BOOK II

(XXII.)

Thus far the warrior’s praise! Now let my gentler Muse relax the strings and tell by what virtues he governs the world, tempering fear with love, say what counsel moved him at last to assume those consular robes that cried out to him, and bestowed on our annals a year named after himself.

In the beginning Love[1] was the guardian of this vast universe, she who dwelt in the sphere of Jove, who attempers the sky ’twixt cold and heat, who is eldest of the immortals. For Love, pitying the elemental confusion, first disentangled Chaos; with a smile she scattered the darkness and bathed the world in light. She dwelleth now not in temples nor by altars warm with incense but in thy heart wherein she has made her home. Taught by her thou accountest it cruel and barbarous to batten on suffering and human slaughter; the sword that drips blood in war thou wearest unstained in peace;

[1] Claudian seems to have in his mind partly the Epicurean doctrine of ἔρως and partly the personification of the _Clementia Caesaris_, well known as a legend on so many Roman coins. See, also, for _Clementia_ as a goddess, Claud. xvii. 166, and Stat. _Theb._ xii. 481 _et sqq._

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materiem praestes odiis; ut sontibus ultro ignovisse velis, deponas ocius iram quam moveas, precibus numquam implacabilis obstes, obvia prosternas prostrataque more leonum 20 despicias, alacres ardent qui frangere tauros, transiliunt praedas humiles. hac ipse magistra das veniam victis, hac exorante calores horrificos et quae, numquam nocitura, timentur iurgia contentus solo terrore coerces 25 aetherii patris exemplo, qui cuncta sonoro concutiens tonitru Cyclopum spicula differt in scopulos et monstra maris nostrique cruoris parcus in Oetaeis exercet fulmina silvis. Huic divae germana Fides eademque sorori 30 corde tuo delubra tenens sese omnibus actis inserit. haec docuit nullo livescere fuco, numquam falsa loqui, numquam promissa morari; invisos odisse palam, non virus in alto condere, non laetam speciem praemittere fraudi, 35 sed certum mentique parem componere vultum; occulto saevire vetat, prodesse remittit. haec et amicitias longo plus tempore firmat mansuroque adamante ligat; nec mobile mutat ingenium, parvae strepitu nec vincula noxae 40 dissolvi patitur, nec fastidire priorem inlicitur veniente novo. benefacta tenere, respuere offensas facilis, pariterque minoris officii magnique memor superare laborat

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though angered thou feedest with no fuel the flame of hatred; thou forgivest the guilty even before they ask, thou layest aside thy wrath more readily than thou art moved to wrath, thou never turnest a deaf ear to prayers, all who oppose thee thou overthrowest, but deignest not to touch them when overthrown, like a lion who lusts to rend in pieces the fierce bull, but passes by the cowering prey. At her bidding thou extendest pardon to the conquered; at her prayer thou refrainest the dread fires of thine anger and those threats, not the less terrible for being unfulfilled; it is enough for thee to inspire awe, even as the heavenly Father who, shaking the world with his loud thunder, hurls the bolts of the Cyclops upon rocks and sea-monsters and, sparing the blood of man, expends his lightnings on the forests of Oeta.

Good Faith too, Love’s sister, has made her shrine in thy heart and joins herself to all thine actions. She has taught thee to practise no hypocrisy, never to speak falsehood, never to postpone the fulfilment of thy promises; to hate openly those thou hatest, and not to hide the poison of resentment in thy heart nor let a false smile mask treachery but to make thy countenance the sure mirror of thy mind. She gainsayeth secret vengeance but encourageth secret benefits. She strengthens friendships also, that grow more firm by lapse of time and binds them with chains of lasting adamant; not hers is the fickle change of mood, nor does she permit close ties to be broken by the rumour of some petty injury, nor is she lured to scorn the old friend when a new one comes. Mindful of past benefits, quick to forget wrongs, she remembers services alike small or great and strives to outdo

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utque hostes armis, meritis sic vincit amicos. 45 haec fovet absentes, haec longe sola remotis consulit, haec nullis avidam rumoribus aurem pandit, ut ignarum numquam laesura clientem insidiosa tuos alienent murmura sensus. Nec vivis adnexus amor meminisse sepultos 50 desinit; in prolem transcurrit gratia patrum. hac tu Theodosium, tenuit dum sceptra, colebas, hac etiam post fata colis; nec pignora curas plus tua quam natos, dederat quos ille monendos tutandosque tibi. iustos nimiumque fideles 55 fama putat, qui, cum possint commissa negare, maluerint nullo violati reddere quaestu: at Stilicho non divitias aurique relictum pondus, sed geminos axes tantumque reservat depositum teneris, quantum sol igneus ambit. 60 quid non intrepidus credas, cui regia tuto creditur? Hoc clipeo munitus Honorius altum non gemuit patrem vitaeque et lucis in ipso limine, contemptus numquam, dat iura subactis gentibus et secum sentit crevisse triumphos. 65 quem tu sic placida formas, sic mente severa, ut neque desidiae tradas, dum pronus ad omne quod libet obsequeris, nec contra nixus ovantem confringas animum: secreto consona regno ceu iuvenem doceas, moles quid publica poscat: 70 ceu sanctum venerere senem patriisque gubernes imperium monitis; dominum summissus adores; obsequiis moderere ducem, pietate parentem.

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them, overcoming friends with devotion as an enemy with arms. She safeguards the absent and is the sole protector of those far away; she opens not a greedy ear to rumours, so that never does the stealthy whisper that would injure some unsuspecting client estrange thy sympathies.

Nor does the love that clings to the living forget the dead, and the gratitude a father earned is paid to his children. This kept thee loyal to Theodosius while yet he wielded the sceptre, loyal, too, after his death; nor carest thou more for thine own offspring than for the sons he entrusted to thy guidance and protection. Just and most faithful does Fame account those, who, though they might deny a trust, have chosen rather to fulfil it, unpolluted by greed of gain; but it is not riches, not a huge heritage of gold that Stilicho holds in trust for the young heirs, but two hemispheres and all that is embraced within the sun’s fiery orbit. What wouldst thou not fearlessly entrust to him to whom a kingdom is entrusted safely?

Defended by this buckler Honorius did not mourn his noble sire, and on life’s very threshold, ne’er scorned by any, he dictates laws to conquered races and sees his triumphs increase with his years. Him thou dost seek to shape as with kindly so with severe mind; neither to sloth dost thou deliver him by a ready yielding to all his wishes, nor by opposing dost thou crush his eager spirit: as a youth thou teachest him in secret a king’s lesson--his duty to his people; as a reverend senior thou payest him honour and governest the empire at a father’s bidding; to thy lord thou givest humble worship; thou guidest thy master with obedience, thy sire

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hinc fuit ut primos in coniuge disceret ignes ordirique virum non luxuriante iuventa, 75 sed cum lege tori, casto cum foedere vellet. principe tu felix genero: felicior ille te socero. Fratrem levior nec cura tuetur Arcadium; nec, si quid iners atque impia turba praetendens proprio nomen regale furori 80 audeat, adscribis iuveni. discordia quippe cum fremeret, numquam Stilicho sic canduit ira, saepe lacessitus probris gladiisque petitus, ut bello furias ultum, quas pertulit, iret inlicito causamque daret civilibus armis: 85 cuius fulta fide mediis dissensibus aulae intemeratorum stabat reverentia fratrum. quin et Sidonias chlamydes et cingula bacis aspera gemmatasque togas viridesque smaragdo loricas galeasque redundantes hyacinthis 90 gestatosque patri capulis radiantibus enses et vario lapidum distinctas igne coronas dividis ex aequo, ne non augusta supellex ornatusque pares geminis heredibus essent. mittitur et miles, quamvis certamine partes 95 iam tumeant. hostem muniri robore mavis quam peccare fidem: permittis iusta petenti idque negas solum, cuius mox ipse repulsa gaudeat et quidquid fuerat deforme mereri. Omnes praeterea, puro quae crimina pellunt 100 ore, deae iunxere choros unoque receptae

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with love. Hence it was that he knew not passion before matrimony and preferred to vindicate his manhood not in a youth of debauchery, but in the chaste bonds of legal wedlock. Blessed art thou in having an emperor for a son-in-law; more blessed he with thee for father.

Care no less tender watched over Honorius’ brother, Arcadius. Rightly thou ascribest not to that youth the outrages of the feeble, vicious mob that seeks to screen its own mad folly behind the name of a king. Nay, even when discord raged never did Stilicho so burn with anger, though oft assailed by insult, oft attacked with the sword, that he sought to avenge the frenzy he endured by unholy war and give a handle to civil strife; stayed on his loyalty, mid all the factions of a court, the hallowed friendship of those brothers stood inviolate. Nay more, thou dividedst equally with him Sidonian cloaks, belts studded with pearls, jewelled togas, breastplates thick with green emeralds, helmets flashing with sapphires, swords with gleaming handles thy sire had wielded, crowns bright with the glint of manifold jewels, that both might be equal heirs of their imperial sire’s rich furniture and apparel. Thou didst send soldiers to Byzantium also, though civil strife was already raising its head. Rather wouldst thou reinforce a foe than fail thy pledge; all that he fairly asks thou grantest and refusest only that the withholding of which he himself will shortly approve, and that to obtain which were shameful.

Moreover, all the virtues whose pure aspect puts all wickedness to flight live conjoined in thee and, dwelling within thine heart, aid thee in the

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pectore diversos tecum cinguntur in usus. Iustitia utilibus rectum praeponere suadet communesque sequi leges iniustaque numquam largiri sociis. durum Patientia corpus 105 instruit, ut nulli cupiat cessisse labori; Temperies, ut casta petas; Prudentia, ne quid inconsultus agas; Constantia, futtile ne quid infirmumque geras. procul importuna fugantur numina, monstriferis quae Tartarus edidit antris: 110 ac primam scelerum matrem, quae semper habendo plus sitiens patulis rimatur faucibus aurum, trudis Avaritiam; cuius foedissima nutrix Ambitio, quae vestibulis foribusque potentum excubat et pretiis commercia pascit honorum, 115 pulsa simul. nec te gurges corruptior aevi traxit ad exemplum, qui iam firmaverat annis crimen et in legem rapiendi verterat usum. denique non dives sub te pro rure paterno vel laribus pallet; non insidiator oberrat 120 facturus quemcumque reum. non obruta virtus paupertate latet. lectos ex omnibus oris evehis et meritum, non quae cunabula, quaeris, et qualis non unde satus. sub teste benigno vivitur; egregios invitant praemia mores. 125 hinc priscae redeunt artes; felicibus inde ingeniis aperitur iter despectaque Musae colla levant, opibusque fluens et pauper eodem nititur ad fructum studio, cum cernat uterque quod nec inops iaceat probitas nec inertia surgat 130 divitiis. Nec te iucunda fronte fefellit

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manifold businesses of life. Justice teaches thee to prefer the right to the useful, to obey the general laws of mankind and never to enrich thy friends at other’s cost. Patience strengthens thy body so that it seeks never to yield to toil. Temperance guides thee to chaste desires. Prudence will have thee do nought without forethought, Constancy nought without decision and firm purpose. The deadly vices which Tartarus sends up from his monstrous abyss fly far from thee; but first and foremost thou banishest Avarice, mother of crimes, greedy for more the more she possesses, searching ever open-mouthed for gold; with her thou drivest out her most foul nurse, Ambition, who watches at the gate of the powerful and haunts their dwelling-places, cherishing the sale of honours for gold. This age’s more turbid stream of corruption has not drawn thee to follow its examples--corruption which had with lapse of time established crime and turned the custom of rapine into a law. Beneath thy rule the rich tremble not for the safety of ancestral lands or houses; no informer stalks the world set on making no matter whom his victim. Virtue suffers no eclipse by poverty. Thou exaltest men of all countries, asking what are their merits not their place of birth, what their character not whence their origin. A generous prince takes note of our life; rewards allure into the ways of virtue. Hence it comes that the arts of old flourish once more; the path to fortune is open to genius, while poesy again raises her despised head. Rich and poor strive with equal zeal towards their ends, for both see that, as poverty cannot depress merit, so riches cannot elevate incapacity.

Fair-fronted wantonness deceives thee not, wantonness,

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luxuries, praedulce malum, quae dedita semper corporis arbitriis hebetat caligine sensus membraque Circaeis effeminat acrius herbis, blanda quidem vultus, sed qua non taetrior ulla 135 interius: fucata genas et amicta dolosis inlecebris torvos auro circumlinit hydros. illa voluptatum multos innexuit hamis: te numquam conata capit. non prava libido stupris advigilat; non tempora somnus agendi 140 frustratur; nullo citharae convivia cantu, non pueri lasciva sonant. quis cernere curis te vacuum potuit? quis tota mente remissum aut indulgentem dapibus, ni causa iuberet laetitiae? non indecores aeraria lassant 145 expensae; parvo non improba littera libro absentum condonat opes. a milite parcus diligeris; neque enim neglectas pace cohortes tunc ditas, cum bella fremunt. scis nulla placere munera, quae metuens illis, quos spreverat, offert 150 serus et incassum servati prodigus auri. antevenis tempus non expectantibus ultro munificus mensaeque adhibes et nomine quemque compellas clari, sub te quod gesserat olim, admonitum facti, figendaque sensibus addis 155 verba, quibus magni geminatur gratia nodi.[2] Nec, si quid tribuas, iactatum saepius idem exprobrare soles nec, quos promoveris, alto turgidus adloqueris fastu nec prospera flatus

[2] I retain Birt’s _nodi_ (VPTI), but _doni_ (V2 and the other MSS.) is very tempting.

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that sweet curse, which surrendering to the arbitrament of the body dulls the wits with darkness, enervating the limbs with bane more deadly than that of Circe. Fair, indeed, is her face but none is fouler within; dyed are her cheeks; clothed about is she with treacherous lures, and deadly vipers hide them in her golden hair. Many hath she caught with the bait of pleasure, thee, though often has she tried, she has never ensnared. No lust bids thee wake for adultery’s sake, nor does sleep cheat the hours of toil. Neither the strains of the lyre nor the wanton song of boys accompany thy repast. Has any seen thee free from care, thy mind entirely at rest, or indulging in the banquet unless some public rejoicing commanded? No shameful expenditure strains the resources of the treasury, no pitiless missive in a tiny roll disposes of the property of the absent. Though thrifty thou art beloved of the army, for thou neglectest not thy soldiers in peace, and dost not only enrich them when war is toward. Thou knowest that belated gifts, offered in fear to those hitherto scorned, earn no gratitude: ’tis but a useless flinging away of gold as uselessly hoarded. Thou preventest thy soldier’s needs and art generous over and above their expectations; thou callest them to thy board and addressest each by his name, mindful of all the brave deeds ever done by each beneath thy banners. To thy gifts thou addest praises that will ever be remembered, whereby the grace of your close bond is doubled.

When bountiful thou dost not also turn the bounty into a reproach, nor dost thou address those whom thou hast advanced with the language of disdainful patronage; nor yet does prosperity make thee

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attollunt nimios. quin ipsa Superbia longe 160 discessit, vitium rebus sollemne secundis virtutumque ingrata comes. contingere passim adfarique licet. non inter pocula sermo captatur, pura sed libertate loquendi seria quisque iocis nulla formidine miscet. 165 quem videt Augusti socerum regnique parentem, miratur conviva parem, cum tanta potestas civem lenis agat. te doctus prisca loquentem, te matura senex audit, te fortia miles 169 adspersis salibus, quibus haud Amphiona quisquam praeferat Aonios meditantem carmine muros nec velit Orpheo migrantes pectine silvas.

Hinc amor, hinc veris et non fallacibus omnes pro te solliciti votis; hinc nomen ubique plausibus, auratis celebrant hinc ora figuris. 175 quae non incudes streperent, quae flamma vacaret fabrilis, quantis fluerent fornacibus aera effigies ductura tuas, quis devius esset angulus aut regio quae non pro numine vultus dilectos coleret, talem ni semper honorem 180 respueres? decus hoc rapiat, quem falsa timentum munera decipiunt, qui se diffidit amari. hoc solus sprevisse potest, qui iure meretur.

Undique legati properant generique sub ore in tua centenas optant praeconia voces. 185 grates Gallus agit, quod limite tutus inermi et metuens hostile nihil nova culmina totis

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puffed up. Nay, pride itself is far removed from thee, pride, a vice so familiar in success, ungracious attendant on the virtues. All, no matter when or where, may meet and address thee. Talk over the wine is not watched, but each guest, at liberty to say just what he pleases, mingles grave converse with gay and fears not for his words. Each marvels to find an equal in the emperor’s father-in-law and the father of his country, when one so powerful acts the citizen so graciously. With the learned thou discoursest of antiquity, with the aged of experience, with the soldier of valiant deeds, and dost mingle thy talk with such pleasant wit that none would rather hear the strains whereby Amphion built the walls of Thebes or Orpheu’s lute drew the woods to follow him.

Hence all love thee, all anxiously pray heaven for thee with no feigned intercession, all shout applause at the mention of thy name and reproduce thy form in gilded statues. What anvil should not ring, what forge be idle, from what vast furnaces should bronze not flow that is to shape thine image? What corner of the world, what region so remote but should worship thy beloved countenance as divine,--hadst thou not always refused such honour? Nay, let him snatch at such glory whom hollow gifts inspired by fear can beguile and who despairs of a people’s love. He who in truth deserves can alone afford to despise them.

Embassies arrive from every quarter and in the presence of thy son-in-law pray for a hundred voices to herald thy renown. The Gallic envoy gives thee thanks for that, safe from attack though no legion guards his frontier, and fearing no hostile

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aedificat ripis et saevum gentibus amnem Thybridis in morem domibus praevelat amoenis. hinc Poeni cumulant laudes, quod rura tyranno 190 libera possideant; hinc obsidione solutus Pannonius potorque Savi, quod clausa tot annis oppida laxatis ausus iam pandere portis rursum cote novat nigras rubigine falces exesosque situ cogit splendere ligones 195 agnoscitque casas et collibus oscula notis figit et impresso glaebis non credit aratro, exsectis,[3] inculta dabant quas saecula, silvis restituit terras et opacum vitibus Histrum conserit et patrium vectigal solvere gaudet, 200 inmunis qui clade fuit. te sospite fas est vexatum laceri corpus iuvenescere regni. sub tot principibus quaecumque amisimus olim, tu reddis. solo poterit Stilichone medente crescere Romanum vulnus tectura cicatrix; 205 inque suos tandem fines redeunte colono Illyricis iterum ditabitur aula tributis. Nec tamen humano cedit caeleste favori iudicium: cingunt superi concordibus unum praesidiis hostesque tuos aut litore produnt 210 aut totum oppositi claudunt fugientibus aequor aut in se vertunt furiis aut militis ense

[3] Birt suggests _exsectisque_.

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incursion, he builds new dwelling-places along the banks of the Rhine and fringes the river, famed once for the savagery of its tribes, with houses as pleasant as those by Tiber’s stream. Here Carthaginians crown thy praise, because they possess their lands delivered from the tyrant’s rule; there the Pannonian, freed from the blockade, and he who drinks the Save, grateful because he now dare throw open the gates of cities closed for so many years. Such sharpen once more upon the whetstone their sickles dark with rust and cause their mattocks, foul with want of use, to shine as of old. Each sees again his well-remembered cottage, kisses his native hills, and can scarce believe real the furrows cut by his heavy plough. He hews down the forests and renders again fit for cultivation fields which generations had let run wild. Once more he covers the banks of the Danube with vineyards and rejoices to pay the taxes his forefathers paid, for it was bloodshed that brought immunity. While thou art safe, heaven allows the harassed body of our distracted empire to regain its youthful vigour. Thou dost restore all that we have lost of old under so many princes. Only when Stilicho’s hand brings remedy can grow a scar to hide Roman wounds, and when at last the husbandman of Illyria returns to his farms the treasury will again be enriched with Illyrian tribute.

But heaven’s judgement is not a whit behind man’s favour. The gods unite for thine especial protection and deliver thine enemy into thy hands upon the sea shore or hinder his flight by the ocean’s immense barrier or make him turn his arms madly against himself; and so, a second Pentheus, he is hewn in

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bacchati laniant Pentheo corpora ritu; insidias retegunt et in ipsa cubilia fraudum ducunt ceu tenera venantem nare Molossi. 215 ominibus ventura notant aut alite monstrant aut monitos certa dignantur imagine somnos. Pro quibus innumerae trabearum insignia terrae certatim petiere tibi. poscentibus ipse restiteras et mens, aliorum prona favori, 220 iudex dura sui, facibus succensa pudoris tarda verecundis excusat praemia causis. ergo avidae tantosque novi spe consulis annos elusae dominae pergunt ad limina Romae, si minus adnuerit precibus, vel cogere certae 225 cunctantem votoque moras auferre paratae. conveniunt ad tecta deae, quae candida lucent monte Palatino. glaucis tum prima Minervae nexa comam foliis fulvaque intexta micantem veste Tagum tales profert Hispania voces: 230 “Cuncta mihi semper Stilicho, quaecumque poposci, concessit tantumque suos invidit honores. Augusti potuit soceri contemnere fasces: iam negat et genero. si non ut ductor ab orbe quem regit, accipiat saltem cognatus ab aula. 235 exiguumne putat, quod sic amplexus Hiberam progeniem nostros inmoto iure nepotes sustinet, ut patrium commendet purpura Baetim? quod pulchro Mariae fecundat germine regnum?

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pieces by his own soldier’s frenzied blades. The gods discover for thee plots against thy life and lead thee to the very lair of treason, even as Molossan hounds guide the huntsman with their subtle scent. They show forth the future by omens or by birds or they deign to give thee clear warning in dreams.

For which thing’s sake countless lands in rivalry have sought for thee the consul’s robe, but thou thyself didst oppose their desire, and thy mind, so ready to grant favour to another, so rigorous a critic of itself, kindling with the torch of modesty, with bashful pleading deprecates that late reward. And so, anxious to see accomplished the hopes, vainly conceived through so many years, of seeing in thee their new consul, they hasten to the gates of royal Rome, determined, should she not listen to their entreaties, to constrain her hesitation, and prepared to sweep away all hindrances that delay their prayer. They meet at the temple of the goddess that shines bright upon the Palatine.[4] First to speak was Spain, her head crowned with a grey-leaved garland from Minerva’s olive and golden Tagus woven into her shining robe: “Everything that I have ever asked of Stilicho he has granted me, and has begrudged only honour for himself. Once he found it in his heart to refuse the consulship at the hands of an emperor, his father-in-law; he now refuses it also from his son-in-law. If not as a guardian from the world he rules, at least let him receive it as a kinsman from his emperor. Counts he it a small thing that, taking my offspring to his arms, he so upholds my grandsons[5] in their undisturbed rule, that the purple ennobles their native Baetis? That by means of fair Maria he dowers

[4] The temple, that is, of the goddess Roma.

[5] Arcadius and Honorius who, as sons of Theodosius, the Spaniard, are grandsons of Spain.

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quod dominis speratur avus?” 240 Tum flava repexo Gallia crine ferox evinctaque torque decoro binaque gaesa tenens animoso pectore fatur: “qui mihi Germanos solus Francosque subegit, cur nondum legitur fastis? cur pagina tantum nescit adhuc nomen, quod iam numerare decebat? 245 usque adeone levis pacati gloria Rheni?” Inde Caledonio velata Britannia monstro, ferro picta genas, cuius vestigia verrit caerulus Oceanique aestum mentitur amictus: “me quoque vicinis pereuntem gentibus” inquit 250 “munivit Stilicho, totam cum Scottus Hivernen movit et infesto spumavit remige Tethys. illius effectum curis, ne tela timerem Scottica, ne Pictum tremerem, ne litore toto prospicerem dubiis venturum Saxona ventis.” 255 Tum spicis et dente comas inlustris eburno et calido rubicunda die sic Africa fatur: “sperabam nullas trabeis Gildone perempto nasci posse moras. etiam nunc ille repugnat et tanto dubitat fasces praebere triumpho, 260 qui mihi Maurorum penitus lacrimabile nomen ignorare dedit?” Post has Oenotria lentis vitibus intorquens hederas et palmite largo vina fluens: “si vos adeo Stilichone curules augeri flagratis” ait “quas sola iuvare 265 fama potest, quanto me dignius incitat ardor,

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Rome with a dynasty? That he is looked to as the ancestor of kings?”

Then warlike Gaul, her hair combed back, a rich necklace about her neck, and javelins twain in her hands, thus spake with kindling heart: “Why is his title not yet read in the annals of Rome, who by his own might o’ercame for me the Germans and the Franks? Why is the page of history still ignorant of a name that by now should have been inscribed therein so often? Is, then, bringing peace to the Rhine so light a title to fame?”

Next spake Britain clothed in the skin of some Caledonian beast, her cheeks tattooed, and an azure cloak, rivalling the swell of ocean, sweeping to her feet: “Stilicho gave aid to me also when at the mercy of neighbouring tribes, what time the Scots roused all Hibernia against me and the sea foamed to the beat of hostile oars. Thanks to his care I had no need to fear the Scottish arms or tremble at the Pict, or keep watch along all my coasts for the Saxon who would come whatever wind might blow.”

Then up spake Africa, her hair gay with wheat ears and an ivory comb and her face all sun-burned: “I hoped that after Gildo’s death no obstacle could prevent Stilicho’s acceptance of the consulship. Does he even yet refuse and hesitate to honour with the fasces so great a triumph--he who has enabled me utterly to forget the tearful name of Moor?”

After these came Italy, pliant vine and ivy interlacing on her head, pressing the wine from plentiful ripe grapes. Said she: “If you are thus eager that Stilicho should augment the dignity of the curule chair, you to whom the mere report can bring delight, how much more rightly does a longing

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ut praesente fruar conscendentemque tribunal prosequar atque anni pandentem claustra salutem?” Talibus alternant studiis Romamque precantes, pro cunctis, hortantur, eat. nec segnius illa 270 paruit officio, raptis sed protinus armis ocior excusso per nubila sidere tendit. transvehitur Tuscos Appenninusque volatu stringitur. Eridanus clipei iam fulgurat umbra; constitit ante ducem tetrica nec Pallade vultum 275 deterior nec Marte minor. tremit orbe corusco iam domus et summae tangunt laquearia cristae: tum prior attonitum gratis adfata querellis: “Servatas, Stilicho, per te, venerande, curules, ornatas necdum fateor. quid profuit anni 280 servilem pepulisse notam? defendis honorem quem fugis, et spernis tota quem mole tueris? respuis oblatum, pro quo labente resistis? quae iam causa morae? quo me cunctabere rursus ingenio? nullus Boreae metus, omnis et Austri 285 ora silet: cecidit Maurus, Germania cessit et Ianum pax alta ligat. te consule necdum digna feror? titulumne levem parvique nitoris credimus, Augusti quo se decorare fatentur, sub iuga quo gentes captivis regibus egi? 290 “Non, si prodigiis casus natura futuros signat, polluimur macula. quod reris, Eois

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inspire me to enjoy his presence, to attend him as he mounts his seat and to salute his opening of the new year’s course?”

One after another they pour forth these entreaties and beg Rome to approach Stilicho in the name of them all. Right swiftly she obeyed their behest and seizing at once her arms winged her way quicker than a shooting star through the clouds of heaven. Over Etruria she flew, grazed the Apennines in her flight, and lit Eridanu’s wave with the reflexion of her shield. She stood before the general, imposing as mighty Pallas, terrible as Mars. The palace trembled at the glitter of her aegis and her helmet plumes brushed the pannelled ceiling. Then as he stood astonished she first addressed him with flattering reproaches: “I acknowledge, revered Stilicho, that thou hast saved but not yet brought honour to the curule chair. Of what avail to have rid the year of the brand of slavery? Dost thou defend a dignity thou shunnest? scorn what with all thy might thou madest? reject when offered what thou didst save when falling? Why dost thou hold back? Why disappoint my prayers? No danger threatens from the north, the south is quiet; the Moors have been subdued, Germany has yielded, profound peace holds fast the doors of Janu’s temple. Am I not yet worthy to have thee for my consul? Can we believe that office unimportant and of slender dignity to hold which emperors think themselves honoured, that office by means of which I have caused conquered peoples and captive kings to pass beneath the yoke?

“If nature by her portents foreshadow coming ills I am not besmirched therewith. Nay, that thou

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omen erat. quamquam nullis mihi cognita rebus fabula; vix tanto risit de crimine rumor. opprobrii stat nulla fides nec littera venit 295 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 damnum 315 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 sequatur 320

[6] Birt prints _factorum_ (EΠ); the other MSS. have _fatorum_; Koch suggests _fractorum_ (in the sense of “effeminate”).

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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 stained _our_ axes, 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.

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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 nullo 330 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 Minervam 340 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 Nymphae 345 auri fonte lavant: teneros de stamine risus vagitusque audire putes. iam creverat infans

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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

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ore ferens patrem: Stilicho maturior aevi Martia recturo tradit praecepta nepoti. parte alia spumis fucantem Serica frena 350 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 sexu 360 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 ambit 365 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 Quirinus 370 frena regit currumque patris Bellona cruentum ditibus exuviis tendens ad sidera quercum praecedit, lictorque Metus cum fratre Pavore barbara ferratis innectunt colla catenis

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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.

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velati galeas lauro, propiusque iugales 375 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 nuper 380 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 omnes 400 flore viae, superet cum Pincia culmina consul

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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

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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 portat 415 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

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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.

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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 vivunt 435 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.

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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

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non toto fremat ore[11] Leo, nec brachia Cancri 460 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 inde 470 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 cursus 475 scribunt aetheriis Stilichonem sidera fastis.

[11] _ore_ Π; the other MSS. give _igne_. But _ore_ better corresponds with _brachia_.

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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.

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DE CONSULATU STILICHONIS

LIBER TERTIUS

PRAEFATIO

(XXIII.)

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 victa 15 (hanc vindex patri vicerat, hanc patriae),

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ON STILICHO’S CONSULSHIP