DE CONSULATU STILICHONIS

[24]omen erat. quamquam nullis mihi cognita rebusfabula; vix tanto risit de crimine rumor.opprobrii stat nulla fides nec littera venit295vulgatura nefas: in quo vel maxima virtusest tua quod, nostros qui consulis omnia patres,de monstris taceas. pellendi denique nulladedecoris sanctum violant oracula coetumnec mea funestum versavit curia nomen.300pars sceleris dubitasse fuit: quaecumque profanapagina de primo venisset limine Phoebi,ante fretum deleta mihi, ne turpia castisauribus Italiae fatorum[6]exempla nocerent.publicus ille furor, quantum tua cura peregit,305secretum meruit. laetetur quisquis Eoosscribere desierit fastos: portenta Gabinosista latent; propriam labem texisse laborent.cur ego, quem numquam didici sensive creatum,gratuler exemptum? delicti paenitet illos:310nos nec credidimus.“Fuerit tamen omnibus unumcrimen et ad nostras manaverit usque secures:plus ideo sumenda tibi fastigia vitas,ne pereat tam priscus honos, qui portus honorumsemper erat. nullo sarciri consule damnum315excepto Stilichone potest. bene praescia tempusmens tua distulerat; titulo tunc crescere posses,nunc per te titulus. consul succurre gravatisconsulibus, quicumque fuit, quicumque futurus;annum redde tuum, quem iam secura sequatur320[6]Birt printsfactorum(EΠ); the otherMSS.havefatorum; Koch suggestsfractorum(in the sense of “effeminate”).[25]countest ill omen was for the East. Yet no facts confirm the tale I have heard; Rumour’s self scarce smiled at such a tale of guilt.[7]The disgrace has no proof; no letter came to divulge the wicked secret. In this lies thine especial virtue, that, while consulting the senate on every question, thou hast not mentioned this portent. No decree for the suppression of this scandal has impaired the dignity of this august assembly, nor has that ill-omened name been heard in my senate. To have hesitated would have been to share his guilt. All letters telling of this profanation that came from the far East were destroyed e’er they could cross the sea, that fortune’s shameful turn should not offend the chaste ears of Italy. That infatuation of a people was best rewarded with silence—and how strenuous were thine endeavours that it should so be! Joy should be his who needs no longer pen the annals of the East. Our Latin story knows no such blot: let others take pains to conceal their own disgrace. Why should I applaud the downfall of one of whose elevation I never heard nor knew? ’Tis for the guilty to repent; we have never even believed.“Yet had the guilt of all been one and this pollution stainedouraxes, all the more shouldst thou have taken the high office thou dost shun lest that ancient dignity—ever the goal of all dignities—should be destroyed. No consul, save Stilicho alone, can repair that ruin. With what foreknowledge had thy soul delayed the hour: once it would have added lustre unto thee, now thou dost add lustre unto it. Do thou as consul wipe out the insult offered to all consuls that have been and yet shall be. Give thy name to the year that posterity[7]Claudian is referring to the consulship of Eutropius.

[24]

omen erat. quamquam nullis mihi cognita rebusfabula; vix tanto risit de crimine rumor.opprobrii stat nulla fides nec littera venit295vulgatura nefas: in quo vel maxima virtusest tua quod, nostros qui consulis omnia patres,de monstris taceas. pellendi denique nulladedecoris sanctum violant oracula coetumnec mea funestum versavit curia nomen.300pars sceleris dubitasse fuit: quaecumque profanapagina de primo venisset limine Phoebi,ante fretum deleta mihi, ne turpia castisauribus Italiae fatorum[6]exempla nocerent.publicus ille furor, quantum tua cura peregit,305secretum meruit. laetetur quisquis Eoosscribere desierit fastos: portenta Gabinosista latent; propriam labem texisse laborent.cur ego, quem numquam didici sensive creatum,gratuler exemptum? delicti paenitet illos:310nos nec credidimus.“Fuerit tamen omnibus unumcrimen et ad nostras manaverit usque secures:plus ideo sumenda tibi fastigia vitas,ne pereat tam priscus honos, qui portus honorumsemper erat. nullo sarciri consule damnum315excepto Stilichone potest. bene praescia tempusmens tua distulerat; titulo tunc crescere posses,nunc per te titulus. consul succurre gravatisconsulibus, quicumque fuit, quicumque futurus;annum redde tuum, quem iam secura sequatur320

omen erat. quamquam nullis mihi cognita rebus

fabula; vix tanto risit de crimine rumor.

opprobrii stat nulla fides nec littera venit295

vulgatura nefas: in quo vel maxima virtus

est tua quod, nostros qui consulis omnia patres,

de monstris taceas. pellendi denique nulla

dedecoris sanctum violant oracula coetum

nec mea funestum versavit curia nomen.300

pars sceleris dubitasse fuit: quaecumque profana

pagina de primo venisset limine Phoebi,

ante fretum deleta mihi, ne turpia castis

auribus Italiae fatorum[6]exempla nocerent.

publicus ille furor, quantum tua cura peregit,305

secretum meruit. laetetur quisquis Eoos

scribere desierit fastos: portenta Gabinos

ista latent; propriam labem texisse laborent.

cur ego, quem numquam didici sensive creatum,

gratuler exemptum? delicti paenitet illos:310

nos nec credidimus.

“Fuerit tamen omnibus unum

crimen et ad nostras manaverit usque secures:

plus ideo sumenda tibi fastigia vitas,

ne pereat tam priscus honos, qui portus honorum

semper erat. nullo sarciri consule damnum315

excepto Stilichone potest. bene praescia tempus

mens tua distulerat; titulo tunc crescere posses,

nunc per te titulus. consul succurre gravatis

consulibus, quicumque fuit, quicumque futurus;

annum redde tuum, quem iam secura sequatur320

[6]Birt printsfactorum(EΠ); the otherMSS.havefatorum; Koch suggestsfractorum(in the sense of “effeminate”).

[25]countest ill omen was for the East. Yet no facts confirm the tale I have heard; Rumour’s self scarce smiled at such a tale of guilt.[7]The disgrace has no proof; no letter came to divulge the wicked secret. In this lies thine especial virtue, that, while consulting the senate on every question, thou hast not mentioned this portent. No decree for the suppression of this scandal has impaired the dignity of this august assembly, nor has that ill-omened name been heard in my senate. To have hesitated would have been to share his guilt. All letters telling of this profanation that came from the far East were destroyed e’er they could cross the sea, that fortune’s shameful turn should not offend the chaste ears of Italy. That infatuation of a people was best rewarded with silence—and how strenuous were thine endeavours that it should so be! Joy should be his who needs no longer pen the annals of the East. Our Latin story knows no such blot: let others take pains to conceal their own disgrace. Why should I applaud the downfall of one of whose elevation I never heard nor knew? ’Tis for the guilty to repent; we have never even believed.“Yet had the guilt of all been one and this pollution stainedouraxes, all the more shouldst thou have taken the high office thou dost shun lest that ancient dignity—ever the goal of all dignities—should be destroyed. No consul, save Stilicho alone, can repair that ruin. With what foreknowledge had thy soul delayed the hour: once it would have added lustre unto thee, now thou dost add lustre unto it. Do thou as consul wipe out the insult offered to all consuls that have been and yet shall be. Give thy name to the year that posterity[7]Claudian is referring to the consulship of Eutropius.

[25]

countest ill omen was for the East. Yet no facts confirm the tale I have heard; Rumour’s self scarce smiled at such a tale of guilt.[7]The disgrace has no proof; no letter came to divulge the wicked secret. In this lies thine especial virtue, that, while consulting the senate on every question, thou hast not mentioned this portent. No decree for the suppression of this scandal has impaired the dignity of this august assembly, nor has that ill-omened name been heard in my senate. To have hesitated would have been to share his guilt. All letters telling of this profanation that came from the far East were destroyed e’er they could cross the sea, that fortune’s shameful turn should not offend the chaste ears of Italy. That infatuation of a people was best rewarded with silence—and how strenuous were thine endeavours that it should so be! Joy should be his who needs no longer pen the annals of the East. Our Latin story knows no such blot: let others take pains to conceal their own disgrace. Why should I applaud the downfall of one of whose elevation I never heard nor knew? ’Tis for the guilty to repent; we have never even believed.

“Yet had the guilt of all been one and this pollution stainedouraxes, all the more shouldst thou have taken the high office thou dost shun lest that ancient dignity—ever the goal of all dignities—should be destroyed. No consul, save Stilicho alone, can repair that ruin. With what foreknowledge had thy soul delayed the hour: once it would have added lustre unto thee, now thou dost add lustre unto it. Do thou as consul wipe out the insult offered to all consuls that have been and yet shall be. Give thy name to the year that posterity

[7]Claudian is referring to the consulship of Eutropius.

[26]posteritas nec iam doleat defensa vetustas.sic trabeis ultor Stilicho Brutusque repertor.libertas populi primo tunc consule Brutoreddita per fasces; hic fascibus expulit ipsisservitium. instituit sublimem Brutus honorem;325adseruit Stilicho. plus est servasse repertum,quam quaesisse novum. quid tardius ore rubentiadnuis et solitus frontem circumfluit ignis?tandem vince tuum, vincis qui cuncta, pudorem.“Hos etiam, quamvis corrumpi munere nullo330te certum est, mirare libens ac suscipe cinctus,quos tibi divino mecum Tritonia duxitpectine: tincta simul repetito murice filacontulimus pensis et eodem nevimus auro,aurea quo Lachesis sub te mihi saecula texit.335hic ego promissam subolem sperataque mundopignora praelusi. veram mox ipse probabisme vatem nostraeque fidem venientia telaefata dabunt.”Dixit gremioque rigentia profertdona, graves auro trabeas. insigne Minervam340spirat opus, rutilis hic pingitur aula columniset sacri Mariae partus; Lucina doloressolatur; residet fulgente puerpera lecto;sollicitae iuxta pallescunt gaudia matris.susceptum puerum redimitae tempora Nymphae345auri fonte lavant: teneros de stamine risusvagitusque audire putes. iam creverat infans[27]may dwell thereafter securely, and that antiquity, thus vindicated, may cease from her complaints. Brutus was the founder of the office, let Stilicho be its avenger. Brutus, the first consul, won liberty for the Roman people by means of the consular fasces: Stilicho banished the taint of slavery from those fasces. Brutus instituted this supreme dignity; Stilicho saved it; and it is greater to preserve what already is than to create that which is not. Why do thy blushes grant so tardy an acceptance of our prayers? Why does the accustomed flush o’erspread thy brow? World-conqueror, conquer now thine own diffidence.“Full well I know that no gift can seduce thee, yet be pleased to admire and receive this cloak, woven for thee on no mortal loom by Minerva and myself. Twice together have we dipped the thread that goes to make the cloth in purple dye and interwoven therewith that same gold of which Lachesis has woven the golden centuries that are to be mine beneath thy rule. See here I have prefigured thy destined progeny, those thy children for whom the world prays; soon shalt thou confess me a true prophet and coming fate prove that my embroidery is true.”She spake and drew from her bosom the gift, a consul’s cloak, stiff and heavy with gold. The glorious woof breathes Minerva’s skill. Here is depicted a palace with columns of red marble and Maria’s sacred travail. Lucina eases her labour. On a splendid couch lies the young mother, by her side sits her own mother, pale with anxiety yet happy withal. The flower-crowned Nymphs take up the babe and wash him in a golden basin. Almost could one hear rising from the embroidery the little child’s mingled laughter and wailing. And now the babe

[26]

posteritas nec iam doleat defensa vetustas.sic trabeis ultor Stilicho Brutusque repertor.libertas populi primo tunc consule Brutoreddita per fasces; hic fascibus expulit ipsisservitium. instituit sublimem Brutus honorem;325adseruit Stilicho. plus est servasse repertum,quam quaesisse novum. quid tardius ore rubentiadnuis et solitus frontem circumfluit ignis?tandem vince tuum, vincis qui cuncta, pudorem.“Hos etiam, quamvis corrumpi munere nullo330te certum est, mirare libens ac suscipe cinctus,quos tibi divino mecum Tritonia duxitpectine: tincta simul repetito murice filacontulimus pensis et eodem nevimus auro,aurea quo Lachesis sub te mihi saecula texit.335hic ego promissam subolem sperataque mundopignora praelusi. veram mox ipse probabisme vatem nostraeque fidem venientia telaefata dabunt.”Dixit gremioque rigentia profertdona, graves auro trabeas. insigne Minervam340spirat opus, rutilis hic pingitur aula columniset sacri Mariae partus; Lucina doloressolatur; residet fulgente puerpera lecto;sollicitae iuxta pallescunt gaudia matris.susceptum puerum redimitae tempora Nymphae345auri fonte lavant: teneros de stamine risusvagitusque audire putes. iam creverat infans

posteritas nec iam doleat defensa vetustas.

sic trabeis ultor Stilicho Brutusque repertor.

libertas populi primo tunc consule Bruto

reddita per fasces; hic fascibus expulit ipsis

servitium. instituit sublimem Brutus honorem;325

adseruit Stilicho. plus est servasse repertum,

quam quaesisse novum. quid tardius ore rubenti

adnuis et solitus frontem circumfluit ignis?

tandem vince tuum, vincis qui cuncta, pudorem.

“Hos etiam, quamvis corrumpi munere nullo330

te certum est, mirare libens ac suscipe cinctus,

quos tibi divino mecum Tritonia duxit

pectine: tincta simul repetito murice fila

contulimus pensis et eodem nevimus auro,

aurea quo Lachesis sub te mihi saecula texit.335

hic ego promissam subolem sperataque mundo

pignora praelusi. veram mox ipse probabis

me vatem nostraeque fidem venientia telae

fata dabunt.”

Dixit gremioque rigentia profert

dona, graves auro trabeas. insigne Minervam340

spirat opus, rutilis hic pingitur aula columnis

et sacri Mariae partus; Lucina dolores

solatur; residet fulgente puerpera lecto;

sollicitae iuxta pallescunt gaudia matris.

susceptum puerum redimitae tempora Nymphae345

auri fonte lavant: teneros de stamine risus

vagitusque audire putes. iam creverat infans

[27]may dwell thereafter securely, and that antiquity, thus vindicated, may cease from her complaints. Brutus was the founder of the office, let Stilicho be its avenger. Brutus, the first consul, won liberty for the Roman people by means of the consular fasces: Stilicho banished the taint of slavery from those fasces. Brutus instituted this supreme dignity; Stilicho saved it; and it is greater to preserve what already is than to create that which is not. Why do thy blushes grant so tardy an acceptance of our prayers? Why does the accustomed flush o’erspread thy brow? World-conqueror, conquer now thine own diffidence.“Full well I know that no gift can seduce thee, yet be pleased to admire and receive this cloak, woven for thee on no mortal loom by Minerva and myself. Twice together have we dipped the thread that goes to make the cloth in purple dye and interwoven therewith that same gold of which Lachesis has woven the golden centuries that are to be mine beneath thy rule. See here I have prefigured thy destined progeny, those thy children for whom the world prays; soon shalt thou confess me a true prophet and coming fate prove that my embroidery is true.”She spake and drew from her bosom the gift, a consul’s cloak, stiff and heavy with gold. The glorious woof breathes Minerva’s skill. Here is depicted a palace with columns of red marble and Maria’s sacred travail. Lucina eases her labour. On a splendid couch lies the young mother, by her side sits her own mother, pale with anxiety yet happy withal. The flower-crowned Nymphs take up the babe and wash him in a golden basin. Almost could one hear rising from the embroidery the little child’s mingled laughter and wailing. And now the babe

[27]

may dwell thereafter securely, and that antiquity, thus vindicated, may cease from her complaints. Brutus was the founder of the office, let Stilicho be its avenger. Brutus, the first consul, won liberty for the Roman people by means of the consular fasces: Stilicho banished the taint of slavery from those fasces. Brutus instituted this supreme dignity; Stilicho saved it; and it is greater to preserve what already is than to create that which is not. Why do thy blushes grant so tardy an acceptance of our prayers? Why does the accustomed flush o’erspread thy brow? World-conqueror, conquer now thine own diffidence.

“Full well I know that no gift can seduce thee, yet be pleased to admire and receive this cloak, woven for thee on no mortal loom by Minerva and myself. Twice together have we dipped the thread that goes to make the cloth in purple dye and interwoven therewith that same gold of which Lachesis has woven the golden centuries that are to be mine beneath thy rule. See here I have prefigured thy destined progeny, those thy children for whom the world prays; soon shalt thou confess me a true prophet and coming fate prove that my embroidery is true.”

She spake and drew from her bosom the gift, a consul’s cloak, stiff and heavy with gold. The glorious woof breathes Minerva’s skill. Here is depicted a palace with columns of red marble and Maria’s sacred travail. Lucina eases her labour. On a splendid couch lies the young mother, by her side sits her own mother, pale with anxiety yet happy withal. The flower-crowned Nymphs take up the babe and wash him in a golden basin. Almost could one hear rising from the embroidery the little child’s mingled laughter and wailing. And now the babe

[28]ore ferens patrem: Stilicho maturior aeviMartia recturo tradit praecepta nepoti.parte alia spumis fucantem Serica frena350sanguineis primae signatus flore iuventaeEucherius flectebat equum iaculisque vel areuaurea purpureos tollentes cornua cervosaureus ipse ferit. Venus hic invecta columbistertia regali iungit conubia nexu,355pennatique nurum circumstipantur Amoresprogenitam Augustis Augustorumque sororem.Eucherius trepido iam flammea sublevat orevirginis; adridet retro Thermantia fratri.iam domus haec utroque petit diademata sexu360reginasque parit reginarumque maritos.Talibus invitat donis dextraque gerendumdiva simul porrexit ebur; sollemnibus urnamcommovet auspiciis avibusque incepta secundat.tunc habiles armis umeros iam vestibus ambit365Romuleis; Latii sederunt pectore cultusloricaeque locum decuit toga. talis ab Histrovel Scythico victor rediens Gradivus ab axedeposito mitis clipeo candentibus urbemingreditur trabeatus equis; spatiosa Quirinus370frena regit currumque patris Bellona cruentumditibus exuviis tendens ad sidera quercumpraecedit, lictorque Metus cum fratre Pavorebarbara ferratis innectunt colla catenis[29]had grown up, recalling his father in countenance; Stilicho, riper in years, teaches his grandson, the emperor that is to be, the science of war. In another part Eucherius, the down of early manhood on his cheeks, rode his horse that flecked its silken reins with bloody foam. Woven himself of gold he smites with javelin or arrow the purple stags that raise their golden horns. Here Venus, borne in her dove-drawn chariot, unites for the third time the hero’s family with the princely house[8]and the winged Loves throng the affianced bride, daughter and sister of an emperor. Eucherius now lifts the veil from the bashful maiden’s face; Thermantia smiles upon her brother’s joy. This house now seeks the crown in the person of either sex, it gives birth to queens and the husbands of queens.Such are the gifts wherewith the goddess sought to win Stilicho, handing to him at the same time the ivory staff.[9]She shook the urn to obtain the customary signs and confirmed the beginning of his task by favourable auspices. Then she clothed with the vesture of Romulus those shoulders better accustomed to armour. The garb of Latium covers his breast and the toga graces what erstwhile the cuirass protected. Thus Mars, returning victorious from the Danube or the Scythian clime, a god of peace now his shield is laid aside, enters the city wearing the consul’s cloak and in a chariot drawn by white horses; Quirinus directs the ample reins and Bellona marches before her father’s car holding aloft the bloody oak-branch decked with the spoils won in single combat; Fear and his brother Terror are the lictors and cast chains of iron on the necks of captive[8]Claudian seems to refer to the marriages (1) of Stilicho and Serena; (2) of Honorius and Maria (both, of course, accomplished facts); and (3) of Eucherius, son of Stilicho, and Placidia (the “nurus”), sister of Honorius. As a matter of fact Placidia subsequently married Ataulf, brother-in-law of Alaric.[9]One of the insignia of the consulship.

[28]

ore ferens patrem: Stilicho maturior aeviMartia recturo tradit praecepta nepoti.parte alia spumis fucantem Serica frena350sanguineis primae signatus flore iuventaeEucherius flectebat equum iaculisque vel areuaurea purpureos tollentes cornua cervosaureus ipse ferit. Venus hic invecta columbistertia regali iungit conubia nexu,355pennatique nurum circumstipantur Amoresprogenitam Augustis Augustorumque sororem.Eucherius trepido iam flammea sublevat orevirginis; adridet retro Thermantia fratri.iam domus haec utroque petit diademata sexu360reginasque parit reginarumque maritos.Talibus invitat donis dextraque gerendumdiva simul porrexit ebur; sollemnibus urnamcommovet auspiciis avibusque incepta secundat.tunc habiles armis umeros iam vestibus ambit365Romuleis; Latii sederunt pectore cultusloricaeque locum decuit toga. talis ab Histrovel Scythico victor rediens Gradivus ab axedeposito mitis clipeo candentibus urbemingreditur trabeatus equis; spatiosa Quirinus370frena regit currumque patris Bellona cruentumditibus exuviis tendens ad sidera quercumpraecedit, lictorque Metus cum fratre Pavorebarbara ferratis innectunt colla catenis

ore ferens patrem: Stilicho maturior aevi

Martia recturo tradit praecepta nepoti.

parte alia spumis fucantem Serica frena350

sanguineis primae signatus flore iuventae

Eucherius flectebat equum iaculisque vel areu

aurea purpureos tollentes cornua cervos

aureus ipse ferit. Venus hic invecta columbis

tertia regali iungit conubia nexu,355

pennatique nurum circumstipantur Amores

progenitam Augustis Augustorumque sororem.

Eucherius trepido iam flammea sublevat ore

virginis; adridet retro Thermantia fratri.

iam domus haec utroque petit diademata sexu360

reginasque parit reginarumque maritos.

Talibus invitat donis dextraque gerendum

diva simul porrexit ebur; sollemnibus urnam

commovet auspiciis avibusque incepta secundat.

tunc habiles armis umeros iam vestibus ambit365

Romuleis; Latii sederunt pectore cultus

loricaeque locum decuit toga. talis ab Histro

vel Scythico victor rediens Gradivus ab axe

deposito mitis clipeo candentibus urbem

ingreditur trabeatus equis; spatiosa Quirinus370

frena regit currumque patris Bellona cruentum

ditibus exuviis tendens ad sidera quercum

praecedit, lictorque Metus cum fratre Pavore

barbara ferratis innectunt colla catenis

[29]had grown up, recalling his father in countenance; Stilicho, riper in years, teaches his grandson, the emperor that is to be, the science of war. In another part Eucherius, the down of early manhood on his cheeks, rode his horse that flecked its silken reins with bloody foam. Woven himself of gold he smites with javelin or arrow the purple stags that raise their golden horns. Here Venus, borne in her dove-drawn chariot, unites for the third time the hero’s family with the princely house[8]and the winged Loves throng the affianced bride, daughter and sister of an emperor. Eucherius now lifts the veil from the bashful maiden’s face; Thermantia smiles upon her brother’s joy. This house now seeks the crown in the person of either sex, it gives birth to queens and the husbands of queens.Such are the gifts wherewith the goddess sought to win Stilicho, handing to him at the same time the ivory staff.[9]She shook the urn to obtain the customary signs and confirmed the beginning of his task by favourable auspices. Then she clothed with the vesture of Romulus those shoulders better accustomed to armour. The garb of Latium covers his breast and the toga graces what erstwhile the cuirass protected. Thus Mars, returning victorious from the Danube or the Scythian clime, a god of peace now his shield is laid aside, enters the city wearing the consul’s cloak and in a chariot drawn by white horses; Quirinus directs the ample reins and Bellona marches before her father’s car holding aloft the bloody oak-branch decked with the spoils won in single combat; Fear and his brother Terror are the lictors and cast chains of iron on the necks of captive[8]Claudian seems to refer to the marriages (1) of Stilicho and Serena; (2) of Honorius and Maria (both, of course, accomplished facts); and (3) of Eucherius, son of Stilicho, and Placidia (the “nurus”), sister of Honorius. As a matter of fact Placidia subsequently married Ataulf, brother-in-law of Alaric.[9]One of the insignia of the consulship.

[29]

had grown up, recalling his father in countenance; Stilicho, riper in years, teaches his grandson, the emperor that is to be, the science of war. In another part Eucherius, the down of early manhood on his cheeks, rode his horse that flecked its silken reins with bloody foam. Woven himself of gold he smites with javelin or arrow the purple stags that raise their golden horns. Here Venus, borne in her dove-drawn chariot, unites for the third time the hero’s family with the princely house[8]and the winged Loves throng the affianced bride, daughter and sister of an emperor. Eucherius now lifts the veil from the bashful maiden’s face; Thermantia smiles upon her brother’s joy. This house now seeks the crown in the person of either sex, it gives birth to queens and the husbands of queens.

Such are the gifts wherewith the goddess sought to win Stilicho, handing to him at the same time the ivory staff.[9]She shook the urn to obtain the customary signs and confirmed the beginning of his task by favourable auspices. Then she clothed with the vesture of Romulus those shoulders better accustomed to armour. The garb of Latium covers his breast and the toga graces what erstwhile the cuirass protected. Thus Mars, returning victorious from the Danube or the Scythian clime, a god of peace now his shield is laid aside, enters the city wearing the consul’s cloak and in a chariot drawn by white horses; Quirinus directs the ample reins and Bellona marches before her father’s car holding aloft the bloody oak-branch decked with the spoils won in single combat; Fear and his brother Terror are the lictors and cast chains of iron on the necks of captive

[8]Claudian seems to refer to the marriages (1) of Stilicho and Serena; (2) of Honorius and Maria (both, of course, accomplished facts); and (3) of Eucherius, son of Stilicho, and Placidia (the “nurus”), sister of Honorius. As a matter of fact Placidia subsequently married Ataulf, brother-in-law of Alaric.

[9]One of the insignia of the consulship.

[30]velati galeas lauro, propiusque iugales375formido ingentem vibrat succincta securim.Vidit ut optato se consule Roma potitam:“nunc” ait “Elysii lucos inrumpere campi,nunc libet, ut tanti Curiis miracula votiFabriciisque feram, famae qui vulnere nuper380calcatam Severe togam: iam prata choreispulsent nec rigidos pudeat lusisse Catones.audiat hoc senior Brutus Poenisque tremendiScipiadae, geminis tandem quod libera damnisunius auxilio fasces Libyamque recepi.385quod superest unum precibus, fortissime consul,adde meis, urbique tuum largire parumper,quem rogat, adventum, quam tu belloque famequedepulsa terris iterum regnare dedisti.splendida suscipiant alium te rostra Camillum,390ultorem videant servatoremque Quiriteset populus quem ductor ames: quibus Africa per tenec prius auditas Rhodanus iam donat aristas,ut mihi vel Massyla Ceres vel Gallica prositfertilitas messesque vehat nunc umidus Auster,395nunc Aquilo, cunctis ditescant horrea ventis.“Quae tunc Flaminiam stipabunt milia vulgi!fallax o quotiens pulvis deludet amoremsuspensum, veniens omni dum crederis hora!spectabunt cupidae matres, spargentur et omnes400flore viae, superet cum Pincia culmina consul[31]barbarians, their helmets wreathed with laurel, while Panic, her robe upgirt, walks by the yoke-horses, brandishing a mighty battle-axe.When Rome saw herself possessed of the consul for whom she had prayed, “Now,” she said, “fain would I hasten to the fields and woods of Elysium to bear the news of this wondrous answer to our universal prayer to the Curii and Fabricii who have wept for the dignity of the consul’s toga so lately outraged. Let them now tread the meads in joyous dance and the austere Catos not blush to join their sport. Let the elder Brutus hear the news and the Scipios, terror of Carthage, learn that by one man’s help I have been rescued from a double danger and have recovered both Libya and the fasces. One thing only is left, and do thou, brave consul, add it to my prayers—bestow awhile that presence she entreats upon the city which thou hast rescued from war and famine, and restored to the overlordship of the world. Let our famous rostrum welcome a second Camillus and our citizens look upon their avenger and saviour, ay, and the common people whom thou, their leader, lovest, the people to whom Africa, because of thee, offers her harvests and the Rhone her crops till now unheard of, whereby Libyan fields and Gallic abundance are at my service and now the rainy south-wind and now the north wafts grain to my shores and my granaries are full whatever breeze may blow.“What thousands will then throng the Flaminian Way! How often will the deceptive dust disappoint the loving expectation of those who trust to see thee arrive every minute! Anxiously our mothers watch for thee; every road will be strewn with flowers

[30]

velati galeas lauro, propiusque iugales375formido ingentem vibrat succincta securim.Vidit ut optato se consule Roma potitam:“nunc” ait “Elysii lucos inrumpere campi,nunc libet, ut tanti Curiis miracula votiFabriciisque feram, famae qui vulnere nuper380calcatam Severe togam: iam prata choreispulsent nec rigidos pudeat lusisse Catones.audiat hoc senior Brutus Poenisque tremendiScipiadae, geminis tandem quod libera damnisunius auxilio fasces Libyamque recepi.385quod superest unum precibus, fortissime consul,adde meis, urbique tuum largire parumper,quem rogat, adventum, quam tu belloque famequedepulsa terris iterum regnare dedisti.splendida suscipiant alium te rostra Camillum,390ultorem videant servatoremque Quiriteset populus quem ductor ames: quibus Africa per tenec prius auditas Rhodanus iam donat aristas,ut mihi vel Massyla Ceres vel Gallica prositfertilitas messesque vehat nunc umidus Auster,395nunc Aquilo, cunctis ditescant horrea ventis.“Quae tunc Flaminiam stipabunt milia vulgi!fallax o quotiens pulvis deludet amoremsuspensum, veniens omni dum crederis hora!spectabunt cupidae matres, spargentur et omnes400flore viae, superet cum Pincia culmina consul

velati galeas lauro, propiusque iugales375

formido ingentem vibrat succincta securim.

Vidit ut optato se consule Roma potitam:

“nunc” ait “Elysii lucos inrumpere campi,

nunc libet, ut tanti Curiis miracula voti

Fabriciisque feram, famae qui vulnere nuper380

calcatam Severe togam: iam prata choreis

pulsent nec rigidos pudeat lusisse Catones.

audiat hoc senior Brutus Poenisque tremendi

Scipiadae, geminis tandem quod libera damnis

unius auxilio fasces Libyamque recepi.385

quod superest unum precibus, fortissime consul,

adde meis, urbique tuum largire parumper,

quem rogat, adventum, quam tu belloque fameque

depulsa terris iterum regnare dedisti.

splendida suscipiant alium te rostra Camillum,390

ultorem videant servatoremque Quirites

et populus quem ductor ames: quibus Africa per te

nec prius auditas Rhodanus iam donat aristas,

ut mihi vel Massyla Ceres vel Gallica prosit

fertilitas messesque vehat nunc umidus Auster,395

nunc Aquilo, cunctis ditescant horrea ventis.

“Quae tunc Flaminiam stipabunt milia vulgi!

fallax o quotiens pulvis deludet amorem

suspensum, veniens omni dum crederis hora!

spectabunt cupidae matres, spargentur et omnes400

flore viae, superet cum Pincia culmina consul

[31]barbarians, their helmets wreathed with laurel, while Panic, her robe upgirt, walks by the yoke-horses, brandishing a mighty battle-axe.When Rome saw herself possessed of the consul for whom she had prayed, “Now,” she said, “fain would I hasten to the fields and woods of Elysium to bear the news of this wondrous answer to our universal prayer to the Curii and Fabricii who have wept for the dignity of the consul’s toga so lately outraged. Let them now tread the meads in joyous dance and the austere Catos not blush to join their sport. Let the elder Brutus hear the news and the Scipios, terror of Carthage, learn that by one man’s help I have been rescued from a double danger and have recovered both Libya and the fasces. One thing only is left, and do thou, brave consul, add it to my prayers—bestow awhile that presence she entreats upon the city which thou hast rescued from war and famine, and restored to the overlordship of the world. Let our famous rostrum welcome a second Camillus and our citizens look upon their avenger and saviour, ay, and the common people whom thou, their leader, lovest, the people to whom Africa, because of thee, offers her harvests and the Rhone her crops till now unheard of, whereby Libyan fields and Gallic abundance are at my service and now the rainy south-wind and now the north wafts grain to my shores and my granaries are full whatever breeze may blow.“What thousands will then throng the Flaminian Way! How often will the deceptive dust disappoint the loving expectation of those who trust to see thee arrive every minute! Anxiously our mothers watch for thee; every road will be strewn with flowers

[31]

barbarians, their helmets wreathed with laurel, while Panic, her robe upgirt, walks by the yoke-horses, brandishing a mighty battle-axe.

When Rome saw herself possessed of the consul for whom she had prayed, “Now,” she said, “fain would I hasten to the fields and woods of Elysium to bear the news of this wondrous answer to our universal prayer to the Curii and Fabricii who have wept for the dignity of the consul’s toga so lately outraged. Let them now tread the meads in joyous dance and the austere Catos not blush to join their sport. Let the elder Brutus hear the news and the Scipios, terror of Carthage, learn that by one man’s help I have been rescued from a double danger and have recovered both Libya and the fasces. One thing only is left, and do thou, brave consul, add it to my prayers—bestow awhile that presence she entreats upon the city which thou hast rescued from war and famine, and restored to the overlordship of the world. Let our famous rostrum welcome a second Camillus and our citizens look upon their avenger and saviour, ay, and the common people whom thou, their leader, lovest, the people to whom Africa, because of thee, offers her harvests and the Rhone her crops till now unheard of, whereby Libyan fields and Gallic abundance are at my service and now the rainy south-wind and now the north wafts grain to my shores and my granaries are full whatever breeze may blow.

“What thousands will then throng the Flaminian Way! How often will the deceptive dust disappoint the loving expectation of those who trust to see thee arrive every minute! Anxiously our mothers watch for thee; every road will be strewn with flowers

[32]arduus, antiqui species Romana senatus.Pompeiana dabunt quantos proscaenia plausus!ad caelum quotiens vallis tibi Murcia ducetnomen Aventino Pallanteoque recussum!405nunc te conspiciam castris, permitte, relictismox et cum genero trabeis visura secundis.”Haec dum Roma refert, iam Fama loquacibus alispervolat Oceanum, linguis et mille citatosfestinare iubet proceres, nullique senectus,410non iter hibernis obstant nec flatibus Alpes:vincit amor. meriti pridem clarique vetustisfascibus ad socii properant et vindicis annum.sic ubi fecunda reparavit morte iuventamet patrios idem cineres collectaque portat415unguibus ossa piis Nilique ad litora tendensunicus extremo Phoenix procedit ab Euro:conveniunt aquilae cunctaeque ex orbe volucres,ut Solis mirentur avem; procul ignea lucetales, odorati redolent cui cinnama busti.420Nec minor in caelo chorus est; exultat uterqueTheodosius divique tui; Sol ipse quadrigisvere coronatis dignum tibi praeparat annum.Est ignota procul nostraeque impervia menti,vix adeunda deis, annorum squalida mater,425inmensi spelunca aevi, quae tempora vastosuppeditat revocatque sinu. complectitur antrum,omnia qui placido consumit numine, serpensperpetuumque viret squamis caudamque reductamore vorat tacito relegens exordia lapsu.430[33]while the consul, true image of Rome’s ancient senate, climbs the steep summit of the Pincian hill. What applause from the theatre of Pompey! How often will the Murcian valley raise to heaven thy name re-echoed by Aventine and Palatine! Leave the camp and let me behold thee now, soon to see thee, consul for a second time, along with thy son-in-law.”While Rome so spake, Fame, on wings of rumour, flies over the sea and with her thousand tongues bids the chiefs speed to the capital. Not one can age hold back, nor the long journey, nor the Alp’s wintry blasts; Love wins the victory. Veterans whom the fasces ennobled long since hasten to greet the year of their colleague and avenger. So when by that birth in death the Phoenix renews its youth and gathers its father’s ashes and carries them lovingly in its talons, winging its way, sole of its kind, from the extreme east to Nile’s coasts, the eagles gather together and all the fowls from every quarter to marvel at the bird of the sun; afar its living plumage shines, itself redolent of the spices of its father’s fragrant pyre.There is like joy in heaven: the two Theodosii and thine own protecting deities are glad; the Sun himself, decking his chariot with spring flowers, prepares a year worthy of thee.Far away, all unknown, beyond the range of mortal minds, scarce to be approached by the gods, is a cavern of immense age, hoary mother of the years, her vast breast at once the cradle and the tomb of time. A serpent[10]surrounds this cave, engulfing everything with slow but all-devouring jaws; never ceases the glint of his green scales. His mouth devours the back-bending tail as with silent movement he traces his own beginning. Before[10]Eternity, in the sense of endless time, was pictured by the Egyptians as a snake devouring its own tail;cf.Plut.De Is. et Osir.i. 2, p. 5.

[32]

arduus, antiqui species Romana senatus.Pompeiana dabunt quantos proscaenia plausus!ad caelum quotiens vallis tibi Murcia ducetnomen Aventino Pallanteoque recussum!405nunc te conspiciam castris, permitte, relictismox et cum genero trabeis visura secundis.”Haec dum Roma refert, iam Fama loquacibus alispervolat Oceanum, linguis et mille citatosfestinare iubet proceres, nullique senectus,410non iter hibernis obstant nec flatibus Alpes:vincit amor. meriti pridem clarique vetustisfascibus ad socii properant et vindicis annum.sic ubi fecunda reparavit morte iuventamet patrios idem cineres collectaque portat415unguibus ossa piis Nilique ad litora tendensunicus extremo Phoenix procedit ab Euro:conveniunt aquilae cunctaeque ex orbe volucres,ut Solis mirentur avem; procul ignea lucetales, odorati redolent cui cinnama busti.420Nec minor in caelo chorus est; exultat uterqueTheodosius divique tui; Sol ipse quadrigisvere coronatis dignum tibi praeparat annum.Est ignota procul nostraeque impervia menti,vix adeunda deis, annorum squalida mater,425inmensi spelunca aevi, quae tempora vastosuppeditat revocatque sinu. complectitur antrum,omnia qui placido consumit numine, serpensperpetuumque viret squamis caudamque reductamore vorat tacito relegens exordia lapsu.430

arduus, antiqui species Romana senatus.

Pompeiana dabunt quantos proscaenia plausus!

ad caelum quotiens vallis tibi Murcia ducet

nomen Aventino Pallanteoque recussum!405

nunc te conspiciam castris, permitte, relictis

mox et cum genero trabeis visura secundis.”

Haec dum Roma refert, iam Fama loquacibus alis

pervolat Oceanum, linguis et mille citatos

festinare iubet proceres, nullique senectus,410

non iter hibernis obstant nec flatibus Alpes:

vincit amor. meriti pridem clarique vetustis

fascibus ad socii properant et vindicis annum.

sic ubi fecunda reparavit morte iuventam

et patrios idem cineres collectaque portat415

unguibus ossa piis Nilique ad litora tendens

unicus extremo Phoenix procedit ab Euro:

conveniunt aquilae cunctaeque ex orbe volucres,

ut Solis mirentur avem; procul ignea lucet

ales, odorati redolent cui cinnama busti.420

Nec minor in caelo chorus est; exultat uterque

Theodosius divique tui; Sol ipse quadrigis

vere coronatis dignum tibi praeparat annum.

Est ignota procul nostraeque impervia menti,

vix adeunda deis, annorum squalida mater,425

inmensi spelunca aevi, quae tempora vasto

suppeditat revocatque sinu. complectitur antrum,

omnia qui placido consumit numine, serpens

perpetuumque viret squamis caudamque reductam

ore vorat tacito relegens exordia lapsu.430

[33]while the consul, true image of Rome’s ancient senate, climbs the steep summit of the Pincian hill. What applause from the theatre of Pompey! How often will the Murcian valley raise to heaven thy name re-echoed by Aventine and Palatine! Leave the camp and let me behold thee now, soon to see thee, consul for a second time, along with thy son-in-law.”While Rome so spake, Fame, on wings of rumour, flies over the sea and with her thousand tongues bids the chiefs speed to the capital. Not one can age hold back, nor the long journey, nor the Alp’s wintry blasts; Love wins the victory. Veterans whom the fasces ennobled long since hasten to greet the year of their colleague and avenger. So when by that birth in death the Phoenix renews its youth and gathers its father’s ashes and carries them lovingly in its talons, winging its way, sole of its kind, from the extreme east to Nile’s coasts, the eagles gather together and all the fowls from every quarter to marvel at the bird of the sun; afar its living plumage shines, itself redolent of the spices of its father’s fragrant pyre.There is like joy in heaven: the two Theodosii and thine own protecting deities are glad; the Sun himself, decking his chariot with spring flowers, prepares a year worthy of thee.Far away, all unknown, beyond the range of mortal minds, scarce to be approached by the gods, is a cavern of immense age, hoary mother of the years, her vast breast at once the cradle and the tomb of time. A serpent[10]surrounds this cave, engulfing everything with slow but all-devouring jaws; never ceases the glint of his green scales. His mouth devours the back-bending tail as with silent movement he traces his own beginning. Before[10]Eternity, in the sense of endless time, was pictured by the Egyptians as a snake devouring its own tail;cf.Plut.De Is. et Osir.i. 2, p. 5.

[33]

while the consul, true image of Rome’s ancient senate, climbs the steep summit of the Pincian hill. What applause from the theatre of Pompey! How often will the Murcian valley raise to heaven thy name re-echoed by Aventine and Palatine! Leave the camp and let me behold thee now, soon to see thee, consul for a second time, along with thy son-in-law.”

While Rome so spake, Fame, on wings of rumour, flies over the sea and with her thousand tongues bids the chiefs speed to the capital. Not one can age hold back, nor the long journey, nor the Alp’s wintry blasts; Love wins the victory. Veterans whom the fasces ennobled long since hasten to greet the year of their colleague and avenger. So when by that birth in death the Phoenix renews its youth and gathers its father’s ashes and carries them lovingly in its talons, winging its way, sole of its kind, from the extreme east to Nile’s coasts, the eagles gather together and all the fowls from every quarter to marvel at the bird of the sun; afar its living plumage shines, itself redolent of the spices of its father’s fragrant pyre.

There is like joy in heaven: the two Theodosii and thine own protecting deities are glad; the Sun himself, decking his chariot with spring flowers, prepares a year worthy of thee.

Far away, all unknown, beyond the range of mortal minds, scarce to be approached by the gods, is a cavern of immense age, hoary mother of the years, her vast breast at once the cradle and the tomb of time. A serpent[10]surrounds this cave, engulfing everything with slow but all-devouring jaws; never ceases the glint of his green scales. His mouth devours the back-bending tail as with silent movement he traces his own beginning. Before

[10]Eternity, in the sense of endless time, was pictured by the Egyptians as a snake devouring its own tail;cf.Plut.De Is. et Osir.i. 2, p. 5.

[34]vestibuli custos vultu longaeva decoroante fores Natura sedet, cunctisque volantesdependent membris animae. mansura verendusscribit iura senex, numeros qui dividit astriset cursus stabilesque moras, quibus omnia vivunt435ac pereunt fixis cum legibus. ille recenset,incertum quid Martis iter certumque Tonantisprospiciat mundo; quid velox semita Lunaepigraque Saturni; quantum Cytherea serenocurriculo Phoebique comes Cyllenius erret.440Illius ut magno Sol limine constitit antri,occurrit Natura potens seniorque superbiscanitiem inclinat radiis. tum sponte reclususlaxavit postes adamas, penetrale profundumpanditur et sedes aevique arcana patescunt.445hic habitant vario facies distincta metallosaecula certa locis: illic glomerantur aena,hic ferrata rigent, illic argentea candent.eximia regione domus, contingere terrisdifficilis, rutili stabat grex aureus anni:450quorum praecipuum pretioso corpore Titansignandum Stilichone legit; tunc imperat omnespone sequi dictisque simul compellat euntes:“En, cui distulimus melioris saecla metalli,consul adest. ite optati mortalibus anni,455ducite virtutes; hominum florescite rursusingeniis hilares Baccho frugumque feraces.non inter geminos Anguis glaciale Trionessibilet, inmodico nec frigore saeviat Ursa.[35]the entrance sits Nature, guardian of the threshold, of age immense yet ever lovely, around whom throng and flit spirits on every side. A venerable old man writes down immutable laws: he fixes the number of stars in each constellation and causes these to move and those to be at rest, whereby everything lives or dies by pre-ordained laws. ’Tis he decides Mar’s uncertain orbit, Jupiter’s fixed course through the heaven, the swift path of the moon, and the slow march of Saturn; he limits the wanderings of Venu’s bright chariot and of Mercury, Phoebu’s companion.When the Sun rested upon the spacious threshold of this cavern dame Nature ran to meet him and the old man bent a hoary head before his proud rays. The adamantine door swung open of its own accord and revealed the vast interior, displaying the house and the secrets of Time. Here in their appointed places dwell the ages, their aspect marked by varying metals: there are piled those of brass; here those of iron stand stiff; there the silver ones gleam bright. In a fairer part of the cave, shy of contact with the earth, stood the group of golden years; of these Phoebus chooses the one of richest substance to be marked with the name of Stilicho. Then, bidding the rest follow behind him, he addresses them thus as they pass. “Lo! the consul is at hand for whom we have delayed an age of nobler ore. Go ye, years long prayed for by man, bring back virtue; let genius flourish once more; may Bacchus give you joy and fruitful Ceres bless you. Let not the constellation of the Serpent breathe forth too icy an air from between the two Ploughing Oxen nor the Bear vent his excessive

[34]

vestibuli custos vultu longaeva decoroante fores Natura sedet, cunctisque volantesdependent membris animae. mansura verendusscribit iura senex, numeros qui dividit astriset cursus stabilesque moras, quibus omnia vivunt435ac pereunt fixis cum legibus. ille recenset,incertum quid Martis iter certumque Tonantisprospiciat mundo; quid velox semita Lunaepigraque Saturni; quantum Cytherea serenocurriculo Phoebique comes Cyllenius erret.440Illius ut magno Sol limine constitit antri,occurrit Natura potens seniorque superbiscanitiem inclinat radiis. tum sponte reclususlaxavit postes adamas, penetrale profundumpanditur et sedes aevique arcana patescunt.445hic habitant vario facies distincta metallosaecula certa locis: illic glomerantur aena,hic ferrata rigent, illic argentea candent.eximia regione domus, contingere terrisdifficilis, rutili stabat grex aureus anni:450quorum praecipuum pretioso corpore Titansignandum Stilichone legit; tunc imperat omnespone sequi dictisque simul compellat euntes:“En, cui distulimus melioris saecla metalli,consul adest. ite optati mortalibus anni,455ducite virtutes; hominum florescite rursusingeniis hilares Baccho frugumque feraces.non inter geminos Anguis glaciale Trionessibilet, inmodico nec frigore saeviat Ursa.

vestibuli custos vultu longaeva decoro

ante fores Natura sedet, cunctisque volantes

dependent membris animae. mansura verendus

scribit iura senex, numeros qui dividit astris

et cursus stabilesque moras, quibus omnia vivunt435

ac pereunt fixis cum legibus. ille recenset,

incertum quid Martis iter certumque Tonantis

prospiciat mundo; quid velox semita Lunae

pigraque Saturni; quantum Cytherea sereno

curriculo Phoebique comes Cyllenius erret.440

Illius ut magno Sol limine constitit antri,

occurrit Natura potens seniorque superbis

canitiem inclinat radiis. tum sponte reclusus

laxavit postes adamas, penetrale profundum

panditur et sedes aevique arcana patescunt.445

hic habitant vario facies distincta metallo

saecula certa locis: illic glomerantur aena,

hic ferrata rigent, illic argentea candent.

eximia regione domus, contingere terris

difficilis, rutili stabat grex aureus anni:450

quorum praecipuum pretioso corpore Titan

signandum Stilichone legit; tunc imperat omnes

pone sequi dictisque simul compellat euntes:

“En, cui distulimus melioris saecla metalli,

consul adest. ite optati mortalibus anni,455

ducite virtutes; hominum florescite rursus

ingeniis hilares Baccho frugumque feraces.

non inter geminos Anguis glaciale Triones

sibilet, inmodico nec frigore saeviat Ursa.

[35]the entrance sits Nature, guardian of the threshold, of age immense yet ever lovely, around whom throng and flit spirits on every side. A venerable old man writes down immutable laws: he fixes the number of stars in each constellation and causes these to move and those to be at rest, whereby everything lives or dies by pre-ordained laws. ’Tis he decides Mar’s uncertain orbit, Jupiter’s fixed course through the heaven, the swift path of the moon, and the slow march of Saturn; he limits the wanderings of Venu’s bright chariot and of Mercury, Phoebu’s companion.When the Sun rested upon the spacious threshold of this cavern dame Nature ran to meet him and the old man bent a hoary head before his proud rays. The adamantine door swung open of its own accord and revealed the vast interior, displaying the house and the secrets of Time. Here in their appointed places dwell the ages, their aspect marked by varying metals: there are piled those of brass; here those of iron stand stiff; there the silver ones gleam bright. In a fairer part of the cave, shy of contact with the earth, stood the group of golden years; of these Phoebus chooses the one of richest substance to be marked with the name of Stilicho. Then, bidding the rest follow behind him, he addresses them thus as they pass. “Lo! the consul is at hand for whom we have delayed an age of nobler ore. Go ye, years long prayed for by man, bring back virtue; let genius flourish once more; may Bacchus give you joy and fruitful Ceres bless you. Let not the constellation of the Serpent breathe forth too icy an air from between the two Ploughing Oxen nor the Bear vent his excessive

[35]

the entrance sits Nature, guardian of the threshold, of age immense yet ever lovely, around whom throng and flit spirits on every side. A venerable old man writes down immutable laws: he fixes the number of stars in each constellation and causes these to move and those to be at rest, whereby everything lives or dies by pre-ordained laws. ’Tis he decides Mar’s uncertain orbit, Jupiter’s fixed course through the heaven, the swift path of the moon, and the slow march of Saturn; he limits the wanderings of Venu’s bright chariot and of Mercury, Phoebu’s companion.

When the Sun rested upon the spacious threshold of this cavern dame Nature ran to meet him and the old man bent a hoary head before his proud rays. The adamantine door swung open of its own accord and revealed the vast interior, displaying the house and the secrets of Time. Here in their appointed places dwell the ages, their aspect marked by varying metals: there are piled those of brass; here those of iron stand stiff; there the silver ones gleam bright. In a fairer part of the cave, shy of contact with the earth, stood the group of golden years; of these Phoebus chooses the one of richest substance to be marked with the name of Stilicho. Then, bidding the rest follow behind him, he addresses them thus as they pass. “Lo! the consul is at hand for whom we have delayed an age of nobler ore. Go ye, years long prayed for by man, bring back virtue; let genius flourish once more; may Bacchus give you joy and fruitful Ceres bless you. Let not the constellation of the Serpent breathe forth too icy an air from between the two Ploughing Oxen nor the Bear vent his excessive

[36]non toto fremat ore[11]Leo, nec brachia Cancri460urat atrox aestas, madidae nec prodigus urnaesemina praerupto dissolvat Aquarius imbre.Phrixeus roseo producat fertile cornuver Aries, pingues nec grandine tundat olivasScorpius; autumni maturet germina Virgo,465lenior et gravidis adlatret Sirius uvis.”Sic fatus croceis rorantes ignibus hortosingreditur vallemque suam, quam flammeus ambitrivus et inriguis largum iubar ingerit herbis,quas Solis pascuntur equi; flagrantibus inde470caesariem sertis et lutea lora iubasquesubligat alipedum. gelidas hinc Lucifer ornat,hinc Aurora comas iuxtaque adludit habenisaureus et nomen praetendit consulis Annus:inque novos iterum revoluto cardine cursus475scribunt aetheriis Stilichonem sidera fastis.[11]oreΠ; the otherMSS.giveigne. Butorebetter corresponds withbrachia.[37]cold; let not the Lion rage with his gaping maw nor pitiless summer inflame the claws of Cancer. Let not Aquarius, too prodigal of his rainy urn, flood the young seedlings with sudden storms. Let Phrixu’s ram, his horns twined with roses, extend the fertile spring and let not the Scorpion beat down the ripe olives with his hail. Let the Virgin mature the fruits of Autumn and the Dog-star, more gentle than his wont, refrain from barking at the heavy grape-clusters.”So saying he entered his garden starred with fiery dew, the valley round which runs a river of flame feeding with its bounteous rays the dripping weeds whereon the horses of the sun do pasture. Here he gathers fragrant flowers wherewith he decks the heads, the golden reins, and manes of his steeds. With leaves from hence Lucifer and Aurora entwine their oozy locks. Hard by the golden year, displaying the consul’s name, smiles upon his chariot, and the stars, recommencing their courses, inscribe the name of Stilicho in the annals of the sky.

[36]

non toto fremat ore[11]Leo, nec brachia Cancri460urat atrox aestas, madidae nec prodigus urnaesemina praerupto dissolvat Aquarius imbre.Phrixeus roseo producat fertile cornuver Aries, pingues nec grandine tundat olivasScorpius; autumni maturet germina Virgo,465lenior et gravidis adlatret Sirius uvis.”Sic fatus croceis rorantes ignibus hortosingreditur vallemque suam, quam flammeus ambitrivus et inriguis largum iubar ingerit herbis,quas Solis pascuntur equi; flagrantibus inde470caesariem sertis et lutea lora iubasquesubligat alipedum. gelidas hinc Lucifer ornat,hinc Aurora comas iuxtaque adludit habenisaureus et nomen praetendit consulis Annus:inque novos iterum revoluto cardine cursus475scribunt aetheriis Stilichonem sidera fastis.

non toto fremat ore[11]Leo, nec brachia Cancri460

urat atrox aestas, madidae nec prodigus urnae

semina praerupto dissolvat Aquarius imbre.

Phrixeus roseo producat fertile cornu

ver Aries, pingues nec grandine tundat olivas

Scorpius; autumni maturet germina Virgo,465

lenior et gravidis adlatret Sirius uvis.”

Sic fatus croceis rorantes ignibus hortos

ingreditur vallemque suam, quam flammeus ambit

rivus et inriguis largum iubar ingerit herbis,

quas Solis pascuntur equi; flagrantibus inde470

caesariem sertis et lutea lora iubasque

subligat alipedum. gelidas hinc Lucifer ornat,

hinc Aurora comas iuxtaque adludit habenis

aureus et nomen praetendit consulis Annus:

inque novos iterum revoluto cardine cursus475

scribunt aetheriis Stilichonem sidera fastis.

[11]oreΠ; the otherMSS.giveigne. Butorebetter corresponds withbrachia.

[37]cold; let not the Lion rage with his gaping maw nor pitiless summer inflame the claws of Cancer. Let not Aquarius, too prodigal of his rainy urn, flood the young seedlings with sudden storms. Let Phrixu’s ram, his horns twined with roses, extend the fertile spring and let not the Scorpion beat down the ripe olives with his hail. Let the Virgin mature the fruits of Autumn and the Dog-star, more gentle than his wont, refrain from barking at the heavy grape-clusters.”So saying he entered his garden starred with fiery dew, the valley round which runs a river of flame feeding with its bounteous rays the dripping weeds whereon the horses of the sun do pasture. Here he gathers fragrant flowers wherewith he decks the heads, the golden reins, and manes of his steeds. With leaves from hence Lucifer and Aurora entwine their oozy locks. Hard by the golden year, displaying the consul’s name, smiles upon his chariot, and the stars, recommencing their courses, inscribe the name of Stilicho in the annals of the sky.

[37]

cold; let not the Lion rage with his gaping maw nor pitiless summer inflame the claws of Cancer. Let not Aquarius, too prodigal of his rainy urn, flood the young seedlings with sudden storms. Let Phrixu’s ram, his horns twined with roses, extend the fertile spring and let not the Scorpion beat down the ripe olives with his hail. Let the Virgin mature the fruits of Autumn and the Dog-star, more gentle than his wont, refrain from barking at the heavy grape-clusters.”

So saying he entered his garden starred with fiery dew, the valley round which runs a river of flame feeding with its bounteous rays the dripping weeds whereon the horses of the sun do pasture. Here he gathers fragrant flowers wherewith he decks the heads, the golden reins, and manes of his steeds. With leaves from hence Lucifer and Aurora entwine their oozy locks. Hard by the golden year, displaying the consul’s name, smiles upon his chariot, and the stars, recommencing their courses, inscribe the name of Stilicho in the annals of the sky.

[38]DE CONSULATU STILICHONISLIBER TERTIUS PRAEFATIO(XXIII.)Maior Scipiades, Italis qui solus ab orisin proprium vertit Punica bella caput,non sine Pieriis exercuit artibus arma:semper erat vatum maxima cura duci.gaudet enim virtus testes sibi iungere Musas;5carmen amat quisquis carmine digna gerit.ergo seu patriis primaevus manibus ultorsubderet Hispanum legibus Oceanum,seu Tyrias certa fracturus cuspide viresinferret Libyco signa tremenda mari,10haerebat doctus lateri castrisque solebatomnibus in medias Ennius ire tubas,illi post lituos pedites favere canentilaudavitque nova caede cruentus eques.cumque triumpharet gemina Carthagine victa15(hanc vindex patri vicerat, hanc patriae),[39]ON STILICHO’S CONSULSHIPBOOK III PREFACE(XXIII.)The elder Scipio, who single-handed turned the Punic wars back from Italy’s coasts to their own home, fought not his battles unmindful of the Muse’s art; poets were ever the hero’s special care. For valour is always fain to seek alliance with the Muses that they may bear witness to her deeds; he loves song whose exploits deserve the meed of song. Therefore, whether to avenge his sire’s[12]death the young warrior brought into subjection the Spanish seas or embarked upon the Libyan wave his dreadful standards, resolved to break with sure spear the strength of Carthage, the poet Ennius was ever at his side and in all his campaigns followed the trumpet’s call into the midst of the fray. Him after the battle the soldiers loved to hear sing, and the trooper, still dripping with blood, would applaud his verses. When Scipio had triumphed over either Carthage—over the one to avenge his sire, over the other his fatherland—and when at last, after the[12]P. Cornelius Scipio (cos.218B.C.) was defeated and killed by Hasdrubal in Spain in 211B.C.The famous P. Cornelius Scipio Africanus was the younger of his two sons.

[38]

(XXIII.)

Maior Scipiades, Italis qui solus ab orisin proprium vertit Punica bella caput,non sine Pieriis exercuit artibus arma:semper erat vatum maxima cura duci.gaudet enim virtus testes sibi iungere Musas;5carmen amat quisquis carmine digna gerit.ergo seu patriis primaevus manibus ultorsubderet Hispanum legibus Oceanum,seu Tyrias certa fracturus cuspide viresinferret Libyco signa tremenda mari,10haerebat doctus lateri castrisque solebatomnibus in medias Ennius ire tubas,illi post lituos pedites favere canentilaudavitque nova caede cruentus eques.cumque triumpharet gemina Carthagine victa15(hanc vindex patri vicerat, hanc patriae),

Maior Scipiades, Italis qui solus ab oris

in proprium vertit Punica bella caput,

non sine Pieriis exercuit artibus arma:

semper erat vatum maxima cura duci.

gaudet enim virtus testes sibi iungere Musas;5

carmen amat quisquis carmine digna gerit.

ergo seu patriis primaevus manibus ultor

subderet Hispanum legibus Oceanum,

seu Tyrias certa fracturus cuspide vires

inferret Libyco signa tremenda mari,10

haerebat doctus lateri castrisque solebat

omnibus in medias Ennius ire tubas,

illi post lituos pedites favere canenti

laudavitque nova caede cruentus eques.

cumque triumpharet gemina Carthagine victa15

(hanc vindex patri vicerat, hanc patriae),

[39]ON STILICHO’S CONSULSHIPBOOK III PREFACE(XXIII.)The elder Scipio, who single-handed turned the Punic wars back from Italy’s coasts to their own home, fought not his battles unmindful of the Muse’s art; poets were ever the hero’s special care. For valour is always fain to seek alliance with the Muses that they may bear witness to her deeds; he loves song whose exploits deserve the meed of song. Therefore, whether to avenge his sire’s[12]death the young warrior brought into subjection the Spanish seas or embarked upon the Libyan wave his dreadful standards, resolved to break with sure spear the strength of Carthage, the poet Ennius was ever at his side and in all his campaigns followed the trumpet’s call into the midst of the fray. Him after the battle the soldiers loved to hear sing, and the trooper, still dripping with blood, would applaud his verses. When Scipio had triumphed over either Carthage—over the one to avenge his sire, over the other his fatherland—and when at last, after the[12]P. Cornelius Scipio (cos.218B.C.) was defeated and killed by Hasdrubal in Spain in 211B.C.The famous P. Cornelius Scipio Africanus was the younger of his two sons.

[39]

(XXIII.)

The elder Scipio, who single-handed turned the Punic wars back from Italy’s coasts to their own home, fought not his battles unmindful of the Muse’s art; poets were ever the hero’s special care. For valour is always fain to seek alliance with the Muses that they may bear witness to her deeds; he loves song whose exploits deserve the meed of song. Therefore, whether to avenge his sire’s[12]death the young warrior brought into subjection the Spanish seas or embarked upon the Libyan wave his dreadful standards, resolved to break with sure spear the strength of Carthage, the poet Ennius was ever at his side and in all his campaigns followed the trumpet’s call into the midst of the fray. Him after the battle the soldiers loved to hear sing, and the trooper, still dripping with blood, would applaud his verses. When Scipio had triumphed over either Carthage—over the one to avenge his sire, over the other his fatherland—and when at last, after the

[12]P. Cornelius Scipio (cos.218B.C.) was defeated and killed by Hasdrubal in Spain in 211B.C.The famous P. Cornelius Scipio Africanus was the younger of his two sons.

[40]cum longi Libyam tandem post funera belliante suas maestam cogeret ire rotas:advexit reduces secum Victoria Musaset sertum vati Martia laurus erat.20Noster Scipiades Stilicho, quo concidit alterHannibal antiquo saevior Hannibale,te mihi post quintos annorum Roma recursusreddidit et votis iussit adesse suis.[41]disasters of a long war, he drove weeping Libya a captive before his chariot wheel, Victory brought back the Muses in her train and Mar’s laurel crowned the poet’s brow.Thee, Stilicho, our new Scipio, conqueror of a second Hannibal more terrible than the first,—thee after five long years Rome has given back to me and bidden me celebrate the completion of her vows.

[40]

cum longi Libyam tandem post funera belliante suas maestam cogeret ire rotas:advexit reduces secum Victoria Musaset sertum vati Martia laurus erat.20Noster Scipiades Stilicho, quo concidit alterHannibal antiquo saevior Hannibale,te mihi post quintos annorum Roma recursusreddidit et votis iussit adesse suis.

cum longi Libyam tandem post funera belli

ante suas maestam cogeret ire rotas:

advexit reduces secum Victoria Musas

et sertum vati Martia laurus erat.20

Noster Scipiades Stilicho, quo concidit alter

Hannibal antiquo saevior Hannibale,

te mihi post quintos annorum Roma recursus

reddidit et votis iussit adesse suis.

[41]disasters of a long war, he drove weeping Libya a captive before his chariot wheel, Victory brought back the Muses in her train and Mar’s laurel crowned the poet’s brow.Thee, Stilicho, our new Scipio, conqueror of a second Hannibal more terrible than the first,—thee after five long years Rome has given back to me and bidden me celebrate the completion of her vows.

[41]

disasters of a long war, he drove weeping Libya a captive before his chariot wheel, Victory brought back the Muses in her train and Mar’s laurel crowned the poet’s brow.

Thee, Stilicho, our new Scipio, conqueror of a second Hannibal more terrible than the first,—thee after five long years Rome has given back to me and bidden me celebrate the completion of her vows.

[42]LIBER TERTIUS(XXIV.)Quem populi plausu, procerum quem voce petebas,adspice, Roma, virum. iam tempora desine longaedinumerare viae visoque adsurgere semperpulvere: non dubiis ultra torquebere votis.totus adest oculis, aderat qui mentibus olim,5spe maior, fama melior. venerare curulem,quae tibi restituit fasces; complectere dextram,sub iuga quae Poenos iterum Romana redegit.excipe magnanimum pectus, quo frena regunturimperii, cuius libratur sensibus orbis.10os sacrum, quod in aere colis, miraris in auro,cerne libens: hic est felix bellator ubique,defensor Libyae, Rheni pacator et Histri.Ostentare suos prisco si more laboreset gentes cuperet vulgo monstrare subactas,15certassent utroque pares a cardine laurus:haec Alamannorum spoliis, Australibus illaditior exuviis; illinc flavente Sygambri[43]BOOK III(XXIV.)Behold, O Rome, the hero whose presence the cries of thy people and the voice of thy nobles has long demanded. Cease now to count the stages of his long journey and to rise as though to greet him at the sight of every storm of dust; no further shall uncertainty torment thee. Full before thine eye is he who was long before thy mind, greater than thy hopes, more glorious than his fame. Honour thou the consul who has restored its dignity to the consulship; grasp the hand which has made the Carthaginians pass once more under the Roman yoke. Welcome the noble heart that directs the reins of empire and secures by its providence the equipoise of the world. Look with joy upon the sacred face thou worshippest cast in bronze and adorest in gold. Behold the warrior successful in every field, the defender of Africa, the conqueror of Rhine and Danube.Should he wish in accordance with ancient custom to display the picture of his labours and show to the people the tribes he has subdued, crowns of laurel from north and south would contend in equally matched rivalry. Here is a triumph rich with the spoils of the Germans, there with those of the South; here would pass the Sygambri with their yellow

[42]

(XXIV.)

Quem populi plausu, procerum quem voce petebas,adspice, Roma, virum. iam tempora desine longaedinumerare viae visoque adsurgere semperpulvere: non dubiis ultra torquebere votis.totus adest oculis, aderat qui mentibus olim,5spe maior, fama melior. venerare curulem,quae tibi restituit fasces; complectere dextram,sub iuga quae Poenos iterum Romana redegit.excipe magnanimum pectus, quo frena regunturimperii, cuius libratur sensibus orbis.10os sacrum, quod in aere colis, miraris in auro,cerne libens: hic est felix bellator ubique,defensor Libyae, Rheni pacator et Histri.Ostentare suos prisco si more laboreset gentes cuperet vulgo monstrare subactas,15certassent utroque pares a cardine laurus:haec Alamannorum spoliis, Australibus illaditior exuviis; illinc flavente Sygambri

Quem populi plausu, procerum quem voce petebas,

adspice, Roma, virum. iam tempora desine longae

dinumerare viae visoque adsurgere semper

pulvere: non dubiis ultra torquebere votis.

totus adest oculis, aderat qui mentibus olim,5

spe maior, fama melior. venerare curulem,

quae tibi restituit fasces; complectere dextram,

sub iuga quae Poenos iterum Romana redegit.

excipe magnanimum pectus, quo frena reguntur

imperii, cuius libratur sensibus orbis.10

os sacrum, quod in aere colis, miraris in auro,

cerne libens: hic est felix bellator ubique,

defensor Libyae, Rheni pacator et Histri.

Ostentare suos prisco si more labores

et gentes cuperet vulgo monstrare subactas,15

certassent utroque pares a cardine laurus:

haec Alamannorum spoliis, Australibus illa

ditior exuviis; illinc flavente Sygambri

[43]BOOK III(XXIV.)Behold, O Rome, the hero whose presence the cries of thy people and the voice of thy nobles has long demanded. Cease now to count the stages of his long journey and to rise as though to greet him at the sight of every storm of dust; no further shall uncertainty torment thee. Full before thine eye is he who was long before thy mind, greater than thy hopes, more glorious than his fame. Honour thou the consul who has restored its dignity to the consulship; grasp the hand which has made the Carthaginians pass once more under the Roman yoke. Welcome the noble heart that directs the reins of empire and secures by its providence the equipoise of the world. Look with joy upon the sacred face thou worshippest cast in bronze and adorest in gold. Behold the warrior successful in every field, the defender of Africa, the conqueror of Rhine and Danube.Should he wish in accordance with ancient custom to display the picture of his labours and show to the people the tribes he has subdued, crowns of laurel from north and south would contend in equally matched rivalry. Here is a triumph rich with the spoils of the Germans, there with those of the South; here would pass the Sygambri with their yellow

[43]

(XXIV.)

Behold, O Rome, the hero whose presence the cries of thy people and the voice of thy nobles has long demanded. Cease now to count the stages of his long journey and to rise as though to greet him at the sight of every storm of dust; no further shall uncertainty torment thee. Full before thine eye is he who was long before thy mind, greater than thy hopes, more glorious than his fame. Honour thou the consul who has restored its dignity to the consulship; grasp the hand which has made the Carthaginians pass once more under the Roman yoke. Welcome the noble heart that directs the reins of empire and secures by its providence the equipoise of the world. Look with joy upon the sacred face thou worshippest cast in bronze and adorest in gold. Behold the warrior successful in every field, the defender of Africa, the conqueror of Rhine and Danube.

Should he wish in accordance with ancient custom to display the picture of his labours and show to the people the tribes he has subdued, crowns of laurel from north and south would contend in equally matched rivalry. Here is a triumph rich with the spoils of the Germans, there with those of the South; here would pass the Sygambri with their yellow

[44]caesarie, nigris hinc Mauri crinibus irent.ipse albis veheretur equis currumque secutus20laurigerum festo fremuisset carmine miles.hi famulos traherent reges; hi facta metallooppida vel montes captivaque flumina ferrent.hinc Libyci fractis lugerent cornibus amnes;inde catenato gemeret Germania Rheno.25sed non inmodicus proprii iactator honorisconsul, Roma, tuus. non illum praemia tantumquam labor ipse iuvat; strepitus fastidit inanesinque animis hominum pompa meliore triumphat.Non alium certe Romanae clarius arces30suscepere ducem, nec cum cedente rediretFabricius Pyrrho nec cum Capitolia curruPellaeae domitor Paullus conscenderet aulae.nec similis Latias patefecit gloria portaspost Numidas Mario, post classica Martis Eoi35Pompeio. nulli pars aemula defuit umquam,quae gravis obstreperet laudi, stimulisque malignisfacta sequebatur quamvis ingentia livor:solus hic invidiae fines virtute reliquithumanumque modum. quis enim livescere possit,40quod numquam pereant stellae? quod Iuppiter olimpossideat caelum? quod noverit omnia Phoebus?est aliquod meriti spatium, quod nulla furentisinvidiae mensura capit. ductoribus illispraeterea diversus erat favor: aequior ille45patribus invisus plebi; popularibus illimunito studiis languebat gratia patrum.[45]locks, there the black-haired Moors. He himself would be drawn in a laurel-decked chariot by white horses, and followed by his soldiers chanting their festive songs. Some would lead captive kings, others carry conquered towns wrought in bronze or mountains or rivers. Here would go in sad procession the river-gods of Libya, their horns broken, there Germany and the Rhine god in chains. Yet is not thy consul, O Rome, an unbridled boaster of his own prowess. ’Tis not the rewards of toil but the toil itself that he loves. He scorns empty applause and celebrates a happier triumph in the hearts of his fellow-citizens.Of a surety the citadel of Rome has never welcomed home any of her generals with greater magnificence, no, not even Fabricius when he returned after the surrender of Pyrrhus, nor Aemilius Paulus, conqueror of Pella’s king, when he ascended the Capitol in his chariot. No such triumph as this threw open the gates of Rome to Marius after his conquest of Numidia or to Pompey after his victories in the East. Each of these suffered from a rival faction that murmured uneasily against their success, and envy pursued their actions, no matter how noble, with spiteful stings. Stilicho alone was raised above the range of envy and the measure of mankind. For who could be jealous of the star’s eternity, of Jove’s ancient rule in heaven, of Phoebu’s omniscience[13]? There are some merits so transcendent that furious envy’s bounds cannot contain them. Moreover, those other heroes owed a divided allegiance: one gained the favour of the nobles, but was hated of the people, one, supported by the suffrage of the commons, enjoyed but faintly the favour of the[13]Phoebus is said to “know everything” because, as the sun, he is the all-beholding (πανόπτης).

[44]

caesarie, nigris hinc Mauri crinibus irent.ipse albis veheretur equis currumque secutus20laurigerum festo fremuisset carmine miles.hi famulos traherent reges; hi facta metallooppida vel montes captivaque flumina ferrent.hinc Libyci fractis lugerent cornibus amnes;inde catenato gemeret Germania Rheno.25sed non inmodicus proprii iactator honorisconsul, Roma, tuus. non illum praemia tantumquam labor ipse iuvat; strepitus fastidit inanesinque animis hominum pompa meliore triumphat.Non alium certe Romanae clarius arces30suscepere ducem, nec cum cedente rediretFabricius Pyrrho nec cum Capitolia curruPellaeae domitor Paullus conscenderet aulae.nec similis Latias patefecit gloria portaspost Numidas Mario, post classica Martis Eoi35Pompeio. nulli pars aemula defuit umquam,quae gravis obstreperet laudi, stimulisque malignisfacta sequebatur quamvis ingentia livor:solus hic invidiae fines virtute reliquithumanumque modum. quis enim livescere possit,40quod numquam pereant stellae? quod Iuppiter olimpossideat caelum? quod noverit omnia Phoebus?est aliquod meriti spatium, quod nulla furentisinvidiae mensura capit. ductoribus illispraeterea diversus erat favor: aequior ille45patribus invisus plebi; popularibus illimunito studiis languebat gratia patrum.

caesarie, nigris hinc Mauri crinibus irent.

ipse albis veheretur equis currumque secutus20

laurigerum festo fremuisset carmine miles.

hi famulos traherent reges; hi facta metallo

oppida vel montes captivaque flumina ferrent.

hinc Libyci fractis lugerent cornibus amnes;

inde catenato gemeret Germania Rheno.25

sed non inmodicus proprii iactator honoris

consul, Roma, tuus. non illum praemia tantum

quam labor ipse iuvat; strepitus fastidit inanes

inque animis hominum pompa meliore triumphat.

Non alium certe Romanae clarius arces30

suscepere ducem, nec cum cedente rediret

Fabricius Pyrrho nec cum Capitolia curru

Pellaeae domitor Paullus conscenderet aulae.

nec similis Latias patefecit gloria portas

post Numidas Mario, post classica Martis Eoi35

Pompeio. nulli pars aemula defuit umquam,

quae gravis obstreperet laudi, stimulisque malignis

facta sequebatur quamvis ingentia livor:

solus hic invidiae fines virtute reliquit

humanumque modum. quis enim livescere possit,40

quod numquam pereant stellae? quod Iuppiter olim

possideat caelum? quod noverit omnia Phoebus?

est aliquod meriti spatium, quod nulla furentis

invidiae mensura capit. ductoribus illis

praeterea diversus erat favor: aequior ille45

patribus invisus plebi; popularibus illi

munito studiis languebat gratia patrum.

[45]locks, there the black-haired Moors. He himself would be drawn in a laurel-decked chariot by white horses, and followed by his soldiers chanting their festive songs. Some would lead captive kings, others carry conquered towns wrought in bronze or mountains or rivers. Here would go in sad procession the river-gods of Libya, their horns broken, there Germany and the Rhine god in chains. Yet is not thy consul, O Rome, an unbridled boaster of his own prowess. ’Tis not the rewards of toil but the toil itself that he loves. He scorns empty applause and celebrates a happier triumph in the hearts of his fellow-citizens.Of a surety the citadel of Rome has never welcomed home any of her generals with greater magnificence, no, not even Fabricius when he returned after the surrender of Pyrrhus, nor Aemilius Paulus, conqueror of Pella’s king, when he ascended the Capitol in his chariot. No such triumph as this threw open the gates of Rome to Marius after his conquest of Numidia or to Pompey after his victories in the East. Each of these suffered from a rival faction that murmured uneasily against their success, and envy pursued their actions, no matter how noble, with spiteful stings. Stilicho alone was raised above the range of envy and the measure of mankind. For who could be jealous of the star’s eternity, of Jove’s ancient rule in heaven, of Phoebu’s omniscience[13]? There are some merits so transcendent that furious envy’s bounds cannot contain them. Moreover, those other heroes owed a divided allegiance: one gained the favour of the nobles, but was hated of the people, one, supported by the suffrage of the commons, enjoyed but faintly the favour of the[13]Phoebus is said to “know everything” because, as the sun, he is the all-beholding (πανόπτης).

[45]

locks, there the black-haired Moors. He himself would be drawn in a laurel-decked chariot by white horses, and followed by his soldiers chanting their festive songs. Some would lead captive kings, others carry conquered towns wrought in bronze or mountains or rivers. Here would go in sad procession the river-gods of Libya, their horns broken, there Germany and the Rhine god in chains. Yet is not thy consul, O Rome, an unbridled boaster of his own prowess. ’Tis not the rewards of toil but the toil itself that he loves. He scorns empty applause and celebrates a happier triumph in the hearts of his fellow-citizens.

Of a surety the citadel of Rome has never welcomed home any of her generals with greater magnificence, no, not even Fabricius when he returned after the surrender of Pyrrhus, nor Aemilius Paulus, conqueror of Pella’s king, when he ascended the Capitol in his chariot. No such triumph as this threw open the gates of Rome to Marius after his conquest of Numidia or to Pompey after his victories in the East. Each of these suffered from a rival faction that murmured uneasily against their success, and envy pursued their actions, no matter how noble, with spiteful stings. Stilicho alone was raised above the range of envy and the measure of mankind. For who could be jealous of the star’s eternity, of Jove’s ancient rule in heaven, of Phoebu’s omniscience[13]? There are some merits so transcendent that furious envy’s bounds cannot contain them. Moreover, those other heroes owed a divided allegiance: one gained the favour of the nobles, but was hated of the people, one, supported by the suffrage of the commons, enjoyed but faintly the favour of the

[13]Phoebus is said to “know everything” because, as the sun, he is the all-beholding (πανόπτης).

[46]omnis in hoc uno variis discordia cessitordinibus; laetatur eques plauditque senatorvotaque patricio certant plebeia favori.50O felix servata vocat quem Roma parentem!o mundi communis amor, cui militat omnisGallia, quem regum thalamis Hispania nectit,cuius et adventum crebris petiere Quiritesvocibus et genero meruit praestante senatus!55non sic virginibus flores, non frugibus imbres,prospera non fessis optantur flamina nautis,ut tuus adspectus populo. quae numine tantolitora fatidicas attollunt Delia laurus,venturi quotiens adfulsit Apollinis arcus?60quae sic aurifero Pactoli fonte tumescitLydia, cum domitis adparuit Euhius Indis?nonne vides et plebe vias et tecta laterematribus? his, Stilicho, cunctis inopina reluxitte victore salus! septem circumspice montes,65qui solis radios auri fulgore lacessunt,indutosque arcus spoliis aequataque templanubibus et quidquid tanti struxere triumphi.quantum profueris, quantam servaveris urbem,attonitis metire oculis. haec fabula certe70cuncta forent, si Poenus adhuc incumberet Austro.Mos erat in veterum castris, ut tempora quercuvelaret, validis fuso qui viribus hostecasurum potuit morti subducere civem.[47]senate. In Stilicho’s case alone class rivalry has not raised its head: the knights welcome him with joy, the senate with enthusiasm, while the people’s prayers rival the goodwill of the nobles.Blessed mortal, whom the Rome that thou hast saved calls her father; darling of the world to whose banner flocks the whole of Gaul, whom Spain connects by marriage with the imperial house, for whose advent the citizens cried with ceaseless prayer, and whose presence the senate owed to thine illustrious son-in-law. Not such a girl’s delight in flowers, not such the desire of the crops for rain, or of weary sailors for a prosperous breeze as is the longing of thy people for the sight of thee. Under no such influence as this do the prophetic laurels wave on Delo’s coast when the brightness of Apollo’s bow announces the deity’s approach. Never did Pactolus’ golden wave so swell in pride when Bacchus from conquered Ind visited his banks. Markest thou not how the roads cannot be seen for the people, the roofs for the matrons? Thanks to thy victories, Stilicho, salvation has dawned on all beyond their hopes. Look round on Rome’s seven hills whose sheen of gold rivals the very sun’s rays; see the arches decked with spoil, the temples towering to the sky, and all the buildings that celebrate this signal triumph. Let thine astonished glance measure the magnitude of the city thou hast saved and the immensity of thy services. All this would live but in the memory were the African still master of the south.It was the custom in campaigns of olden time to crown with oak the brow of him who by his valour had put the enemy to flight and succeeded in rescuing a fellow-citizen from imminent death.

[46]

omnis in hoc uno variis discordia cessitordinibus; laetatur eques plauditque senatorvotaque patricio certant plebeia favori.50O felix servata vocat quem Roma parentem!o mundi communis amor, cui militat omnisGallia, quem regum thalamis Hispania nectit,cuius et adventum crebris petiere Quiritesvocibus et genero meruit praestante senatus!55non sic virginibus flores, non frugibus imbres,prospera non fessis optantur flamina nautis,ut tuus adspectus populo. quae numine tantolitora fatidicas attollunt Delia laurus,venturi quotiens adfulsit Apollinis arcus?60quae sic aurifero Pactoli fonte tumescitLydia, cum domitis adparuit Euhius Indis?nonne vides et plebe vias et tecta laterematribus? his, Stilicho, cunctis inopina reluxitte victore salus! septem circumspice montes,65qui solis radios auri fulgore lacessunt,indutosque arcus spoliis aequataque templanubibus et quidquid tanti struxere triumphi.quantum profueris, quantam servaveris urbem,attonitis metire oculis. haec fabula certe70cuncta forent, si Poenus adhuc incumberet Austro.Mos erat in veterum castris, ut tempora quercuvelaret, validis fuso qui viribus hostecasurum potuit morti subducere civem.

omnis in hoc uno variis discordia cessit

ordinibus; laetatur eques plauditque senator

votaque patricio certant plebeia favori.50

O felix servata vocat quem Roma parentem!

o mundi communis amor, cui militat omnis

Gallia, quem regum thalamis Hispania nectit,

cuius et adventum crebris petiere Quirites

vocibus et genero meruit praestante senatus!55

non sic virginibus flores, non frugibus imbres,

prospera non fessis optantur flamina nautis,

ut tuus adspectus populo. quae numine tanto

litora fatidicas attollunt Delia laurus,

venturi quotiens adfulsit Apollinis arcus?60

quae sic aurifero Pactoli fonte tumescit

Lydia, cum domitis adparuit Euhius Indis?

nonne vides et plebe vias et tecta latere

matribus? his, Stilicho, cunctis inopina reluxit

te victore salus! septem circumspice montes,65

qui solis radios auri fulgore lacessunt,

indutosque arcus spoliis aequataque templa

nubibus et quidquid tanti struxere triumphi.

quantum profueris, quantam servaveris urbem,

attonitis metire oculis. haec fabula certe70

cuncta forent, si Poenus adhuc incumberet Austro.

Mos erat in veterum castris, ut tempora quercu

velaret, validis fuso qui viribus hoste

casurum potuit morti subducere civem.

[47]senate. In Stilicho’s case alone class rivalry has not raised its head: the knights welcome him with joy, the senate with enthusiasm, while the people’s prayers rival the goodwill of the nobles.Blessed mortal, whom the Rome that thou hast saved calls her father; darling of the world to whose banner flocks the whole of Gaul, whom Spain connects by marriage with the imperial house, for whose advent the citizens cried with ceaseless prayer, and whose presence the senate owed to thine illustrious son-in-law. Not such a girl’s delight in flowers, not such the desire of the crops for rain, or of weary sailors for a prosperous breeze as is the longing of thy people for the sight of thee. Under no such influence as this do the prophetic laurels wave on Delo’s coast when the brightness of Apollo’s bow announces the deity’s approach. Never did Pactolus’ golden wave so swell in pride when Bacchus from conquered Ind visited his banks. Markest thou not how the roads cannot be seen for the people, the roofs for the matrons? Thanks to thy victories, Stilicho, salvation has dawned on all beyond their hopes. Look round on Rome’s seven hills whose sheen of gold rivals the very sun’s rays; see the arches decked with spoil, the temples towering to the sky, and all the buildings that celebrate this signal triumph. Let thine astonished glance measure the magnitude of the city thou hast saved and the immensity of thy services. All this would live but in the memory were the African still master of the south.It was the custom in campaigns of olden time to crown with oak the brow of him who by his valour had put the enemy to flight and succeeded in rescuing a fellow-citizen from imminent death.

[47]

senate. In Stilicho’s case alone class rivalry has not raised its head: the knights welcome him with joy, the senate with enthusiasm, while the people’s prayers rival the goodwill of the nobles.

Blessed mortal, whom the Rome that thou hast saved calls her father; darling of the world to whose banner flocks the whole of Gaul, whom Spain connects by marriage with the imperial house, for whose advent the citizens cried with ceaseless prayer, and whose presence the senate owed to thine illustrious son-in-law. Not such a girl’s delight in flowers, not such the desire of the crops for rain, or of weary sailors for a prosperous breeze as is the longing of thy people for the sight of thee. Under no such influence as this do the prophetic laurels wave on Delo’s coast when the brightness of Apollo’s bow announces the deity’s approach. Never did Pactolus’ golden wave so swell in pride when Bacchus from conquered Ind visited his banks. Markest thou not how the roads cannot be seen for the people, the roofs for the matrons? Thanks to thy victories, Stilicho, salvation has dawned on all beyond their hopes. Look round on Rome’s seven hills whose sheen of gold rivals the very sun’s rays; see the arches decked with spoil, the temples towering to the sky, and all the buildings that celebrate this signal triumph. Let thine astonished glance measure the magnitude of the city thou hast saved and the immensity of thy services. All this would live but in the memory were the African still master of the south.

It was the custom in campaigns of olden time to crown with oak the brow of him who by his valour had put the enemy to flight and succeeded in rescuing a fellow-citizen from imminent death.

[48]at tibi quae poterit pro tantis civica reddi75moenibus? aut quantae pensabunt facta coronae?nec solam populi vitam debere fateturarmis Roma tuis; sed, quo iucundior essetlucis honoratae fructus, venerabile famaepondus et amissas vires et regna recepit.80iam non praetumidi supplex Orientis ademptamlegatis poscit Libyam famulosve precatur(dictu turpe) suos: sed robore freta Gabinote duce Romana tandem se vindicat ira.ipsa iubet signis bellaturoque togatus85imperat et spectant aquilae decreta senatus.ipsa tibi trabeas ultro dedit, ipsa curulemobtulit ultori fastosque ornare coëgit.Nil perdit decoris prisci nec libera quaeritsaecula, cum donet fasces, cum proelia mandet;90seque etiam crevisse videt. quis Gallica rura,quis meminit Latio Senonum servisse ligones?aut quibus exemplis fecunda Thybris ab Arctovexit Lingonico sudatas vomere messes?illa seges non auxilium modo praebuit urbi,95sed fuit indicio, quantum tibi, Roma, liceret:admonuit dominae gentes instarque tropaeirettulit ignotum gelidis vectigal ab oris.Hoc quoque maiestas augescit plena Quirini,[49]But to thee what civic crown can we give for the salvation of so many cities? Or what honours can recompense thy deeds? Nor is it only for her people’s life that Rome owns herself a debtor to thine arms, but that so she might have sweeter enjoyment of this glorious dawn she has won back her ancient burden of renown, her lost strength and her conquered kingdoms. No longer do her ambassadors kneel suppliant before the proud East and beg that Libya may be given back to her; gone the shameful spectacle of our city a suitor to her own slaves. No, relying now on her native Latin vigour, Rome under thy leadership fights her own battles with Roman spirit. She herself bids the standards advance; the toga-clad consul directs the future conqueror, and the eagles wait upon the orders of the senate. Of her own free choice hath Rome bestowed on thee the consul’s robe, offered thee, her avenger, the curule chair and compelled thee to adorn her annals.Nothing of her ancient dignity hath she lost, no regret has she for the age of republican freedom, since it is she who bestows the consular honour, she who gives the order for battle. Nay, she sees the growth of her power. Whose memory can recall a time when the fields of Gaul and the hoes of the Senones were at our service? Has it ever happened before that Tiber’s wave has carried grain from the fertile north over the ploughing of whose fields the Lingones have toiled? Such a harvest not only fulfilled Rome’s needs but also demonstrated the greatness of her power; it reminded the peoples who was their mistress and brought in triumph from those chill climes a tribute never before paid.This, too, augments the majesty of Rome that the

[48]

at tibi quae poterit pro tantis civica reddi75moenibus? aut quantae pensabunt facta coronae?nec solam populi vitam debere fateturarmis Roma tuis; sed, quo iucundior essetlucis honoratae fructus, venerabile famaepondus et amissas vires et regna recepit.80iam non praetumidi supplex Orientis ademptamlegatis poscit Libyam famulosve precatur(dictu turpe) suos: sed robore freta Gabinote duce Romana tandem se vindicat ira.ipsa iubet signis bellaturoque togatus85imperat et spectant aquilae decreta senatus.ipsa tibi trabeas ultro dedit, ipsa curulemobtulit ultori fastosque ornare coëgit.Nil perdit decoris prisci nec libera quaeritsaecula, cum donet fasces, cum proelia mandet;90seque etiam crevisse videt. quis Gallica rura,quis meminit Latio Senonum servisse ligones?aut quibus exemplis fecunda Thybris ab Arctovexit Lingonico sudatas vomere messes?illa seges non auxilium modo praebuit urbi,95sed fuit indicio, quantum tibi, Roma, liceret:admonuit dominae gentes instarque tropaeirettulit ignotum gelidis vectigal ab oris.Hoc quoque maiestas augescit plena Quirini,

at tibi quae poterit pro tantis civica reddi75

moenibus? aut quantae pensabunt facta coronae?

nec solam populi vitam debere fatetur

armis Roma tuis; sed, quo iucundior esset

lucis honoratae fructus, venerabile famae

pondus et amissas vires et regna recepit.80

iam non praetumidi supplex Orientis ademptam

legatis poscit Libyam famulosve precatur

(dictu turpe) suos: sed robore freta Gabino

te duce Romana tandem se vindicat ira.

ipsa iubet signis bellaturoque togatus85

imperat et spectant aquilae decreta senatus.

ipsa tibi trabeas ultro dedit, ipsa curulem

obtulit ultori fastosque ornare coëgit.

Nil perdit decoris prisci nec libera quaerit

saecula, cum donet fasces, cum proelia mandet;90

seque etiam crevisse videt. quis Gallica rura,

quis meminit Latio Senonum servisse ligones?

aut quibus exemplis fecunda Thybris ab Arcto

vexit Lingonico sudatas vomere messes?

illa seges non auxilium modo praebuit urbi,95

sed fuit indicio, quantum tibi, Roma, liceret:

admonuit dominae gentes instarque tropaei

rettulit ignotum gelidis vectigal ab oris.

Hoc quoque maiestas augescit plena Quirini,

[49]But to thee what civic crown can we give for the salvation of so many cities? Or what honours can recompense thy deeds? Nor is it only for her people’s life that Rome owns herself a debtor to thine arms, but that so she might have sweeter enjoyment of this glorious dawn she has won back her ancient burden of renown, her lost strength and her conquered kingdoms. No longer do her ambassadors kneel suppliant before the proud East and beg that Libya may be given back to her; gone the shameful spectacle of our city a suitor to her own slaves. No, relying now on her native Latin vigour, Rome under thy leadership fights her own battles with Roman spirit. She herself bids the standards advance; the toga-clad consul directs the future conqueror, and the eagles wait upon the orders of the senate. Of her own free choice hath Rome bestowed on thee the consul’s robe, offered thee, her avenger, the curule chair and compelled thee to adorn her annals.Nothing of her ancient dignity hath she lost, no regret has she for the age of republican freedom, since it is she who bestows the consular honour, she who gives the order for battle. Nay, she sees the growth of her power. Whose memory can recall a time when the fields of Gaul and the hoes of the Senones were at our service? Has it ever happened before that Tiber’s wave has carried grain from the fertile north over the ploughing of whose fields the Lingones have toiled? Such a harvest not only fulfilled Rome’s needs but also demonstrated the greatness of her power; it reminded the peoples who was their mistress and brought in triumph from those chill climes a tribute never before paid.This, too, augments the majesty of Rome that the

[49]

But to thee what civic crown can we give for the salvation of so many cities? Or what honours can recompense thy deeds? Nor is it only for her people’s life that Rome owns herself a debtor to thine arms, but that so she might have sweeter enjoyment of this glorious dawn she has won back her ancient burden of renown, her lost strength and her conquered kingdoms. No longer do her ambassadors kneel suppliant before the proud East and beg that Libya may be given back to her; gone the shameful spectacle of our city a suitor to her own slaves. No, relying now on her native Latin vigour, Rome under thy leadership fights her own battles with Roman spirit. She herself bids the standards advance; the toga-clad consul directs the future conqueror, and the eagles wait upon the orders of the senate. Of her own free choice hath Rome bestowed on thee the consul’s robe, offered thee, her avenger, the curule chair and compelled thee to adorn her annals.

Nothing of her ancient dignity hath she lost, no regret has she for the age of republican freedom, since it is she who bestows the consular honour, she who gives the order for battle. Nay, she sees the growth of her power. Whose memory can recall a time when the fields of Gaul and the hoes of the Senones were at our service? Has it ever happened before that Tiber’s wave has carried grain from the fertile north over the ploughing of whose fields the Lingones have toiled? Such a harvest not only fulfilled Rome’s needs but also demonstrated the greatness of her power; it reminded the peoples who was their mistress and brought in triumph from those chill climes a tribute never before paid.

This, too, augments the majesty of Rome that the

[50]rectores Libyae populo quod iudice pallent100et post emeritas moderator quisque securesdiscrimen letale subit, quid Poenus aratorintulerit, madidus quantum transmiserit Auster.ardua qui late terris responsa dedere,hic trepidant humiles; tremuit quos Africa nuper,105cernunt rostra reos. cani virtutibus aevimateriam pandit Stilicho populumque vetusticulminis inmemorem dominandi rursus in usumexcitat, ut magnos calcet metuendus honores,pendat iustitia crimen, pietate remittat110errorem purosque probet damnetque nocenteset patrias iterum clemens exerceat artes.Fallitur egregio quisquis sub principe creditservitium. numquam libertas gratior extatquam sub rege pio. quos praeficit ipse regendis115rebus, ad arbitrium plebis patrumque reducitconceditque libens, meritis seu praemia poscantseu punire velint. posito iam purpura fastude se iudicium non indignatur haberi.sic docuit regnare socer, sic cauta iuventae120frena dedit, teneros sic moribus induit annosverior Augusti genitor, fiducia belli,pacis consilium: per quem squalore remotopristina Romuleis infloruit artibus aetas,per quem fracta diu translataque paene potestas125[51]chiefs of Libya tremble before the judgement-throne of our people, and that, his office ended, each governor must account under pain of death for all the corn the Carthaginian farmer has brought in, all that the rainy south-wind has dispatched to Rome. Those who of late uttered their proud judgements to broad domains here are cowed and tremble; those whom Africa held in dread Rome’s forum sees accused.Stilicho gives scope for the virtues of a bygone age and rouses a people, forgetful of their former glory, to resume their accustomed sovereignty, to make themselves feared, to tread powerful magistrates beneath their heel, to mete out to crime its due reward, to show mercy towards the erring, favour to the innocent, punishment to the guilty, and to exercise once more their native virtue of clemency.He errs who thinks that submission to a noble prince is slavery; never does liberty show more fair than beneath a good king. Those he himself appoints to rule he in turn brings before the judgement-seat of people and senate, and gladly yields whether they claim reward for merit or seek for punishment. Now the purple lays aside its pride and disdains not to have judgement passed upon itself. Such were the principles of rule taught by Stilicho to his son-in-law, Honorius; ’twas thus he guided his youth with the reins of prudence, and with precepts such as these directed his tender years, a truer father to the emperor than Theodosius, his stay in war, his adviser in peace. Thanks to him dishonour is banished and our age blossoms with Rome’s ancient virtues; thanks to him power, long degraded and all but transferred,[14]no longer, forgetful[14]i.e.(apparently) to Constantinople. Throughout this confused passage Claudian seems to be labouring the point that now the capital of the West (Rome) is restored to an equal importance with that of the East (Constantinople).

[50]

rectores Libyae populo quod iudice pallent100et post emeritas moderator quisque securesdiscrimen letale subit, quid Poenus aratorintulerit, madidus quantum transmiserit Auster.ardua qui late terris responsa dedere,hic trepidant humiles; tremuit quos Africa nuper,105cernunt rostra reos. cani virtutibus aevimateriam pandit Stilicho populumque vetusticulminis inmemorem dominandi rursus in usumexcitat, ut magnos calcet metuendus honores,pendat iustitia crimen, pietate remittat110errorem purosque probet damnetque nocenteset patrias iterum clemens exerceat artes.Fallitur egregio quisquis sub principe creditservitium. numquam libertas gratior extatquam sub rege pio. quos praeficit ipse regendis115rebus, ad arbitrium plebis patrumque reducitconceditque libens, meritis seu praemia poscantseu punire velint. posito iam purpura fastude se iudicium non indignatur haberi.sic docuit regnare socer, sic cauta iuventae120frena dedit, teneros sic moribus induit annosverior Augusti genitor, fiducia belli,pacis consilium: per quem squalore remotopristina Romuleis infloruit artibus aetas,per quem fracta diu translataque paene potestas125

rectores Libyae populo quod iudice pallent100

et post emeritas moderator quisque secures

discrimen letale subit, quid Poenus arator

intulerit, madidus quantum transmiserit Auster.

ardua qui late terris responsa dedere,

hic trepidant humiles; tremuit quos Africa nuper,105

cernunt rostra reos. cani virtutibus aevi

materiam pandit Stilicho populumque vetusti

culminis inmemorem dominandi rursus in usum

excitat, ut magnos calcet metuendus honores,

pendat iustitia crimen, pietate remittat110

errorem purosque probet damnetque nocentes

et patrias iterum clemens exerceat artes.

Fallitur egregio quisquis sub principe credit

servitium. numquam libertas gratior extat

quam sub rege pio. quos praeficit ipse regendis115

rebus, ad arbitrium plebis patrumque reducit

conceditque libens, meritis seu praemia poscant

seu punire velint. posito iam purpura fastu

de se iudicium non indignatur haberi.

sic docuit regnare socer, sic cauta iuventae120

frena dedit, teneros sic moribus induit annos

verior Augusti genitor, fiducia belli,

pacis consilium: per quem squalore remoto

pristina Romuleis infloruit artibus aetas,

per quem fracta diu translataque paene potestas125

[51]chiefs of Libya tremble before the judgement-throne of our people, and that, his office ended, each governor must account under pain of death for all the corn the Carthaginian farmer has brought in, all that the rainy south-wind has dispatched to Rome. Those who of late uttered their proud judgements to broad domains here are cowed and tremble; those whom Africa held in dread Rome’s forum sees accused.Stilicho gives scope for the virtues of a bygone age and rouses a people, forgetful of their former glory, to resume their accustomed sovereignty, to make themselves feared, to tread powerful magistrates beneath their heel, to mete out to crime its due reward, to show mercy towards the erring, favour to the innocent, punishment to the guilty, and to exercise once more their native virtue of clemency.He errs who thinks that submission to a noble prince is slavery; never does liberty show more fair than beneath a good king. Those he himself appoints to rule he in turn brings before the judgement-seat of people and senate, and gladly yields whether they claim reward for merit or seek for punishment. Now the purple lays aside its pride and disdains not to have judgement passed upon itself. Such were the principles of rule taught by Stilicho to his son-in-law, Honorius; ’twas thus he guided his youth with the reins of prudence, and with precepts such as these directed his tender years, a truer father to the emperor than Theodosius, his stay in war, his adviser in peace. Thanks to him dishonour is banished and our age blossoms with Rome’s ancient virtues; thanks to him power, long degraded and all but transferred,[14]no longer, forgetful[14]i.e.(apparently) to Constantinople. Throughout this confused passage Claudian seems to be labouring the point that now the capital of the West (Rome) is restored to an equal importance with that of the East (Constantinople).

[51]

chiefs of Libya tremble before the judgement-throne of our people, and that, his office ended, each governor must account under pain of death for all the corn the Carthaginian farmer has brought in, all that the rainy south-wind has dispatched to Rome. Those who of late uttered their proud judgements to broad domains here are cowed and tremble; those whom Africa held in dread Rome’s forum sees accused.

Stilicho gives scope for the virtues of a bygone age and rouses a people, forgetful of their former glory, to resume their accustomed sovereignty, to make themselves feared, to tread powerful magistrates beneath their heel, to mete out to crime its due reward, to show mercy towards the erring, favour to the innocent, punishment to the guilty, and to exercise once more their native virtue of clemency.

He errs who thinks that submission to a noble prince is slavery; never does liberty show more fair than beneath a good king. Those he himself appoints to rule he in turn brings before the judgement-seat of people and senate, and gladly yields whether they claim reward for merit or seek for punishment. Now the purple lays aside its pride and disdains not to have judgement passed upon itself. Such were the principles of rule taught by Stilicho to his son-in-law, Honorius; ’twas thus he guided his youth with the reins of prudence, and with precepts such as these directed his tender years, a truer father to the emperor than Theodosius, his stay in war, his adviser in peace. Thanks to him dishonour is banished and our age blossoms with Rome’s ancient virtues; thanks to him power, long degraded and all but transferred,[14]no longer, forgetful

[14]i.e.(apparently) to Constantinople. Throughout this confused passage Claudian seems to be labouring the point that now the capital of the West (Rome) is restored to an equal importance with that of the East (Constantinople).

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