wondering eyes while yet thou wert a boy of tender years. Never in all his life did Theodosius, best of all the gods, better deserve our love than when, triumphant over all his foes, he came with thee to Rome to sojourn within its walls, and there, following the example of the noblest emperors, lived as a simple citizen, not seeking to inspire terror by his name but condescending to exchange banter and harmless raillery with the people and as ready to lay aside his rank and visit the homes of the poor as to enter the palaces of the noble. ’Tis thus the public love is kindled when with just humanity modesty bids royal state stoop to the people. And thee, while still but a boy, though the crown had not yet encircled thy head, thy father took to share his honours,[24]cherishing thee in his royal bosom, giving thy youth its first taste of triumphs and teaching it the prelude of its mighty destiny. Peoples of every tongue and Persian chiefs sent to solicit alliance in Rome[25]once saw thee seated with thy father in this very palace and bowing the knee laid their crowns at thy feet. Thou wert at his side when he summoned the tribes to receive a bounteous largess: with thee he entered the hallowed portals of the assembled senate clad in the consul’s robe, right glad to introduce his son to the goodwill of the Roman Fathers, that so his youthful heir might grow familiar with empire.

[24]Honorius was made Augustus Nov. 20, 393, shortly after his ninth birthday.

[25]The Persians seem to have sent embassies to Rome both in 387 and 389 (Themistius,Orat.xix. p. 227).

[80]Hinc tibi concreta radice tenacius haesitet penitus totis inolevit Roma medullis,dilectaeque urbis tenero conceptus ab unguetecum crevit amor. nec te mutare reversum80evaluit propria nutritor Bosphorus arce.et quotiens optare tibi quae moenia mallesadludens genitor regni pro parte dedisset,divitis Aurorae solium sortemque paratamsponte remittebas fratri: “regat ille volentes85Assyrios; habeat Pharium cum Tigride Nilum;contingat mea Roma mihi.” nec vota fefelliteventus. Fortuna novum molita tyrannumiam tibi quaerebat Latium belloque secundoprotinus Eoa velox accitus ab aula90suscipis Hesperiam patrio bis Marte receptam.ipsa per Illyricas urbes Oriente relictoire Serena comes nullo deterrita casu,materna te mente fovens Latioque futurumrectorem generumque sibi seniore supernas95iam repetente plagas. illo sub cardine rerumsedula servatum per tot discrimina pignusrestituit sceptris patrui castrisque mariti.certavit pietate domus, fidaeque reductumconiugis officio Stilichonis cura recepit.100Felix ille parens, qui te secures Olympumsuccedente petit! quam laetus ab aethere cernitse factis crevisse tuis! duo namque fuere[81]Hence taking firmer root the love of Rome clung to thee more closely and grew strong, deep-planted in all thy heart. As thou grewest the affection which thou hadst found in childhood for the city grew too; nor was Bosporus, whose cherished town was thy nurse, able on thy return to seduce thee from that love. Every time that thy sire in sport gave thee thy choice of whatsoever cities thou didst prefer to govern as thy share of empire, thou didst leave to thy brother Arcadius the throne and riches of the East and the lands which by inheritance should be his. “Let him rule over the servile Assyrians,” thou saidst, “let Nile, the river of Egypt, and the Tigris be his; let me have my beloved Rome.” Thy wishes have been fulfilled. Fortune set up a new tyrant only to ensure for thee the governance of Latium. So soon as ever the war was brought to a successful conclusion thou wert summoned from the court of Byzantium to undertake the rule of Italy twice conquered by thy father’s arms. Serena herself left the East and accompanied thee in thy journey across Illyria: fearless in face of danger she bestowed a mother’s care on thee who wert to be lord of Latium and her own son-in-law after Theodosius’ translation to the sky. She kept careful guard over the child entrusted to her protection through the dangers of that critical time and brought thee safe to her uncle’s throne and her husband’s army. Stilicho and Serena vied in love toward thee and what Serena’s care had brought safe home Stilicho’s affection welcomed there.Happy father to enter heaven with no fears for the future; he knew that thou wert to succeed him. With what joy he looks down from above and sees his glory enhanced by thine exploits! Europe and

[80]

Hinc tibi concreta radice tenacius haesitet penitus totis inolevit Roma medullis,dilectaeque urbis tenero conceptus ab unguetecum crevit amor. nec te mutare reversum80evaluit propria nutritor Bosphorus arce.et quotiens optare tibi quae moenia mallesadludens genitor regni pro parte dedisset,divitis Aurorae solium sortemque paratamsponte remittebas fratri: “regat ille volentes85Assyrios; habeat Pharium cum Tigride Nilum;contingat mea Roma mihi.” nec vota fefelliteventus. Fortuna novum molita tyrannumiam tibi quaerebat Latium belloque secundoprotinus Eoa velox accitus ab aula90suscipis Hesperiam patrio bis Marte receptam.ipsa per Illyricas urbes Oriente relictoire Serena comes nullo deterrita casu,materna te mente fovens Latioque futurumrectorem generumque sibi seniore supernas95iam repetente plagas. illo sub cardine rerumsedula servatum per tot discrimina pignusrestituit sceptris patrui castrisque mariti.certavit pietate domus, fidaeque reductumconiugis officio Stilichonis cura recepit.100Felix ille parens, qui te secures Olympumsuccedente petit! quam laetus ab aethere cernitse factis crevisse tuis! duo namque fuere

Hinc tibi concreta radice tenacius haesit

et penitus totis inolevit Roma medullis,

dilectaeque urbis tenero conceptus ab ungue

tecum crevit amor. nec te mutare reversum80

evaluit propria nutritor Bosphorus arce.

et quotiens optare tibi quae moenia malles

adludens genitor regni pro parte dedisset,

divitis Aurorae solium sortemque paratam

sponte remittebas fratri: “regat ille volentes85

Assyrios; habeat Pharium cum Tigride Nilum;

contingat mea Roma mihi.” nec vota fefellit

eventus. Fortuna novum molita tyrannum

iam tibi quaerebat Latium belloque secundo

protinus Eoa velox accitus ab aula90

suscipis Hesperiam patrio bis Marte receptam.

ipsa per Illyricas urbes Oriente relicto

ire Serena comes nullo deterrita casu,

materna te mente fovens Latioque futurum

rectorem generumque sibi seniore supernas95

iam repetente plagas. illo sub cardine rerum

sedula servatum per tot discrimina pignus

restituit sceptris patrui castrisque mariti.

certavit pietate domus, fidaeque reductum

coniugis officio Stilichonis cura recepit.100

Felix ille parens, qui te secures Olympum

succedente petit! quam laetus ab aethere cernit

se factis crevisse tuis! duo namque fuere

[81]Hence taking firmer root the love of Rome clung to thee more closely and grew strong, deep-planted in all thy heart. As thou grewest the affection which thou hadst found in childhood for the city grew too; nor was Bosporus, whose cherished town was thy nurse, able on thy return to seduce thee from that love. Every time that thy sire in sport gave thee thy choice of whatsoever cities thou didst prefer to govern as thy share of empire, thou didst leave to thy brother Arcadius the throne and riches of the East and the lands which by inheritance should be his. “Let him rule over the servile Assyrians,” thou saidst, “let Nile, the river of Egypt, and the Tigris be his; let me have my beloved Rome.” Thy wishes have been fulfilled. Fortune set up a new tyrant only to ensure for thee the governance of Latium. So soon as ever the war was brought to a successful conclusion thou wert summoned from the court of Byzantium to undertake the rule of Italy twice conquered by thy father’s arms. Serena herself left the East and accompanied thee in thy journey across Illyria: fearless in face of danger she bestowed a mother’s care on thee who wert to be lord of Latium and her own son-in-law after Theodosius’ translation to the sky. She kept careful guard over the child entrusted to her protection through the dangers of that critical time and brought thee safe to her uncle’s throne and her husband’s army. Stilicho and Serena vied in love toward thee and what Serena’s care had brought safe home Stilicho’s affection welcomed there.Happy father to enter heaven with no fears for the future; he knew that thou wert to succeed him. With what joy he looks down from above and sees his glory enhanced by thine exploits! Europe and

[81]

Hence taking firmer root the love of Rome clung to thee more closely and grew strong, deep-planted in all thy heart. As thou grewest the affection which thou hadst found in childhood for the city grew too; nor was Bosporus, whose cherished town was thy nurse, able on thy return to seduce thee from that love. Every time that thy sire in sport gave thee thy choice of whatsoever cities thou didst prefer to govern as thy share of empire, thou didst leave to thy brother Arcadius the throne and riches of the East and the lands which by inheritance should be his. “Let him rule over the servile Assyrians,” thou saidst, “let Nile, the river of Egypt, and the Tigris be his; let me have my beloved Rome.” Thy wishes have been fulfilled. Fortune set up a new tyrant only to ensure for thee the governance of Latium. So soon as ever the war was brought to a successful conclusion thou wert summoned from the court of Byzantium to undertake the rule of Italy twice conquered by thy father’s arms. Serena herself left the East and accompanied thee in thy journey across Illyria: fearless in face of danger she bestowed a mother’s care on thee who wert to be lord of Latium and her own son-in-law after Theodosius’ translation to the sky. She kept careful guard over the child entrusted to her protection through the dangers of that critical time and brought thee safe to her uncle’s throne and her husband’s army. Stilicho and Serena vied in love toward thee and what Serena’s care had brought safe home Stilicho’s affection welcomed there.

Happy father to enter heaven with no fears for the future; he knew that thou wert to succeed him. With what joy he looks down from above and sees his glory enhanced by thine exploits! Europe and

[82]Europae Libyaeque hostes: Maurusius AtlasGildonis Furias, Alaricum barbara Peuce105nutrierat, qui saepe tuum sprevere profanamente patrem. Thracum venienti e[26]finibus alterHebri clausit aquas; alter praecepta vocantisrespuit auxiliisque ad proxima bella negatisabiurata palam Libyae possederat arva:110quorum nunc meritam repetens non inmemor iramsuppliciis fruitur natoque ultore triumphat.ense Thyestiadae poenas exegit Orestes,sed mixtum pietate nefas dubitandaque caedisgloria, materno laudem cum crimine pensat;115pavit Iuleos inviso sanguine manesAugustus, sed falsa pii praeconia sumpsitin luctum patriae civili strage parentans:at tibi causa patris rerum coniuncta salutibellorum duplicat laurus, isdemque tropaeis120reddita libertas orbi, vindicta parenti.Sed mihi iam pridem captum Parnasia MaurumPieriis egit fidibus chelys; arma Getarumnuper apud socerum plectro celebrata recenti.adventus nunc sacra tui libet edere Musis125grataque patratis exordia sumere bellis.Iam Pollentini tenuatus funere campiconcessaque sibi (rerum sic admonet usus)luce, tot amissis sociis atque omnibus unadireptis opibus, Latio discedere iussus130[26]Birt prints thevenientem finibusof A and B (the otherMSS.haveveniens e), and theaquis(l. 108) of the betterMSS.I have adopted Heinsius’ emendationvenientiwith some hesitation.[83]Africa were alike threatened by foes: from Mount Atlas came fierce Gildo; Alaric from Peuce’s savage isle. Often had both with impious daring set at nought the commands of thy sire. When he came from the lands of Thrace Alaric closed against him the waters of the Danube; Gildo scorned his command and, refusing assistance for a neighbouring war, had seized on the fields of Libya he had long forsworn. Theodosius recalls the anger he then justly felt and rejoices to witness their discomfiture, proud to have his son for his avenger. Orestes’ sword took vengeance on the son of Thyestes[27]; but guilt was blent with piety, and the sword-stroke brings doubtful glory when honour is balanced by a mother’s murder; Augustus sated the shade of Caesar with his enemies’ blood, but he made a false advertisement of piety when, to the grief of his fatherland, he offered the blood of citizens to his father’s ghost. But for thee thy sire’s cause, linked as it is with the general safety, doubles thy warlike fame; the same victory that has avenged thy sire has restored peace to the world.My lyre inspired by the Muses of Pieria has long since sung of the defeat and capture of the Moor; but of late, too, in Stilicho’s presence I have celebrated in verse the wars against the Getae. To-day I would fain sing the glories of thy home-coming and, ceasing to tell of wars, would prelude a theme of thankfulness.Alaric, his hopes ruined by his bloody defeat at Pollentia, though policy dictated that his life should be spared, was nevertheless deserted by all his allies and bereft of all his resources. He was forced to leave Latium and to retrace his steps in ruin and[27]Aegisthus.

[82]

Europae Libyaeque hostes: Maurusius AtlasGildonis Furias, Alaricum barbara Peuce105nutrierat, qui saepe tuum sprevere profanamente patrem. Thracum venienti e[26]finibus alterHebri clausit aquas; alter praecepta vocantisrespuit auxiliisque ad proxima bella negatisabiurata palam Libyae possederat arva:110quorum nunc meritam repetens non inmemor iramsuppliciis fruitur natoque ultore triumphat.ense Thyestiadae poenas exegit Orestes,sed mixtum pietate nefas dubitandaque caedisgloria, materno laudem cum crimine pensat;115pavit Iuleos inviso sanguine manesAugustus, sed falsa pii praeconia sumpsitin luctum patriae civili strage parentans:at tibi causa patris rerum coniuncta salutibellorum duplicat laurus, isdemque tropaeis120reddita libertas orbi, vindicta parenti.Sed mihi iam pridem captum Parnasia MaurumPieriis egit fidibus chelys; arma Getarumnuper apud socerum plectro celebrata recenti.adventus nunc sacra tui libet edere Musis125grataque patratis exordia sumere bellis.Iam Pollentini tenuatus funere campiconcessaque sibi (rerum sic admonet usus)luce, tot amissis sociis atque omnibus unadireptis opibus, Latio discedere iussus130

Europae Libyaeque hostes: Maurusius Atlas

Gildonis Furias, Alaricum barbara Peuce105

nutrierat, qui saepe tuum sprevere profana

mente patrem. Thracum venienti e[26]finibus alter

Hebri clausit aquas; alter praecepta vocantis

respuit auxiliisque ad proxima bella negatis

abiurata palam Libyae possederat arva:110

quorum nunc meritam repetens non inmemor iram

suppliciis fruitur natoque ultore triumphat.

ense Thyestiadae poenas exegit Orestes,

sed mixtum pietate nefas dubitandaque caedis

gloria, materno laudem cum crimine pensat;115

pavit Iuleos inviso sanguine manes

Augustus, sed falsa pii praeconia sumpsit

in luctum patriae civili strage parentans:

at tibi causa patris rerum coniuncta saluti

bellorum duplicat laurus, isdemque tropaeis120

reddita libertas orbi, vindicta parenti.

Sed mihi iam pridem captum Parnasia Maurum

Pieriis egit fidibus chelys; arma Getarum

nuper apud socerum plectro celebrata recenti.

adventus nunc sacra tui libet edere Musis125

grataque patratis exordia sumere bellis.

Iam Pollentini tenuatus funere campi

concessaque sibi (rerum sic admonet usus)

luce, tot amissis sociis atque omnibus una

direptis opibus, Latio discedere iussus130

[26]Birt prints thevenientem finibusof A and B (the otherMSS.haveveniens e), and theaquis(l. 108) of the betterMSS.I have adopted Heinsius’ emendationvenientiwith some hesitation.

[83]Africa were alike threatened by foes: from Mount Atlas came fierce Gildo; Alaric from Peuce’s savage isle. Often had both with impious daring set at nought the commands of thy sire. When he came from the lands of Thrace Alaric closed against him the waters of the Danube; Gildo scorned his command and, refusing assistance for a neighbouring war, had seized on the fields of Libya he had long forsworn. Theodosius recalls the anger he then justly felt and rejoices to witness their discomfiture, proud to have his son for his avenger. Orestes’ sword took vengeance on the son of Thyestes[27]; but guilt was blent with piety, and the sword-stroke brings doubtful glory when honour is balanced by a mother’s murder; Augustus sated the shade of Caesar with his enemies’ blood, but he made a false advertisement of piety when, to the grief of his fatherland, he offered the blood of citizens to his father’s ghost. But for thee thy sire’s cause, linked as it is with the general safety, doubles thy warlike fame; the same victory that has avenged thy sire has restored peace to the world.My lyre inspired by the Muses of Pieria has long since sung of the defeat and capture of the Moor; but of late, too, in Stilicho’s presence I have celebrated in verse the wars against the Getae. To-day I would fain sing the glories of thy home-coming and, ceasing to tell of wars, would prelude a theme of thankfulness.Alaric, his hopes ruined by his bloody defeat at Pollentia, though policy dictated that his life should be spared, was nevertheless deserted by all his allies and bereft of all his resources. He was forced to leave Latium and to retrace his steps in ruin and[27]Aegisthus.

[83]

Africa were alike threatened by foes: from Mount Atlas came fierce Gildo; Alaric from Peuce’s savage isle. Often had both with impious daring set at nought the commands of thy sire. When he came from the lands of Thrace Alaric closed against him the waters of the Danube; Gildo scorned his command and, refusing assistance for a neighbouring war, had seized on the fields of Libya he had long forsworn. Theodosius recalls the anger he then justly felt and rejoices to witness their discomfiture, proud to have his son for his avenger. Orestes’ sword took vengeance on the son of Thyestes[27]; but guilt was blent with piety, and the sword-stroke brings doubtful glory when honour is balanced by a mother’s murder; Augustus sated the shade of Caesar with his enemies’ blood, but he made a false advertisement of piety when, to the grief of his fatherland, he offered the blood of citizens to his father’s ghost. But for thee thy sire’s cause, linked as it is with the general safety, doubles thy warlike fame; the same victory that has avenged thy sire has restored peace to the world.

My lyre inspired by the Muses of Pieria has long since sung of the defeat and capture of the Moor; but of late, too, in Stilicho’s presence I have celebrated in verse the wars against the Getae. To-day I would fain sing the glories of thy home-coming and, ceasing to tell of wars, would prelude a theme of thankfulness.

Alaric, his hopes ruined by his bloody defeat at Pollentia, though policy dictated that his life should be spared, was nevertheless deserted by all his allies and bereft of all his resources. He was forced to leave Latium and to retrace his steps in ruin and

[27]Aegisthus.

[84]hostis et inmensi revolutus culmine fatiturpe retexit iter. qualis piratica puppis,quae cunctis infensa fretis scelerumque refertadivitiis multasque diu populata carinasincidit in magnam bellatricemque triremim,135dum praedam de more putat; viduataque caesisremigibus, scissis velorum debilis alis,orba gubernaclis, antennis saucia fractisludibrium pelagi vento iactatur et unda,vastato tandem poenas luitura profundo:140talis ab urbe minas retro flectebat inanesItaliam fugiens, et quae venientibus anteprona fuit, iam difficilis, iam dura reversis.clausa putat sibi cuncta pavor, retroque relictosquos modo temnebat, rediens exhorruit amnes.145Undosa tum forte domo vitreisque sub antrisrerum ignarus adhuc ingentes pectore curasvolvebat pater Eridanus: quis bella maneretexitus? imperiumne Iovi legesque placerentet vitae Romana quies, an iura perosus150ad priscos pecudum damnaret saecula ritus?talia dum secum movet anxius, advolat unaNaiadum resoluta comam, complexaque patrem“en Alaricus” ait “non qualem nuper ovantemvidimus; exangues, genitor, mirabere vultus.155percensere manum tantaque ex gente iuvabitrelliquias numerasse breves. iam desine maestafronte queri Nymphasque choris iam redde sorores.”Dixerat; ille caput placidis sublime fluentisextulit, et totis lucem spargentia ripis160[85]disgrace; such was the complete reversal of his fortune.[28]As when a pirate ship, the terror of every sea, laden with the spoils of violence and the booty taken from many a captured merchantman, falls in with a great man-of-war and hopes to secure it for its prey as vessels heretofore, then indeed crippled by the slaughter of its oarsmen and the rending of its sails, deprived of its rudder and all but destroyed by the breaking of its yardarms, it is driven this way and that at the mercy of wind and wave and at last pays the penalty for its piracy; even so Alaric turned backwards his vain threatenings, fleeing from Italy that, once so easy for his advance, was now so difficult for his retreat. His fear makes him believe every road barred, and rivers, erstwhile left behind in scorn, fill him with alarm on his return.Meanwhile, as it fell out, father Eridanus in his watery home beneath the crystal caverns, ignorant as yet of what had happened, was pondering weighty cares. What, he wondered, would be the outcome of the war: would Jove approve empire and law and Rome’s days of peace, or would he, abhorring order, condemn future ages to the primal ways of brute beasts? As he anxiously ponders such things one of the Naiads with hair unbound came and embraced her sire and said, “Alaric is other now than once we saw him in his hour of triumph: thou wilt wonder at the pallor of his countenance. Joy it will be to reckon up his army and number the remains of so great a host. Frown no more nor complain; let my sister nymphs once more enjoy their dances.”So spake she and he lifted his gracious head above the gliding stream and on his dripping forehead[28]Claudian did not live to see the next “reversal of fortune,” Alaric’s capture of Rome six years later.

[84]

hostis et inmensi revolutus culmine fatiturpe retexit iter. qualis piratica puppis,quae cunctis infensa fretis scelerumque refertadivitiis multasque diu populata carinasincidit in magnam bellatricemque triremim,135dum praedam de more putat; viduataque caesisremigibus, scissis velorum debilis alis,orba gubernaclis, antennis saucia fractisludibrium pelagi vento iactatur et unda,vastato tandem poenas luitura profundo:140talis ab urbe minas retro flectebat inanesItaliam fugiens, et quae venientibus anteprona fuit, iam difficilis, iam dura reversis.clausa putat sibi cuncta pavor, retroque relictosquos modo temnebat, rediens exhorruit amnes.145Undosa tum forte domo vitreisque sub antrisrerum ignarus adhuc ingentes pectore curasvolvebat pater Eridanus: quis bella maneretexitus? imperiumne Iovi legesque placerentet vitae Romana quies, an iura perosus150ad priscos pecudum damnaret saecula ritus?talia dum secum movet anxius, advolat unaNaiadum resoluta comam, complexaque patrem“en Alaricus” ait “non qualem nuper ovantemvidimus; exangues, genitor, mirabere vultus.155percensere manum tantaque ex gente iuvabitrelliquias numerasse breves. iam desine maestafronte queri Nymphasque choris iam redde sorores.”Dixerat; ille caput placidis sublime fluentisextulit, et totis lucem spargentia ripis160

hostis et inmensi revolutus culmine fati

turpe retexit iter. qualis piratica puppis,

quae cunctis infensa fretis scelerumque referta

divitiis multasque diu populata carinas

incidit in magnam bellatricemque triremim,135

dum praedam de more putat; viduataque caesis

remigibus, scissis velorum debilis alis,

orba gubernaclis, antennis saucia fractis

ludibrium pelagi vento iactatur et unda,

vastato tandem poenas luitura profundo:140

talis ab urbe minas retro flectebat inanes

Italiam fugiens, et quae venientibus ante

prona fuit, iam difficilis, iam dura reversis.

clausa putat sibi cuncta pavor, retroque relictos

quos modo temnebat, rediens exhorruit amnes.145

Undosa tum forte domo vitreisque sub antris

rerum ignarus adhuc ingentes pectore curas

volvebat pater Eridanus: quis bella maneret

exitus? imperiumne Iovi legesque placerent

et vitae Romana quies, an iura perosus150

ad priscos pecudum damnaret saecula ritus?

talia dum secum movet anxius, advolat una

Naiadum resoluta comam, complexaque patrem

“en Alaricus” ait “non qualem nuper ovantem

vidimus; exangues, genitor, mirabere vultus.155

percensere manum tantaque ex gente iuvabit

relliquias numerasse breves. iam desine maesta

fronte queri Nymphasque choris iam redde sorores.”

Dixerat; ille caput placidis sublime fluentis

extulit, et totis lucem spargentia ripis160

[85]disgrace; such was the complete reversal of his fortune.[28]As when a pirate ship, the terror of every sea, laden with the spoils of violence and the booty taken from many a captured merchantman, falls in with a great man-of-war and hopes to secure it for its prey as vessels heretofore, then indeed crippled by the slaughter of its oarsmen and the rending of its sails, deprived of its rudder and all but destroyed by the breaking of its yardarms, it is driven this way and that at the mercy of wind and wave and at last pays the penalty for its piracy; even so Alaric turned backwards his vain threatenings, fleeing from Italy that, once so easy for his advance, was now so difficult for his retreat. His fear makes him believe every road barred, and rivers, erstwhile left behind in scorn, fill him with alarm on his return.Meanwhile, as it fell out, father Eridanus in his watery home beneath the crystal caverns, ignorant as yet of what had happened, was pondering weighty cares. What, he wondered, would be the outcome of the war: would Jove approve empire and law and Rome’s days of peace, or would he, abhorring order, condemn future ages to the primal ways of brute beasts? As he anxiously ponders such things one of the Naiads with hair unbound came and embraced her sire and said, “Alaric is other now than once we saw him in his hour of triumph: thou wilt wonder at the pallor of his countenance. Joy it will be to reckon up his army and number the remains of so great a host. Frown no more nor complain; let my sister nymphs once more enjoy their dances.”So spake she and he lifted his gracious head above the gliding stream and on his dripping forehead[28]Claudian did not live to see the next “reversal of fortune,” Alaric’s capture of Rome six years later.

[85]

disgrace; such was the complete reversal of his fortune.[28]As when a pirate ship, the terror of every sea, laden with the spoils of violence and the booty taken from many a captured merchantman, falls in with a great man-of-war and hopes to secure it for its prey as vessels heretofore, then indeed crippled by the slaughter of its oarsmen and the rending of its sails, deprived of its rudder and all but destroyed by the breaking of its yardarms, it is driven this way and that at the mercy of wind and wave and at last pays the penalty for its piracy; even so Alaric turned backwards his vain threatenings, fleeing from Italy that, once so easy for his advance, was now so difficult for his retreat. His fear makes him believe every road barred, and rivers, erstwhile left behind in scorn, fill him with alarm on his return.

Meanwhile, as it fell out, father Eridanus in his watery home beneath the crystal caverns, ignorant as yet of what had happened, was pondering weighty cares. What, he wondered, would be the outcome of the war: would Jove approve empire and law and Rome’s days of peace, or would he, abhorring order, condemn future ages to the primal ways of brute beasts? As he anxiously ponders such things one of the Naiads with hair unbound came and embraced her sire and said, “Alaric is other now than once we saw him in his hour of triumph: thou wilt wonder at the pallor of his countenance. Joy it will be to reckon up his army and number the remains of so great a host. Frown no more nor complain; let my sister nymphs once more enjoy their dances.”

So spake she and he lifted his gracious head above the gliding stream and on his dripping forehead

[28]Claudian did not live to see the next “reversal of fortune,” Alaric’s capture of Rome six years later.

[86]aurea roranti micuerunt cornua vultu.non illi madidum vulgaris harundine crinemvelat honos; rami caput umbravere virentesHeliadum totisque fluunt electra capillis.palla tegit latos umeros, curruque paterno165intextus Phaëthon glaucos incendit amictus.fultaque sub gremio caelatis nobilis astrisaetherium probat urna decus. namque omnia luctusargumenta sui Titan signavit Olympo:mutatumque senem plumis et fronde sorores170et fluvium, nati qui vulnera lavit anheli;stat gelidis Auriga plagis; vestigia fratrisgermanae servant Hyades, Cygnique sodalislacteus extentas adspergit circulus alas;stelliger Eridanus sinuatis flexibus errans175clara Noti convexa rigat gladioque tremendumgurgite sidereo subterluit Oriona.Hoc deus effulgens habitu prospexit euntesdeiecta cervice Getas; tunc talia fatur:“sicine mutatis properas, Alarice, reverti180consiliis? Italae sic te iam paenitet orae?nec iam cornipedem Thybrino gramine pascis,ut rebare, tuum? Tuscis nec figis aratrumcollibus? o cunctis Erebi dignissime poenis,tune Giganteis urbem temptare deorum185adgressus furiis? nec te meus, improbe, saltemterruit exemplo Phaëthon, qui fulmina praecepsin nostris efflavit aquis, dum flammea caeli[87]gleamed the golden horns that cast their brilliance all along the banks. No common crown of reeds adorned his oozy locks. The green branches of the daughters of the sun[29]shadowed his head and amber dripped from all his hair. A cloak was flung over his broad shoulders, a cloak whose grey texture was set aflame with an embroidery of Phaëthon and his father’s chariot. Resting beneath his breast an urn glorious with engraved stars makes clear its heaven-sent beauty. For there Phoebus had set in the sky all the sad stories of his woe: Cycnus changed into a swan, Phaëthon’s sisters transformed into trees, and the river that washed the wounds of his dying son; the charioteer is there in his icy zone, the Hyades follow on their brother’s traces, while the Milky Way sprinkles the outstretched wings of Cycnus who bears him company; the constellation of Eridanus[30]himself wets the clear southern sky in its tortuous course and with starry stream flows beneath Orion’s dread sword.Glorious in such guise the god looked forth and saw the Getae advancing with bowed necks. Then he spake: “What, Alaric, hast thou then changed thy plans? Why hastenest thou back? Art wearied so soon of the coasts of Italy? Feedest thou not thy horses on Tiber’s grassy bank as thou thoughtest to do? Drivest not the plough on Etruria’s hills? Fit object of all the punishments of Hell, thinkest thou to attack the city of the gods with a Giant’s rage? If none other, was not my Phaëthon a warning to thee, Phaëthon fall’n from heaven to quench his flames in my waters, what time he[29]The poplar.[30]Eridanus was a mythical river of the far West, generally identified with the Latin Padus (mod. Po). Phaëthon is said to have fallen into it when he attempted to drive the horses of his father, the sun. After this Eridanus, the river god, became a constellation—hence Eridanus is said to “wet” the southern sky.

[86]

aurea roranti micuerunt cornua vultu.non illi madidum vulgaris harundine crinemvelat honos; rami caput umbravere virentesHeliadum totisque fluunt electra capillis.palla tegit latos umeros, curruque paterno165intextus Phaëthon glaucos incendit amictus.fultaque sub gremio caelatis nobilis astrisaetherium probat urna decus. namque omnia luctusargumenta sui Titan signavit Olympo:mutatumque senem plumis et fronde sorores170et fluvium, nati qui vulnera lavit anheli;stat gelidis Auriga plagis; vestigia fratrisgermanae servant Hyades, Cygnique sodalislacteus extentas adspergit circulus alas;stelliger Eridanus sinuatis flexibus errans175clara Noti convexa rigat gladioque tremendumgurgite sidereo subterluit Oriona.Hoc deus effulgens habitu prospexit euntesdeiecta cervice Getas; tunc talia fatur:“sicine mutatis properas, Alarice, reverti180consiliis? Italae sic te iam paenitet orae?nec iam cornipedem Thybrino gramine pascis,ut rebare, tuum? Tuscis nec figis aratrumcollibus? o cunctis Erebi dignissime poenis,tune Giganteis urbem temptare deorum185adgressus furiis? nec te meus, improbe, saltemterruit exemplo Phaëthon, qui fulmina praecepsin nostris efflavit aquis, dum flammea caeli

aurea roranti micuerunt cornua vultu.

non illi madidum vulgaris harundine crinem

velat honos; rami caput umbravere virentes

Heliadum totisque fluunt electra capillis.

palla tegit latos umeros, curruque paterno165

intextus Phaëthon glaucos incendit amictus.

fultaque sub gremio caelatis nobilis astris

aetherium probat urna decus. namque omnia luctus

argumenta sui Titan signavit Olympo:

mutatumque senem plumis et fronde sorores170

et fluvium, nati qui vulnera lavit anheli;

stat gelidis Auriga plagis; vestigia fratris

germanae servant Hyades, Cygnique sodalis

lacteus extentas adspergit circulus alas;

stelliger Eridanus sinuatis flexibus errans175

clara Noti convexa rigat gladioque tremendum

gurgite sidereo subterluit Oriona.

Hoc deus effulgens habitu prospexit euntes

deiecta cervice Getas; tunc talia fatur:

“sicine mutatis properas, Alarice, reverti180

consiliis? Italae sic te iam paenitet orae?

nec iam cornipedem Thybrino gramine pascis,

ut rebare, tuum? Tuscis nec figis aratrum

collibus? o cunctis Erebi dignissime poenis,

tune Giganteis urbem temptare deorum185

adgressus furiis? nec te meus, improbe, saltem

terruit exemplo Phaëthon, qui fulmina praeceps

in nostris efflavit aquis, dum flammea caeli

[87]gleamed the golden horns that cast their brilliance all along the banks. No common crown of reeds adorned his oozy locks. The green branches of the daughters of the sun[29]shadowed his head and amber dripped from all his hair. A cloak was flung over his broad shoulders, a cloak whose grey texture was set aflame with an embroidery of Phaëthon and his father’s chariot. Resting beneath his breast an urn glorious with engraved stars makes clear its heaven-sent beauty. For there Phoebus had set in the sky all the sad stories of his woe: Cycnus changed into a swan, Phaëthon’s sisters transformed into trees, and the river that washed the wounds of his dying son; the charioteer is there in his icy zone, the Hyades follow on their brother’s traces, while the Milky Way sprinkles the outstretched wings of Cycnus who bears him company; the constellation of Eridanus[30]himself wets the clear southern sky in its tortuous course and with starry stream flows beneath Orion’s dread sword.Glorious in such guise the god looked forth and saw the Getae advancing with bowed necks. Then he spake: “What, Alaric, hast thou then changed thy plans? Why hastenest thou back? Art wearied so soon of the coasts of Italy? Feedest thou not thy horses on Tiber’s grassy bank as thou thoughtest to do? Drivest not the plough on Etruria’s hills? Fit object of all the punishments of Hell, thinkest thou to attack the city of the gods with a Giant’s rage? If none other, was not my Phaëthon a warning to thee, Phaëthon fall’n from heaven to quench his flames in my waters, what time he[29]The poplar.[30]Eridanus was a mythical river of the far West, generally identified with the Latin Padus (mod. Po). Phaëthon is said to have fallen into it when he attempted to drive the horses of his father, the sun. After this Eridanus, the river god, became a constellation—hence Eridanus is said to “wet” the southern sky.

[87]

gleamed the golden horns that cast their brilliance all along the banks. No common crown of reeds adorned his oozy locks. The green branches of the daughters of the sun[29]shadowed his head and amber dripped from all his hair. A cloak was flung over his broad shoulders, a cloak whose grey texture was set aflame with an embroidery of Phaëthon and his father’s chariot. Resting beneath his breast an urn glorious with engraved stars makes clear its heaven-sent beauty. For there Phoebus had set in the sky all the sad stories of his woe: Cycnus changed into a swan, Phaëthon’s sisters transformed into trees, and the river that washed the wounds of his dying son; the charioteer is there in his icy zone, the Hyades follow on their brother’s traces, while the Milky Way sprinkles the outstretched wings of Cycnus who bears him company; the constellation of Eridanus[30]himself wets the clear southern sky in its tortuous course and with starry stream flows beneath Orion’s dread sword.

Glorious in such guise the god looked forth and saw the Getae advancing with bowed necks. Then he spake: “What, Alaric, hast thou then changed thy plans? Why hastenest thou back? Art wearied so soon of the coasts of Italy? Feedest thou not thy horses on Tiber’s grassy bank as thou thoughtest to do? Drivest not the plough on Etruria’s hills? Fit object of all the punishments of Hell, thinkest thou to attack the city of the gods with a Giant’s rage? If none other, was not my Phaëthon a warning to thee, Phaëthon fall’n from heaven to quench his flames in my waters, what time he

[29]The poplar.

[30]Eridanus was a mythical river of the far West, generally identified with the Latin Padus (mod. Po). Phaëthon is said to have fallen into it when he attempted to drive the horses of his father, the sun. After this Eridanus, the river god, became a constellation—hence Eridanus is said to “wet” the southern sky.

[88]flectere terrenis meditatur frena lacertismortalique diem sperat diffundere vultu?190crede mihi, simili bacchatur crimine, quisquisadspirat Romae spoliis aut Solis habenis.”Sic fatus Ligures Venetosque erectior amnesmagna voce ciet. frondentibus umida ripiscolla levant: pulcher Ticinus et Addua visu195caerulus et velox Athesis tardusque meatuMincius inque novem consurgens ora Timavus.insultant omnes profugo pacataque laetuminvitant ad prata pecus; iam Pana Lycaeum,iam Dryadas revocant et rustica numina Faunos.200Tu quoque non parvum Getico, Verona, triumphoadiungis cumulum, nec plus Pollentia rebuscontulit Ausoniis aut moenia vindicis Hastae.hic, rursus dum pacta movet damnisque coactusextremo mutare parat praesentia casu,205nil sibi periurum sensit prodesse furoremconverti nec fata loco, multisque suorumdiras pavit aves, inimicaque corpora volvensIonios Athesis mutavit sanguine fluctus.Oblatum Stilicho violato foedere Martem210omnibus adripuit votis, ubi Roma pericloiam procul et belli medio Padus arbiter ibat.iamque opportunam motu strepuisse rebelligaudet perfidiam praebensque exempla laborisustinet accensos aestivo pulvere soles.215ipse manu metuendus adest inopinaque cunctis[89]sought with mortal hand to hold the fiery reins of the sky and hoped to spread day’s brilliance from a mortal countenance? ’Tis the same mad crime, I tell thee, whosoever aspires to spoil Rome or drive the sun’s chariot.”So spake he, and rising yet farther out of the stream he loudly summoned the rivers of Liguria and Venetia. These raise their dripping heads from among their leafy banks, fair Ticinus, blue Addua, swift Athesis, slow Mincius, and Timavus with his nine mouths. All mock at the fugitive and recall the happy flocks to the now peaceful meadows; Lycaean Pan is bidden to return and the Dryads and Fauns, gods of the countryside.Thou too, Verona,[31]didst add no small makeweight to Rome’s victory over the Getae; not even Pollentia nor the walls of avenging Hasta did more for the salvation of Italy. Here, as once again he breaks his bond, and driven by his losses risks all in the attempt to change his present fortune, Alaric learned that his mad treachery availed him nothing and that change of place changes not destiny. The vultures fed on the countless bodies of his slain, and Athesis, carrying down the corpses of Rome’s enemies in its stream, turned the waters of the Ionian sea into blood.The treaty violated, Stilicho with all eagerness grasped at the conflict proffered where Rome was now far away from danger and Padus flowed between witnessing the strife. He rejoices that now opportune treachery has broken out in rebellious risings and, setting an example of endurance, he shirks neither fiery sun nor scorching dust. Himself he is everywhere with dreadful arm; he stations troops[31]The chroniclers do not mention this battle. It is probably to be attributed to the summer of 403.

[88]

flectere terrenis meditatur frena lacertismortalique diem sperat diffundere vultu?190crede mihi, simili bacchatur crimine, quisquisadspirat Romae spoliis aut Solis habenis.”Sic fatus Ligures Venetosque erectior amnesmagna voce ciet. frondentibus umida ripiscolla levant: pulcher Ticinus et Addua visu195caerulus et velox Athesis tardusque meatuMincius inque novem consurgens ora Timavus.insultant omnes profugo pacataque laetuminvitant ad prata pecus; iam Pana Lycaeum,iam Dryadas revocant et rustica numina Faunos.200Tu quoque non parvum Getico, Verona, triumphoadiungis cumulum, nec plus Pollentia rebuscontulit Ausoniis aut moenia vindicis Hastae.hic, rursus dum pacta movet damnisque coactusextremo mutare parat praesentia casu,205nil sibi periurum sensit prodesse furoremconverti nec fata loco, multisque suorumdiras pavit aves, inimicaque corpora volvensIonios Athesis mutavit sanguine fluctus.Oblatum Stilicho violato foedere Martem210omnibus adripuit votis, ubi Roma pericloiam procul et belli medio Padus arbiter ibat.iamque opportunam motu strepuisse rebelligaudet perfidiam praebensque exempla laborisustinet accensos aestivo pulvere soles.215ipse manu metuendus adest inopinaque cunctis

flectere terrenis meditatur frena lacertis

mortalique diem sperat diffundere vultu?190

crede mihi, simili bacchatur crimine, quisquis

adspirat Romae spoliis aut Solis habenis.”

Sic fatus Ligures Venetosque erectior amnes

magna voce ciet. frondentibus umida ripis

colla levant: pulcher Ticinus et Addua visu195

caerulus et velox Athesis tardusque meatu

Mincius inque novem consurgens ora Timavus.

insultant omnes profugo pacataque laetum

invitant ad prata pecus; iam Pana Lycaeum,

iam Dryadas revocant et rustica numina Faunos.200

Tu quoque non parvum Getico, Verona, triumpho

adiungis cumulum, nec plus Pollentia rebus

contulit Ausoniis aut moenia vindicis Hastae.

hic, rursus dum pacta movet damnisque coactus

extremo mutare parat praesentia casu,205

nil sibi periurum sensit prodesse furorem

converti nec fata loco, multisque suorum

diras pavit aves, inimicaque corpora volvens

Ionios Athesis mutavit sanguine fluctus.

Oblatum Stilicho violato foedere Martem210

omnibus adripuit votis, ubi Roma periclo

iam procul et belli medio Padus arbiter ibat.

iamque opportunam motu strepuisse rebelli

gaudet perfidiam praebensque exempla labori

sustinet accensos aestivo pulvere soles.215

ipse manu metuendus adest inopinaque cunctis

[89]sought with mortal hand to hold the fiery reins of the sky and hoped to spread day’s brilliance from a mortal countenance? ’Tis the same mad crime, I tell thee, whosoever aspires to spoil Rome or drive the sun’s chariot.”So spake he, and rising yet farther out of the stream he loudly summoned the rivers of Liguria and Venetia. These raise their dripping heads from among their leafy banks, fair Ticinus, blue Addua, swift Athesis, slow Mincius, and Timavus with his nine mouths. All mock at the fugitive and recall the happy flocks to the now peaceful meadows; Lycaean Pan is bidden to return and the Dryads and Fauns, gods of the countryside.Thou too, Verona,[31]didst add no small makeweight to Rome’s victory over the Getae; not even Pollentia nor the walls of avenging Hasta did more for the salvation of Italy. Here, as once again he breaks his bond, and driven by his losses risks all in the attempt to change his present fortune, Alaric learned that his mad treachery availed him nothing and that change of place changes not destiny. The vultures fed on the countless bodies of his slain, and Athesis, carrying down the corpses of Rome’s enemies in its stream, turned the waters of the Ionian sea into blood.The treaty violated, Stilicho with all eagerness grasped at the conflict proffered where Rome was now far away from danger and Padus flowed between witnessing the strife. He rejoices that now opportune treachery has broken out in rebellious risings and, setting an example of endurance, he shirks neither fiery sun nor scorching dust. Himself he is everywhere with dreadful arm; he stations troops[31]The chroniclers do not mention this battle. It is probably to be attributed to the summer of 403.

[89]

sought with mortal hand to hold the fiery reins of the sky and hoped to spread day’s brilliance from a mortal countenance? ’Tis the same mad crime, I tell thee, whosoever aspires to spoil Rome or drive the sun’s chariot.”

So spake he, and rising yet farther out of the stream he loudly summoned the rivers of Liguria and Venetia. These raise their dripping heads from among their leafy banks, fair Ticinus, blue Addua, swift Athesis, slow Mincius, and Timavus with his nine mouths. All mock at the fugitive and recall the happy flocks to the now peaceful meadows; Lycaean Pan is bidden to return and the Dryads and Fauns, gods of the countryside.

Thou too, Verona,[31]didst add no small makeweight to Rome’s victory over the Getae; not even Pollentia nor the walls of avenging Hasta did more for the salvation of Italy. Here, as once again he breaks his bond, and driven by his losses risks all in the attempt to change his present fortune, Alaric learned that his mad treachery availed him nothing and that change of place changes not destiny. The vultures fed on the countless bodies of his slain, and Athesis, carrying down the corpses of Rome’s enemies in its stream, turned the waters of the Ionian sea into blood.

The treaty violated, Stilicho with all eagerness grasped at the conflict proffered where Rome was now far away from danger and Padus flowed between witnessing the strife. He rejoices that now opportune treachery has broken out in rebellious risings and, setting an example of endurance, he shirks neither fiery sun nor scorching dust. Himself he is everywhere with dreadful arm; he stations troops

[31]The chroniclers do not mention this battle. It is probably to be attributed to the summer of 403.

[90]instruit arma locis et qua vocat usus ab omniparte venit. fesso si deficit agmine miles,utitur auxiliis damni securus, et astudebilitat saevum cognatis viribus Histrum220et duplici lucro committens proelia vertitin se barbariem nobis utrimque cadentem.ipsum te caperet letoque, Alarice, dedisset,ni calor incauti male festinatus Alanidispositum turbasset opus; prope captus anhelum225verbere cogis equum, nec te vitasse dolemus.i potius genti reliquus tantisque superstesDanuvii populis, i, nostrum vive tropaeum.Non tamen ingenium tantis se cladibus atroxdeicit: occulto temptabat tramite montes,230si qua per scopulos subitas exquirere possetin Raetos Gallosque vias. sed fortior obstatcura ducis. quis enim divinum fallere pectuspossit et excubiis vigilantia lumina regni?cuius consilium non umquam repperit hostis235nec potuit texisse suum. secreta Getarumnosse prior celerique dolis occurrere sensu.Omnibus exclusus coeptis consedit in unocolle tremens; frondesque licet depastus amarasarboreo figat sonipes in cortice morsus240et taetris collecta cibis annique vapore[91]at every point, even where the enemy little expected them, and hastens in any and every direction to the succour of him who needs it. If the soldiers flag with wearied ranks he throws the auxiliaries into the line heedless of their loss; thus he cunningly weakens the savage tribes of the Danube by opposing one tribe to another and with twofold gain joins battle that turns barbarians against themselves to perish in either army for our sake. Thee too, Alaric, he had captured and delivered over to death had not the hasty zeal of the rash Alan chief upset his carefully laid scheme. All but a prisoner thou dost lash thy panting steed, nor do we regret that escape. Rather get thee gone, thou last remnant of thy race, sole survivor of so many Danubian tribes; get thee gone, the living witness of Rome’s triumph.Yet was his[32]fierce spirit not cast down by these great reverses; he still attempted to discover an unknown path across the mountains, hoping that over their rocky summits he might fall suddenly on the peoples of Raetia and Gaul. But Stilicho’s more soldierly vigilance put a stop to his projects. Who indeed could hope to deceive that unsleeping brain, those godlike eyes that watched o’er Italy? Never did an enemy succeed in discovering Stilicho’s plans or had power to conceal his own. Before they knew them themselves the secrets of the Getae were known to Stilicho, whose generalship was quick to meet their every ruse.Baulked in every attempt Alaric camped panic-stricken on a single hill. Though the horses, feeding on bitter leaves, gnawed even the tree-bark, though pestilence raged, brought on by foul food and[32]i.e.Alaric’s.

[90]

instruit arma locis et qua vocat usus ab omniparte venit. fesso si deficit agmine miles,utitur auxiliis damni securus, et astudebilitat saevum cognatis viribus Histrum220et duplici lucro committens proelia vertitin se barbariem nobis utrimque cadentem.ipsum te caperet letoque, Alarice, dedisset,ni calor incauti male festinatus Alanidispositum turbasset opus; prope captus anhelum225verbere cogis equum, nec te vitasse dolemus.i potius genti reliquus tantisque superstesDanuvii populis, i, nostrum vive tropaeum.Non tamen ingenium tantis se cladibus atroxdeicit: occulto temptabat tramite montes,230si qua per scopulos subitas exquirere possetin Raetos Gallosque vias. sed fortior obstatcura ducis. quis enim divinum fallere pectuspossit et excubiis vigilantia lumina regni?cuius consilium non umquam repperit hostis235nec potuit texisse suum. secreta Getarumnosse prior celerique dolis occurrere sensu.Omnibus exclusus coeptis consedit in unocolle tremens; frondesque licet depastus amarasarboreo figat sonipes in cortice morsus240et taetris collecta cibis annique vapore

instruit arma locis et qua vocat usus ab omni

parte venit. fesso si deficit agmine miles,

utitur auxiliis damni securus, et astu

debilitat saevum cognatis viribus Histrum220

et duplici lucro committens proelia vertit

in se barbariem nobis utrimque cadentem.

ipsum te caperet letoque, Alarice, dedisset,

ni calor incauti male festinatus Alani

dispositum turbasset opus; prope captus anhelum225

verbere cogis equum, nec te vitasse dolemus.

i potius genti reliquus tantisque superstes

Danuvii populis, i, nostrum vive tropaeum.

Non tamen ingenium tantis se cladibus atrox

deicit: occulto temptabat tramite montes,230

si qua per scopulos subitas exquirere posset

in Raetos Gallosque vias. sed fortior obstat

cura ducis. quis enim divinum fallere pectus

possit et excubiis vigilantia lumina regni?

cuius consilium non umquam repperit hostis235

nec potuit texisse suum. secreta Getarum

nosse prior celerique dolis occurrere sensu.

Omnibus exclusus coeptis consedit in uno

colle tremens; frondesque licet depastus amaras

arboreo figat sonipes in cortice morsus240

et taetris collecta cibis annique vapore

[91]at every point, even where the enemy little expected them, and hastens in any and every direction to the succour of him who needs it. If the soldiers flag with wearied ranks he throws the auxiliaries into the line heedless of their loss; thus he cunningly weakens the savage tribes of the Danube by opposing one tribe to another and with twofold gain joins battle that turns barbarians against themselves to perish in either army for our sake. Thee too, Alaric, he had captured and delivered over to death had not the hasty zeal of the rash Alan chief upset his carefully laid scheme. All but a prisoner thou dost lash thy panting steed, nor do we regret that escape. Rather get thee gone, thou last remnant of thy race, sole survivor of so many Danubian tribes; get thee gone, the living witness of Rome’s triumph.Yet was his[32]fierce spirit not cast down by these great reverses; he still attempted to discover an unknown path across the mountains, hoping that over their rocky summits he might fall suddenly on the peoples of Raetia and Gaul. But Stilicho’s more soldierly vigilance put a stop to his projects. Who indeed could hope to deceive that unsleeping brain, those godlike eyes that watched o’er Italy? Never did an enemy succeed in discovering Stilicho’s plans or had power to conceal his own. Before they knew them themselves the secrets of the Getae were known to Stilicho, whose generalship was quick to meet their every ruse.Baulked in every attempt Alaric camped panic-stricken on a single hill. Though the horses, feeding on bitter leaves, gnawed even the tree-bark, though pestilence raged, brought on by foul food and[32]i.e.Alaric’s.

[91]

at every point, even where the enemy little expected them, and hastens in any and every direction to the succour of him who needs it. If the soldiers flag with wearied ranks he throws the auxiliaries into the line heedless of their loss; thus he cunningly weakens the savage tribes of the Danube by opposing one tribe to another and with twofold gain joins battle that turns barbarians against themselves to perish in either army for our sake. Thee too, Alaric, he had captured and delivered over to death had not the hasty zeal of the rash Alan chief upset his carefully laid scheme. All but a prisoner thou dost lash thy panting steed, nor do we regret that escape. Rather get thee gone, thou last remnant of thy race, sole survivor of so many Danubian tribes; get thee gone, the living witness of Rome’s triumph.

Yet was his[32]fierce spirit not cast down by these great reverses; he still attempted to discover an unknown path across the mountains, hoping that over their rocky summits he might fall suddenly on the peoples of Raetia and Gaul. But Stilicho’s more soldierly vigilance put a stop to his projects. Who indeed could hope to deceive that unsleeping brain, those godlike eyes that watched o’er Italy? Never did an enemy succeed in discovering Stilicho’s plans or had power to conceal his own. Before they knew them themselves the secrets of the Getae were known to Stilicho, whose generalship was quick to meet their every ruse.

Baulked in every attempt Alaric camped panic-stricken on a single hill. Though the horses, feeding on bitter leaves, gnawed even the tree-bark, though pestilence raged, brought on by foul food and

[32]i.e.Alaric’s.

[92]saeviat aucta lues et miles probra superbusingerat obsesso captivaque pignora monstret:non tamen aut morbi tabes aut omne periclumdocta subire fames aut praedae luctus ademptae245aut pudor aut dictis movere procacibus irae,ut male temptato totiens se credere campocomminus auderet. nulla est victoria maior,quam quae confessos animo quoque subiugat hostes.iamque frequens rarum decerpere transfuga robur250coeperat inque dies numerus decrescere castris,nec iam deditio paucis occulta parari,sed cunei totaeque palam discedere turmae.consequitur vanoque fremens clamore retentatcumque suis iam bella gerit; mox nomina supplex255cum fletu precibusque ciet veterumque laborumadmonet et frustra iugulum parcentibus offert,defixoque malis animo sua membra suasquecernit abire manus: qualis Cybeleia quassansHyblaeus procul aera senex revocare fugaces260tinnitu conatur apes, quae sponte relictisdescivere favis, sonituque exhaustus inaniraptas mellis opes solitaeque oblita latebraeperfida deplorat vacuis examina ceris.Ergo ubi praeclusae voci laxata remisit265frena dolor, notas oculis umentibus Alpesadspicit et nimium diversi stamine fati[93]aggravated by the season’s heat, though the soldiers arrogantly heaped abuse on their beleaguered leader and reminded him of their captured children; yet neither the ravages of disease nor famine that teaches men to face all dangers, nor grief for spoils lost, nor the voice of shame nor anger at bitter gibes could tempt him to brave the perils of a hand-to-hand fight, tried so often before and with such ill success. What triumph more complete than that of extorting from a conquered foe the admission that he is conquered? And now numbers of deserters began to weaken his already reduced strength and day by day his forces were diminished. Sedition was not now the hidden work of a few but meant the open defection of whole sections and squadrons. Their general rides after them and with angry curses and vain clamour seeks to hold them back, waging war now on his own troops. He weeps, calls the men by name, recalls them with prayers and supplications; he reminds them of past campaigns and all to no purpose offers his throat to their reluctant hands. His mind a prey to melancholy he sees his forces desert him, his army melt away, even as an old bee-master of Hybla, beating Cybele’s gong, tries, by means of that noise, to recall his scattered bees who have wantonly left their combs and fled the hive, till, himself wearied of the useless sound, he weeps the loss of his store of honey and cries out upon the faithless swarm that has forgotten its accustomed home and left its cells empty.And so when grief loosed the string of his tongue that had long been mute he looked with tear-dimmed eyes upon the well-known Alps and pondered upon his present retreat, attended by a fate so different

[92]

saeviat aucta lues et miles probra superbusingerat obsesso captivaque pignora monstret:non tamen aut morbi tabes aut omne periclumdocta subire fames aut praedae luctus ademptae245aut pudor aut dictis movere procacibus irae,ut male temptato totiens se credere campocomminus auderet. nulla est victoria maior,quam quae confessos animo quoque subiugat hostes.iamque frequens rarum decerpere transfuga robur250coeperat inque dies numerus decrescere castris,nec iam deditio paucis occulta parari,sed cunei totaeque palam discedere turmae.consequitur vanoque fremens clamore retentatcumque suis iam bella gerit; mox nomina supplex255cum fletu precibusque ciet veterumque laborumadmonet et frustra iugulum parcentibus offert,defixoque malis animo sua membra suasquecernit abire manus: qualis Cybeleia quassansHyblaeus procul aera senex revocare fugaces260tinnitu conatur apes, quae sponte relictisdescivere favis, sonituque exhaustus inaniraptas mellis opes solitaeque oblita latebraeperfida deplorat vacuis examina ceris.Ergo ubi praeclusae voci laxata remisit265frena dolor, notas oculis umentibus Alpesadspicit et nimium diversi stamine fati

saeviat aucta lues et miles probra superbus

ingerat obsesso captivaque pignora monstret:

non tamen aut morbi tabes aut omne periclum

docta subire fames aut praedae luctus ademptae245

aut pudor aut dictis movere procacibus irae,

ut male temptato totiens se credere campo

comminus auderet. nulla est victoria maior,

quam quae confessos animo quoque subiugat hostes.

iamque frequens rarum decerpere transfuga robur250

coeperat inque dies numerus decrescere castris,

nec iam deditio paucis occulta parari,

sed cunei totaeque palam discedere turmae.

consequitur vanoque fremens clamore retentat

cumque suis iam bella gerit; mox nomina supplex255

cum fletu precibusque ciet veterumque laborum

admonet et frustra iugulum parcentibus offert,

defixoque malis animo sua membra suasque

cernit abire manus: qualis Cybeleia quassans

Hyblaeus procul aera senex revocare fugaces260

tinnitu conatur apes, quae sponte relictis

descivere favis, sonituque exhaustus inani

raptas mellis opes solitaeque oblita latebrae

perfida deplorat vacuis examina ceris.

Ergo ubi praeclusae voci laxata remisit265

frena dolor, notas oculis umentibus Alpes

adspicit et nimium diversi stamine fati

[93]aggravated by the season’s heat, though the soldiers arrogantly heaped abuse on their beleaguered leader and reminded him of their captured children; yet neither the ravages of disease nor famine that teaches men to face all dangers, nor grief for spoils lost, nor the voice of shame nor anger at bitter gibes could tempt him to brave the perils of a hand-to-hand fight, tried so often before and with such ill success. What triumph more complete than that of extorting from a conquered foe the admission that he is conquered? And now numbers of deserters began to weaken his already reduced strength and day by day his forces were diminished. Sedition was not now the hidden work of a few but meant the open defection of whole sections and squadrons. Their general rides after them and with angry curses and vain clamour seeks to hold them back, waging war now on his own troops. He weeps, calls the men by name, recalls them with prayers and supplications; he reminds them of past campaigns and all to no purpose offers his throat to their reluctant hands. His mind a prey to melancholy he sees his forces desert him, his army melt away, even as an old bee-master of Hybla, beating Cybele’s gong, tries, by means of that noise, to recall his scattered bees who have wantonly left their combs and fled the hive, till, himself wearied of the useless sound, he weeps the loss of his store of honey and cries out upon the faithless swarm that has forgotten its accustomed home and left its cells empty.And so when grief loosed the string of his tongue that had long been mute he looked with tear-dimmed eyes upon the well-known Alps and pondered upon his present retreat, attended by a fate so different

[93]

aggravated by the season’s heat, though the soldiers arrogantly heaped abuse on their beleaguered leader and reminded him of their captured children; yet neither the ravages of disease nor famine that teaches men to face all dangers, nor grief for spoils lost, nor the voice of shame nor anger at bitter gibes could tempt him to brave the perils of a hand-to-hand fight, tried so often before and with such ill success. What triumph more complete than that of extorting from a conquered foe the admission that he is conquered? And now numbers of deserters began to weaken his already reduced strength and day by day his forces were diminished. Sedition was not now the hidden work of a few but meant the open defection of whole sections and squadrons. Their general rides after them and with angry curses and vain clamour seeks to hold them back, waging war now on his own troops. He weeps, calls the men by name, recalls them with prayers and supplications; he reminds them of past campaigns and all to no purpose offers his throat to their reluctant hands. His mind a prey to melancholy he sees his forces desert him, his army melt away, even as an old bee-master of Hybla, beating Cybele’s gong, tries, by means of that noise, to recall his scattered bees who have wantonly left their combs and fled the hive, till, himself wearied of the useless sound, he weeps the loss of his store of honey and cries out upon the faithless swarm that has forgotten its accustomed home and left its cells empty.

And so when grief loosed the string of his tongue that had long been mute he looked with tear-dimmed eyes upon the well-known Alps and pondered upon his present retreat, attended by a fate so different

[94]praesentes reditus fortunatosque revolvitingressus: solo peragens tum murmure bellumprotento leviter frangebat moenia conto270inridens scopulos; nunc desolatus et expesdebita pulsato reddit spectacula monti.tunc sic Ausonium respectans aethera fatur:“Heu regio funesta Getis, heu terra sinistrisauguriis calcata mihi, satiare nocentum275cladibus et tandem nostris inflectere poenis!en ego, qui toto sublimior orbe ferebarante tuum felix aditum, ceu legibus exuladdictusque reus flatu propiore sequentumterga premor. quae prima miser, quae funera dictisposteriora querar? non me Pollentia tantum281nec captae cruciastis opes; hoc aspera fatisors tulerit Martisque vices. non funditus armisconcideram; stipatus adhuc equitumque catervisinteger ad montes reliquo cum robore cessi,285quos Appenninum perhibent. hunc esse ferebatincola, qui Siculum porrectus ad usque Pelorumfinibus ab Ligurum populos complectitur omnesItaliae geminumque latus stringentia longeutraque perpetuo discriminat aequora tractu.290haec ego continuum si per iuga tendere cursum,ut prior iratae fuerat sententia menti,iam desperata voluissem luce, quid ultra?omnibus oppeterem fama maiore perustis!et certe moriens propius te, Roma, viderem,295ipsaque per cultas segetes mors nostra secutovictori damnosa foret. sed pignora nobis[95]from that which had prospered his advance. Then with a single whisper he made war, with an outstretched spear lightly overthrew walls, making a mock of precipices; now deserted and in despair he offered a just spectacle to the mountains he had so scornfully crossed. Then looking up at the sky of Italy he said: “Land of death for the Getae, trod by me with such omens of disaster, let thy wrath be now appeased by the sacrifice of so many of the guilty; let my sufferings at last excite thy compassion. Behold me, once lord of the world, the friend of fortune till I invaded thee; now, like an exile or an adjudged criminal, I feel upon my back the nearer breath of my pursuers. Alas! which of my disasters shall I lament first, which last? Not thou, Pollentia, nor ye, my captured treasures, have thus tortured me; be that destiny’s harsh lot or the chance of war. I had not then lost all my forces; with troops still at my back, with my cavalry intact, I retired with the remnant of my army to the hills they call the Apennines. Its inhabitants told me that this mountain stretched from the confines of Liguria as far as the promontory of Pelorus in Sicily and embraced all the peoples of Italy, dividing with its unbroken chain the two seas that wash their country’s two coasts. If I had pursued the plan that anger first dictated to me and had in my desperation continued my march along its crest, what lay beyond? Giving everything to the flames I might have died with loftier fame. Ay, and my dying eyes had beheld thee, Rome, from not so far away, and my very death would have cost the victor dear as he pursued me over the well-tilled cornfields. But Rome held my

[94]

praesentes reditus fortunatosque revolvitingressus: solo peragens tum murmure bellumprotento leviter frangebat moenia conto270inridens scopulos; nunc desolatus et expesdebita pulsato reddit spectacula monti.tunc sic Ausonium respectans aethera fatur:“Heu regio funesta Getis, heu terra sinistrisauguriis calcata mihi, satiare nocentum275cladibus et tandem nostris inflectere poenis!en ego, qui toto sublimior orbe ferebarante tuum felix aditum, ceu legibus exuladdictusque reus flatu propiore sequentumterga premor. quae prima miser, quae funera dictisposteriora querar? non me Pollentia tantum281nec captae cruciastis opes; hoc aspera fatisors tulerit Martisque vices. non funditus armisconcideram; stipatus adhuc equitumque catervisinteger ad montes reliquo cum robore cessi,285quos Appenninum perhibent. hunc esse ferebatincola, qui Siculum porrectus ad usque Pelorumfinibus ab Ligurum populos complectitur omnesItaliae geminumque latus stringentia longeutraque perpetuo discriminat aequora tractu.290haec ego continuum si per iuga tendere cursum,ut prior iratae fuerat sententia menti,iam desperata voluissem luce, quid ultra?omnibus oppeterem fama maiore perustis!et certe moriens propius te, Roma, viderem,295ipsaque per cultas segetes mors nostra secutovictori damnosa foret. sed pignora nobis

praesentes reditus fortunatosque revolvit

ingressus: solo peragens tum murmure bellum

protento leviter frangebat moenia conto270

inridens scopulos; nunc desolatus et expes

debita pulsato reddit spectacula monti.

tunc sic Ausonium respectans aethera fatur:

“Heu regio funesta Getis, heu terra sinistris

auguriis calcata mihi, satiare nocentum275

cladibus et tandem nostris inflectere poenis!

en ego, qui toto sublimior orbe ferebar

ante tuum felix aditum, ceu legibus exul

addictusque reus flatu propiore sequentum

terga premor. quae prima miser, quae funera dictis

posteriora querar? non me Pollentia tantum281

nec captae cruciastis opes; hoc aspera fati

sors tulerit Martisque vices. non funditus armis

concideram; stipatus adhuc equitumque catervis

integer ad montes reliquo cum robore cessi,285

quos Appenninum perhibent. hunc esse ferebat

incola, qui Siculum porrectus ad usque Pelorum

finibus ab Ligurum populos complectitur omnes

Italiae geminumque latus stringentia longe

utraque perpetuo discriminat aequora tractu.290

haec ego continuum si per iuga tendere cursum,

ut prior iratae fuerat sententia menti,

iam desperata voluissem luce, quid ultra?

omnibus oppeterem fama maiore perustis!

et certe moriens propius te, Roma, viderem,295

ipsaque per cultas segetes mors nostra secuto

victori damnosa foret. sed pignora nobis

[95]from that which had prospered his advance. Then with a single whisper he made war, with an outstretched spear lightly overthrew walls, making a mock of precipices; now deserted and in despair he offered a just spectacle to the mountains he had so scornfully crossed. Then looking up at the sky of Italy he said: “Land of death for the Getae, trod by me with such omens of disaster, let thy wrath be now appeased by the sacrifice of so many of the guilty; let my sufferings at last excite thy compassion. Behold me, once lord of the world, the friend of fortune till I invaded thee; now, like an exile or an adjudged criminal, I feel upon my back the nearer breath of my pursuers. Alas! which of my disasters shall I lament first, which last? Not thou, Pollentia, nor ye, my captured treasures, have thus tortured me; be that destiny’s harsh lot or the chance of war. I had not then lost all my forces; with troops still at my back, with my cavalry intact, I retired with the remnant of my army to the hills they call the Apennines. Its inhabitants told me that this mountain stretched from the confines of Liguria as far as the promontory of Pelorus in Sicily and embraced all the peoples of Italy, dividing with its unbroken chain the two seas that wash their country’s two coasts. If I had pursued the plan that anger first dictated to me and had in my desperation continued my march along its crest, what lay beyond? Giving everything to the flames I might have died with loftier fame. Ay, and my dying eyes had beheld thee, Rome, from not so far away, and my very death would have cost the victor dear as he pursued me over the well-tilled cornfields. But Rome held my

[95]

from that which had prospered his advance. Then with a single whisper he made war, with an outstretched spear lightly overthrew walls, making a mock of precipices; now deserted and in despair he offered a just spectacle to the mountains he had so scornfully crossed. Then looking up at the sky of Italy he said: “Land of death for the Getae, trod by me with such omens of disaster, let thy wrath be now appeased by the sacrifice of so many of the guilty; let my sufferings at last excite thy compassion. Behold me, once lord of the world, the friend of fortune till I invaded thee; now, like an exile or an adjudged criminal, I feel upon my back the nearer breath of my pursuers. Alas! which of my disasters shall I lament first, which last? Not thou, Pollentia, nor ye, my captured treasures, have thus tortured me; be that destiny’s harsh lot or the chance of war. I had not then lost all my forces; with troops still at my back, with my cavalry intact, I retired with the remnant of my army to the hills they call the Apennines. Its inhabitants told me that this mountain stretched from the confines of Liguria as far as the promontory of Pelorus in Sicily and embraced all the peoples of Italy, dividing with its unbroken chain the two seas that wash their country’s two coasts. If I had pursued the plan that anger first dictated to me and had in my desperation continued my march along its crest, what lay beyond? Giving everything to the flames I might have died with loftier fame. Ay, and my dying eyes had beheld thee, Rome, from not so far away, and my very death would have cost the victor dear as he pursued me over the well-tilled cornfields. But Rome held my

[96]Romanus carasque nurus praedamque tenebat.hoc magis exertum raperem succinctior agmen.“Heu, quibus insidiis, qua me circumdedit arte300fatalis semper Stilicho! dum parcere fingit,rettudit[33]hostiles animos bellumque remensoevaluit transferre Pado. pro foedera saevodeteriora iugo! tunc vis extincta Getarum;tunc mihi, tunc letum pepigi. violentior armis305omnibus expugnat nostram clementia gentem,Mars gravior sub pace latet, capiorque vicissimfraudibus ipse meis. quis iam solacia fessoconsiliumve dabit? socius suspectior hoste.“Atque utinam cunctos licuisset perdere bello!310nam quisquis duro cecidit certamine, numquamdesinit esse meus. melius mucrone perirent,auferretque mihi luctu leviore sodalesvicta manus quam laesa fides. nullusne clientumpermanet? offensi comites, odere propinqui.315quid moror invisam lucem? qua sede recondamnaufragii fragmenta mei? quaeve arva requiram,in quibus haud umquam Stilicho nimiumque potentisItaliae nomen nostras circumsonet aures?”Haec memorans instante fugam Stilichone tetenditexpertas horrens aquilas; comitatur euntem321Pallor et atra Fames et saucia lividus oraLuctus et inferno stridentes agmine Morbi.lustralem tum rite facem, cui lumen odorum[33]rettuditIsengr. mg.; Birt readsrettulit, following EVA.[97]children captive, my wives, my wealth—yet, freed from such hindrances, my advance had been the more rapid.“With what cunning, with what skill, did Stilicho, that ever fatal enemy, ensnare me! His pretended mercy did but blunt my warlike spirit, and availed him to shift the war backwards across the Po. A curse on that armistice, more damaging than the yoke of slavery. ’Twas then the cause of the Getae was undone, then that I signed my own death-warrant. More rudely than any weapon did mercy destroy our people, beneath that semblance of peace lay the deadliest form of war, and I myself fell into the snare I had laid for others. I am weary of it all; where shall I find comfort or counsel? I fear my friends more than my foes.“Would God I had lost them all on that field. He is ever mine that has fallen in hard conflict. Better all had perished by the sword; less bitter had been my grief for losses inflicted by a victorious foe than for those brought upon me by treachery. Is there not left one faithful follower? My comrades have turned against me, my friends hate me. My life is a burden; why prolong it? Where hide the remnants of my shipwrecked fortunes? To what land shall I flee where the names of Stilicho and all too powerful Italy shall not sound for ever in mine ears?”So spake he, and with Stilicho pressing hard upon him fled in terror before our eagles. With him goes Pallor, black Hunger, Despair with bloodless, wounded countenance and a hellish company of shrieking Diseases. Then the learnèd priest whirls around the sick body[34]the torch of purification[34]i.e.the sick body of Italy which has to be purified after the polluting presence of Alaric. With “rore pio spargens”cf.Verg.Aen.vi. 230, and for the throwing over the head of the purificatory instrument see Verg.Ec.viii. 102.

[96]

Romanus carasque nurus praedamque tenebat.hoc magis exertum raperem succinctior agmen.“Heu, quibus insidiis, qua me circumdedit arte300fatalis semper Stilicho! dum parcere fingit,rettudit[33]hostiles animos bellumque remensoevaluit transferre Pado. pro foedera saevodeteriora iugo! tunc vis extincta Getarum;tunc mihi, tunc letum pepigi. violentior armis305omnibus expugnat nostram clementia gentem,Mars gravior sub pace latet, capiorque vicissimfraudibus ipse meis. quis iam solacia fessoconsiliumve dabit? socius suspectior hoste.“Atque utinam cunctos licuisset perdere bello!310nam quisquis duro cecidit certamine, numquamdesinit esse meus. melius mucrone perirent,auferretque mihi luctu leviore sodalesvicta manus quam laesa fides. nullusne clientumpermanet? offensi comites, odere propinqui.315quid moror invisam lucem? qua sede recondamnaufragii fragmenta mei? quaeve arva requiram,in quibus haud umquam Stilicho nimiumque potentisItaliae nomen nostras circumsonet aures?”Haec memorans instante fugam Stilichone tetenditexpertas horrens aquilas; comitatur euntem321Pallor et atra Fames et saucia lividus oraLuctus et inferno stridentes agmine Morbi.lustralem tum rite facem, cui lumen odorum

Romanus carasque nurus praedamque tenebat.

hoc magis exertum raperem succinctior agmen.

“Heu, quibus insidiis, qua me circumdedit arte300

fatalis semper Stilicho! dum parcere fingit,

rettudit[33]hostiles animos bellumque remenso

evaluit transferre Pado. pro foedera saevo

deteriora iugo! tunc vis extincta Getarum;

tunc mihi, tunc letum pepigi. violentior armis305

omnibus expugnat nostram clementia gentem,

Mars gravior sub pace latet, capiorque vicissim

fraudibus ipse meis. quis iam solacia fesso

consiliumve dabit? socius suspectior hoste.

“Atque utinam cunctos licuisset perdere bello!310

nam quisquis duro cecidit certamine, numquam

desinit esse meus. melius mucrone perirent,

auferretque mihi luctu leviore sodales

victa manus quam laesa fides. nullusne clientum

permanet? offensi comites, odere propinqui.315

quid moror invisam lucem? qua sede recondam

naufragii fragmenta mei? quaeve arva requiram,

in quibus haud umquam Stilicho nimiumque potentis

Italiae nomen nostras circumsonet aures?”

Haec memorans instante fugam Stilichone tetendit

expertas horrens aquilas; comitatur euntem321

Pallor et atra Fames et saucia lividus ora

Luctus et inferno stridentes agmine Morbi.

lustralem tum rite facem, cui lumen odorum

[33]rettuditIsengr. mg.; Birt readsrettulit, following EVA.

[97]children captive, my wives, my wealth—yet, freed from such hindrances, my advance had been the more rapid.“With what cunning, with what skill, did Stilicho, that ever fatal enemy, ensnare me! His pretended mercy did but blunt my warlike spirit, and availed him to shift the war backwards across the Po. A curse on that armistice, more damaging than the yoke of slavery. ’Twas then the cause of the Getae was undone, then that I signed my own death-warrant. More rudely than any weapon did mercy destroy our people, beneath that semblance of peace lay the deadliest form of war, and I myself fell into the snare I had laid for others. I am weary of it all; where shall I find comfort or counsel? I fear my friends more than my foes.“Would God I had lost them all on that field. He is ever mine that has fallen in hard conflict. Better all had perished by the sword; less bitter had been my grief for losses inflicted by a victorious foe than for those brought upon me by treachery. Is there not left one faithful follower? My comrades have turned against me, my friends hate me. My life is a burden; why prolong it? Where hide the remnants of my shipwrecked fortunes? To what land shall I flee where the names of Stilicho and all too powerful Italy shall not sound for ever in mine ears?”So spake he, and with Stilicho pressing hard upon him fled in terror before our eagles. With him goes Pallor, black Hunger, Despair with bloodless, wounded countenance and a hellish company of shrieking Diseases. Then the learnèd priest whirls around the sick body[34]the torch of purification[34]i.e.the sick body of Italy which has to be purified after the polluting presence of Alaric. With “rore pio spargens”cf.Verg.Aen.vi. 230, and for the throwing over the head of the purificatory instrument see Verg.Ec.viii. 102.

[97]

children captive, my wives, my wealth—yet, freed from such hindrances, my advance had been the more rapid.

“With what cunning, with what skill, did Stilicho, that ever fatal enemy, ensnare me! His pretended mercy did but blunt my warlike spirit, and availed him to shift the war backwards across the Po. A curse on that armistice, more damaging than the yoke of slavery. ’Twas then the cause of the Getae was undone, then that I signed my own death-warrant. More rudely than any weapon did mercy destroy our people, beneath that semblance of peace lay the deadliest form of war, and I myself fell into the snare I had laid for others. I am weary of it all; where shall I find comfort or counsel? I fear my friends more than my foes.

“Would God I had lost them all on that field. He is ever mine that has fallen in hard conflict. Better all had perished by the sword; less bitter had been my grief for losses inflicted by a victorious foe than for those brought upon me by treachery. Is there not left one faithful follower? My comrades have turned against me, my friends hate me. My life is a burden; why prolong it? Where hide the remnants of my shipwrecked fortunes? To what land shall I flee where the names of Stilicho and all too powerful Italy shall not sound for ever in mine ears?”

So spake he, and with Stilicho pressing hard upon him fled in terror before our eagles. With him goes Pallor, black Hunger, Despair with bloodless, wounded countenance and a hellish company of shrieking Diseases. Then the learnèd priest whirls around the sick body[34]the torch of purification

[34]i.e.the sick body of Italy which has to be purified after the polluting presence of Alaric. With “rore pio spargens”cf.Verg.Aen.vi. 230, and for the throwing over the head of the purificatory instrument see Verg.Ec.viii. 102.

[98]sulphure caeruleo nigroque bitumine fumat,325circum membra rotat doctus purganda sacerdosrore pio spargens, et dira fugantibus herbisnumina purificumque Iovem Triviamque precatustrans caput aversis manibus iaculatur in Austrumsecum rapturas cantata piacula taedas.330Acrior interea visendi principis ardoraccendit cum plebe patres et saepe negatumflagitat adventum; nec tali publica votaconsensu tradunt atavi caluisse per urbem,Dacica bellipotens cum fregerat Ulpius arma335atque indignantes in iura redegerat Arctos,cum fasces cinxere Hypanin mirataque legesRomanum stupuit Maeotia terra tribunal.nec tantis patriae studiis ad templa vocatus,clemens Marce, redis, cum gentibus undique cinctamexuit Hesperiam paribus Fortuna periclis.341laus ibi nulla ducum; nam flammeus imber in hostemdecidit; hunc dorso trepidum fumante ferebatambustus sonipes; hic tabescente solutussubsedit galea liquefactaque fulgure cuspis345canduit et subitis fluxere vaporibus enses.tum contenta polo mortalis nescia telipugna fuit: Chaldaea mago seu carmina rituarmavere deos, seu, quod reor, omne Tonantisobsequium Marci mores potuere mereri.350nunc quoque praesidium Latio non deesset Olympi,deficeret si nostra manus; sed providus aether[99]with its smoky, odorous flame of blue sulphur and black bitumen; he sprinkles the limbs with holy water and with herbs that banish evil influences and, praying to Jove the Purifier and to Diana, with back-turned hands throws over his head towards the South the torches which are to carry off with them the spells cast over the sick.Meanwhile the ardent desire of both senate and people to behold their emperor demands his often denied return. Not with such consent, our grandsires report, were public vows eagerly offered throughout the city when warlike Trajan had broken the power of Dacia and reduced the indignant north once more to subjection, what time the Scythian river Hypanis beheld the Roman axes and Lake Maeotis looked in amaze on a Roman court administering Roman law. It was a lesser enthusiasm which recalled the gentle Marcus Aurelius to give thanks in Rome’s temples for Fortune’s deliverance of Italy from a similar pressure of surrounding nations. Then ’twas no thanks to the generals: one man his scorched courser bore trembling on its smoking back; another sank down beneath his fire-wasted helmet; spears glowed molten by lightning and swords vanished suddenly into smoke. Heaven it was that fought that battle with no mortal weapons, whether it was that Chaldean seers[35]had by their magic spells won over the gods to our side or, as I rather think, that Marcus’ blameless life had power to win the Thunder’s homage. To-day, also, assuredly Heaven’s favour would not be wanting to Latium should our own hand fail, but a beneficent providence has[35]Claudian refers to the famous legend of the “Thundering” legion, saved from dying of lack of water by a miraculous rain-storm. This miracle occurred during M. Aurelius’ war against the Marcomanni (circ.A.D.175) and is attributed (1) to the prayers of the Christians; (2) to an Egyptian magician on Marcus’ staff (Dio Cassius lxxi. 8. 10); (3) to the emperor’s own prayers.

[98]

sulphure caeruleo nigroque bitumine fumat,325circum membra rotat doctus purganda sacerdosrore pio spargens, et dira fugantibus herbisnumina purificumque Iovem Triviamque precatustrans caput aversis manibus iaculatur in Austrumsecum rapturas cantata piacula taedas.330Acrior interea visendi principis ardoraccendit cum plebe patres et saepe negatumflagitat adventum; nec tali publica votaconsensu tradunt atavi caluisse per urbem,Dacica bellipotens cum fregerat Ulpius arma335atque indignantes in iura redegerat Arctos,cum fasces cinxere Hypanin mirataque legesRomanum stupuit Maeotia terra tribunal.nec tantis patriae studiis ad templa vocatus,clemens Marce, redis, cum gentibus undique cinctamexuit Hesperiam paribus Fortuna periclis.341laus ibi nulla ducum; nam flammeus imber in hostemdecidit; hunc dorso trepidum fumante ferebatambustus sonipes; hic tabescente solutussubsedit galea liquefactaque fulgure cuspis345canduit et subitis fluxere vaporibus enses.tum contenta polo mortalis nescia telipugna fuit: Chaldaea mago seu carmina rituarmavere deos, seu, quod reor, omne Tonantisobsequium Marci mores potuere mereri.350nunc quoque praesidium Latio non deesset Olympi,deficeret si nostra manus; sed providus aether

sulphure caeruleo nigroque bitumine fumat,325

circum membra rotat doctus purganda sacerdos

rore pio spargens, et dira fugantibus herbis

numina purificumque Iovem Triviamque precatus

trans caput aversis manibus iaculatur in Austrum

secum rapturas cantata piacula taedas.330

Acrior interea visendi principis ardor

accendit cum plebe patres et saepe negatum

flagitat adventum; nec tali publica vota

consensu tradunt atavi caluisse per urbem,

Dacica bellipotens cum fregerat Ulpius arma335

atque indignantes in iura redegerat Arctos,

cum fasces cinxere Hypanin mirataque leges

Romanum stupuit Maeotia terra tribunal.

nec tantis patriae studiis ad templa vocatus,

clemens Marce, redis, cum gentibus undique cinctam

exuit Hesperiam paribus Fortuna periclis.341

laus ibi nulla ducum; nam flammeus imber in hostem

decidit; hunc dorso trepidum fumante ferebat

ambustus sonipes; hic tabescente solutus

subsedit galea liquefactaque fulgure cuspis345

canduit et subitis fluxere vaporibus enses.

tum contenta polo mortalis nescia teli

pugna fuit: Chaldaea mago seu carmina ritu

armavere deos, seu, quod reor, omne Tonantis

obsequium Marci mores potuere mereri.350

nunc quoque praesidium Latio non deesset Olympi,

deficeret si nostra manus; sed providus aether

[99]with its smoky, odorous flame of blue sulphur and black bitumen; he sprinkles the limbs with holy water and with herbs that banish evil influences and, praying to Jove the Purifier and to Diana, with back-turned hands throws over his head towards the South the torches which are to carry off with them the spells cast over the sick.Meanwhile the ardent desire of both senate and people to behold their emperor demands his often denied return. Not with such consent, our grandsires report, were public vows eagerly offered throughout the city when warlike Trajan had broken the power of Dacia and reduced the indignant north once more to subjection, what time the Scythian river Hypanis beheld the Roman axes and Lake Maeotis looked in amaze on a Roman court administering Roman law. It was a lesser enthusiasm which recalled the gentle Marcus Aurelius to give thanks in Rome’s temples for Fortune’s deliverance of Italy from a similar pressure of surrounding nations. Then ’twas no thanks to the generals: one man his scorched courser bore trembling on its smoking back; another sank down beneath his fire-wasted helmet; spears glowed molten by lightning and swords vanished suddenly into smoke. Heaven it was that fought that battle with no mortal weapons, whether it was that Chaldean seers[35]had by their magic spells won over the gods to our side or, as I rather think, that Marcus’ blameless life had power to win the Thunder’s homage. To-day, also, assuredly Heaven’s favour would not be wanting to Latium should our own hand fail, but a beneficent providence has[35]Claudian refers to the famous legend of the “Thundering” legion, saved from dying of lack of water by a miraculous rain-storm. This miracle occurred during M. Aurelius’ war against the Marcomanni (circ.A.D.175) and is attributed (1) to the prayers of the Christians; (2) to an Egyptian magician on Marcus’ staff (Dio Cassius lxxi. 8. 10); (3) to the emperor’s own prayers.

[99]

with its smoky, odorous flame of blue sulphur and black bitumen; he sprinkles the limbs with holy water and with herbs that banish evil influences and, praying to Jove the Purifier and to Diana, with back-turned hands throws over his head towards the South the torches which are to carry off with them the spells cast over the sick.

Meanwhile the ardent desire of both senate and people to behold their emperor demands his often denied return. Not with such consent, our grandsires report, were public vows eagerly offered throughout the city when warlike Trajan had broken the power of Dacia and reduced the indignant north once more to subjection, what time the Scythian river Hypanis beheld the Roman axes and Lake Maeotis looked in amaze on a Roman court administering Roman law. It was a lesser enthusiasm which recalled the gentle Marcus Aurelius to give thanks in Rome’s temples for Fortune’s deliverance of Italy from a similar pressure of surrounding nations. Then ’twas no thanks to the generals: one man his scorched courser bore trembling on its smoking back; another sank down beneath his fire-wasted helmet; spears glowed molten by lightning and swords vanished suddenly into smoke. Heaven it was that fought that battle with no mortal weapons, whether it was that Chaldean seers[35]had by their magic spells won over the gods to our side or, as I rather think, that Marcus’ blameless life had power to win the Thunder’s homage. To-day, also, assuredly Heaven’s favour would not be wanting to Latium should our own hand fail, but a beneficent providence has

[35]Claudian refers to the famous legend of the “Thundering” legion, saved from dying of lack of water by a miraculous rain-storm. This miracle occurred during M. Aurelius’ war against the Marcomanni (circ.A.D.175) and is attributed (1) to the prayers of the Christians; (2) to an Egyptian magician on Marcus’ staff (Dio Cassius lxxi. 8. 10); (3) to the emperor’s own prayers.

[100]noluit humano titulos auferre labori,ne tibi iam, princeps, soceri sudore paratam,quam meruit virtus, ambirent fulmina laurum.355Iam totiens missi proceres responsa morandirettulerant, donec differri longius urbiscommunes non passa preces penetralibus altisprosiluit vultusque palam confessa coruscosimpulit ipsa suis cunctantem Roma querellis:360“Dissimulata diu tristes in amore repulsasvestra parens, Auguste, queror. quonam usque tenebitpraelatus mea vota Ligus? vetitumque propinqualuce frui, spatiis discernens gaudia parvis,torquebit Rubicon vicino nomine Thybrim?365nonne semel sprevisse satis, cum reddita bellisAfrica venturi lusit spe principis urbemnec duras tantis precibus permovimus aures?ast ego frenabam geminos, quibus altior ires,electi candoris equos et nominis arcum370iam molita tui, per quem radiante decorusingrederere toga, pugnae monumenta dicabamdefensam titulo Libyam testata perenni.iamque parabantur pompae simulacra futuraeTarpeio spectanda Iovi: caelata metallo375classis ut auratum sulcaret remige fluctum,ut Massyla tuos anteirent oppida currus[101]shown itself unwilling to rob human endeavour of its honour or to let the lightning win the crown of laurel which the efforts of thy father-in-law, Stilicho, have secured for thy brows.Full often had the nobles, sent to urge thy return, brought back the answer that as yet thou couldst not come, until Rome herself, unable to bear any longer the frustration of her citizens’ common prayer, came forth from the depths of her sanctuary and, openly displaying her radiant face, urged the hesitating emperor with complaints of her own. “Too long, my emperor, have I, thy mother, borne in silence the hurt thy refusal to return hath done me. How long shall favoured Liguria possess that for which I desire? How long shall the Rubicon, separating me from the object of my prayers by so narrow a space, torture the Tiber by the all-but-presence of that divine being whose nearer sojourn it is not allowed to enjoy? Was it not enough to have scorned me once when Africa, again at war, mocked the city with hopes of its emperor’s coming, nor could we move thine obstinate ears with all our prayers? Yet did I harness for thee two steeds whiter than snow to draw the chariot wherein thou shouldst ride; already had I builded in thy name a triumphal arch through the which thou shouldst pass clad in the garb of victory, and I was dedicating it as a memorial of the war with an inscription to be the undying witness of the salvation of Libya. Even then were being prepared for Jove to see from the Tarpeian rock models for the coming triumph: a fleet of ships was cast in metal, ships whose oar-blades smote the golden sea; the cities of Africa were made to go before thy chariot and

[100]

noluit humano titulos auferre labori,ne tibi iam, princeps, soceri sudore paratam,quam meruit virtus, ambirent fulmina laurum.355Iam totiens missi proceres responsa morandirettulerant, donec differri longius urbiscommunes non passa preces penetralibus altisprosiluit vultusque palam confessa coruscosimpulit ipsa suis cunctantem Roma querellis:360“Dissimulata diu tristes in amore repulsasvestra parens, Auguste, queror. quonam usque tenebitpraelatus mea vota Ligus? vetitumque propinqualuce frui, spatiis discernens gaudia parvis,torquebit Rubicon vicino nomine Thybrim?365nonne semel sprevisse satis, cum reddita bellisAfrica venturi lusit spe principis urbemnec duras tantis precibus permovimus aures?ast ego frenabam geminos, quibus altior ires,electi candoris equos et nominis arcum370iam molita tui, per quem radiante decorusingrederere toga, pugnae monumenta dicabamdefensam titulo Libyam testata perenni.iamque parabantur pompae simulacra futuraeTarpeio spectanda Iovi: caelata metallo375classis ut auratum sulcaret remige fluctum,ut Massyla tuos anteirent oppida currus

noluit humano titulos auferre labori,

ne tibi iam, princeps, soceri sudore paratam,

quam meruit virtus, ambirent fulmina laurum.355

Iam totiens missi proceres responsa morandi

rettulerant, donec differri longius urbis

communes non passa preces penetralibus altis

prosiluit vultusque palam confessa coruscos

impulit ipsa suis cunctantem Roma querellis:360

“Dissimulata diu tristes in amore repulsas

vestra parens, Auguste, queror. quonam usque tenebit

praelatus mea vota Ligus? vetitumque propinqua

luce frui, spatiis discernens gaudia parvis,

torquebit Rubicon vicino nomine Thybrim?365

nonne semel sprevisse satis, cum reddita bellis

Africa venturi lusit spe principis urbem

nec duras tantis precibus permovimus aures?

ast ego frenabam geminos, quibus altior ires,

electi candoris equos et nominis arcum370

iam molita tui, per quem radiante decorus

ingrederere toga, pugnae monumenta dicabam

defensam titulo Libyam testata perenni.

iamque parabantur pompae simulacra futurae

Tarpeio spectanda Iovi: caelata metallo375

classis ut auratum sulcaret remige fluctum,

ut Massyla tuos anteirent oppida currus

[101]shown itself unwilling to rob human endeavour of its honour or to let the lightning win the crown of laurel which the efforts of thy father-in-law, Stilicho, have secured for thy brows.Full often had the nobles, sent to urge thy return, brought back the answer that as yet thou couldst not come, until Rome herself, unable to bear any longer the frustration of her citizens’ common prayer, came forth from the depths of her sanctuary and, openly displaying her radiant face, urged the hesitating emperor with complaints of her own. “Too long, my emperor, have I, thy mother, borne in silence the hurt thy refusal to return hath done me. How long shall favoured Liguria possess that for which I desire? How long shall the Rubicon, separating me from the object of my prayers by so narrow a space, torture the Tiber by the all-but-presence of that divine being whose nearer sojourn it is not allowed to enjoy? Was it not enough to have scorned me once when Africa, again at war, mocked the city with hopes of its emperor’s coming, nor could we move thine obstinate ears with all our prayers? Yet did I harness for thee two steeds whiter than snow to draw the chariot wherein thou shouldst ride; already had I builded in thy name a triumphal arch through the which thou shouldst pass clad in the garb of victory, and I was dedicating it as a memorial of the war with an inscription to be the undying witness of the salvation of Libya. Even then were being prepared for Jove to see from the Tarpeian rock models for the coming triumph: a fleet of ships was cast in metal, ships whose oar-blades smote the golden sea; the cities of Africa were made to go before thy chariot and

[101]

shown itself unwilling to rob human endeavour of its honour or to let the lightning win the crown of laurel which the efforts of thy father-in-law, Stilicho, have secured for thy brows.

Full often had the nobles, sent to urge thy return, brought back the answer that as yet thou couldst not come, until Rome herself, unable to bear any longer the frustration of her citizens’ common prayer, came forth from the depths of her sanctuary and, openly displaying her radiant face, urged the hesitating emperor with complaints of her own. “Too long, my emperor, have I, thy mother, borne in silence the hurt thy refusal to return hath done me. How long shall favoured Liguria possess that for which I desire? How long shall the Rubicon, separating me from the object of my prayers by so narrow a space, torture the Tiber by the all-but-presence of that divine being whose nearer sojourn it is not allowed to enjoy? Was it not enough to have scorned me once when Africa, again at war, mocked the city with hopes of its emperor’s coming, nor could we move thine obstinate ears with all our prayers? Yet did I harness for thee two steeds whiter than snow to draw the chariot wherein thou shouldst ride; already had I builded in thy name a triumphal arch through the which thou shouldst pass clad in the garb of victory, and I was dedicating it as a memorial of the war with an inscription to be the undying witness of the salvation of Libya. Even then were being prepared for Jove to see from the Tarpeian rock models for the coming triumph: a fleet of ships was cast in metal, ships whose oar-blades smote the golden sea; the cities of Africa were made to go before thy chariot and

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