BOOK II

(V.)

After the subjugation of the Alpine tribes and the salvation of the kingdoms of Italy the heavens welcomed the Emperor Theodosius[56] to the place of honour due to his worth, and so shone the brighter by the addition of another star. Then was the power of Rome entrusted to thy care, Stilicho; in thy hands was placed the governance of the world. The brothers’ twin majesty and the armies of either royal court were given into thy charge. But Rufinus (for cruelty and crime brook not peace, and a tainted mouth will not forgo its draughts of blood), Rufinus, I say, began once more to inflame the world with wicked wars and to disturb peace with accustomed sedition. Thus to himself: “How shall I assure my slender hopes of survival? By what means beat back the rising storm? On all sides are hate and the threat of arms. What am I to do? No help can I find in soldier’s weapon or emperor’s favour. Instant dangers ring me round and a gleaming sword hangs above my head. What is left but to plunge the world into fresh troubles and draw down innocent peoples in my ruin? Gladly will I perish if the world does too; general destruction shall console me for

[56] Theodosius died in January 395, not long after his defeat of Eugenius at the Frigidus River (near Aquileia), September 5-6, 394 (see Introduction, p. ix).

* * * * *

Page 60

exitium commune dabit nec territus ante 20 discedam: cum luce simul linquenda potestas.” Haec fatus, ventis veluti si frena resolvat Aeolus, abrupto gentes sic obice fudit laxavitque viam bellis et, nequa maneret inmunis regio, cladem divisit in orbem 25 disposuitque nefas. alii per terga ferocis Danuvii solidata ruunt expertaque remos frangunt stagna rotis; alii per Caspia claustra Armeniasque nives inopino tramite ducti invadunt Orientis opes. iam pascua fumant 30 Cappadocum volucrumque parens Argaeus equorum, iam rubet altus Halys nec se defendit iniquo monte Cilix. Syriae tractus vastantur amoeni adsuetumque choris et laeta plebe canorum proterit imbellem sonipes hostilis Orontem. 35 hinc planctus Asiae; Geticis Europa catervis ludibrio praedaeque datur frondentis ad usque Dalmatiae fines: omnis quae mobile Ponti aequor et Adriacas tellus interiacet undas squalet inops pecudum, nullis habitata colonis, 40 instar anhelantis Libyae, quae torrida semper solibus humano nescit mansuescere cultu. Thessalus ardet ager; reticet pastore fugato Pelion; Emathias ignis populatur aristas. nam plaga Pannoniae miserandaque moenia Thracum arvaque Mysorum iam nulli flebile damnum, 46 sed cursus sollemnis erat campusque furori expositus, sensumque malis detraxerat usus. eheu quam brevibus pereunt ingentia fatis!

* * * * *

Page 61

mine own death, nor will I die (for I am no coward) till I have accomplished this. I will not lay down my power before my life.”

So spake he, and as if Aeolus unchained the winds so he, breaking their bonds, let loose the nations, clearing the way for war; and, that no land should be free therefrom, apportioned ruin throughout the world, parcelling out destruction. Some pour across the frozen surface of swift-flowing Danube and break with the chariot wheel what erstwhile knew but the oar; others invade the wealthy East, led through the Caspian Gates and over the Armenian snows by a newly-discovered pass. The fields of Cappadocia reek with slaughter; Argaeus, father of swift horses, is laid waste. Halys’ deep waters run red and the Cilician cannot defend himself in his precipitous mountains. The pleasant plains of Syria are devastated, and the enemy’s cavalry thunders along the banks of Orontes, home hitherto of the dance and of a happy people’s song. Hence comes mourning to Asia, while Europe is left to be the sport and prey of Getic hordes even to the borders of fertile Dalmatia. All that tract of land lying between the stormy Euxine and the Adriatic is laid waste and plundered, no inhabitants dwell there; ’tis like torrid Africa whose sun-scorched plains never grow kindlier through human tillage. Thessaly is afire; Pelion silent, his shepherds put to flight; flames bring destruction on Macedonia’s crops. For Pannonia’s plain, the Thracians’ helpless cities, the fields of Mysia were ruined but now none wept; year by year came the invader, unsheltered was the countryside from havoc and custom had robbed suffering of its sting. Alas, in how swift ruin perish

* * * * *

Page 62

imperium tanto quaesitum sanguine, tanto 50 servatum, quod mille ducum peperere labores, quod tantis Romana manus contexuit annis, proditor unus iners angusto tempore vertit. Urbs etiam, magnae quae ducitur aemula Romae et Calchedonias contra despectat harenas, 55 iam non finitimo Martis terrore movetur, sed propius lucere faces et rauca sonare cornua vibratisque peti fastigia telis adspicit. hi vigili muros statione tueri, hi iunctis properant portus munire carinis. 60 obsessa tamen ille ferus laetatur in urbe exultatque malis summaeque ex culmine turris impia vicini cernit spectacula campi: vinctas ire nurus, nunc in vada proxima mergi seminecem, hunc subito percussum vulnere labi 65 dum fugit, hunc animam portis efflare sub ipsis; nec canos prodesse seni puerique cruore maternos undare sinus. inmensa voluptas et risus plerumque subit; dolor afficit unus, quod feriat non ipse manu. videt omnia late 70 exceptis incensa suis et crimine tanto luxuriat carumque sibi non abnuit hostem; iactabatque ultro, quod soli castra paterent sermonumque foret vicibus permissa potestas. egregii quotiens exisset foederis auctor, 75 stipatur sociis, circumque armata clientum

* * * * *

Page 63

even the greatest things! An empire won and kept at the expense of so much bloodshed, born from the toils of countless leaders, knit together through so many years by Roman hands, one coward traitor overthrew in the twinkling of an eye.

That city,[57] too, called of men the rival of great Rome, that looks across to Chalcedon’s strand, is stricken now with terror at no neighbouring war; nearer home it observes the flash of torches, the trumpet’s call, and its own roofs the target for an enemy’s artillery. Some guard the walls with watchful outposts, others hasten to fortify the harbour with a chain of ships. But fierce Rufinus is full of joy in the leaguered city and exults in its misfortunes, gazing at the awful spectacle of the surrounding country from the summit of a lofty tower. He watches the procession of women in chains, sees one poor half-dead wretch drowned in the water hard by, another, stricken as he fled, sink down beneath the sudden wound, another breathe out his life at the tower’s very gates; he rejoices that no respect is shown to grey hairs and that mother’s breasts are drenched with their children’s blood. Great is his pleasure thereat; from time to time he laughs and knows but one regret--that it is not his own hand that strikes. He sees the whole countryside (except for his own lands) ablaze, and has joy of his great wickedness, making no secret of the fact that the city’s foes are his friends. It is his boast, moreover, that to him alone the enemy camp opened its gates, and that there was allowed right of parley between them. Whene’er he issued forth to arrange some wondrous truce his companions thronged him round and an armed band of dependents

[57] Constantinople.

* * * * *

Page 64

agmina privatis ibant famulantia signis; ipse inter medios, ne qua de parte relinquat barbariem, revocat fulvas in pectora pelles frenaque et inmanes pharetras arcusque sonoros 80 adsimulat mentemque palam proclamat amictu, nec pudet Ausonios currus et iura regentem sumere deformes ritus vestemque Getarum; insignemque habitum Latii mutare coactae maerent captivae pellito iudice leges. 85 Quis populi tum vultus erat! quae murmura furtim! (nam miseris ne flere quidem aut lenire dolorem colloquiis impune licet): “quonam usque feremus exitiale iugum? durae quis terminus umquam sortis erit? quis nos funesto turbine rerum 90 aut tantis solvet lacrimis, quos barbarus illinc, hinc Rufinus agit, quibus arva fretumque negatur? magna quidem per rura lues, sed maior oberrat intra tecta timor. tandem succurre ruenti heu patriae, Stilicho! dilecta hic pignora certe, 95 hic domus, hic thalamis primum genialibus omen, hic tibi felices erexit regia taedas. vel solus sperate veni. te proelia viso languescent avidique cadet dementia monstri.” Talibus urgetur discors Aurora procellis. 100 at Stilicho, Zephyris cum primum bruma remitti et iuga diffusis nudari coepta pruinis, partibus Italiae tuta sub pace relictis utraque castra movens Phoebi properabat ad ortus,

* * * * *

Page 65

danced attendance on a civilian’s standards. Rufinus himself in their midst drapes tawny skins of beasts about his breast (thorough in his barbarity), and uses harness and huge quivers and twanging bows like those of the Getae--his dress openly showing the temper of his mind. One who drives a consul’s chariot and enjoys a consul’s powers has no shame to adopt the manners and dress of barbarians; Roman law, obliged to change her noble garment, mourns her slavery to a skin-clad judge.

What looks then on men’s faces! What furtive murmurs! For, poor wretches, they could not even weep nor, without risk, ease their grief in converse. “How long shall we bear this deadly yoke? What end shall there ever be to our hard lot? Who will free us from this death-fraught anarchy, this day of tears? On this side the barbarian hems us in, on that Rufinus oppresses us; land and sea are alike denied us. A pestilence stalks through the country: yes, but a deadlier terror haunts our houses. Stilicho, delay no more but succour thy dying land; of a truth here are thy children, here thy home, here were taken those first auspices for thy marriage, so blessed with children, here the palace was illumined with the torches of happy wedlock. Nay, come even though alone, thou for whom we long; wars will perish at thy sight and the ravening monster’s rage subside.”

Such were the tempests that vexed the turbulent East. But so soon as ever winter had given place to the winds of spring and the hills began to lose their covering of snow, Stilicho, leaving the fields of Italy in peace and safety, set in motion his two armies and hastened to the lands of the sunrise, combining

* * * * *

Page 66

Gallica discretis Eoaque robora turmis 105 amplexus. numquam tantae dicione sub una convenere manus nec tot discrimina vocum: illinc Armeniae vibratis crinibus alae herbida collectae facili velamina nodo; inde truces flavo comitantur vertice Galli, 110 quos Rhodanus velox, Araris quos tardior ambit et quos nascentes explorat gurgite Rhenus quosque rigat retro pernicior unda Garunnae, Oceani pleno quotiens impellitur aestu. mens eadem cunctis animique recentia ponunt 115 vulnera; non odit victus victorve superbit. et quamvis praesens tumor et civilia nuper classica bellatrixque etiamnunc ira caleret, in ducis eximii conspiravere favorem. haud aliter Xerxen toto simul orbe secutus. 120 narratur rapuisse vagos exercitus amnes et telis umbrasse diem, cum classibus iret per scopulos tectumque pedes contemneret aequor. Vix Alpes egressus erat nec iam amplius errat barbarus adventumque timens se cogit in unam 125 planitiem tutoque includit pascua gyro: tum duplici fossa non exuperabile vallum asperat alternis sudibus murique locata in speciem caesis obtendit plaustra iuvencis. At procul exanguis Rufinum perculit horror; 130 infectae pallore genae; stetit ore gelato incertus peteretne fugam, veniamne subactus

* * * * *

Page 67

the so different squadrons of Gaul and of the East. Never before did there meet together under one command such numerous bands, never in one army such a babel of tongues. Here were curly-haired Armenian cavalry, their green cloaks fastened with a loose knot, fierce Gauls with golden locks accompanied them, some from the banks of the swift-flowing Rhone, or the more sluggish Saône, some whose infant bodies Rhine’s flood had laved, or who had been washed by the waves of the Garonne that flow more rapidly towards, than from, their source, whenever they are driven back by Ocean’s full tide. One common purpose inspires them all; grudges lately harboured are laid aside; the vanquished feels no hate, the victor shows no pride. And despite of present unrest, of the trumpet’s late challenge to civil strife, and of warlike rage still aglow, yet were all at one in their support of their great leader. So it is said that the army that followed Xerxes, gathered into one from all quarters of the world, drank up whole rivers in their courses, obscured the sun with the rain of their arrows, passed through mountains on board ship, and walked the bridged sea with contemptuous foot.

Scarce had Stilicho crossed the Alps when the barbarian hordes began to restrict their forays and for fear of his approach gathered together in the plain and enclosed their pasture lands within a defensive ring. They then built an impregnable fortification with a double moat, planted stakes two deep at intervals along its summit and set wagons rigged with ox-hide all round like a wall.

Panic fear seized upon Rufinus as he saw this from afar, and his cheeks grew pale. He stood with ice-cold face, not knowing whether to fly, to own himself

* * * * *

Page 68

posceret an fidos sese transferret in hostes. quid nunc divitiae, quid fulvi vasta metalli congeries, quid purpureis effulta columnis 135 atria prolataeve iuvant ad sidera moles? audit iter numeratque dies spatioque viarum metitur vitam. torquetur pace futura nec recipit somnos et saepe cubilibus amens excutitur poenamque luit formidine poenae. 140 sed redit in rabiem scelerumque inmane resumit ingenium sacrasque fores praedivitis aulae intrat et Arcadium mixto terrore precatur: “Per fratris regale iubar, per facta parentis aetherii floremque tui te deprecor aevi, 145 eripe me gladiis; liceat Stilichonis iniquas evitare minas. in nostram Gallia caedem coniurata venit. quidquid rigat ultima Tethys, extremos ultra volitat gens si qua Britannos, mota mihi. tantis capiendi credimur armis? 150 tot signis unum petitur caput? unde cruoris ista sitis? geminum caeli sibi vindicat axem et nullum vult esse parem. succumbere poscit cuncta sibi: regit Italiam Libyamque coercet; Hispanis Gallisque iubet; non orbita solis, 155 non illum natura capit. quascumque paravit hic Augustus opes et quas post bella recepit, solus habet, possessa semel nec reddere curat. scilicet ille quidem tranquilla pace fruatur; nos premat obsidio? quid partem invadere temptat? deserat Illyricos fines; Eoa remittat 161

* * * * *

Page 69

beaten and sue for mercy, or go over to an enemy whose good faith his treachery had assured. Of what use now were his riches, his vast stores of golden ore, his halls upheld with red marble pillars, his sky-towering palace? He hears of Stilicho’s march and counts the days, measuring his term of life according to the distance of his enemy from him. He is troubled with thoughts of coming peace and cannot sleep, often starts up distraught from his bed and suffers as punishment the fear of punishment. But his fury repossesses him and, regaining his genius for crime, he enters the sacred portal of the rich palace and addresses Arcadius with prayers and threats: “By thy brother’s royal star, by the deeds of thy divine sire and the flower of thine own age, I beg thee deliver me from the edge of the sword; let me escape the cruel threatenings of Stilicho. All Gaul is sworn to my destruction. Tethys’ extreme coasts, the wandering tribes beyond the farthest Britons are stirred up against me. Am I thought fit prey for all those armies? Are so many standards advanced against a solitary man? Whence comes this lust for blood? Stilicho lays claim to either hemisphere and will brook no equal. The world forsooth must lie at his feet. Italy is his kingdom, Libya his dominion, Spain and Gaul his empire. The sun’s path circumscribes him not, no nor the whole universe. All the wealth collected here by Theodosius or received by him after the war is Stilicho’s alone, and he has small mind to restore what he has once acquired. Is he to enjoy his gains in peace and quietness while ’tis mine to stand a siege? Why should he encroach on thy share? Let him leave Illyria, send back his Eastern troops, divide the

* * * * *

Page 70

agmina; fraternas ex aequo dividat hastas, nec sceptri tantum fueris, sed militis heres. quodsi dissimulas nostrae succurrere morti nec prohibere paras, Manes et sidera testor: 165 haec cervix non sola cadet; miscebitur alter sanguis; nec Stygias ferar incomitatus ad undas nec mea securus ridebit funera victor!” Haec ubi, dictatur facinus missusque repente qui ferat extortas invito principe voces. 170 Interea Stilicho iam laetior hoste propinquo nec multo spatii distantibus aequore vallis pugnandi cupidas accendit voce cohortes. Armeniis frons laeva datur; per cornua Gallos dexteriora locat. spumis ignescere frena, 175 pulveris extolli nimbos lateque videres surgere purpureis undantes anguibus hastas serpentumque vago caelum saevire volatu. implet Thessaliam ferri nitor antraque docti cornipedis, teneroque amnis reptatus Achilli 180 et nemus Oetaeum radiat. clamore nivalis Ossa tonat pulsoque fragor geminatur Olympo. intumuit virtus et lucis prodigus arsit impetus; haud illos rupes, haud alta vetarent flumina: praecipiti stravissent omnia cursu. 185 Si tunc his animis acies collata fuisset, prodita non tantas vidisset Graecia caedes, oppida semoto Pelopeia Marte vigerent,

* * * * *

Page 71

hosts fairly between the two brothers, and do thou not be heir to the sceptre only but to thy forces. But if thou neglect to come to mine aid and make not ready to prevent my death, this head of mine shall not fall alone--by the dead and the stars I swear it. The blood of another shall be mingled with mine. I will not go unaccompanied to the waters of Styx nor shall the victor be free to exult in my death.”

So saying he dictates a treasonable letter and sends therewith an emissary to bear the message extorted from the emperor’s unwilling lips.

Meanwhile Stilicho, exulting in the thought of advancing upon the foe and of the narrow stretch of country that separated him from the fortifications, inflames with his words the hearts of his troops already thirsting for battle. On the left wing are posted the Armenians, farther to the right the Gauls. A beholder might have seen bits covered with warm foam, clouds of dust uprising, and on all sides waving banners bearing the device of a scarlet dragon; the very air seemed to teem with these fierce flying monsters. The glint of steel fills all Thessaly and the cave of the wise Centaur; the river whose banks supported Achilles’ baby footsteps and the forests of Oeta are agleam with arms, snowy Ossa re-echoes to the sound and Olympus smitten therewith sends it back twofold. Hearts beat high with a courage that is lavish of life. Neither precipice nor deep river could check their advance: their headlong speed would have overthrown all barriers.

If the two armies had then joined battle in this temper ruined Greece would not have witnessed such disaster as she did, the cities of the Peloponnese would still have been flourishing untouched by the hand

* * * * *

Page 72

starent Arcadiae, starent Lacedaemonis arces; non mare fumasset geminum flagrante Corintho 190 nec fera Cecropiae traxissent vincula matres. illa dies potuit nostris imponere finem cladibus et sceleris causas auferre futuri. invida pro quantum rapuit Fortuna triumphum! inter equos interque tubas mandata feruntur 195 regia et armati veniunt ductoris ad aures. Obstupuit; simul ira virum, simul obruit ingens maeror et ignavo tantum licuisse nocenti miratur. dubios anceps sententia volvit eventus: peragat pugnas an fortia coepta 200 deserat? Illyricis ardet succurrere damnis; praeceptis obstare timet. reverentia frangit virtutis stimulos: hinc publica commoda suadent, hinc metus invidiae. tandem indignatus ad astra extollit palmas et ab imo pectore fatur: 205 “Numina Romanis necdum satiata ruinis, si iuvat imperium penitus de stirpe revelli, uno si placuit deleri saecula lapsu, si piget humani generis, prorumpat in arva libertas effrena maris vel limite iusto 210 devius errantes Phaëthon confundat habenas. cur per Rufinum geritur? procumbere mundum hoc auctore pudet. mediis revocamur ab armis (pro dolor!) et strictos deponere cogimur enses. vos, arsurae urbes perituraque moenia, testor: 215 cedo equidem et miserum permitto casibus orbem flectite signa, duces. redeat iam miles Eous.

* * * * *

Page 73

of war, Arcadia and Sparta’s citadel would have remained unravaged. Burning Corinth would not have heated the waves of her two seas, nor would cruel chains have led in captivity the matrons of Athens. That day might have set an end to our disasters and destroyed the seeds of future calamities. For shame, envious Fortune, of what a triumph didst thou rob us! The kingly mandate came to Stilicho in arms amid the cavalry and the trumpets’ din.

He stood amazed; anger and great grief o’erwhelm the hero and he wonders that such power for ill is allowed a coward. His wavering mind ponders the uncertain issue: shall he continue his advance or fail his brave beginnings? He longs to stem Illyria’s ruin but fears to disobey orders. Loyalty annuls the prickings-on of valour. The public good urges him one way, fear of the emperor’s displeasure another. At length in his distress he raises his hands to heaven and speaks from deep within his heart: “Ye gods not yet glutted with Rome’s destruction, if ye will that our empire be utterly uprooted, if ye have resolved to blot out all the centuries with one blow, if ye repent you of the race of man, then let the sea’s unrestrained fury burst forth upon the land or let Phaëthon, deviating from his ordained course, drive his straying chariot at random. Shall Rufinus be your tool? ’Twere shame that such an one should be the author of the world’s destruction. O the grief of it! recalled in mid fight; forced to lay down the swords we have drawn! Cities marked out for the flames, walls doomed to destruction, I call you to witness: see, I retire; I leave the unhappy world to its fate. Turn your banners, captains; to your homes, soldiers of the east. Needs must we obey.

* * * * *

Page 74

parendum est. taceant litui. prohibete sagittas. parcite contiguo--Rufinus praecipit!--hosti.” His dictis omnes una fremuere manipli 220 quantum non Italo percussa Ceraunia fluctu, quantum non madidis elisa tonitrua Cauris, secernique negant ereptaque proelia poscunt, insignemque ducem populus defendit uterque et sibi quisque trahit. magno certatur amore, 225 alternamque fidem non inlaudata lacessit seditio talique simul clamore queruntur: “Quis mihi nudatos enses, quis tela lacertis excutit et solvi curvatos imperat arcus? quisnam audet stricto leges imponere ferro? 230 inflammata semel nescit mitescere virtus. iam mihi barbaricos sitientia pila cruores sponte volant ultroque manus mucrone furenti ducitur et siccum gladium vagina recusat. non patiar. semperne Getis discordia nostra 235 proderit? en iterum belli civilis imago! quid consanguineas acies, quid dividis olim concordes aquilas? non dissociabile corpus coniunctumque sumus. te qua libet ire sequemur. te vel Hyperboreo damnatam sidere Thylen, 240 te vel ad incensas Libyae comitabor harenas. Indorum si stagna petas Rubrique recessus litoris, auriferum veniam poturus Hydaspen; si calcare Notum secretaque noscere Nili nascentis iubeas, mundum post terga relinquam; 245

* * * * *

Page 75

Silence, ye clarions; men, forbear to shoot. The foe is at hand, spare him; ’tis Rufinus’ command.”

At these words an unanimous roar went up from all the companies. With less din are the cliffs of Ceraunia buffeted by the Italian sea or the thunders evoked from the western winds’ wet storm-clouds. They will not separate, and demand the battle of which they have been defrauded. East and west claim the leadership of that illustrious chief. It is a contest of affection; insubordination that none can blame threatens to sap the loyalty of both armies who thus utter their common complaint: “Who is it robs us of our drawn swords? Who strikes the lance from our hand and bids us unstring the bent bow? Who dares dictate to an army under arms? Valour once roused knows no abatement. Spears thirsting for barbarian blood cast themselves from out our hands; our headlong blades force our vengeful arms to follow them; our very scabbards refuse to sheath an unblooded sword. I will not bear it. Shall the Getae ever profit by our dissension? Behold once more the shadow of civil war. Why dost thou seek to separate armies whose blood is one, standards of immemorial alliance? We are a body one and indivisible. Thee will we follow whithersoever thou goest; thee will we accompany even as far as Thule lying ice-bound beneath the pole-star, or to the burning sands of Libya. Should thy path be by the waters of Ind, or the bays of the Red Sea,[58] I would go drink Hydaspes’ golden stream. Shouldst thou bid me fare south and search out the hidden sources of the stripling Nile, I would leave behind me the world

[58] By the _mare rubrum_ the ancients meant the Indian Ocean. The Hydaspes is the modern Jhylum.

* * * * *

Page 76

et quocumque loco Stilicho tentoria figat, haec patria est.” Dux inde vetat: “desistite, quaeso. atque avidam differte manum. cadat iste minacis invidiae cumulus. non est victoria tanti, ut videar vicisse mihi. vos fida iuventus 250 ite, mei quondam socii.” nec plura locutus flexit iter: vacuo qualis discedit hiatu impatiens remeare leo, quem plurima cuspis et pastorales pepulerunt igne catervae, inclinatque iubas demissaque lumina velat 255 et trepidas maesto rimatur murmure silvas. Ut sese legio vidit disiuncta relinqui, ingentem tollit gemitum galeasque solutis umectat lacrimis pressamque morantia vocem thoracum validos pulsant suspiria nexus: 260 “tradimur, heu, tantumque sequi prohibemur amorem!” exclamant. “spernisne tuas, dux optime, dextras, quas tibi victrices totiens Bellona probavit? nos adeo viles? adeo felicior axis Hesperius, meruit qui te rectore teneri? 265 quid nobis patriam, quid cara revisere tandem pignora dilectosve iuvat coluisse penates? te sine dulce nihil. iam formidata tyranni tempestas subeunda mihi, qui forte nefandas iam parat insidias, qui nos aut turpibus Hunis 270 aut impacatis famulos praebebit Alanis; quamquam non adeo robur defecerit omne tantave gestandi fuerit penuria ferri. tu, licet occiduo maneas sub cardine caeli,

* * * * *

Page 77

I know. Wheresoever Stilicho plants his tent there is my fatherland.”

But Stilicho said them nay: “Cease, I beg you,” he cried, “stay your eager hands. Suffer to disperse the mountain of hatred that towers over me. I hold not victory so dear that I would fain seem to win it for myself. Loyal gentlemen, so long my fellow-soldiers, get you gone.” He said no more but turned away, as a lion loath to retire makes off with empty maw when the serried spears and the burning branches in the hands of the shepherd band drive him back and he droops his mane and closes his downcast eyes and with a disappointed roar pushes his way through the trembling forest.

When the armies saw that they had been parted and left, they groaned deeply and bedewed their helmets with a stream of tears. The sighs that refused egress to their smothered words shook the strong fastenings of their breastplates. “We are betrayed,” they cried, “and forbidden to follow him we love so well. Dost thou despise, matchless chief, thine own right hands which have so often won thee the victory? Are we thus vile? Is the Western sky to be the happier which has won the right to enjoy thy rule? What boots it to return to our country, to see once more our children dear after so long an absence, to live again in the home we love? Without thee is no joy. Now must I face the tyrant’s dread wrath; mayhap e’en now he is making ready against me some wicked snare and will make me a slave to the foul Huns or restless Alans. Yet is not my strength altogether perished nor so complete my powerlessness to wield the sword. Rest thou beneath the sun’s westering course, Stilicho, thou art still

* * * * *

Page 78

tu mihi dux semper, Stilicho, nostramque vel absens experiere fidem. dabitur tibi debita pridem 276 victima: promissis longe placabere sacris.” Tristior Haemoniis miles digressus ab oris tangebat Macetum fines murosque subibat, Thessalonica, tuos. sensu dolor haeret in alto 280 abditus et tacitas vindictae praestruit iras, spectaturque favens odiis locus aptaque leto tempora. nec quisquam tanta de pube repertus, proderet incautis qui corda minantia verbis. quae non posteritas, quae non mirabitur aetas 285 tanti consilium vulgi potuisse taceri aut facinus tam grande tegi mentisque calorem non sermone viae, non inter pocula rumpi? aequalis tantam tenuit constantia turbam et fuit arcanum populo. percurritur Haemus, 290 deseritur Rhodope Thracumque per ardua tendunt, donec ad Herculei perventum nominis urbem. Ut cessisse ducem, propius venisse cohortes cognita Rufino, magna cervice triumphat omnia tuta ratus sceptrumque capessere fervet 295 et coniuratos hortatur voce clientes: “vicimus, expulimus, facilis iam copia regni. nullus ab hoste timor. quis enim, quem poscere solum horruit, hunc tanto munitum milite vincat? quis ferat armatum, quem non superavit inermem? i nunc, exitium nobis meditare remotus 301

* * * * *

Page 79

ever our general, and though we be not together thou shalt still know our loyalty. Long has a victim been owed thee; he shall be sacrificed and thou placated by an immolation promised of old.”

Sad at heart the army left Thessaly, reached the borders of Macedon, and arrived before the walls of Thessalonica. Indignation deep hid in their hearts prepares the silent wrath of revenge. They look for a place where they may wreak their vengeance and a moment propitious for the blow, and of all that vast army not one is found to divulge with incautious speech his heart’s intent. What succeeding age and time but will marvel that a plot so widespread could be kept hid, a deed of such vast import concealed; that the ardour of their minds was not rendered of no avail by the chance word of a soldier on the march or a drunkard’s babbling? But discretion ruled all alike and the people’s secret was kept. The army crossed the Hebrus, left Rhodope behind, and struck across the uplands of Thrace until it came to the city called after Hercules.[59]

When Rufinus learned that Stilicho had retired and that his troops were approaching he held his head high in triumph, believing everything safe, and, anxious to seize the power, inflamed his traitorous minions with this speech: “We have conquered; have driven off our enemy; empire is within my grasp, nor have we anything to fear from the foe. Will one who dared not approach me when I stood alone defeat me now that I am strengthened by the addition of so great a force? Who could stand against him armed whom unarmed he could not conquer? Plot my destruction in exile, friend

[59] Probably Heraclea, at the west end of the Propontis.

* * * * *

Page 80

incassum, Stilicho, dum nos longissima tellus dividat et mediis Nereus interstrepat undis. Alpinas transire tibi me sospite rupes haud dabitur. iaculis illinc me figere tempta. 305 quaere ferox ensem, qui nostra ad moenia tendi possit ab Italia. non te documenta priorum, non exempla vetant? quisnam conatus adire has iactat vitasse manus? detrusimus orbe te medio tantisque simul spoliavimus armis. 310 nunc epulis tempus, socii, nunc larga parare munera donandumque novis legionibus aurum! opportuna meis oritur lux crastina votis. quod nolit rex ipse velit iubeatque coactus in partem mihi regna dari. contingat in uno 315 privati fugisse modum crimenque tyranni.” Talibus adclamat dictis infame nocentum concilium, qui perpetuis crevere rapinis et quos una facit Rufino causa sodales, inlicitum duxisse nihil; funesta tacere 320 nexus amicitiae. iamiam conubia laeti despondent aliena sibi frustraque vicissim promittunt, quae quisque petat, quas devoret urbes. Coeperat humanos alto sopire labores nox gremio, nigrasque sopor diffuderat alas. 325 ille diu curis animum stimulantibus aegre labitur in somnos. toto vix corde quierat, ecce videt diras adludere protinus umbras,

* * * * *

Page 81

Stilicho. What harm can that do so long as a vast stretch of country divide us and Nereus’ waves thunder between? Thou shalt have no chance of crossing the rocky Alps while I live. Transfix me from thence with thine arrows, if thou canst. Seek in thy fury a sword that from Italy shall reach my city’s walls. Does not the experience and the example of those who have tried before deter thee? Who that has dared approach can boast escape from my hands? I have driven thee from the centre of the civilized world and at the same time deprived thee of thy great army. Now, my friends, is come the time for feasting and making ready bountiful gifts and bestowing gold upon these new legions. To-morrow’s light dawns prosperously for my purpose. Needs must the emperor will what he would not and bid a portion of his empire to be given to me. Mine alone be the happy fortune to rise above a private estate and yet escape the charge of tyranny.”

To such words they shout acclaim--that vile band of traitors, waxed fat on plunder, whom one principle makes fellows with Rufinus, the holding nothing unlawful, and whose bond of friendship is to guard guilt in silence. Straightway they joyfully promise themselves foreign wives and all to no purpose forecast the booty they will win and the cities they will sack.

Night had begun to soothe human toils in her deep bosom and sleep had spread his black wings when Rufinus, whose mind had long been a prey to anxiety, sank into a troubled slumber. Scarce had quiet fastened on his heart when, lo, he sees flit before his eyes the dread ghosts of those whom he

* * * * *

Page 82

quas dedit ipse neci; quarum quae clarior una visa loqui: “pro! surge toro. quid plurima volvis 330 anxius? haec requiem rebus finemque labori adlatura dies: omni iam plebe redibis altior et laeti manibus portabere vulgi.” has canit ambages. occulto fallitur ille omine nec capitis sentit praesagia fixi. 335 Iam summum radiis stringebat Lucifer Haemum festinamque rotam solito properantior urget tandem Rufini visurus funera Titan: desiluit stratis densaeque capacia turbae atria regifico iussit splendere paratu 340 exceptura dapes et, quod post vota daretur, insculpi propriis aurum fatale figuris. ipse salutatum reduces post proelia turmas iam regale tumens et principe celsior ibat collaque femineo solvebat mollia gestu 345 imperii certus, tegeret ceu purpura dudum corpus et ardentes ambirent tempora gemmae. Urbis ab angusto tractu, qua vergit in austrum, planities vicina patet: nam cetera pontus circuit exiguo dirimi se limite passus. 350 hic ultrix acies ornatu lucida Martis explicuit cuneos. pedites in parte sinistra consistunt. equites illinc poscentia cursum ora reluctantur pressis sedare lupatis; hinc alii saevum cristato vertice nutant 355 et tremulos umeris gaudent vibrare colores, quos operit formatque chalybs; coniuncta per artem

* * * * *

Page 83

had killed. Of them one, more distinct than the rest, seemed thus to address him: “Up from thy couch! why schemes thine anxious mind further? This coming day shall bring thee rest and end thy toils. High above the people shalt thou be raised, and happy crowds shall carry thee in their arms.” Such was the ambiguous prophecy of the ghost, but Rufinus observed not the hidden omen and saw not it foretold the elevation of his severed head upon a spear.

Now Lucifer touched the peak of Haemus with his rays and Titan urged his hastening wheel quicker than his wont, so soon to see at last the death of Rufinus. Rufinus himself leapt from his bed and bade make ready the capacious palace with regal splendour in preparation for the feast; the gold to be given in largesse he ordered to be stamped with his own fateful image. Himself went to welcome the troops returning from the battle in kingly pride and arrogance above a prince’s. Sure now of empire he wore a woman’s raiment about his neck; as though the purple already clothed his limbs and the jewelled crown blazed upon his brow.

Hard by a crowded quarter of the city of Constantinople, towards the south, there lies a plain. The rest is surrounded by the sea which here allows itself to be parted by a narrow way. Here the avenging army, bright with the panoply of the war god, disposes its squadrons. On the left stands the infantry. Over against them the cavalry seek to restrain their eager steeds by holding tight the reins. Here nod the savage waving plumes whose wearers rejoice to shake the flashing colours of their shoulder-armour; for steel clothes them on and gives them their shape; the limbs within

* * * * *

Page 84

flexilis inductis animatur lamina membris; horribiles visu: credas simulacra moveri ferrea cognatoque viros spirare metallo. 360 par vestitus equis: ferrata fronte minantur ferratosque levant securi vulneris armos. diviso stat quisque loco, metuenda voluptas cernenti pulcherque timor, spirisque remissis mansuescunt varii vento cessante dracones. 365 Augustus veneranda prior vexilla salutat. Rufinus sequitur, quo fallere cuncta solebat callidus adfatu, devotaque brachia laudat; nomine quemque vocat; natos patresque reversis nuntiat incolumes. illi dum plurima ficto 370 certatim sermone petunt, extendere longos a tergo flexus insperatoque suprema circuitu sociare parant; decrescere campus incipit, et clipeis in se redeuntia iunctis curvo paulatim sinuantur cornua ductu: 375 sic ligat inmensa virides indagine saltus venator; sic attonitos ad litora pisces aequoreus populator agit rarosque plagarum contrahit anfractus et hiantes colligit oras. excludunt alios. cingi se fervidus ille 380 nescit adhuc graviterque adprensa veste morantem increpat Augustum: scandat sublime tribunal, participem sceptri, socium declaret honoris--cum subito stringunt gladios; vox desuper ingens infremuit: “nobis etiam, deterrime, nobis 385

* * * * *

Page 85

give life to the armour’s pliant scales so artfully conjoined, and strike terror into the beholder. ’Tis as though iron statues moved and men lived cast from that same metal. The horses are armed in the same way; their heads are encased in threatening iron, their forequarters move beneath steel plates protecting them from wounds; each stands alone, a pleasure yet a dread to behold, beautiful, yet terrible, and as the wind drops the parti-coloured dragons[60] sink with relaxing coils into repose.

The emperor first salutes the hallowed standards; Rufinus follows him, speaking with that crafty voice wherewith he deceived all, praising their devoted arms and addressing each by name. He tells those who have returned that their sons and fathers are still alive. The soldiers, observing a feigned rivalry in asking questions, begin to extend their long lines behind his back and to join up the ends so as to form a circle unnoticed by Rufinus. The space in the centre grows smaller and the wings meeting with serried shields gradually form into one lessening circle. Even so the huntsman surrounds the grassy glades with his widespread snares: so the spoiler of the ocean drives to land the frightened fish, narrowing the circuit of his nets and closing up all possible ways of egress. All others they exclude. In his eagerness he notes not yet that he is being surrounded and, strongly seizing his robe, chides the hesitating emperor: let him mount the lofty platform and declare him sharer in his sceptre, partaker in his dignities--when suddenly they draw their swords and above the rest there rang out a mighty voice; “Basest of the base, didst

[60] Claudian refers to the devices emblazoned upon the banners.

* * * * *

Page 86

sperasti famulas imponere posse catenas? unde redi nescis? patiarne audire satelles, qui leges aliis libertatemque reduxi? bis domitum civile nefas, bis rupimus Alpes. tot nos bella docent nulli servire tyranno.” 390 Deriguit. spes nulla fugae; seges undique ferri circumfusa micat; dextra laevaque revinctus haesit et ensiferae stupuit mucrone coronae, ut fera, quae nuper montes amisit avitos altorumque exul nemorum damnatur harenae 395 muneribus, commota ruit; vir murmure contra hortatur nixusque genu venabula tendit; illa pavet strepitus cuneosque erecta theatri respicit et tanti miratur sibila vulgi. Unus per medios audendi pronior ense 400 prosilit exerto dictisque et vulnere torvus impetit: “hac Stilicho, quem iactas pellere, dextra te ferit; hoc absens invadit viscera ferro.” sic fatur meritoque latus transverberat ictu. Felix illa manus, talem quae prima cruorem 405 hauserit et fessi poenam libaverit orbis! mox omnes laniant hastis artusque trementes dilacerant; uno tot corpore tela tepescunt et non infecto puduit mucrone reverti.

* * * * *

Page 87

thou hope to cast upon _us_ the yoke of slavery? Knowest thou not whence I return? Shall I allow myself to be called another’s servant, I who gave laws to others and restored the reign of liberty? Two civil wars have I quenched, twice forced the barrier of the Alps. These many battles have taught me to serve no tyrant.”

Rufinus stood rooted to earth. There is no hope of escape, for a forest of flashing spears hems him in. Shut in on the right hand and on the left he stood and gazed in wonder on the drawn blades of the armed throng; as a beast who has lately left his native hills, driven in exile from the wooded mountains and condemned to the gladiatorial shows, rushes into the arena while over against him the gladiator, heartened by the crowd’s applause kneels and holds out his spear. The beast, alarmed at the noise, gazes with head erect upon the rows of seats in the amphitheatre and hears with amazement the murmuring of the crowd.

Then one more daring than the rest drew his sword and leapt forward from the crowd and with fierce words and flashing eye rushed upon Rufinus crying: “It is the hand of Stilicho whom thou vauntest that thou didst expel that smites thee; his sword, which thou thoughtest far away, that pierces thy heart.” So spake he and transfixed Rufinus’ side with a well-deserved thrust.

Happy the hand that first spilt such vile blood and poured out vengeance for a world made weary. Straightway all pierce him with their spears and tear quivering limb from limb; one single body warms all these weapons with its blood; shame to him whose sword returns unstained therewith.

* * * * *

Page 88

hi vultus avidos et adhuc spirantia vellunt 410 lumina, truncatos alii rapuere lacertos. amputat ille pedes, umerum quatit ille solutis nexibus; hic fracti reserat curvamina dorsi; hic iecur, hic cordis fibras, hic pandit anhelas pulmonis latebras. spatium non invenit ira 415 nec locus est odiis. consumpto funere vix tum deseritur sparsumque perit per tela cadaver. sic mons Aonius rubuit, cum Penthea ferrent Maenades aut subito mutatum Actaeona cornu traderet insanis Latonia visa Molossis. 420 criminibusne tuis credis, Fortuna, mederi et male donatum certas aequare favorem suppliciis? una tot milia morte rependis? eversis agedum Rufinum divide terris. da caput Odrysiis, truncum mereantur Achivi. 425 quid reliquis dabitur? nec singula membra peremptis sufficiunt populis. Vacuo plebs undique muro iam secura fluit; senibus non obstitit aetas virginibusve pudor; viduae, quibus ille maritos abstulit, orbataeque ruunt ad gaudia matres 430 insultantque alacres. laceros iuvat ire per artus pressaque calcato vestigia sanguine tingui. nec minus adsiduis flagrant elidere saxis prodigiale caput, quod iam de cuspide summa

* * * * *

Page 89

They stamp on that face of greed and while yet he lives pluck out his eyes; others seize and carry off his severed arms. One cuts off his foot, another wrenches a shoulder from the torn sinews; one lays bare the ribs of the cleft spine, another his liver, his heart, his still panting lungs. There is not space enough to satisfy their anger nor room to wreak their hate. Scarce when his death had been accomplished do they leave him; his body is hacked in pieces and the fragments borne on the soldiers’ spears. Thus red with blood ran the Boeotian mountain when the Maenads caused Pentheus’ destruction or when Latona’s daughter seen by Actaeon betrayed the huntsman, suddenly transformed into a stag, to the fury of her Molossian hounds. Dost thou hope, Fortune, thus to right thy wrongs? Seekest thou to atone by this meting out of punishment for favour ill bestowed? Dost thou with one death make payment for ten thousand murders? Come, portion out Rufinus’ corpse among the lands he has wronged. Give the Thracians his head; let Greece have as her due his body. What shall be given the rest? Give but a limb apiece, there are not enough for the peoples he has ruined.

The citizens leave the town and hasten exulting to the spot from every quarter, old men and girls among them whom nor age nor sex could keep at home. Widows whose husbands he had killed, mothers whose children he had murdered hurry to the joyful scene with eager steps. They are fain to trample the torn limbs and stain their deep pressed feet with the blood. So, too, they eagerly hurl a shower of stones at the monstrous head, nodding from the summit of the spear that transfixed it as it

* * * * *

Page 90

nutabat digna rediens ad moenia pompa. 435 dextera quin etiam ludo concessa vagatur aera petens poenasque animi persolvit avari terribili lucro vivosque imitata retentus cogitur adductis digitos inflectere nervis. Desinat elatis quisquam confidere rebus 440 instabilesque deos ac lubrica numina discat. illa manus, quae sceptra sibi gestanda parabat, cuius se totiens summisit ad oscula supplex nobilitas, inhumata diu miseroque revulsa corpore feralem quaestum post fata reposcit. 445 adspiciat quisquis nimium sublata secundis colla gerit: triviis calcandus spargitur ecce, qui sibi pyramidas, qui non cedentia templis ornatura suos extruxit culmina manes, et qui Sidonio velari credidit ostro, 450 nudus pascit aves. iacet en, qui possidet orbem, exiguae telluris inops et pulvere raro per partes tegitur nusquam totiensque sepultus. Senserunt convexa necem tellusque nefandum amolitur onus iam respirantibus astris. 455 infernos gravat umbra lacus. pater Aeacus horret intrantemque etiam latratu Cerberus urget. tune animae, quas ille fero sub iure peremit, circumstant nigrique trahunt ad iudicis urnam infesto fremitu: veluti pastoris in ora 460 commotae glomerantur apes, qui dulcia raptu mella vehit, pennasque cient et spicula tendunt et tenuis saxi per propugnacula cinctae

* * * * *

Page 91

was carried back in merited splendour to the city. Nay his hand too, made over to their mockery, goes a-begging for alms, and with its awful gains pays the penalty for his greedy soul, while forced, in mimicry of its living clutch, to draw up the fingers by their sinews.

Put not now your trust in prosperity; learn that the gods are inconstant and heaven untrustworthy. That hand which sought to wield a sceptre, which a humbled nobility stooped so often to kiss, now torn from its wretched trunk and left long unburied begs after death a baneful alms. Let him gaze on this whoso carries his head high in pride of prosperity, see trodden under foot at the cross-roads him who built pyramids for himself and a tomb, large as a temple, to the glory of his own ghost. He who trusted to be clothed in Tyrian purple is now a naked corpse and food for birds. See, he who owns the world lies denied six foot of earth, half covered with a sprinkling of dust, given no grave yet given so many.

Heaven knew of his death and earth is freed of her hated burden, now that the stars can breathe again. His shade oppresses the rivers of Hell. Old Aeacus shudders and Cerberus bays to stop, in this case, the _entry_ of a ghost. Then those shades which he had sent to death beneath his cruel laws flock round him and hale him away with horrid shoutings to the tribunal of the gloomy judge: even as bees whom a shepherd has disturbed swarm round his head when he would rob them of their sweet honey, and flutter their wings and put forth their stings, making them ready for battle in the fastnesses of their little rock, and seek to defend the

* * * * *

Page 92

rimosam patriam dilectaque pumicis antra defendunt pronoque favos examine velant. 465 Est locus infaustis quo conciliantur in unum Cocytos Phlegethonque vadis; inamoenus uterque alveus; hic volvit lacrimas, hic igne redundat. turris per geminos, flammis vicinior, amnes porrigitur solidoque rigens adamante sinistrum 470 proluit igne latus; dextro Cocytia findit aequora triste gemens et fletu concita plangit. huc post emeritam mortalia saecula vitam deveniunt. ibi nulla manent discrimina fati, nullus honos vanoque exutum nomine regem 475 proturbat plebeius egens. quaesitor in alto conspicuus solio pertemptat crimina Minos et iustis dirimit sontes. quos nolle fateri viderit, ad rigidi transmittit verbera fratris. nam iuxta Rhadamanthys agit. cum gesta superni curriculi totosque diu perspexerit actus, 481 exaequat damnum meritis et muta ferarum cogit vincla pati. truculentos ingerit ursis praedonesque lupis; fallaces vulpibus addit. at qui desidia semper vinoque gravatus, 485 indulgens Veneri, voluit torpescere luxu, hunc suis inmundi pingues detrudit in artus. qui iusto plus esse loquax arcanaque suevit prodere, piscosas fertur victurus in undas, ut nimiam pensent aeterna silentia vocem. 490 quos ubi per varias annis ter mille figuras egit, Lethaeo purgatos flumine tandem rursus ad humanae revocat primordia formae.

* * * * *

Page 93

crevices of their home, their beloved pumice-stone cave, swarming over the honeycombs therein.

There is a place where the unhallowed rivers of Cocytus and Phlegethon mingle their dread streams of tears and fire. Between the rivers yet nearer to that of Phlegethon there juts a tower stiff with solid adamant that bathes its left side in the flames; its right hand wall extends into Cocytus’ stream and echoes the lamentation of the river of tears. Hither come all the children of men whose life is ended; here there abide no marks of earthly fortune; no reverence is shown; the common beggar ousts the king, now stripped of his empty title. Seen afar on his lofty throne the judge Minos examines the charges and separates the wicked from the righteous. Those whom he sees unwilling to confess their sins he remits to the lash of his stern brother; for he, Rhadamanthus, is busy close at hand. When he has closely examined the deeds of their earthly life and all that they did therein, he suits the punishment to their crimes and makes them undergo the bonds of dumb animals. The spirits of the cruel enter into bears, of the rapacious into wolves, of the treacherous into foxes. Those, on the other hand, who were ever sunk in sloth, sodden with wine, given to venery, sluggish from excesses, he compelled to enter the fat bodies of filthy swine. Was any above measure talkative, a betrayer of secrets, he was carried off, a fish, to live in the waters amid his kind, that in eternal silence he might atone for his garrulity. When for thrice a thousand years he had forced these through countless diverse shapes, he sends them back once more to the beginnings of human form purged at last with Lethe’s stream.

* * * * *

Page 94

Tum quoque, dum lites Stygiique negotia solvit dura fori veteresque reos ex ordine quaerit, 495 Rufinum procul ecce notat visuque severo lustrat et ex imo concussa sede profatur: “Huc superum labes, huc insatiabilis auri proluvies pretioque nihil non ause parato, quodque mihi summum scelus est, huc improbe legum venditor, Arctoi stimulator perfide Martis! 501 cuius ob innumeras strages angustus Averni iam sinus et plena lassatur portitor alno. quid demens manifesta negas? en pectus inustae deformant maculae vitiisque inolevit imago 505 nec sese commissa tegunt. genus omne dolorum in te ferre libet: dubio tibi pendula rupes inmineat lapsu, volucer te torqueat axis, te refugi fallant latices atque ore natanti arescat decepta sitis, dapibusque relictis 510 in tua mansurus migret praecordia vultur. quamquam omnes alii, quos haec tormenta fatigant, pars quota sunt, Rufine, tui! quid tale vel audax fulmine Salmoneus vel lingua Tantalus egit aut inconsulto Tityos deliquit amore? 515 cunctorum si facta simul iungantur in unum, praecedes numero. cui tanta piacula quisquam supplicio conferre valet? quid denique dignum omnibus inveniam, vincant cum singula poenas? tollite de mediis animarum dedecus umbris. 520 adspexisse sat est. oculis iam parcite nostris et Ditis purgate domos. agitate flagellis

* * * * *

Page 95

So then while he settles these suits, dread business of that infernal court, while he examines in due order the criminals of old, he marks afar Rufinus, scans him with a stern scrutiny and speaks, shaking his throne to its foundation. “Hither, Rufinus, scourge of the world, bottomless sink of gold who wouldst dare aught for money; hither conscienceless seller of justice (that crime of crimes), faithless cause of that northern war whose thousand slaughtered victims now throng Hell’s narrow entry and weigh down Charon’s crowded barque. Madman, why deny what all know? The foul stains of wickedness are branded upon thy heart, thy crimes have made their impress on thy spirit and thy sins cannot be hid. Right glad I am to sentence thee to every kind of punishment. O’er thee shall hang the threatening rock the moment of whose fall thou knowest not. The circling wheel shall rack thee. Thy lips the stream’s waves shall flee, thirst shall parch thee to whose chin its elusive waters mount. The vulture shall leave his former prey and feast for ever on thy heart. And yet all these, Rufinus, whom the like punishments torment, how paltry their wickedness compared with thine! Did bold Salmoneus’ thunderbolt or Tantalus’ tongue ever do like wrong or Tityos so offend with his mad love? Join all their crimes together yet wilt thou surpass them. What sufficient atonement can be found for such wickedness? What to match thy sum of crimes whose single misdeeds outmatch all punishment? Shades, remove from this our ghostly company that presence that disgraces it. To have seen once is enough. Have mercy now on our eyes, and cleanse the realm of Dis. Drive

* * * * *

Page 96

trans Styga, trans Erebum, vacuo mandate barathro infra Titanum tenebras infraque recessus Tartareos ipsumque[61] Chaos, qua noctis opacae 525 fundamenta latent; praeceps ibi mersus anhelet, dum rotat astra polus, feriunt dum litora venti.”

[61] MSS. have _nostrumque_.

* * * * *

Page 97

him with whips beyond the Styx, beyond Erebus; thrust him down into the empty pit beneath the lightless prison of the Titans, below the depths of Tartarus and Chaos’ own realm, where lie the foundations of thickest midnight; deep hidden there let him live while ever the vault of heaven carries round the stars and the winds beat upon the land.”

* * * * *

Page 98

DE BELLO GILDONICO

LIBER I

(XV.)

Redditus imperiis Auster subiectaque rursus alterius convexa poli. rectore sub uno conspirat geminus frenis communibus orbis. iunximus Europen Libyae. concordia fratrum plena redit. patriis solum quod defuit armis, 5 tertius occubuit nati virtute tyrannus. horret adhuc animus manifestaque gaudia differt, dum stupet et tanto cunctatur credere voto. necdum Cinyphias exercitus attigit oras: iam domitus Gildo. nullis victoria nodis 10 haesit, non spatio terrae, non obice ponti. congressum profugum captum vox nuntiat una rumoremque sui praevenit laurea belli. quo, precor, haec effecta deo? robusta vetusque tempore tam parvo potuit dementia vinci? 15 quem veniens indixit hiems, ver perculit hostem.

* * * * *

Page 99

THE WAR AGAINST GILDO[62]