BOOK III

(XXIV.)

Behold, O Rome, the hero whose presence the cries of thy people and the

voice of thy nobles has long demanded. Cease now to count the stages

of his long journey and to rise as though to greet him at the sight

of every storm of dust; no further shall uncertainty torment thee.

Full before thine eye is he who was long before thy mind, greater than

thy hopes, more glorious than his fame. Honour thou the consul who

has restored its dignity to the consulship; grasp the hand which has

made the Carthaginians pass once more under the Roman yoke. Welcome

the noble heart that directs the reins of empire and secures by its

providence the equipoise of the world. Look with joy upon the sacred

face thou worshippest cast in bronze and adorest in gold. Behold

the warrior successful in every field, the defender of Africa, the

conqueror of Rhine and Danube.

Should he wish in accordance with ancient custom to display the picture

of his labours and show to the people the tribes he has subdued,

crowns of laurel from north and south would contend in equally matched

rivalry. Here is a triumph rich with the spoils of the Germans, there

with those of the South; here would pass the Sygambri with their yellow

* * * * *

Page 44

caesarie, nigris hinc Mauri crinibus irent.

ipse albis veheretur equis currumque secutus 20

laurigerum festo fremuisset carmine miles.

hi famulos traherent reges; hi facta metallo

oppida vel montes captivaque flumina ferrent.

hinc Libyci fractis lugerent cornibus amnes;

inde catenato gemeret Germania Rheno. 25

sed non inmodicus proprii iactator honoris

consul, Roma, tuus. non illum praemia tantum

quam labor ipse iuvat; strepitus fastidit inanes

inque animis hominum pompa meliore triumphat.

Non alium certe Romanae clarius arces 30

suscepere ducem, nec cum cedente rediret

Fabricius Pyrrho nec cum Capitolia curru

Pellaeae domitor Paullus conscenderet aulae.

nec similis Latias patefecit gloria portas

post Numidas Mario, post classica Martis Eoi 35

Pompeio. nulli pars aemula defuit umquam,

quae gravis obstreperet laudi, stimulisque malignis

facta sequebatur quamvis ingentia livor:

solus hic invidiae fines virtute reliquit

humanumque modum. quis enim livescere possit, 40

quod numquam pereant stellae? quod Iuppiter olim

possideat caelum? quod noverit omnia Phoebus?

est aliquod meriti spatium, quod nulla furentis

invidiae mensura capit. ductoribus illis

praeterea diversus erat favor: aequior ille 45

patribus invisus plebi; popularibus illi

munito studiis languebat gratia patrum.

* * * * *

Page 45

locks, there the black-haired Moors. He himself would be drawn in a

laurel-decked chariot by white horses, and followed by his soldiers

chanting their festive songs. Some would lead captive kings, others

carry conquered towns wrought in bronze or mountains or rivers. Here

would go in sad procession the river-gods of Libya, their horns broken,

there Germany and the Rhine god in chains. Yet is not thy consul, O

Rome, an unbridled boaster of his own prowess. ’Tis not the rewards of

toil but the toil itself that he loves. He scorns empty applause and

celebrates a happier triumph in the hearts of his fellow-citizens.

Of a surety the citadel of Rome has never welcomed home any of her

generals with greater magnificence, no, not even Fabricius when he

returned after the surrender of Pyrrhus, nor Aemilius Paulus, conqueror

of Pella’s king, when he ascended the Capitol in his chariot. No such

triumph as this threw open the gates of Rome to Marius after his

conquest of Numidia or to Pompey after his victories in the East.

Each of these suffered from a rival faction that murmured uneasily

against their success, and envy pursued their actions, no matter how

noble, with spiteful stings. Stilicho alone was raised above the

range of envy and the measure of mankind. For who could be jealous of

the star’s eternity, of Jove’s ancient rule in heaven, of Phoebu’s

omniscience[13]? There are some merits so transcendent that furious

envy’s bounds cannot contain them. Moreover, those other heroes owed a

divided allegiance: one gained the favour of the nobles, but was hated

of the people, one, supported by the suffrage of the commons, enjoyed

but faintly the favour of the

[13] Phoebus is said to “know everything” because, as the sun, he is

the all-beholding (πανόπτης).

* * * * *

Page 46

omnis in hoc uno variis discordia cessit

ordinibus; laetatur eques plauditque senator

votaque patricio certant plebeia favori. 50

O felix servata vocat quem Roma parentem!

o mundi communis amor, cui militat omnis

Gallia, quem regum thalamis Hispania nectit,

cuius et adventum crebris petiere Quirites

vocibus et genero meruit praestante senatus! 55

non sic virginibus flores, non frugibus imbres,

prospera non fessis optantur flamina nautis,

ut tuus adspectus populo. quae numine tanto

litora fatidicas attollunt Delia laurus,

venturi quotiens adfulsit Apollinis arcus? 60

quae sic aurifero Pactoli fonte tumescit

Lydia, cum domitis adparuit Euhius Indis?

nonne vides et plebe vias et tecta latere

matribus? his, Stilicho, cunctis inopina reluxit

te victore salus! septem circumspice montes, 65

qui solis radios auri fulgore lacessunt,

indutosque arcus spoliis aequataque templa

nubibus et quidquid tanti struxere triumphi.

quantum profueris, quantam servaveris urbem,

attonitis metire oculis. haec fabula certe 70

cuncta forent, si Poenus adhuc incumberet Austro.

Mos erat in veterum castris, ut tempora quercu

velaret, validis fuso qui viribus hoste

casurum potuit morti subducere civem.

* * * * *

Page 47

senate. In Stilicho’s case alone class rivalry has not raised its head:

the knights welcome him with joy, the senate with enthusiasm, while the

people’s prayers rival the goodwill of the nobles.

Blessed mortal, whom the Rome that thou hast saved calls her father;

darling of the world to whose banner flocks the whole of Gaul, whom

Spain connects by marriage with the imperial house, for whose advent

the citizens cried with ceaseless prayer, and whose presence the senate

owed to thine illustrious son-in-law. Not such a girl’s delight in

flowers, not such the desire of the crops for rain, or of weary sailors

for a prosperous breeze as is the longing of thy people for the sight

of thee. Under no such influence as this do the prophetic laurels

wave on Delo’s coast when the brightness of Apollo’s bow announces

the deity’s approach. Never did Pactolus’ golden wave so swell in

pride when Bacchus from conquered Ind visited his banks. Markest thou

not how the roads cannot be seen for the people, the roofs for the

matrons? Thanks to thy victories, Stilicho, salvation has dawned on

all beyond their hopes. Look round on Rome’s seven hills whose sheen

of gold rivals the very sun’s rays; see the arches decked with spoil,

the temples towering to the sky, and all the buildings that celebrate

this signal triumph. Let thine astonished glance measure the magnitude

of the city thou hast saved and the immensity of thy services. All this

would live but in the memory were the African still master of the south.

It was the custom in campaigns of olden time to crown with oak the brow

of him who by his valour had put the enemy to flight and succeeded in

rescuing a fellow-citizen from imminent death.

* * * * *

Page 48

at tibi quae poterit pro tantis civica reddi 75

moenibus? aut quantae pensabunt facta coronae?

nec solam populi vitam debere fatetur

armis Roma tuis; sed, quo iucundior esset

lucis honoratae fructus, venerabile famae

pondus et amissas vires et regna recepit. 80

iam non praetumidi supplex Orientis ademptam

legatis poscit Libyam famulosve precatur

(dictu turpe) suos: sed robore freta Gabino

te duce Romana tandem se vindicat ira.

ipsa iubet signis bellaturoque togatus 85

imperat et spectant aquilae decreta senatus.

ipsa tibi trabeas ultro dedit, ipsa curulem

obtulit ultori fastosque ornare coëgit.

Nil perdit decoris prisci nec libera quaerit

saecula, cum donet fasces, cum proelia mandet; 90

seque etiam crevisse videt. quis Gallica rura,

quis meminit Latio Senonum servisse ligones?

aut quibus exemplis fecunda Thybris ab Arcto

vexit Lingonico sudatas vomere messes?

illa seges non auxilium modo praebuit urbi, 95

sed fuit indicio, quantum tibi, Roma, liceret:

admonuit dominae gentes instarque tropaei

rettulit ignotum gelidis vectigal ab oris.

Hoc quoque maiestas augescit plena Quirini,

* * * * *

Page 49

But to thee what civic crown can we give for the salvation of so many

cities? Or what honours can recompense thy deeds? Nor is it only for

her people’s life that Rome owns herself a debtor to thine arms, but

that so she might have sweeter enjoyment of this glorious dawn she

has won back her ancient burden of renown, her lost strength and her

conquered kingdoms. No longer do her ambassadors kneel suppliant before

the proud East and beg that Libya may be given back to her; gone the

shameful spectacle of our city a suitor to her own slaves. No, relying

now on her native Latin vigour, Rome under thy leadership fights her

own battles with Roman spirit. She herself bids the standards advance;

the toga-clad consul directs the future conqueror, and the eagles

wait upon the orders of the senate. Of her own free choice hath Rome

bestowed on thee the consul’s robe, offered thee, her avenger, the

curule chair and compelled thee to adorn her annals.

Nothing of her ancient dignity hath she lost, no regret has she for the

age of republican freedom, since it is she who bestows the consular

honour, she who gives the order for battle. Nay, she sees the growth

of her power. Whose memory can recall a time when the fields of Gaul

and the hoes of the Senones were at our service? Has it ever happened

before that Tiber’s wave has carried grain from the fertile north over

the ploughing of whose fields the Lingones have toiled? Such a harvest

not only fulfilled Rome’s needs but also demonstrated the greatness of

her power; it reminded the peoples who was their mistress and brought

in triumph from those chill climes a tribute never before paid.

This, too, augments the majesty of Rome that the

* * * * *

Page 50

rectores Libyae populo quod iudice pallent 100

et post emeritas moderator quisque secures

discrimen letale subit, quid Poenus arator

intulerit, madidus quantum transmiserit Auster.

ardua qui late terris responsa dedere,

hic trepidant humiles; tremuit quos Africa nuper, 105

cernunt rostra reos. cani virtutibus aevi

materiam pandit Stilicho populumque vetusti

culminis inmemorem dominandi rursus in usum

excitat, ut magnos calcet metuendus honores,

pendat iustitia crimen, pietate remittat 110

errorem purosque probet damnetque nocentes

et patrias iterum clemens exerceat artes.

Fallitur egregio quisquis sub principe credit

servitium. numquam libertas gratior extat

quam sub rege pio. quos praeficit ipse regendis 115

rebus, ad arbitrium plebis patrumque reducit

conceditque libens, meritis seu praemia poscant

seu punire velint. posito iam purpura fastu

de se iudicium non indignatur haberi.

sic docuit regnare socer, sic cauta iuventae 120

frena dedit, teneros sic moribus induit annos

verior Augusti genitor, fiducia belli,

pacis consilium: per quem squalore remoto

pristina Romuleis infloruit artibus aetas,

per quem fracta diu translataque paene potestas 125

* * * * *

Page 51

chiefs of Libya tremble before the judgement-throne of our people, and

that, his office ended, each governor must account under pain of death

for all the corn the Carthaginian farmer has brought in, all that the

rainy south-wind has dispatched to Rome. Those who of late uttered

their proud judgements to broad domains here are cowed and tremble;

those whom Africa held in dread Rome’s forum sees accused.

Stilicho gives scope for the virtues of a bygone age and rouses a

people, forgetful of their former glory, to resume their accustomed

sovereignty, to make themselves feared, to tread powerful magistrates

beneath their heel, to mete out to crime its due reward, to show mercy

towards the erring, favour to the innocent, punishment to the guilty,

and to exercise once more their native virtue of clemency.

He errs who thinks that submission to a noble prince is slavery; never

does liberty show more fair than beneath a good king. Those he himself

appoints to rule he in turn brings before the judgement-seat of people

and senate, and gladly yields whether they claim reward for merit or

seek for punishment. Now the purple lays aside its pride and disdains

not to have judgement passed upon itself. Such were the principles of

rule taught by Stilicho to his son-in-law, Honorius; ’twas thus he

guided his youth with the reins of prudence, and with precepts such

as these directed his tender years, a truer father to the emperor

than Theodosius, his stay in war, his adviser in peace. Thanks to him

dishonour is banished and our age blossoms with Rome’s ancient virtues;

thanks to him power, long degraded and all but transferred,[14] no

longer, forgetful

[14] _i.e._ (apparently) to Constantinople. Throughout this

confused passage Claudian seems to be labouring the point that now

the capital of the West (Rome) is restored to an equal importance

with that of the East (Constantinople).

* * * * *

Page 52

non oblita sui servilibus exulat arvis,

in proprium sed ducta larem victricia reddit

fata solo fruiturque iterum, quibus haeserat olim,

auspiciis capitique errantia membra reponit.

Proxime dis consul, tantae qui prospicis urbi, 130

qua nihil in terris complectitur altius aether,

cuius nec spatium visus nec corda decorem

nec laudem vox ulla capit; quae luce metalli

aemula vicinis fastigia conserit astris;

quae septem scopulis zonas imitatur Olympi; 135

armorum legumque parens quae fundit in omnes

imperium primique dedit cunabula iuris.

haec est exiguis quae finibus orta tetendit

in geminos axes parvaque a sede profecta

dispersit cum sole manus. haec obvia fatis 140

innumeras uno gereret cum tempore pugnas,

Hispanas caperet, Siculas obsideret urbes

et Gallum terris prosterneret, aequore Poenum,

numquam succubuit damnis et territa nullo

vulnere post Cannas maior Trebiamque fremebat 145

et, cum iam premerent flammae murumque feriret

hostis, in extremos aciem mittebat Hiberos

nec stetit Oceano remisque ingressa profundum

vincendos alio quaesivit in orbe Britannos.

haec est in gremium victos quae sola recepit 150

humanumque genus communi nomine fovit

matris, non dominae ritu, civesque vocavit

quos domuit nexuque pio longinqua revinxit.

* * * * *

Page 53

of itself, is exiled in lands of servitude but, returned to its

rightful home, restores to Italy its victorious destiny, enjoys the

promised auspices of its foundation and gives back its scattered limbs

to the head of the empire.

Consul, all but peer of the gods, protector of a city greater than

any that upon earth the air encompasseth, whose amplitude no eye can

measure, whose beauty no imagination can picture, whose praise no

voice can sound, who raises a golden head amid the neighbouring stars

and with her seven hills imitates the seven regions of heaven, mother

of arms and of law, who extends her sway o’er all the earth and was

the earliest cradle of justice, this is the city which, sprung from

humble beginnings, has stretched to either pole, and from one small

place extended its power so as to be co-terminous with the sun’s light.

Open to the blows of fate while at one and the same time she fought

a thousand battles, conquered Spain, laid siege to the cities of

Sicily, subdued Gaul by land and Carthage by sea, never did she yield

to her losses nor show fear at any blow, but rose to greater heights

of courage after the disasters of Cannae and Trebia, and, while the

enemy’s fire threatened her, and her foe[15] smote upon her walls,

sent an army against the furthest Iberians. Nor did Ocean bar her

way; launching upon the deep, she sought in another world for Britons

to be vanquished. ’Tis she alone who has received the conquered into

her bosom and like a mother, not an empress, protected the human race

with a common name, summoning those whom she has defeated to share her

citizenship and drawing together distant races with bonds of

[15] Hannibal.

* * * * *

Page 54

huius pacificis debemus moribus omnes,

quod veluti patriis regionibus utitur hospes; 155

quod sedem mutare licet; quod cernere Thylen

lusus et horrendos quondam penetrare recessus;

quod bibimus passim Rhodanum, potamus Orontem;

quod cuncti gens una sumus. nec terminus umquam

Romanae dicionis erit, nam cetera regna 160

luxuries vitiis odiisque superbia vertit:

sic male sublimes fregit Spartanus Athenas

atque idem Thebis cecidit; sic Medus ademit

Assyrio Medoque tulit moderamina Perses;

subiecit Persen Macedo, cessurus et ipse 165

Romanis. haec auguriis firmata Sibyllae,

haec sacris animata Numae. huic[16] fulmina vibrat

Iuppiter; hanc tota Tritonia Gorgone velat.

arcanas huc Vesta faces, huc orgia Bacchus

transtulit et Phrygios genetrix turrita leones; 170

huc defensurus morbos Epidaurius hospes

reptavit placido tractu, vectumque per undas

insula Paeonium texit Tiberina draconem.

Hanc tu cum superis, Stilicho praeclare, tueris,

protegis hanc clipeo patriam regumque ducumque 175

praecipueque tuam. dedit haec exordia lucis

Eucherio puerumque ferens hic regia mater

Augusto monstravit avo; laetatus at ille

sustulit in Tyria reptantem veste nepotem,

Romaque venturi gaudebat praescia fati, 180

quod te iam tanto meruisset pignore civem.

Nec tamen ingratum nec, qui benefacta referre

[16] Birt keeps the _hinc_ of the better MSS., comparing xxvi. 509 seu

caelum seu Roma tonat; _huic_ ς.

* * * * *

Page 55

affection. To her rule of peace we owe it that the world is our home,

that we can live where we please, and that to visit Thule and explore

its once dreaded wilds is but a sport; thanks to her all and sundry

may drink the waters of the Rhone and quaff Orontes’ stream, thanks

to her we are all one people. Nor will there ever be a limit to the

empire of Rome, for luxury and its attendant vices, and pride with

sequent hate have brought to ruin all kingdoms else. ’Twas thus that

Sparta laid low the foolish pride of Athens but to fall herself a

victim to Thebes; thus that the Mede deprived the Assyrian of empire

and the Persian the Mede. Macedonia subdued Persia and was herself to

yield to Rome. But Rome found her strength in the oracles of the Sibyl,

her vigour in the hallowed laws of Numa. For her Jove brandishes his

thunderbolts; ’tis she to whom Minerva offers the full protection of

her shield; to her Vesta brought her sacred flame, Bacchus his rites,

and the turret-crowned mother of the gods her Phrygian lions. Hither to

keep disease at bay came, gliding with steady motion, the snake whose

home was Epidaurus, and Tiber’s isle gave shelter to the Paeonian[17]

serpent from beyond the sea.

This is the city whom thou, Stilicho, and heaven guard, her thou

protectest, mother of kings and generals, mother, above all, of thee.

Here Eucherius first beheld the light, here the queen his mother showed

the babe to his imperial grandsire who rejoiced to lift a grandson

upon his knee and to let him crawl upon his purple robes. Rome had

foreknowledge of his destined glory and was glad, for so dear a pledge

would keep thee ever her faithful citizen.

But think not this people ungrateful nor such as

[17] _i.e._ Aesculapius. “Paeonian” from the Greek Παιών, the Healer.

* * * * *

Page 56

nesciat, hunc credas populum. si volvere priscos

annales libeat: quotiens hic proelia sumpsit

pro sociis! quotiens dono concessit amicis 185

regibus Ausonio quaesitas sanguine terras!

publica sed numquam tanto se gratia fudit

adsensu: quis enim princeps non omnibus egit

obsequiis dominum sese patremque vocari,

quod tibi continuis resonant convexa diebus? 190

macte novis consul titulis! Mavortia plebes

te dominum Bruto non indignante fatetur

et, quod adhuc nullo potuit terrore coacta

libertas Romana pati, Stilichonis amori

detulit. exultant avidi, quocumque decorus 195

conspiciare loco, nomenque ad sidera tollunt

nec vaga dilecto satiantur lumina vultu:

seu circum trabeis fulgentibus aureus intres,

seu celebres ludos, solio seu fultus eburno

cingas iure forum, denso seu turbine vulgi 200

circumfusa tuae conscendant rostra secures.

Quae vero procerum voces, quam certa fuere

gaudia, cum totis exurgens ardua pennis

ipsa duci sacras Victoria panderet aedes!

o palma viridi gaudens et amica tropaeis 205

custos imperii virgo, quae sola mederis

vulneribus nullumque doces sentire laborem,

seu tibi Dictaeae placuerunt astra Coronae

seu magis aestivo sedes vicina Leoni,

seu sceptrum sublime Iovis seu Palladis ambis 210

aegida, seu fessi mulces suspiria Martis,

adsis perpetuum Latio votisque senatus

adnue, diva, tui. Stilicho tua saepius ornet

* * * * *

Page 57

knows not how to repay benefits. Turn but the pages of history and thou

wilt find how often it has faced war for an ally’s sake, how often

bestowed as a gift on friendly monarchs lands won at the expense of

Italian blood. Yet never were public thanks poured forth with such

consent. For what prince has not sought with every blandishment to be

called lord and father--titles which the amphitheatres echo back to

thee day after day? Hail, consul, to thy new titles! Mars’ people calls

thee lord and Brutus gainsays them not; what till now no terror could

compel Rome’s free citizens to endure, they freely offered to their

love for Stilicho. Wheresoever thy shining form is seen they haste to

greet thee and raise to heaven thy name; nor is their wandering gaze

ever sated with looking upon thee whom they love when thou enterest the

Circus in thy shining robes of gold or art present at the games or,

seated on thine ivory throne, dispensest justice in the forum or, with

thine attendant lictors, mountest the rostrum thronged with the dense

and surging crowd.

But what were the acclamations of the great, how unfeigned their

rejoicings when Victory, soaring aloft with outspread wings, herself

threw open her holy temple to the hero? Maiden that lovest the green

bay, thou that art decked in robes of triumph, guardian of our empire,

sole healer of our wounds, that makest our toils as though they were

not, whether it pleaseth thee to dwell amid the stars of Ariadne’s

crown or nearer to the fervid Lion, whether thou art seated on the

lofty sceptre of Jove or Pallas’ shield or calmest the sighs of weary

Mars, be ever present to Latium and grant, goddess, the prayers of thy

senate. May Stilicho often crown thy portals

* * * * *

Page 58

limina teque simul rediens in castra reducat.

hunc bellis comitare favens, hunc redde togatum 215

consiliis. semper placidis te moribus egit

servavitque piam victis nec polluit umquam

laurum saevitia. cives nec fronte superba

despicit aut trepidam vexat legionibus urbem;

sed verus patriae consul cessantibus armis 220

contentus lictore venit nec inutile quaerit

ferri praesidium solo munitus amore.

Magnarum nec parcus opum geminare profundas

distulit impensas, sed post miracula castris

edita vel genero Romae maiora reservat. 225

auratos Rhodiis imbres nascente Minerva

indulsisse Iovem perhibent, Bacchoque paternum

iam pulsante femur mutatus palluit Hermus

in pretium, votique famem passurus avari

ditabat rutilo quidquid Mida tangeret auro; 230

fabula seu verum canitur: tua copia vicit

fontem Hermi tactumque Midae pluviamque Tonantis.

obscurat veteres obscurabitque futuros

par donis armisque manus: si solveret ignis

quot dedit inmanes vili pro pondere massas 235

argenti, potuere lacus et flumina fundi.

Nec tibi, quae pariter silvis dominaris et astris,

exiguam Stilicho movit, Latonia, curam:

tu quoque nobilibus spectacula nostra laboras

inlustrare feris summoque in vertice rupis 240

Alpinae socias arcu cessante pudicas

* * * * *

Page 59

and bear thee back with him to his armies. Accompany and bless him in

war and give him back in robes of peace to our council-chambers. Always

has he brought thee home in a spirit of mercy and kept thee kindly to

the vanquished nor ever stained thy laurels with cruelty. He neither

looks with disdain on his fellow-citizens nor harries the anxious city

with his legionaries; but true consul now that the war is ended he

comes accompanied only by his lictors nor seeks the useless protection

of the sword, guarded only by a people’s love.

Handling his great wealth in no niggard spirit he does not hesitate to

double his lavish expenses and after giving wondrous games in honour

of his soldiery and of Honorius reserves yet greater for Rome. They

say that Jove at Minerva’s birth showered gold upon lucky Rhodes; that

while Bacchus forced an egress from his father’s thigh Hermus grew

pale and turned to that same metal; that Midas, fated to suffer hunger

as a punishment for his greed, converted to shining gold everything

that he touched. Be these stories true or false thy liberality exceeds

the waters of Hermus, the touch of Midas, the Thunderer’s shower. Thy

hands, as prodigal of gifts as of daring deeds, o’ershadow the past

and will o’ershadow the future. Should fire have melted the countless

mass of silver thou bestowest as though it were the cheapest of metals,

lakes and rivers of silver might have been formed.

Thou too, Latonia, queen alike of the woods and of the stars, art

moved by no small care for Stilicho; thou toilest to distinguish our

spectacles with the forest’s noblest denizens, and on the dizzy summits

of Alpine rocks layest aside thy bow and summonest

* * * * *

Page 60

et pharetratarum comitum inviolabile cogis

concilium. veniunt umeros et brachia nudae

armataeque manus iaculis et terga sagittis,

incomptae pulchraeque tamen; sudoribus ora 245

pulverulenta rubent, sexum nec cruda fatetur

virginitas; sine lege comae; duo cingula vestem

crure tenus pendere vetant. praecedit amicas

flava Leontodame, sequitur nutrita Lycaeo

Nebrophone telisque domat quae Maenala Thero. 250

ignea Cretaea properat Britomartis ab Ida

et cursu Zephyris numquam cessura Lycaste.

iungunt se geminae metuenda feris Hecaërge

et soror, optatum numen venantibus, Opis

progenitae Scythia: divas nemorumque potentes 255

fecit Hyperboreis Delos praelata pruinis.

hae septem venere duces; exercitus alter

Nympharum incedunt, acies formosa Dianae,

centum Taygeti, centum de vertice Cynthi

et totidem casto genuit quas flumine Ladon. 260

has ubi collectas vidit, sic Delia coepit:

“O sociae, mecum thalami quae iura perosae

virgineo gelidos percurritis agmine montes,

cernitis ut Latio superi communibus ornent

hunc annum studiis? quantos Neptunus equorum 265

donet ab orbe greges? laudi quod nulla canendae

fratris plectra vacent? nostram quoque sentiat idem

quam meritis debemus opem. non spicula poscit

iste labor; maneant clausis nunc sicca pharetris,

omnis et a solitis noster venatibus arcus 270

* * * * *

Page 61

thy virgin companions and the chaste band of thy quiver-bearing

followers. Thither they come, their shoulders and arms bare, spears

in their hands and arrows slung across their backs, beautiful though

unadorned; red their cheeks, dusty and suffused with sweat; their

fierce virginity betrays not their sex; disordered their hair; girdles

twain prevent their dresses from flowing down below their knees.

Golden-haired Leontodame precedes her comrades, Nebrophone, foster

child of Mount Lycaeus, follows her, and Thero whose arrows hold

Maenalus in subjection. Fiery Britomartis hastens from Cretan Ida and

Lycaste, peer of the western winds in flight. There join them the twin

sisters Hecaërge, terror of beasts, and Opis, deity beloved of hunters,

Scythian maids; their preference for Delos[18] over the frosts of the

north made them goddesses and queens of the woods. These were the seven

chiefs who came; there followed them a second band of Nymphs, Diana’s

lovely company, a hundred from Taygetus, a hundred from Cynthus’

summit, a hundred more whose first home was beside the chaste waters of

Ladon. When she saw these gathered together Delia thus began:

“Friends who hate the rites of wedlock even as I hate them, who scour

the snowy mountains in virgin companies, mark you how the gods with

unanimous favour glorify this year for Latium? How many herds of horses

Neptune provides from every quarter of the world? How that none of

my brother Apollo’s lyres can refrain from sounding the praises of

Stilicho? From us too let Stilicho receive the favour we justly owe

him; the task needs no javelin; let our arrows remain bloodless in our

unopened quivers. Let every bow refrain from its

[18] _i.e._ they became goddesses through association with Diana whose

chosen island was Delos.

* * * * *

Page 62

temperet; in solam cruor hic servetur harenam.

retibus et clatris dilata morte tenendae

ducendaeque ferae. cupidas arcete sagittas;

consulis in plausum casuris parcite monstris.

acceleret divisa manus: mihi cursus anhelas 275

tenditur ad Syrtes, mecum Dictynna Lycaste

et comes Opis eat; steriles iuvat ire per aestus:

namque feras aliis tellus Maurusia donum

praebuit, huic soli debet sed victa tributum.

dum nos horribiles Libyae scrutamur alumnos, 280

Europae vos interea perquirite saltus

et scopulos. posita ludat formidine pastor

securisque canat Stilichonem fistula silvis.

pacet muneribus montes qui legibus urbes.”

Dixit et extemplo frondosa fertur ab Alpe 285

trans pelagus; cervi currum subiere iugales,

quos decus esse deae primi sub limine caeli

roscida fecundis concepit Luna cavernis:

par nitor intactis nivibus; frons discolor auro

germinat et spatio summas aequantia fagos 290

cornua ramoso surgunt procera metallo.

Opis frena tenet, fert retia rara Lycaste

auratasque plagas, inmortalesque Molossi

latrantes mediis circum iuga nubibus ibant.

quinque aliae paribus (Phoebe sic iusserat) armis 295

diversa regione ruunt ducitque cohortem

quaeque suam. variae formis et gente sequuntur

ingenioque canes. illae gravioribus aptae

morsibus, hae pedibus celeres, hae nare sagaces,

* * * * *

Page 63

wonted hunting and the blood of our prey be spilled but in the arena.

Not for now their death; close the glades with net and cages and lead

the beasts captive; withhold your impatient arrows; spare the monsters

of the forest whose death shall win applause for our consul. Divide

and haste in every direction; my breathless course is towards the

Syrtes; do you, Cretan Lycaste and Opis, bear me company. My purpose

is to traverse the unfruitful desert; Mauretania has given ere now her

animals to other consuls as a gift, to this consul alone she owes them

as a conquered land owes tribute. While we track out the dread progeny

of Libya do you hunt the glades and rocks of Europe. Let joy banish

fear from the shepherd’s breast and his pipe hymn Stilicho in the

dreadless forests. As his laws have given peace to the cities so let

his shows give peace to the mountains.”

She spake and straightway is borne from the leafy Alps across the sea.

Hinds bow their necks to her chariot’s yoke, hinds whom the dewy moon

conceived in her fertile caverns beneath the threshold of the morning

sky to be the glory of the goddess. White their skins as driven snow;

gold marks their foreheads whence spring branching golden horns lofty

as the tallest beech-trees. Opis holds the reins. Lycaste carries the

fine-wrought nets and golden snares, and deathless Molossian hounds run

barking about the chariot amid the clouds. Five others thus equipped

(such were Diana’s orders) hasten this way and that, each at the head

of her own company; there follow them dogs of various shape, breed and

character; some whose heavy jowls fit them for big game, some swift of

foot,

* * * * *

Page 64

hirsutaeque fremunt Cressae tenuesque Lacaenae 300

magnaque taurorum fracturae colla Britannae.

Dalmatiae lucos abruptaque brachia Pindi

sparsa comam Britomartis agit. tu Gallica cingis

lustra, Leontodame, Germanorumque paludes

eruis et si quis defensus harundine Rheni 305

vastus aper nimio dentes curvaverat aevo.

nubiferas Alpes Appenninique recessus

Garganique nives Hecaërge prompta fatigat.

speluncas canibus Thero rimatur Hiberas

informesque cavis ursos detrudit ab antris, 310

quorum saepe Tagus manantes sanguine rictus

non satiavit aquis et quos iam frigore segnes

Pyrenaea tegit latebrosis frondibus ilex.

Cyrnaeis Siculisque iugis venata virago

Nebrophone cervos aliasque in vincula cogit 315

non saevas pecudes, sed luxuriantis harenae

delicias, pompam nemorum.

Quodcumque tremendum

dentibus aut insigne iubis aut nobile cornu

aut rigidum saetis, capitur decus omne timorque

silvarum. non cauta latent, non mole resistunt 320

fortia, non volucri fugiunt pernicia cursu.

haec laqueis innexa gemunt; haec clausa feruntur

ilignis domibus. fabri nec tigna polire

sufficiunt; rudibus fagis texuntur et ornis

frondentes caveae. ratibus pars ibat onustis 325

per freta vel fluvios: exanguis dextera torpet

remigis et propriam metuebat navita mercem.

per terram pars ducta rotis, longoque morantur

* * * * *

Page 65

some keen of scent; shaggy Cretans bay, slender Spartans, and Britons

that can break the backs of mighty bulls. Britomartis scours the woods

of Dalmatia and the precipitous ridges of Pindus, her hair flying in

the wind. Thou, Leontodame, surroundest the glades of Gaul and huntest

the marshes of Germany, tracking out any huge boar, his tusks flexed

with age, that may have taken shelter among the sedges that flank the

Rhine. Swift Hecaërge tires the cloud-capped Alps, the valleys of the

Apennines, and the snows of Garganus. Thero with her dogs explores the

caves of Spain and from their recesses ousts the horrid bears of whose

bloody jaws full oft Tagus’ flood has failed to quench the thirst,

and whose bodies, numbed with cold, the holm-oak of the Pyrenees

o’ershadows with its leaves. The manlike maiden Nebrophone hunts the

mountains of Corsica and Sicily and captures deer and other harmless

beasts, beasts that are the joy of the rich amphitheatre and the glory

of the woods.

Whatsoever inspires fear with its teeth, wonder with its mane, awe

with its horns and bristling coat--all the beauty, all the terror of

the forest is taken. Guile protects them not; neither strength nor

weight avails them; their speed saves not the fleet of foot. Some roar

enmeshed in snares; some are thrust into wooden cages and carried off.

There are not carpenters enough to fashion the wood; leafy prisons

are constructed of unhewn beech and elm. Boats laden with some of the

animals traverse seas and rivers; bloodless from terror the rower’s

hand is stayed, for the sailor fears the merchandise he carries. Others

are transported over land in wagons that block the roads with the long

procession,

* * * * *

Page 66

ordine plaustra vias montanis plena triumphis

et fera sollicitis vehitur captiva iuvencis, 330

explebat quibus ante famem, quotiensque reflexi

conspexere boves, pavidi temone recedunt.

Iamque pererratis Libyae flagrantibus oris

legerat eximios Phoebi germana leones,

Hesperidas qui saepe fugant ventoque citatis 335

terrificant Atlanta iubis armentaque longe

vastant Aethiopum quorumque impune fragosa

murmura pastorum numquam venere per aures.

non illos taedae ardentes, non strata superne

lapsuro virgulta solo, non vocibus haedi 340

pendentis stimulata fames, non fossa fefellit;

ultro se voluere capi gaudentque videri

tantae praeda deae. respirant pascua tandem;

agricolae reserant iam tuta mapalia Mauri,

tum virides pardos et cetera colligit Austri 345

prodigia inmanesque simul Latonia dentes,

qui secti ferro in tabulas auroque micantes

inscripti rutilum caelato consule nomen

per proceres et vulgus eant. stupor omnibus Indis

plurimus ereptis elephas inglorius errat 350

dentibus: insedit nigra cervice gementum

et fixum dea quassat ebur penitusque cruentis

stirpibus avulsis patulos exarmat hiatus,

ipsos quin etiam nobis miracula vellet

ducere: sed pigra cunctari mole veretur. 355

Tyrrhenas fetus Libycos amplexa per undas

* * * * *

Page 67

bearing the spoils of the mountains. The wild beast is borne a captive

by those troubled cattle on whom in times past he sated his hunger, and

each time that the oxen turned and looked at their burden they pull

away in terror from the pole.

By now Phoebus’ sister had wandered o’er the torrid plains of Libya and

chosen out superb lions who had often put the Hesperides to flight,

filled Atlas with alarm at their wind-tossed manes, and plundered far

and wide the flocks of Ethiopia, lions whose terrible cries had never

struck upon the herdsmen’s ears but as heralding their destruction.

To catch them had been used no blazing torches, no twigs strewn over

turf undermined; the voice of a tethered kid had not allured their

hunger nor had a diggèd pit ensnared them: of their own free will they

gave themselves up to capture and rejoiced at being seen the prey of

so great a goddess. At length the countryside breathes again and the

Moorish farmers unbar their now safe huts. Then Latonia collected

grey-spotted[19] leopards and other marvels of the south and huge ivory

tusks which, carved with iron into plaques and inlaid with gold to

form the glistening inscription of the consul’s name, should pass in

procession among lords and commons. All India stood in speechless amaze

to see many an elephant go shorn of the glory of his tusks. Seated

upon their black necks despite their cries the goddess shook the fixèd

ivory and tearing it up from its bloody roots disarmed the monstrous

mouths. Nay, she fain would have brought the elephants themselves as a

spectacle but feared that their vast weight would retard the ships.

Fiercely o’er the Tyrrhene wave echoes the fleet

[19] Literally “green.” Latin (and Greek) colour epithets are often

strangely at variance with ours.

* * * * *

Page 68

classis torva[20] sonat, caudamque in puppe retorquens

ad proram iacet usque leo: vix sublevat unum

tarda ratis! fremitus stagnis auditur in imis

cunctaque prosiliunt cete terrenaque Nereus 360

confert monstra suis et non aequare fatetur.

aequora sic victor quotiens per rubra Lyaeus

navigat, intorquet clavum Silenus et acres

adsudant tonsis Satyri taurinaque pulsu

Baccharum Bromios invitant tympana remos: 365

transtra ligant hederae, malum circumflua vestit

pampinus, antennis inlabitur ebria serpens,

perque mero madidos currunt saliuntque rudentes

lynces et insolitae mirantur carbasa tigres.

[20] _torva_ Birt; MSS. have _turba_.

* * * * *

Page 69

that holds the Libyan breed, and, as he coils his tail upon the stern,

a lion stretches to the prow; that single beast the labouring bark can

scarce uplift; deep down below the waters is heard the roaring. Out

rushes the leviathan. Neptune compares these land prodigies to his and

admits that his are not their equal. So whene’er victorious Bacchus

ploughs the Red Sea’s waves, Silenus sways the helm, the urgent Satyrs

sweat upon their oars and the oxhide drums, smitten by the Bacchants,

summon the rowers of Bromius to toil at the thwarts; ivy-wreaths deck

the benches, the pliant vine entwines the mast; a drunken snake glides

out upon the yardarms; lynxes run and leap along the sheets that drip

with wine, and unaccustomed tigers stare in amaze at the canvas.

* * * * *

Page 70

PANEGYRICUS DE SEXTO CONSULATU HONORII AUGUSTI

PRAEFATIO

(XXVII.)

Omnia, quae sensu volvuntur vota diurno,

pectore sopito reddit amica quies.

venator defessa toro cum membra reponit,

mens tamen ad silvas et sua lustra redit.

iudicibus lites, aurigae somnia currus 5

vanaque nocturnis meta cavetur equis.

furto gaudet amans, permutat navita merces

et vigil elapsas quaerit avarus opes,

blandaque largitur frustra sitientibus aegris

inriguus gelido pocula fonte sopor. 10

Me quoque Musarum studium sub nocte silenti

artibus adsuetis sollicitare solet.

namque poli media stellantis in arce videbar

ante pedes summi carmina ferre Iovis;

utque favet somnus, plaudebant numina dictis 15

et circumfusi sacra corona chori.

Enceladus mihi carmen erat victusque Typhoeus:

hic subit Inarimen, hunc gravis Aetna domat.

* * * * *

Page 71

PANEGYRIC ON THE SIXTH CONSULSHIP OF THE EMPEROR HONORIUS (A.D. 404)

PREFACE

(XXVII.)

All things that with waking sense desire ponders kindly repose brings

back to the slumbering mind. The huntsman stretches his weary limbs

upon the couch, yet his mind ever returns to the woods where his quarry

lurks. The judge dreams of law-suits, the charioteer of his chariot

the nightly steeds of which he guides past a shadowy turning-point.

The lover repeats love’s mysteries, the merchant makes exchange of

goods, the miser still watchfully grasps at elusive riches, and to

thirsty sufferers all-pervading sleep offers from a cooling spring idly

alluring draughts.

I am a lover of the Muses and in the silent night I too am haunted by

that my accustomed task. For meseemed I stood upon the very summit of

the starry sky and laid my songs at Jove’s feet, and, in the flattery

of sleep, the gods and all the sacred band gathered about Jove’s throne

gave applause to my words. I sang of Enceladus and conquered Typhoeus,

the first a prisoner beneath Inarime, the second oppressed by the

weight of Etna. How

* * * * *

Page 72

quam laetum post bella Iovem susceperat aether

Phlegraeae referens praemia militiae! 20

Additur ecce fides nec me mea lusit imago,

inrita nec falsum somnia misit ebur.

en princeps, en orbis apex aequatus Olympo!

en quales memini, turba verenda, deos!

fingere nil maius potuit sopor, altaque vati 25

conventum caelo praebuit aula parem.

* * * * *

Page 73

joyous was that Jove whom, after the war with the giants, heaven

welcomed, enriched with the spoils from Phlegra’s field!

My dream has come true; ’twas no vain imagining; nor did the false

ivory gate[21] send forth an unaccomplished dream. Behold our lord,

behold earth towering to heaven’s height! Here before me are gods such

as I then saw, gods worthy of all reverence. Nought greater could

dreams have fancied; this noble assembly offers the poet an audience

like to that of heaven.

[21] A reference to the famous epilogue of Verg. _Aen._ vi. (ll.

893-96). Dreams which come through the ivory gate are false, those

which issue from the gate of horn, true.

* * * * *

Page 74

PANEGYRICUS

(XXVIII.)

Aurea Fortunae Reduci si templa priores

ob reditum vovere ducum, non dignius umquam

haec dea pro meritis amplas sibi posceret aedes,

quam sua cum pariter trabeis reparatur et urbi

maiestas: neque enim campus sollemnis et urna 5

luditur in morem, species nec dissona coetu

aut peregrina nitet simulati iuris imago.

indigenas habitus nativa palatia sumunt,

et, patriis plebem castris sociante Quirino,

Mars augusta sui renovat suffragia campi. 10

qualis erit terris, quem mons Euandrius offert

Romanis avibus, quem Thybris inaugurat, annus?

quamquam omnes, quicumque tui cognominis, anni

semper inoffensum dederint successibus omen

sintque tropaea tuas semper comitata secures, 15

hic tamen ante omnes miro promittitur ortu,

urbis et Augusti geminato numine felix.

namque velut stellas Babylonia cura salubres

optima tunc spondet mortalibus edere fata,

caelicolae cum celsa tenent summoque feruntur 20

* * * * *

Page 75

THE PANEGYRIC

(XXVIII.)

If our ancestors vowed temples to “Home-bringing Fortune” in honour of

the return of their generals, never would this goddess more worthily

claim for her services a noble temple than when their proper majesty

is restored alike to the consulship and to Rome. The annual election

in the Campus Martius is not the accustomed farce, nor see we a consul

of other race than his electors nor a foreigner claiming pretended

rights.[22] The palace now our own wears a native dress, and while

Quirinus associates the people with the armies of Italy, Mars gives

back to his own Field its imperial suffrage. What will the year be

like for mortals that is ushered in by omens on the Palatine Hill

so favourable to true sons of Rome and inaugurated on the banks of

the Tiber? ’Tis true that years marked by thy name have ever been

rich in omens of success and that victory has always accompanied thy

consulship, yet by its wondrous dawn is this year set before all

years, blessed by the twofold deity of Rome and of her Emperor. For as

Babylonian lore gives assurance that propitious stars do then promise

the best fortune to mortals when they hold the summit of the sky and

their course is at the zenith, not dimming their

[22] Claudian means that this year there is a real election (_cf._

Lucan, v. 392 for a similar passage) and that the new consul is a

true Roman.

* * * * *

Page 76

cardine nec radios humili statione recondunt:

haud aliter Latiae sublimis Signifer aulae,

imperii sidus propria cum sede locavit,

auget spes Italas; et certius omina surgunt

victrici concepta solo.

Cum pulcher Apollo 25

lustrat Hyperboreas Delphis cessantibus aras,

nil tum Castaliae rivis communibus undae

dissimiles, vili nec discrepat arbore laurus,

antraque maesta silent inconsultique recessus.

at si Phoebus adest et frenis grypha iugalem 30

Riphaeo tripodas repetens detorsit ab axe,

tunc silvae, tunc antra loqui, tunc vivere fontes,

tunc sacer horror aquis adytisque effunditur Echo

clarior et doctae spirant praesagia rupes.

ecce Palatino crevit reverentia monti 35

exultatque habitante deo potioraque Delphis

supplicibus late populis oracula pandit

atque suas ad signa iubet revirescere laurus.

Non alium certe decuit rectoribus orbis

esse larem, nulloque magis se colle potestas 40

aestimat et summi sentit fastigia iuris;

attollens apicem subiectis regia rostris

tot circum delubra videt tantisque deorum

cingitur excubiis! iuvat infra tecta Tonantis

cernere Tarpeia pendentes rupe Gigantas 45

caelatasque fores mediisque volantia signa

nubibus et densum stipantibus aethera templis

aeraque vestitis numerosa puppe columnis

consita subnixasque iugis inmanibus aedes,

* * * * *

Page 77

light by a low position in the sky; so the Standard-bearer of the Latin

palace[23] at _his_ zenith gives hope of a brighter future for Italy in

placing the star of our empire in its true position. Omens that have

their origin in Rome’s victorious soil are the more sure of fulfilment.

When fair Apollo leaves Delphi’s shrine and visits the altars of the

north, Castalia’s waters differ in no wise from those of any common

stream, nor the laurel from any common tree; sad and silent is the

cave and the shrine without a worshipper. But if Phoebus is there,

Phoebus returned from Scythian climes to his Delphic tripod, guiding

thither his yoked griffins, the woods, the caves regain their voice,

the streams their life; the sacred ripple revisits the face of the

waters, a clearer echo resounds from the shrine and the now inspired

rocks tremble to the voice of prophecy. Now the Palatine Mount is

exalted with honour and rejoices in the return of its native deity;

far and wide among the suppliant peoples it spreads oracles surer even

than those of Delphi and bids its laurels grow green again to deck the

standards of Rome.

Of a truth no other city could fitly be the home of the world’s rulers;

on this hill is majesty most herself, and knows the height of her

supreme sway; the palace, raising its head above the forum that lies

at its feet, sees around it so many temples and is surrounded by so

many protecting deities. See below the Thunderer’s temple the Giants

suspended from the Tarpeian rock, behold the sculptured doors, the

cloud-capped statues, the sky-towering temples, the brazen prows of

many a vessel welded on to lofty columns, the temples built on massy

crags where the

[23] _i.e._ the Emperor. _Signifer_ also means the zodiac. Claudian

puns on the ambiguity.

* * * * *

Page 78

naturam cumulante manu, spoliisque micantes 50

innumeros arcus. acies stupet igne metalli

et circumfuso trepidans obtunditur auro.

Agnoscisne tuos, princeps venerande, penates?

haec sunt, quae primis olim miratus in annis

patre pio monstrante puer. nil optimus ille 55

divorum toto meruit felicius aevo,

quam quod Romuleis victor sub moenibus egit

te consorte dies, cum se melioribus addens

exemplis civem gereret terrore remoto,

alternos cum plebe iocos dilectaque passus 60

iurgia patriciasque domos privataque passim

visere deposito dignatus limina fastu.

publicus hinc ardescit amor, cum moribus aequis

inclinat populo regale modestia culmen.

teque rudem vitae, quamvis diademate necdum 65

cingebare comas, socium sumebat honorum

purpureo fotum gremio, parvumque triumphis

imbuit et magnis docuit praeludere fatis.

et linguis variae gentes missique rogatum

foedera Persarum proceres cum patre sedentem 70

hac quondam videre domo positoque tiaram

summisere genu. tecum praelarga vocavit

ditandas ad dona tribus; fulgentia tecum

collecti trabeatus adit delubra senatus

Romano puerum gaudens offerre favori, 75

ut novus imperio iam tunc adsuesceret heres.

* * * * *

Page 79

hand of man has added to the work of nature, the countless triumphal

arches glittering with spoils. The eyes are dazed by the blaze of metal

and blink outwearied by the surrounding gold.

Adored Prince, dost thou recognize thy house? ’Tis the same that thy

loving sire showed to thy wondering eyes while yet thou wert a boy of

tender years. Never in all his life did Theodosius, best of all the

gods, better deserve our love than when, triumphant over all his foes,

he came with thee to Rome to sojourn within its walls, and there,

following the example of the noblest emperors, lived as a simple

citizen, not seeking to inspire terror by his name but condescending

to exchange banter and harmless raillery with the people and as ready

to lay aside his rank and visit the homes of the poor as to enter the

palaces of the noble. ’Tis thus the public love is kindled when with

just humanity modesty bids royal state stoop to the people. And thee,

while still but a boy, though the crown had not yet encircled thy head,

thy father took to share his honours,[24] cherishing thee in his royal

bosom, giving thy youth its first taste of triumphs and teaching it

the prelude of its mighty destiny. Peoples of every tongue and Persian

chiefs sent to solicit alliance in Rome[25] once saw thee seated with

thy father in this very palace and bowing the knee laid their crowns at

thy feet. Thou wert at his side when he summoned the tribes to receive

a bounteous largess: with thee he entered the hallowed portals of the

assembled senate clad in the consul’s robe, right glad to introduce his

son to the goodwill of the Roman Fathers, that so his youthful heir

might grow familiar with empire.

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

birthday.

[25] The Persians seem to have sent embassies to Rome both in 387 and

389 (Themistius, _Orat._ xix. p. 227).

* * * * *

Page 80

Hinc tibi concreta radice tenacius haesit

et penitus totis inolevit Roma medullis,

dilectaeque urbis tenero conceptus ab ungue

tecum crevit amor. nec te mutare reversum 80

evaluit propria nutritor Bosphorus arce.

et quotiens optare tibi quae moenia malles

adludens genitor regni pro parte dedisset,

divitis Aurorae solium sortemque paratam

sponte remittebas fratri: “regat ille volentes 85

Assyrios; habeat Pharium cum Tigride Nilum;

contingat mea Roma mihi.” nec vota fefellit

eventus. Fortuna novum molita tyrannum

iam tibi quaerebat Latium belloque secundo

protinus Eoa velox accitus ab aula 90

suscipis Hesperiam patrio bis Marte receptam.

ipsa per Illyricas urbes Oriente relicto

ire Serena comes nullo deterrita casu,

materna te mente fovens Latioque futurum

rectorem generumque sibi seniore supernas 95

iam repetente plagas. illo sub cardine rerum

sedula servatum per tot discrimina pignus

restituit sceptris patrui castrisque mariti.

certavit pietate domus, fidaeque reductum

coniugis officio Stilichonis cura recepit. 100

Felix ille parens, qui te secures Olympum

succedente petit! quam laetus ab aethere cernit

se factis crevisse tuis! duo namque fuere

* * * * *

Page 81

Hence taking firmer root the love of Rome clung to thee more closely

and grew strong, deep-planted in all thy heart. As thou grewest the

affection which thou hadst found in childhood for the city grew too;

nor was Bosporus, whose cherished town was thy nurse, able on thy

return to seduce thee from that love. Every time that thy sire in sport

gave thee thy choice of whatsoever cities thou didst prefer to govern

as thy share of empire, thou didst leave to thy brother Arcadius the

throne and riches of the East and the lands which by inheritance should

be his. “Let him rule over the servile Assyrians,” thou saidst, “let

Nile, the river of Egypt, and the Tigris be his; let me have my beloved

Rome.” Thy wishes have been fulfilled. Fortune set up a new tyrant

only to ensure for thee the governance of Latium. So soon as ever the

war was brought to a successful conclusion thou wert summoned from the

court of Byzantium to undertake the rule of Italy twice conquered by

thy father’s arms. Serena herself left the East and accompanied thee

in thy journey across Illyria: fearless in face of danger she bestowed

a mother’s care on thee who wert to be lord of Latium and her own

son-in-law after Theodosius’ translation to the sky. She kept careful

guard over the child entrusted to her protection through the dangers of

that critical time and brought thee safe to her uncle’s throne and her

husband’s army. Stilicho and Serena vied in love toward thee and what

Serena’s care had brought safe home Stilicho’s affection welcomed there.

Happy father to enter heaven with no fears for the future; he knew that

thou wert to succeed him. With what joy he looks down from above and

sees his glory enhanced by thine exploits! Europe and

* * * * *

Page 82

Europae Libyaeque hostes: Maurusius Atlas

Gildonis Furias, Alaricum barbara Peuce 105

nutrierat, qui saepe tuum sprevere profana

mente patrem. Thracum venienti e[26] finibus alter

Hebri clausit aquas; alter praecepta vocantis

respuit auxiliisque ad proxima bella negatis

abiurata palam Libyae possederat arva: 110

quorum nunc meritam repetens non inmemor iram

suppliciis fruitur natoque ultore triumphat.

ense Thyestiadae poenas exegit Orestes,

sed mixtum pietate nefas dubitandaque caedis

gloria, materno laudem cum crimine pensat; 115

pavit Iuleos inviso sanguine manes

Augustus, sed falsa pii praeconia sumpsit

in luctum patriae civili strage parentans:

at tibi causa patris rerum coniuncta saluti

bellorum duplicat laurus, isdemque tropaeis 120

reddita libertas orbi, vindicta parenti.

Sed mihi iam pridem captum Parnasia Maurum

Pieriis egit fidibus chelys; arma Getarum

nuper apud socerum plectro celebrata recenti.

adventus nunc sacra tui libet edere Musis 125

grataque patratis exordia sumere bellis.

Iam Pollentini tenuatus funere campi

concessaque sibi (rerum sic admonet usus)

luce, tot amissis sociis atque omnibus una

direptis opibus, Latio discedere iussus 130

[26] Birt prints the _venientem finibus_ of A and B (the other MSS.

have _veniens e_), and the _aquis_ (l. 108) of the better MSS. I

have adopted Heinsius’ emendation _venienti_ with some hesitation.

* * * * *

Page 83

Africa were alike threatened by foes: from Mount Atlas came fierce

Gildo; Alaric from Peuce’s savage isle. Often had both with impious

daring set at nought the commands of thy sire. When he came from the

lands of Thrace Alaric closed against him the waters of the Danube;

Gildo scorned his command and, refusing assistance for a neighbouring

war, had seized on the fields of Libya he had long forsworn. Theodosius

recalls the anger he then justly felt and rejoices to witness their

discomfiture, proud to have his son for his avenger. Orestes’ sword

took vengeance on the son of Thyestes[27]; but guilt was blent with

piety, and the sword-stroke brings doubtful glory when honour is

balanced by a mother’s murder; Augustus sated the shade of Caesar with

his enemies’ blood, but he made a false advertisement of piety when, to

the grief of his fatherland, he offered the blood of citizens to his

father’s ghost. But for thee thy sire’s cause, linked as it is with the

general safety, doubles thy warlike fame; the same victory that has

avenged thy sire has restored peace to the world.

My lyre inspired by the Muses of Pieria has long since sung of the

defeat and capture of the Moor; but of late, too, in Stilicho’s

presence I have celebrated in verse the wars against the Getae. To-day

I would fain sing the glories of thy home-coming and, ceasing to tell

of wars, would prelude a theme of thankfulness.

Alaric, his hopes ruined by his bloody defeat at Pollentia, though

policy dictated that his life should be spared, was nevertheless

deserted by all his allies and bereft of all his resources. He was

forced to leave Latium and to retrace his steps in ruin and

[27] Aegisthus.

* * * * *

Page 84

hostis et inmensi revolutus culmine fati

turpe retexit iter. qualis piratica puppis,

quae cunctis infensa fretis scelerumque referta

divitiis multasque diu populata carinas

incidit in magnam bellatricemque triremim, 135

dum praedam de more putat; viduataque caesis

remigibus, scissis velorum debilis alis,

orba gubernaclis, antennis saucia fractis

ludibrium pelagi vento iactatur et unda,

vastato tandem poenas luitura profundo: 140

talis ab urbe minas retro flectebat inanes

Italiam fugiens, et quae venientibus ante

prona fuit, iam difficilis, iam dura reversis.

clausa putat sibi cuncta pavor, retroque relictos

quos modo temnebat, rediens exhorruit amnes. 145

Undosa tum forte domo vitreisque sub antris

rerum ignarus adhuc ingentes pectore curas

volvebat pater Eridanus: quis bella maneret

exitus? imperiumne Iovi legesque placerent

et vitae Romana quies, an iura perosus 150

ad priscos pecudum damnaret saecula ritus?

talia dum secum movet anxius, advolat una

Naiadum resoluta comam, complexaque patrem

“en Alaricus” ait “non qualem nuper ovantem

vidimus; exangues, genitor, mirabere vultus. 155

percensere manum tantaque ex gente iuvabit

relliquias numerasse breves. iam desine maesta

fronte queri Nymphasque choris iam redde sorores.”

Dixerat; ille caput placidis sublime fluentis

extulit, et totis lucem spargentia ripis 160

* * * * *

Page 85

disgrace; such was the complete reversal of his fortune.[28] As when a

pirate ship, the terror of every sea, laden with the spoils of violence

and the booty taken from many a captured merchantman, falls in with

a great man-of-war and hopes to secure it for its prey as vessels

heretofore, then indeed crippled by the slaughter of its oarsmen and

the rending of its sails, deprived of its rudder and all but destroyed

by the breaking of its yardarms, it is driven this way and that at the

mercy of wind and wave and at last pays the penalty for its piracy;

even so Alaric turned backwards his vain threatenings, fleeing from

Italy that, once so easy for his advance, was now so difficult for his

retreat. His fear makes him believe every road barred, and rivers,

erstwhile left behind in scorn, fill him with alarm on his return.

Meanwhile, as it fell out, father Eridanus in his watery home beneath

the crystal caverns, ignorant as yet of what had happened, was

pondering weighty cares. What, he wondered, would be the outcome of

the war: would Jove approve empire and law and Rome’s days of peace,

or would he, abhorring order, condemn future ages to the primal ways

of brute beasts? As he anxiously ponders such things one of the Naiads

with hair unbound came and embraced her sire and said, “Alaric is other

now than once we saw him in his hour of triumph: thou wilt wonder at

the pallor of his countenance. Joy it will be to reckon up his army and

number the remains of so great a host. Frown no more nor complain; let

my sister nymphs once more enjoy their dances.”

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

and on his dripping forehead

[28] Claudian did not live to see the next “reversal of fortune,”

Alaric’s capture of Rome six years later.

* * * * *

Page 86

aurea roranti micuerunt cornua vultu.

non illi madidum vulgaris harundine crinem

velat honos; rami caput umbravere virentes

Heliadum totisque fluunt electra capillis.

palla tegit latos umeros, curruque paterno 165

intextus Phaëthon glaucos incendit amictus.

fultaque sub gremio caelatis nobilis astris

aetherium probat urna decus. namque omnia luctus

argumenta sui Titan signavit Olympo:

mutatumque senem plumis et fronde sorores 170

et fluvium, nati qui vulnera lavit anheli;

stat gelidis Auriga plagis; vestigia fratris

germanae servant Hyades, Cygnique sodalis

lacteus extentas adspergit circulus alas;

stelliger Eridanus sinuatis flexibus errans 175

clara Noti convexa rigat gladioque tremendum

gurgite sidereo subterluit Oriona.

Hoc deus effulgens habitu prospexit euntes

deiecta cervice Getas; tunc talia fatur:

“sicine mutatis properas, Alarice, reverti 180

consiliis? Italae sic te iam paenitet orae?

nec iam cornipedem Thybrino gramine pascis,

ut rebare, tuum? Tuscis nec figis aratrum

collibus? o cunctis Erebi dignissime poenis,

tune Giganteis urbem temptare deorum 185

adgressus furiis? nec te meus, improbe, saltem

terruit exemplo Phaëthon, qui fulmina praeceps

in nostris efflavit aquis, dum flammea caeli

* * * * *

Page 87

gleamed the golden horns that cast their brilliance all along the

banks. No common crown of reeds adorned his oozy locks. The green

branches of the daughters of the sun[29] shadowed his head and amber

dripped from all his hair. A cloak was flung over his broad shoulders,

a cloak whose grey texture was set aflame with an embroidery of

Phaëthon and his father’s chariot. Resting beneath his breast an urn

glorious with engraved stars makes clear its heaven-sent beauty. For

there Phoebus had set in the sky all the sad stories of his woe: Cycnus

changed into a swan, Phaëthon’s sisters transformed into trees, and

the river that washed the wounds of his dying son; the charioteer is

there in his icy zone, the Hyades follow on their brother’s traces,

while the Milky Way sprinkles the outstretched wings of Cycnus who

bears him company; the constellation of Eridanus[30] himself wets the

clear southern sky in its tortuous course and with starry stream flows

beneath Orion’s dread sword.

Glorious in such guise the god looked forth and saw the Getae advancing

with bowed necks. Then he spake: “What, Alaric, hast thou then changed

thy plans? Why hastenest thou back? Art wearied so soon of the coasts

of Italy? Feedest thou not thy horses on Tiber’s grassy bank as thou

thoughtest to do? Drivest not the plough on Etruria’s hills? Fit object

of all the punishments of Hell, thinkest thou to attack the city of the

gods with a Giant’s rage? If none other, was not my Phaëthon a warning

to thee, Phaëthon fall’n from heaven to quench his flames in my waters,

what time he

[29] The poplar.

[30] Eridanus was a mythical river of the far West, generally

identified with the Latin Padus (mod. Po). Phaëthon is said to

have fallen into it when he attempted to drive the horses of his

father, the sun. After this Eridanus, the river god, became a

constellation--hence Eridanus is said to “wet” the southern sky.

* * * * *

Page 88

flectere terrenis meditatur frena lacertis

mortalique diem sperat diffundere vultu? 190

crede mihi, simili bacchatur crimine, quisquis

adspirat Romae spoliis aut Solis habenis.”

Sic fatus Ligures Venetosque erectior amnes

magna voce ciet. frondentibus umida ripis

colla levant: pulcher Ticinus et Addua visu 195

caerulus et velox Athesis tardusque meatu

Mincius inque novem consurgens ora Timavus.

insultant omnes profugo pacataque laetum

invitant ad prata pecus; iam Pana Lycaeum,

iam Dryadas revocant et rustica numina Faunos. 200

Tu quoque non parvum Getico, Verona, triumpho

adiungis cumulum, nec plus Pollentia rebus

contulit Ausoniis aut moenia vindicis Hastae.

hic, rursus dum pacta movet damnisque coactus

extremo mutare parat praesentia casu, 205

nil sibi periurum sensit prodesse furorem

converti nec fata loco, multisque suorum

diras pavit aves, inimicaque corpora volvens

Ionios Athesis mutavit sanguine fluctus.

Oblatum Stilicho violato foedere Martem 210

omnibus adripuit votis, ubi Roma periclo

iam procul et belli medio Padus arbiter ibat.

iamque opportunam motu strepuisse rebelli

gaudet perfidiam praebensque exempla labori

sustinet accensos aestivo pulvere soles. 215

ipse manu metuendus adest inopinaque cunctis

* * * * *

Page 89

sought with mortal hand to hold the fiery reins of the sky and hoped to

spread day’s brilliance from a mortal countenance? ’Tis the same mad

crime, I tell thee, whosoever aspires to spoil Rome or drive the sun’s

chariot.”

So spake he, and rising yet farther out of the stream he loudly

summoned the rivers of Liguria and Venetia. These raise their dripping

heads from among their leafy banks, fair Ticinus, blue Addua, swift

Athesis, slow Mincius, and Timavus with his nine mouths. All mock at

the fugitive and recall the happy flocks to the now peaceful meadows;

Lycaean Pan is bidden to return and the Dryads and Fauns, gods of the

countryside.

Thou too, Verona,[31] didst add no small makeweight to Rome’s victory

over the Getae; not even Pollentia nor the walls of avenging Hasta did

more for the salvation of Italy. Here, as once again he breaks his

bond, and driven by his losses risks all in the attempt to change his

present fortune, Alaric learned that his mad treachery availed him

nothing and that change of place changes not destiny. The vultures

fed on the countless bodies of his slain, and Athesis, carrying down

the corpses of Rome’s enemies in its stream, turned the waters of the

Ionian sea into blood.

The treaty violated, Stilicho with all eagerness grasped at the

conflict proffered where Rome was now far away from danger and Padus

flowed between witnessing the strife. He rejoices that now opportune

treachery has broken out in rebellious risings and, setting an example

of endurance, he shirks neither fiery sun nor scorching dust. Himself

he is everywhere with dreadful arm; he stations troops

[31] The chroniclers do not mention this battle. It is probably to be

attributed to the summer of 403.

* * * * *

Page 90

instruit arma locis et qua vocat usus ab omni

parte venit. fesso si deficit agmine miles,

utitur auxiliis damni securus, et astu

debilitat saevum cognatis viribus Histrum 220

et duplici lucro committens proelia vertit

in se barbariem nobis utrimque cadentem.

ipsum te caperet letoque, Alarice, dedisset,

ni calor incauti male festinatus Alani

dispositum turbasset opus; prope captus anhelum 225

verbere cogis equum, nec te vitasse dolemus.

i potius genti reliquus tantisque superstes

Danuvii populis, i, nostrum vive tropaeum.

Non tamen ingenium tantis se cladibus atrox

deicit: occulto temptabat tramite montes, 230

si qua per scopulos subitas exquirere posset

in Raetos Gallosque vias. sed fortior obstat

cura ducis. quis enim divinum fallere pectus

possit et excubiis vigilantia lumina regni?

cuius consilium non umquam repperit hostis 235

nec potuit texisse suum. secreta Getarum

nosse prior celerique dolis occurrere sensu.

Omnibus exclusus coeptis consedit in uno

colle tremens; frondesque licet depastus amaras

arboreo figat sonipes in cortice morsus 240

et taetris collecta cibis annique vapore

* * * * *

Page 91

at every point, even where the enemy little expected them, and hastens

in any and every direction to the succour of him who needs it. If the

soldiers flag with wearied ranks he throws the auxiliaries into the

line heedless of their loss; thus he cunningly weakens the savage

tribes of the Danube by opposing one tribe to another and with twofold

gain joins battle that turns barbarians against themselves to perish

in either army for our sake. Thee too, Alaric, he had captured and

delivered over to death had not the hasty zeal of the rash Alan chief

upset his carefully laid scheme. All but a prisoner thou dost lash thy

panting steed, nor do we regret that escape. Rather get thee gone, thou

last remnant of thy race, sole survivor of so many Danubian tribes; get

thee gone, the living witness of Rome’s triumph.

Yet was his[32] fierce spirit not cast down by these great reverses;

he still attempted to discover an unknown path across the mountains,

hoping that over their rocky summits he might fall suddenly on the

peoples of Raetia and Gaul. But Stilicho’s more soldierly vigilance

put a stop to his projects. Who indeed could hope to deceive that

unsleeping brain, those godlike eyes that watched o’er Italy? Never

did an enemy succeed in discovering Stilicho’s plans or had power to

conceal his own. Before they knew them themselves the secrets of the

Getae were known to Stilicho, whose generalship was quick to meet their

every ruse.

Baulked in every attempt Alaric camped panic-stricken on a single hill.

Though the horses, feeding on bitter leaves, gnawed even the tree-bark,

though pestilence raged, brought on by foul food and

[32] _i.e._ Alaric’s.

* * * * *

Page 92

saeviat aucta lues et miles probra superbus

ingerat obsesso captivaque pignora monstret:

non tamen aut morbi tabes aut omne periclum

docta subire fames aut praedae luctus ademptae 245

aut pudor aut dictis movere procacibus irae,

ut male temptato totiens se credere campo

comminus auderet. nulla est victoria maior,

quam quae confessos animo quoque subiugat hostes.

iamque frequens rarum decerpere transfuga robur 250

coeperat inque dies numerus decrescere castris,

nec iam deditio paucis occulta parari,

sed cunei totaeque palam discedere turmae.

consequitur vanoque fremens clamore retentat

cumque suis iam bella gerit; mox nomina supplex 255

cum fletu precibusque ciet veterumque laborum

admonet et frustra iugulum parcentibus offert,

defixoque malis animo sua membra suasque

cernit abire manus: qualis Cybeleia quassans

Hyblaeus procul aera senex revocare fugaces 260

tinnitu conatur apes, quae sponte relictis

descivere favis, sonituque exhaustus inani

raptas mellis opes solitaeque oblita latebrae

perfida deplorat vacuis examina ceris.

Ergo ubi praeclusae voci laxata remisit 265

frena dolor, notas oculis umentibus Alpes

adspicit et nimium diversi stamine fati

* * * * *

Page 93

aggravated by the season’s heat, though the soldiers arrogantly heaped

abuse on their beleaguered leader and reminded him of their captured

children; yet neither the ravages of disease nor famine that teaches

men to face all dangers, nor grief for spoils lost, nor the voice of

shame nor anger at bitter gibes could tempt him to brave the perils

of a hand-to-hand fight, tried so often before and with such ill

success. What triumph more complete than that of extorting from a

conquered foe the admission that he is conquered? And now numbers of

deserters began to weaken his already reduced strength and day by day

his forces were diminished. Sedition was not now the hidden work of

a few but meant the open defection of whole sections and squadrons.

Their general rides after them and with angry curses and vain clamour

seeks to hold them back, waging war now on his own troops. He weeps,

calls the men by name, recalls them with prayers and supplications; he

reminds them of past campaigns and all to no purpose offers his throat

to their reluctant hands. His mind a prey to melancholy he sees his

forces desert him, his army melt away, even as an old bee-master of

Hybla, beating Cybele’s gong, tries, by means of that noise, to recall

his scattered bees who have wantonly left their combs and fled the

hive, till, himself wearied of the useless sound, he weeps the loss

of his store of honey and cries out upon the faithless swarm that has

forgotten its accustomed home and left its cells empty.

And so when grief loosed the string of his tongue that had long been

mute he looked with tear-dimmed eyes upon the well-known Alps and

pondered upon his present retreat, attended by a fate so different

* * * * *

Page 94

praesentes reditus fortunatosque revolvit

ingressus: solo peragens tum murmure bellum

protento leviter frangebat moenia conto 270

inridens scopulos; nunc desolatus et expes

debita pulsato reddit spectacula monti.

tunc sic Ausonium respectans aethera fatur:

“Heu regio funesta Getis, heu terra sinistris

auguriis calcata mihi, satiare nocentum 275

cladibus et tandem nostris inflectere poenis!

en ego, qui toto sublimior orbe ferebar

ante tuum felix aditum, ceu legibus exul

addictusque reus flatu propiore sequentum

terga premor. quae prima miser, quae funera dictis

posteriora querar? non me Pollentia tantum 281

nec captae cruciastis opes; hoc aspera fati

sors tulerit Martisque vices. non funditus armis

concideram; stipatus adhuc equitumque catervis

integer ad montes reliquo cum robore cessi, 285

quos Appenninum perhibent. hunc esse ferebat

incola, qui Siculum porrectus ad usque Pelorum

finibus ab Ligurum populos complectitur omnes

Italiae geminumque latus stringentia longe

utraque perpetuo discriminat aequora tractu. 290

haec ego continuum si per iuga tendere cursum,

ut prior iratae fuerat sententia menti,

iam desperata voluissem luce, quid ultra?

omnibus oppeterem fama maiore perustis!

et certe moriens propius te, Roma, viderem, 295

ipsaque per cultas segetes mors nostra secuto

victori damnosa foret. sed pignora nobis

* * * * *

Page 95

from that which had prospered his advance. Then with a single whisper

he made war, with an outstretched spear lightly overthrew walls,

making a mock of precipices; now deserted and in despair he offered

a just spectacle to the mountains he had so scornfully crossed. Then

looking up at the sky of Italy he said: “Land of death for the Getae,

trod by me with such omens of disaster, let thy wrath be now appeased

by the sacrifice of so many of the guilty; let my sufferings at last

excite thy compassion. Behold me, once lord of the world, the friend

of fortune till I invaded thee; now, like an exile or an adjudged

criminal, I feel upon my back the nearer breath of my pursuers. Alas!

which of my disasters shall I lament first, which last? Not thou,

Pollentia, nor ye, my captured treasures, have thus tortured me; be

that destiny’s harsh lot or the chance of war. I had not then lost

all my forces; with troops still at my back, with my cavalry intact,

I retired with the remnant of my army to the hills they call the

Apennines. Its inhabitants told me that this mountain stretched from

the confines of Liguria as far as the promontory of Pelorus in Sicily

and embraced all the peoples of Italy, dividing with its unbroken chain

the two seas that wash their country’s two coasts. If I had pursued

the plan that anger first dictated to me and had in my desperation

continued my march along its crest, what lay beyond? Giving everything

to the flames I might have died with loftier fame. Ay, and my dying

eyes had beheld thee, Rome, from not so far away, and my very death

would have cost the victor dear as he pursued me over the well-tilled

cornfields. But Rome held my

* * * * *

Page 96

Romanus carasque nurus praedamque tenebat.

hoc magis exertum raperem succinctior agmen.

“Heu, quibus insidiis, qua me circumdedit arte 300

fatalis semper Stilicho! dum parcere fingit,

rettudit[33] hostiles animos bellumque remenso

evaluit transferre Pado. pro foedera saevo

deteriora iugo! tunc vis extincta Getarum;

tunc mihi, tunc letum pepigi. violentior armis 305

omnibus expugnat nostram clementia gentem,

Mars gravior sub pace latet, capiorque vicissim

fraudibus ipse meis. quis iam solacia fesso

consiliumve dabit? socius suspectior hoste.

“Atque utinam cunctos licuisset perdere bello! 310

nam quisquis duro cecidit certamine, numquam

desinit esse meus. melius mucrone perirent,

auferretque mihi luctu leviore sodales

victa manus quam laesa fides. nullusne clientum

permanet? offensi comites, odere propinqui. 315

quid moror invisam lucem? qua sede recondam

naufragii fragmenta mei? quaeve arva requiram,

in quibus haud umquam Stilicho nimiumque potentis

Italiae nomen nostras circumsonet aures?”

Haec memorans instante fugam Stilichone tetendit

expertas horrens aquilas; comitatur euntem 321

Pallor et atra Fames et saucia lividus ora

Luctus et inferno stridentes agmine Morbi.

lustralem tum rite facem, cui lumen odorum

[33] _rettudit_ Isengr. mg.; Birt reads _rettulit_, following EVA.

* * * * *

Page 97

children captive, my wives, my wealth--yet, freed from such hindrances,

my advance had been the more rapid.

“With what cunning, with what skill, did Stilicho, that ever fatal

enemy, ensnare me! His pretended mercy did but blunt my warlike spirit,

and availed him to shift the war backwards across the Po. A curse on

that armistice, more damaging than the yoke of slavery. ’Twas then the

cause of the Getae was undone, then that I signed my own death-warrant.

More rudely than any weapon did mercy destroy our people, beneath that

semblance of peace lay the deadliest form of war, and I myself fell

into the snare I had laid for others. I am weary of it all; where shall

I find comfort or counsel? I fear my friends more than my foes.

“Would God I had lost them all on that field. He is ever mine that

has fallen in hard conflict. Better all had perished by the sword;

less bitter had been my grief for losses inflicted by a victorious foe

than for those brought upon me by treachery. Is there not left one

faithful follower? My comrades have turned against me, my friends hate

me. My life is a burden; why prolong it? Where hide the remnants of

my shipwrecked fortunes? To what land shall I flee where the names of

Stilicho and all too powerful Italy shall not sound for ever in mine

ears?”

So spake he, and with Stilicho pressing hard upon him fled in terror

before our eagles. With him goes Pallor, black Hunger, Despair with

bloodless, wounded countenance and a hellish company of shrieking

Diseases. Then the learnèd priest whirls around the sick body[34] the

torch of purification

[34] _i.e._ the sick body of Italy which has to be purified after

the polluting presence of Alaric. With “rore pio spargens” _cf._

Verg. _Aen._ vi. 230, and for the throwing over the head of the

purificatory instrument see Verg. _Ec._ viii. 102.

* * * * *

Page 98

sulphure caeruleo nigroque bitumine fumat, 325

circum membra rotat doctus purganda sacerdos

rore pio spargens, et dira fugantibus herbis

numina purificumque Iovem Triviamque precatus

trans caput aversis manibus iaculatur in Austrum

secum rapturas cantata piacula taedas. 330

Acrior interea visendi principis ardor

accendit cum plebe patres et saepe negatum

flagitat adventum; nec tali publica vota

consensu tradunt atavi caluisse per urbem,

Dacica bellipotens cum fregerat Ulpius arma 335

atque indignantes in iura redegerat Arctos,

cum fasces cinxere Hypanin mirataque leges

Romanum stupuit Maeotia terra tribunal.

nec tantis patriae studiis ad templa vocatus,

clemens Marce, redis, cum gentibus undique cinctam

exuit Hesperiam paribus Fortuna periclis. 341

laus ibi nulla ducum; nam flammeus imber in hostem

decidit; hunc dorso trepidum fumante ferebat

ambustus sonipes; hic tabescente solutus

subsedit galea liquefactaque fulgure cuspis 345

canduit et subitis fluxere vaporibus enses.

tum contenta polo mortalis nescia teli

pugna fuit: Chaldaea mago seu carmina ritu

armavere deos, seu, quod reor, omne Tonantis

obsequium Marci mores potuere mereri. 350

nunc quoque praesidium Latio non deesset Olympi,

deficeret si nostra manus; sed providus aether

* * * * *

Page 99

with its smoky, odorous flame of blue sulphur and black bitumen;

he sprinkles the limbs with holy water and with herbs that banish

evil influences and, praying to Jove the Purifier and to Diana, with

back-turned hands throws over his head towards the South the torches

which are to carry off with them the spells cast over the sick.

Meanwhile the ardent desire of both senate and people to behold their

emperor demands his often denied return. Not with such consent, our

grandsires report, were public vows eagerly offered throughout the

city when warlike Trajan had broken the power of Dacia and reduced

the indignant north once more to subjection, what time the Scythian

river Hypanis beheld the Roman axes and Lake Maeotis looked in amaze

on a Roman court administering Roman law. It was a lesser enthusiasm

which recalled the gentle Marcus Aurelius to give thanks in Rome’s

temples for Fortune’s deliverance of Italy from a similar pressure of

surrounding nations. Then ’twas no thanks to the generals: one man his

scorched courser bore trembling on its smoking back; another sank down

beneath his fire-wasted helmet; spears glowed molten by lightning and

swords vanished suddenly into smoke. Heaven it was that fought that

battle with no mortal weapons, whether it was that Chaldean seers[35]

had by their magic spells won over the gods to our side or, as I rather

think, that Marcus’ blameless life had power to win the Thunder’s

homage. To-day, also, assuredly Heaven’s favour would not be wanting to

Latium should our own hand fail, but a beneficent providence has

[35] Claudian refers to the famous legend of the “Thundering”

legion, saved from dying of lack of water by a miraculous

rain-storm. This miracle occurred during M. Aurelius’ war against

the Marcomanni (_circ._ A.D. 175) and is attributed (1) to the

prayers of the Christians; (2) to an Egyptian magician on Marcus’

staff (Dio Cassius lxxi. 8. 10); (3) to the emperor’s own prayers.

* * * * *

Page 100

noluit humano titulos auferre labori,

ne tibi iam, princeps, soceri sudore paratam,

quam meruit virtus, ambirent fulmina laurum. 355

Iam totiens missi proceres responsa morandi

rettulerant, donec differri longius urbis

communes non passa preces penetralibus altis

prosiluit vultusque palam confessa coruscos

impulit ipsa suis cunctantem Roma querellis: 360

“Dissimulata diu tristes in amore repulsas

vestra parens, Auguste, queror. quonam usque tenebit

praelatus mea vota Ligus? vetitumque propinqua

luce frui, spatiis discernens gaudia parvis,

torquebit Rubicon vicino nomine Thybrim? 365

nonne semel sprevisse satis, cum reddita bellis

Africa venturi lusit spe principis urbem

nec duras tantis precibus permovimus aures?

ast ego frenabam geminos, quibus altior ires,

electi candoris equos et nominis arcum 370

iam molita tui, per quem radiante decorus

ingrederere toga, pugnae monumenta dicabam

defensam titulo Libyam testata perenni.

iamque parabantur pompae simulacra futurae

Tarpeio spectanda Iovi: caelata metallo 375

classis ut auratum sulcaret remige fluctum,

ut Massyla tuos anteirent oppida currus

* * * * *

Page 101

shown itself unwilling to rob human endeavour of its honour or to

let the lightning win the crown of laurel which the efforts of thy

father-in-law, Stilicho, have secured for thy brows.

Full often had the nobles, sent to urge thy return, brought back the

answer that as yet thou couldst not come, until Rome herself, unable

to bear any longer the frustration of her citizens’ common prayer,

came forth from the depths of her sanctuary and, openly displaying her

radiant face, urged the hesitating emperor with complaints of her own.

“Too long, my emperor, have I, thy mother, borne in silence the hurt

thy refusal to return hath done me. How long shall favoured Liguria

possess that for which I desire? How long shall the Rubicon, separating

me from the object of my prayers by so narrow a space, torture the

Tiber by the all-but-presence of that divine being whose nearer sojourn

it is not allowed to enjoy? Was it not enough to have scorned me once

when Africa, again at war, mocked the city with hopes of its emperor’s

coming, nor could we move thine obstinate ears with all our prayers?

Yet did I harness for thee two steeds whiter than snow to draw the

chariot wherein thou shouldst ride; already had I builded in thy name

a triumphal arch through the which thou shouldst pass clad in the garb

of victory, and I was dedicating it as a memorial of the war with an

inscription to be the undying witness of the salvation of Libya. Even

then were being prepared for Jove to see from the Tarpeian rock models

for the coming triumph: a fleet of ships was cast in metal, ships whose

oar-blades smote the golden sea; the cities of Africa were made to go

before thy chariot and

* * * * *

Page 102

Palladiaque comas innexus harundine Triton

edomitis veheretur aquis et in aere trementem

succinctae famulum ferrent Atlanta cohortes, 380

ipse Iugurthinam subiturus carcere poenam

praeberet fera colla iugo, vi captus et armis,

non Bocchi Syllaeque dolis.

“Sed prima remitto.

num praesens etiam Getici me laurea belli

declinare potest? sedesve capacior ulla 385

tantae laudis erit? tua te benefacta morantem

conveniunt, meritisque suis obnoxia virtus

quod servavit amat. iam flavescentia centum

messibus aestivae detondent Gargara falces,

spectatosque iterum nulli celebrantia ludos 390

circumflexa rapit centenus saecula consul:

his annis, qui lustra mihi bis dena recensent,

nostra ter Augustos intra pomeria vidi,

temporibus variis; eadem sed causa tropaei

civilis dissensus erat. venere superbi, 395

scilicet ut Latio respersos sanguine currus

adspicerem! quisquamne piae laetanda parenti

natorum lamenta putet? periere tyranni,

sed nobis periere tamen. cum Gallica vulgo

proelia iactaret, tacuit Pharsalica Caesar. 400

namque inter socias acies cognataque signa

ut vinci miserum, numquam vicisse decorum.

restituat priscum per te iam gloria morem

verior, et fructum sincerae laudis ab hoste

* * * * *

Page 103

Triton, with his conquered waters and his head crowned with Minerva’s

sacred reeds; crowds of slaves with upgirt dresses bore a figure of

trembling Atlas cast in bronze; Gildo himself, destined to undergo in

prison the punishment once meted out to Jugurtha, offered his stubborn

neck to the yoke, Gildo fallen a captive to the arms of Rome, not to

the treachery of a Bocchus and a Sulla.[36]

“But I pass over what has been. Can the present triumph, too, of the

Getic war escape me? Does any spot give ampler room to so great renown?

The very blessings thou hast bestowed beg thee not to delay, and thy

generosity, constrained by its own fair deeds, must needs love those

whom it has saved. Now for a hundred summers the reaper’s sickle

has gathered the yellow harvest of Gargarus; already the consul has

introduced the games that occur but once in a century and upon which

no man looks twice. During these years which number twice ten lustres,

I have but thrice[37] seen an emperor enter my walls in triumph; all

at different times but for the same reason--civil war. Did they come

in their pride that I should see their chariots stained with Italy’s

blood? Can any think a mother finds joy in the tears of her offspring?

The tyrants were slain, but even they were my children. Caesar boasted

him of his victories over the Gauls; he said nought about Pharsalia.

Where the two sides bear the same standards and are of one blood, as

defeat is ever shameful so victory brings no honour. See thou to it

that now a truer glory crown our arms; give me back the joy, long a

stranger to me, of honest

[36] Bocchus, king of Mauretania, treacherously delivered up his

kinsman Jugurtha to Marius. Sulla acted as the agent of the Roman

general in this matter.

[37] In a century so replete with civil war as the fourth it is

hard to say which particular three instances Claudian has in mind.

One is no doubt Constantine’s defeat of Maxentius, after which we

know that he entered Rome in triumph; the other two may refer to

Theodosius’ victories over Eugenius and Maximus.

* * * * *

Page 104

desuetam iam redde mihi iustisque furoris 405

externi spoliis sontes absolve triumphos.

“Quem, precor, ad finem laribus seiuncta potestas

exulat imperiumque suis a sedibus errat?

cur mea quae cunctis tribuere palatia nomen

neglecto squalent senio? nec creditur orbis 410

illinc posse regi? medium non deserit umquam

caeli Phoebus iter, radiis tamen omnia lustrat.

segnius an veteres Histrum Rhenumque tenebant,

qui nostram coluere domum? leviusve timebant

Tigris et Euphrates, cum foedera Medus et Indus 415

hinc peteret pacemque mea speraret ab arce?

hic illi mansere viri, quos mutua virtus

legit et in nomen Romanis rebus adoptans

iudicio pulchram seriem, non sanguine duxit;

hic proles atavum deducens Aelia Nervam 420

tranquillique Pii bellatoresque Severi.

hunc civis dignare chorum conspectaque dudum

ora refer, pompam recolens ut mente priorem,

quem tenero patris comitem susceperat aevo, 424

nunc duce cum socero iuvenem te Thybris adoret.”

Orantem medio princeps sermone refovit:

“numquam aliquid frustra per me voluisse dolebis,

o dea, nec legum fas est occurrere matri.

sed nec post Libyam (falsis ne perge querellis

incusare tuos) patriae mandata vocantis 430

sprevimus: advectae misso Stilichone curules,

ut nostras tibi, Roma, vices pro principe consul

impleret generoque socer. vidistis in illo

* * * * *

Page 105

fame won from the enemy, and make good guilty triumphs by the lawful

spoils of foreign madness.

“How long shall our emperor’s rule be a stranger to its true home and

his governance stray from its rightful seat? Why does my palace which

has given its name to all palaces mourn in neglected decay? Cannot

the world be ruled therefrom? Phoebus never deserts his centre path

though his beams are shed upon all. Was the hand of those old emperors

who made me their home any lighter laid upon the tribes of Danube and

Rhine? Was the awe felt by those of Tigris and Euphrates any less

real when Mede and Indian came to this my capital of Rome to beg for

alliance or sue for peace? Here dwelt those emperors whom merit chose

for merit, and so, adopting them as consuls for the Roman state, made

judgement not blood continue a noble line. Here lived the Aelian family

that traced its descent from Nerva, the peaceful Antonines, the warlike

Severi. Thou art a citizen; disdain not such a band; give us back the

countenance we beheld long since, that Father Tiber, remembering the

glory that was, may with thy father-in-law welcome thee as a man whom

as a boy he saw leave my city at his father’s side.”

While yet she entreated the emperor reassured her with these words:

“Never shalt thou complain that I have been deaf to thine entreaties; I

could not thwart thee, goddess, who art the mother of our laws. Bring

no railing accusation against thy sons. Did I disregard my country’s

call after the African war? Nay, I sent thee Stilicho to sit in the

curule chair to take my place, a consul instead of an emperor, a

father- instead of a son-in-law. In him thy

* * * * *

Page 106

me quoque; sic credit pietas non sanguine solo,

sed claris potius factis experta parentem. 435

cuncta quidem centum nequeam perstringere linguis,

quae pro me mundoque gerit; sed ab omnibus unum,

si fama necdum patuit, te, Roma, docebo

subiectum nostris oculis et cuius agendi

spectator vel causa fui. 440

“Populator Achivae

Bistoniaeque plagae, crebris successibus amens

et ruptas animis spirans inmanibus Alpes

iam Ligurum trepidis admoverat agmina muris

tutior auxilio brumae (quo gentibus illis

sidere consueti favet inclementia caeli) 445

meque minabatur calcato obsidere vallo

spem vano terrore fovens, si forte, remotis

praesidiis, urgente metu, qua vellet obirem

condicione fidem; nec me timor impulit ullus

et duce venturo fretum memoremque tuorum, 450

Roma, ducum, quibus haud umquam vel morte parata

foedus lucis amor pepigit dispendia famae.

nox erat et late stellarum more videbam

barbaricos ardere focos; iam classica primos

excierant vigiles, gelida cum pulcher ab Arcto 455

adventat Stilicho. medius sed clauserat hostis

inter me socerumque viam pontemque tenebat,

Addua quo scissas spumosior incitat undas.

quid faceret? differret iter? discrimina nullas

nostra dabant adeunda moras. perrumperet agmen?

sed paucis comitatus erat; nam plurima retro, 461

dum nobis properat succurrere, liquerat arma

extera vel nostras acies. hoc ille locatus

* * * * *

Page 107

citizens saw also myself; so my love believes, for it has found that

not blood alone but rather glorious deeds can show a parent. Had I a

hundred tongues I could not touch on all the benefits he has bestowed

upon me and upon the empire; one deed alone of them all will I recount

to thee, goddess, if so be it is as yet unknown to thee, a deed of

which I was the spectator or the cause.

“Alaric had laid waste Greece and the coasts of Thrace and in the

mad pride of his many victories and the arrogance inspired by his

crossing of the Alps had laid siege to the trembling cities of Liguria

with winter as his ally--a season that favours a race accustomed to

inclement skies; he then threatened to break down my defences and to

lay strait siege to me also, bolstering up his hopes with the thought

that, at the terror of his name and in fear of having none to aid me,

I should come to terms with him on any conditions he chose. But I felt

no fear, for I relied on the advance of Stilicho, and was mindful,

O goddess, of those thy leaders who, even in face of death, never

through base love of life made terms at the cost of honour. It was

night; where’er I looked I saw the watchfires of the enemy shining

like stars. The bugle had already summoned the soldiers to the first

watch when glorious Stilicho arrived from the frozen north. But the

enemy held the road between my father-in-law and myself, and the bridge

whose obstructing piers churn turbid Addua to yet fuller foam. What was

Stilicho to do? Halt? My danger forbade the least delay. Break through

the enemy’s line? His force was too small. In hastening to my aid he

had left behind him many auxiliaries and legionary troops. Placed in

this dilemma he

* * * * *

Page 108

ancipiti, longum socias tardumque putavit

expectasse manus et nostra pericula tendit 465

posthabitis pulsare suis mediumque per hostem

flammatus virtute pia propriaeque salutis

inmemor et stricto prosternens obvia ferro

barbara fulmineo secuit tentoria cursu.

“Nunc mihi Tydiden attollant carmina vatum, 470

quod iuncto fidens Ithaco patefacta Dolonis

indicio dapibusque simul religataque somno

Thracia sopiti penetraverit agmina Rhesi

Graiaque rettulerit captos ad castra iugales,

quorum, si qua fides augentibus omnia Musis, 475

impetus excessit Zephyros candorque pruinas.

ecce virum, taciti nulla qui fraude soporis

ense palam sibi pandit iter remeatque cruentus

et Diomedeis tantum praeclarior ausis,

quantum lux tenebris manifestaque proelia furtis! 480

adde quod et ripis steterat munitior hostis

et cui nec vigilem fas est componere Rhesum:

Thrax erat, hic Thracum domitor. non tela retardant,

obice non haesit fluvii. sic ille minacem

Tyrrhenam labente manum pro ponte repellens 485

traiecit clipeo Thybrim, quo texerat urbem,

Tarquinio mirante Cocles mediisque superbus

Porsennam respexit aquis. celer Addua nostro

sulcatus socero: sed, cum transnaret, Etruscis

ille dabat tergum, Geticis hic pectora bellis. 490

* * * * *

Page 109

thought it long and tedious to wait for reinforcements and, putting

aside his own peril, was eager only to deliver me from mine; inspired

by the courage that is born of love, heedless of his own danger, he

broke through the enemy’s midst and, sword in hand, cutting down all

who sought to bar his passage, he passed like lightning through the

barbarians’ camp.

“Now let poets’ songs praise me the son of Tydeus because, relying on

Odysseus’ help when the way was opened by Dolon’s wiles and all was

sunk in feasting and slumber, he broke into the Thracian camp of Rhesus

and brought back to the Greek lines his captured steeds, which--if we

may trust the too generous Muses--surpassed the winds in speed, the

snows in whiteness. Here was a man who, with no treachery ’mid silent

slumber, clave a path for himself with his sword in the open light of

day and arrived within our lines covered with blood, thus surpassing

the brave deeds of Diomede by as much as day surpasses night and open

battle ambush. Alaric’s position, moreover, on the river bank was a

stronger one, and he himself a warrior with whom Rhesus, even when

awake, could not be compared. Rhesus was king, Alaric the conqueror,

of Thrace. Neither weapons nor the river’s bar could stop Stilicho. So

Horatius, standing on the falling bridge, drave back the threatening

hosts of Etruria and then swam the Tiber, still carrying the shield

wherewith to the amazement of Tarquin he had defended Rome, and from

mid stream looked back with scornful gaze upon Porsenna. ’Twas the

swift Addua my father breasted; but, as he swam the flood, Horatius

turned his back upon the Etruscans, Stilicho faced the barbarian foe.

* * * * *

Page 110

“Exere nunc doctos tantae certamina laudis,

Roma, choros et, quanta tuis facundia pollet

ingeniis, nostrum digno sonet ore parentem.”

Dixit et antiquae muros egressa Ravennae

signa movet; iamque ora Padi portusque relinquit 495

flumineos, certis ubi legibus advena Nereus

aestuat et pronas puppes nunc amne secundo,

nunc redeunte vehit nudataque litora fluctu

deserit, Oceani lunaribus aemula damnis.

laetior hinc Fano recipit Fortuna vetusto, 500

despiciturque vagus praerupta valle Metaurus,

qua mons arte patens vivo se perforat arcu

admisitque viam sectae per viscera rupis,

exuperans delubra Iovis saxoque minantes

Appenninigenis cultas pastoribus aras. 505

quin et Clitumni sacras victoribus undas,

candida quae Latiis praebent armenta triumphis,

visere cura fuit; nec te miracula fontis

praetereunt, tacito passu quem si quis adiret,

lentus erat; si voce gradum maiore citasset, 510

commixtis fervebat aquis; cumque omnibus una

sit natura vadis, similes ut corporis undas

ostendant, haec sola novam iactantia sortem

humanos properant imitari flumina mores.

celsa dehinc patulum prospectans Narnia campum 515

regali calcatur equo, rarique coloris

non procul amnis abest, urbi qui nominis auctor:

ilice sub densa silvis artatus opacis

* * * * *

Page 111

“Now, O Rome, lead forth the chorus that shall hymn a contest of such

high renown and let thy best genius with all its eloquence voice the

well-merited praises of my foster parent.”

So spake he and, issuing from the walls of old Ravenna, advanced his

standards. He crossed the mouths of the Po and left behind him that

river harbour[38] where, in fixed succession, in flows the foaming

main and bears up the vessels that ride there at anchor on forward

and backward flowing stream, and again deserts the waveless shore,

like moon-led tides upon the marge of Ocean. Next he comes to the

old city of Fortune’s Temple that bids him glad welcome and from its

height looks down upon Metaurus threading its rocky valley where

an arch, tunnelled through the living rock, affords a path through

the mountain’s very heart, rising above the temple of Jove and the

dizzy altars set up by the shepherds of the Apennines. ’Twas thy

good pleasure, too, to visit Clitumnus’ wave,[39] beloved of them

that triumph, for thence do victors get them white-coated animals

for sacrifice at Rome. Thou markest well also the stream’s strange

property, flowing gently on when one approaches with silent step, but

swirling and eddying should one hasten with louder utterance; and while

it is the common nature of water to mirror the exact image of the body

it alone boasts the strange power that it mimics not human form but

human character. Next thy royal charger treads the streets of Narnia,

looking out from its eminence upon the plain below: not far therefrom

flows the strange-coloured stream which gives the town its name, its

sulphurous waters

[38] Classis Portus, a harbour formed by means of the Fossa

Augusta which led the southern arm of the Po to Ravenna. It was in

existence in 38 B.C. (App. _B.C._ v. 78, 80) and held 250 ships

(Jordanes, _Get._ 150; _cf._ Pliny, _H.N._ iii. 119; Sid. Apol.

_Epp._ i. 5. 5).

[39] For a description of the Clitumnus see Pliny, _Epp._ viii. 8.

* * * * *

Page 112

inter utrumque iugum tortis anfractibus albet.

inde salutato libatis Thybride lymphis 520

excipiunt arcus operosaque semita vastis

molibus et quidquid tantae praemittitur urbi.

Ac velut officiis trepidantibus ora puellae

spe propiore tori mater sollertior ornat

adveniente proco vestesque et cingula comit 525

saepe manu viridique angustat iaspide pectus

substringitque comam gemmis et colla monili

circuit et bacis onerat candentibus aures:

sic oculis placitura tuis insignior auctis

collibus et nota maior se Roma videndam 530

obtulit. addebant pulchrum nova moenia vultum

audito perfecta recens rumore Getarum,

profecitque opifex decori timor, et vice mira,

quam pax intulerat, bello discussa senectus

erexit subitas turres cunctosque coëgit 535

septem continuo colles iuvenescere muro.

ipse favens votis solitoque decentior aër,

quamvis adsiduo noctem foedaverat imbre,

principis et solis radiis detersa removit

nubila; namque ideo pluviis turbaverat omnes 540

ante dies lunamque rudem madefecerat Auster,

ut tibi servatum scirent convexa serenum.

Omne Palatino quod pons a colle recedit

Mulvius et quantum licuit consurgere tectis,

* * * * *

Page 113

flowing in tortuous course between opposed mountains through dense

forests of holm-oak. Then when in greeting to Father Tiber thou hast

poured a libation of his waters thou art welcomed by Rome’s arches and

all the magnificent buildings which line the roads of that noble city’s

suburbs.

And as a careful mother at the approach of her daughter’s lover does

all that trembling hand can do to enhance the charms that are to win

a husband, oft readjusts dress and girdle, confines her breast with

bands of green jasper, gathers up her hair with jewels, sets a necklace

about her neck, and hangs glistening pearls from her ears, so Rome,

in order to be pleasing in thy sight, offers herself to thy admiring

gaze more glorious and with hills made higher and herself greater than

thou hadst known her. Still fairer than of old she seemed by reason

of those new walls that the rumour of the Getae’s approach had just

caused to be built; fear was the architect of that beauteous work and,

by a strange freak of fortune, war put an end to the decay that peace

had brought. For fear it was that caused the sudden upspringing of all

those towers and renewed the youth of Rome’s seven hills by enclosing

them all within one long wall. Even the weather listened favourably

to our prayers and was finer than its wont, although continuous rain

had spoiled the preceding night; but the clouds melted away before the

glory of the sun and the emperor. All the days before had the south

wind troubled with rain and dimmed the moon’s young disc that heaven

might know it was for thee that the sunshine waited.

One huge crowd filled all the slope between the Palatine hill and the

Mulvian bridge and as far up

* * * * *

Page 114

una replet turbae facies: undare videres 545

ima viris, altas effulgere matribus aedes.

exultant iuvenes aequaevi principis annis;

temnunt prisca senes et in hunc sibi prospera fati

gratantur durasse diem moderataque laudant

tempora, quod clemens aditu, quod pectore solus 550

Romanos vetuit currum praecedere patres:

cum tamen Eucherius, cui regius undique sanguis,

atque Augusta soror fratri praeberet ovanti

militis obsequium; sic illum dura parentis

instituit pietas in se vel pignora parci 555

quique neget nato, procerum quod praestat honori.

haec sibi curva[40] senum maturaque comprobat aetas

idque inter veteris speciem praesentis et aulae

iudicat: hunc civem, dominos venisse priores.

Conspicuas tum flore genas, diademate crinem 560

membraque gemmato trabeae viridantia cinctu

et fortes umeros et certatura Lyaeo

inter Erythraeas surgentia colla smaragdos

mirari sine fine nurus; ignaraque virgo,

cui simplex calet ore pudor, per singula cernens 565

nutricem consultat anum: quid fixa draconum

ora velint? ventis fluitent an vera minentur

sibila suspensum rapturi faucibus hostem?

ut chalybe indutos equites et in aere latentes

vidit cornipedes: “quanam de gente” rogabat 570

“ferrati venere viri? quae terra metallo

nascentes informat equos? num Lemnius auctor

[40] _curva_ Birt; codd. _cura_.

* * * * *

Page 115

as it was possible to go on the house roofs; the ground seethed with

men, the lofty buildings were aglow with women. Those who are young

rejoice in an emperor of their own age, the old cease to belaud the

past and count their destiny happy that they have lived to see such

a day, blessing the kindly times when a prince so easy of access, so

singular in courtesy, forbade the senators of Rome to march before

his chariot, even though Eucherius, in whose veins ran regal blood on

father’s and on mother’s side, and his own sister did honour to his

triumph like simple soldiers. Such has been the teaching of that stern

but loving parent who showed no more favour to his children than to

himself, and refused a son honours he granted to nobles. Bent age and

upstanding youth alike are loud in his praises and, comparing the new

with the ancient rule, recognize in Honorius a true citizen, in his

predecessors tyrants.

The women of Rome never tire of gazing at those blooming cheeks, those

crowned locks, those limbs clothed in the consul’s jasper-studded

robes, those mighty shoulders, and that neck, beauteous as Bacchus’

own, with its necklace of Red Sea emeralds. Many an innocent maid,

while simple modesty blushes in her cheek, would bend her gaze o’er

all and inquire of her aged nurse the meaning of the dragons on the

colours. “Do they,” she would ask, “but wave in the air or is theirs a

veritable hiss, uttered as they are about to seize an enemy in their

jaws?” When she sees the mail-clad knights and brazen-armoured horses

she would fain know whence that iron race of men is sprung and what

land it is gives birth to steeds of bronze. “Has the god of Lemnos,”

* * * * *

Page 116

indidit hinnitum ferro simulacraque belli

viva dedit?” gaudet metuens et pollice monstrat.

quod picturatas galeae Iunonia cristas 575

ornet avis vel quod rigidos vibrata per armos

rubra sub aurato crispentur serica dorso.

Tunc tibi magnorum mercem Fortuna laborum

persolvit, Stilicho, curru cum vectus eodem

urbe triumphantem generum florente iuventa 580

conspiceres illumque diem sub corde referres,

quo tibi confusa dubiis formidine rebus

infantem genitor moriens commisit alendum.

virtutes variae fructus sensere receptos;

depositum servasse, fides; constantia, parvum 585

praefecisse orbi; pietas, fovisse propinquum.

hic est ille puer, qui nunc ad rostra Quirites

evocat et solio fultus genitoris eburno

gestarum patribus causas ex ordine rerum

eventusque refert veterumque exempla secutus 590

digerit imperii sub iudice facta senatu.

nil cumulat verbis quae nil fiducia celat;

fucati sermonis opem mens conscia laudis

abnuit. agnoscunt proceres; habituque Gabino

principis et ducibus circumstipata togatis 595

iure paludatae iam curia militat aulae.

adfuit ipsa suis ales Victoria templis

Romanae tutela togae: quae divite penna

patricii reverenda fovet sacraria coetus

* * * * *

Page 117

she would ask, “bestowed on metal the power to neigh, and forged living

statues for the fight?” Joy and fear fill her mind; she points with her

finger how Juno’s bird decks the gay crests upon their helmets, or how,

beneath the golden armour on their horses’ backs, the red silk waves

and ripples over the strong shoulders.

Then it was, Stilicho, that Fortune repaid thee for the labour of

so many years when, mounted in the same chariot, thou sawest thy

son-in-law in his prime pass in triumph through the streets of Rome,

and didst recall that day when in troubled terror mid uncertain fortune

the dying father entrusted his son to thy care. Now thy many virtues

have found their meet reward: loyalty that has kept safe that which was

confided to it, singleness of purpose that made a boy the master of

the world, affection that has bestowed such loving care on an adopted

son. This is the boy who to-day summons Rome’s citizens to the place

of meeting and from his father’s ivory throne tells to the fathers the

causes and the issues of his acts, and, following ancient precedent,

directs the deeds of empire at the judgement-seat of the Senate. He

piles up no words, for confidence has nothing to conceal; his mind,

conscious of true worth, refuses the aid of artificial speech. The

senators learn to know him; their chief wears the Gabine[41] garb, and

thronged with generals in the rôle of peace the Senate-house prepares

for service under the auspices of the warlike court. Winged victory

herself, Rome’s faithful guardian, was in her temple;[42] her golden

pinions stretched in protection over the holy sanctuary where the

fathers meet together, and she herself, a tireless

[41] See note on vii. 3.

[42] A reference to the statue of Victory in the Senate House.

Ambrose had persuaded Gratian to turn it out (A.D. 384) but

Honorius had had it replaced (_cf._ xxiii. 19 and Paulinus, _Vita

S. Ambr._ viii. § 26).

* * * * *

Page 118

castrorumque eadem comes indefessa tuorum 600

nunc tandem fruitur votis atque omne futurum

te Romae seseque tibi promittit in aevum.

Hinc te iam patriis laribus via nomine vero

sacra refert. flagrat studiis concordia vulgi,

quam non inlecebris dispersi colligis auri; 605

nec tibi venales captant aeraria plausus

corruptura fidem: meritis offertur inemptus

pura mente favor. nam munere carior omni

obstringit sua quemque salus. procul ambitus erret!

non quaerit pretium, vitam qui debet amori. 610

O quantum populo secreti numinis addit

imperii praesens genius! quantamque rependit

maiestas alterna vicem, cum regia circi

conexum gradibus veneratur purpura vulgus,

adsensuque cavae sublatus in aethera vallis 615

plebis adoratae reboat fragor, unaque totis

intonat Augustum septenis arcibus Echo!

nec solis hic cursus equis: adsueta quadrigis

cingunt arva trabes, subitaeque adspectus harenae

diffundit Libycos aliena valle cruores. 620

haec et belligeros exercuit area lusus,

armatos haec saepe choros, certaque vagandi

textas lege fugas inconfusosque recursus

et pulchras errorum artes iucundaque Martis

cernimus. insonuit cum verbere signa magister, 625

* * * * *

Page 119

attendant on thine armies, now at last has had her wish granted and is

able to promise that for all time to come thou shalt be Rome’s guardian

and she thine.

Hence the Sacred Way (now truly named) brings thee back to thy home.

Eagerly breaks out the world’s one-hearted welcome, that thou dost

not woo with lure of scattered gold; nor for thee does the treasury,

seeking to corrupt good faith, court venal applause; to worth

unpurchased love is offered by a pure heart. For life that is dearer

than any gift makes all thy debtors. Away with wooing of applause! He

can ask no payment who owes his life to love.

Oh what mysterious power over the people does the Empire’s

guardian-genius bring! What majesty bows to majesty as the prince, clad

in imperial scarlet, returns the salutations of the people that crowd

the tiers of the Circus! The shouts of the adoring populace rising from

that immense circle thunder to the sky, while the echoes of Rome’s

seven hills repeat as with one voice the name of Honorius. Nor does the

Circus display only horse-races; its floor, whereon chariots were wont

to drive, is surrounded by a palisade, and in this new amphitheatre, so

far, so different, from their native valleys, Libyan lions shed their

blood. This is the scene, too, of a military display; here we often

see armed bands advancing and retiring in mazèd movements that are

nevertheless executed according to a fixed plan; we watch them wheel

in perfect order, extend with disciplined precision, affording us the

pleasing spectacle of mimic warfare. The leader cracks his whip and a

thousand bodies execute in unison

* * * * *

Page 120

mutatos edunt pariter tot pectora motus

in latus adlisis clipeis aut rursus in altum

vibratis; grave parma sonat, mucronis acutum

murmur, et umbonum pulsu modulante resultans

ferreus alterno concentus clauditur ense. 630

una omnis summissa phalanx tantaeque salutant

te, princeps, galeae. partitis inde catervis

in varios docto discurritur ordine gyros,

quos neque semiviri Gortynia tecta iuvenci

flumina nec crebro vincant Maeandria flexu. 635

discreto revoluta gradu torquentur in orbes

agmina, perpetuisque inmoto cardine claustris

Ianus bella premens laeta sub imagine pugnae

armorum innocuos paci largitur honores.

Iamque novum fastis aperit felicibus annum 640

ore coronatus gemino; iam Thybris in uno

et Bruti cernit trabeas et sceptra Quirini.

consule laetatur post plurima saecula viso

Pallanteus apex; agnoscunt rostra curules

auditas quondam proavis, desuetaque cingit 645

regius auratis fora fascibus Ulpia lictor,

et sextas Getica praevelans fronde secures

colla triumphati proculcat Honorius Histri.

exeat in populos cunctis inlustrior annus,

natus fonte suo, quem non aliena per arva 650

induit hospes honos, cuius cunabula fovit

curia, quem primi tandem videre Quirites,

quem domitis auspex peperit Victoria bellis!

* * * * *

Page 121

their new movements; now they clap their bucklers to their sides,

now they brandish them above their heads; deeply sound the clashing

shields, sharply ring the engaging swords, and, to the rhythm of beaten

targes, the echoing song of steel is punctuated by the interclash of

weapons. Suddenly the whole phalanx falls on its knees before thee and

a thousand helmets bow down in reverence. Then the companies separate,

wheeling and counter-wheeling with ordered skill, following a course

more tortuous than the corridors of the Minotaur’s Cretan palace or the

reaches of Meander’s wandering stream. Then wheeling apart they form

with circular masses, and Janus,[43] emprisoning war behind his ever

unopening doors, after a happy mimicry of battle bestows on peace the

innocent rewards of combat.

And now, his double head crowned with laurel, Janus opens the new year

with auspicious calendar; now Tiber sees united in Honorius Brutus’

consular robe and Romulus’ kingly sceptre. The Palatine hill rejoices

after many generations again to look upon a consul; the rostra learn

to know the curule chair famed of old among our forefathers, and royal

lictors, a long unwonted sight, encircle with their golden fasces the

Forum of Trajan; while Honorius, wreathing with Getic laurels the axes

borne for the sixth time before him, places a conqueror’s foot upon

the neck of subdued Danube. Let this year springing from its true

source go forth among the nations more glorious than any--a year the

consul inaugurated, not a stranger in a strange land, whose cradle the

Senate-house guarded, that Roman citizens first beheld, that Victory,

all wars o’ercome, auspiciously

[43] Mentioned, no doubt, as symbolical of the New Year.

* * * * *

Page 122

hunc et privati titulis famulantibus anni

et, quos armipotens genitor retroque priores 655

diversis gessere locis, ceu numen adorent;

hunc et quinque tui vel quos habiturus in urbe

post alios, Auguste, colant. licet unus in omnes

consul eas, magno sextus tamen iste superbit

nomine: praeteritis melior, venientibus auctor. 660

* * * * *

Page 123

brought to birth. Years in which mere commoners held the consulship,

and ye years when Theodosius and his predecessors graced that office

in Rome or elsewhere, count your honours as nought and worship this

present year. Ay, you five previous consulships of Honorius, even you

that our emperor shall hold in Rome in the days to come, give place to

this one. Wert thou, Honorius, to be consul every year, yet is this thy

sixth to be magnified above all thy consulships, excelling all that are

past and model of all that are to come.

* * * * *

Page 124

DE BELLO GOTHICO

PRAEFATIO

(XXV.)

Post resides annos longo velut excita somno

Romanis fruitur nostra Thalia choris.

optatos renovant eadem mihi culmina coetus,

personat et noto Pythia vate domus:

consulis hic fasces cecini Libyamque receptam, 5

hic mihi prostratis bella canenda Getis.

Sed prior effigiem tribuit successus aënam,

oraque patricius nostra dicavit honos;

adnuit his princeps titulum poscente senatu;

respice iudicium quam grave, Musa, subis! 10

ingenio minuit merces properata favorem:

carminibus veniam praemia tanta negant;

et magis intento studium censore laborat,

quod legimur medio conspicimurque foro.

Materies tamen ipsa iuvat solitumque timorem 15

dicturo magna sedula parte levat.

nam mihi conciliat gratas impensius aures

vel meritum belli vel Stilichonis amor.

* * * * *

Page 125

THE GOTHIC WAR

PREFACE

(XXV.)

After years of sloth my Muse, as if startled from long slumber,

rejoices to sing a Roman song to Roman ears. Once more the same halls

bring the gathering I longed for, and Apollo’s temple echoes to the

voice of a familiar bard. ’Twas here I sang of the consular fasces

and of the winning back of Libya and here must I sing of the war that

overthrew the Getae.

But my former success won for me a brazen statue[44] and the Fathers

set up my likeness in my honour; at the Senate’s prayer the Emperor

allowed the claim--bethink thee, Muse, how strict a judgement thou

dost face! Wit wins less favour when too soon rewarded, and so great a

gift refuses indulgence for my song. Now that my name is read and my

features are known in the forum my Muse labours for a sterner critic

than before.

Yet my theme itself brings cheer and, as I begin to speak, eagerly

lightens much of my accustomed fear. A gracious and more devoted

hearing is secured for me, be it by the war’s deserving or be it by

Stilicho’s love.

[44] For Claudian’s statue see Introduction, p. xii. For a similar

honour conceded to Sidonius _cf._ Sid. Apol. _Epp._ ix. 16. 3;

_Carm._ viii. 8.

* * * * *

Page 126

(XXVI.)

Intacti cum claustra freti, coëuntibus aequor

armatum scopulis, audax inrumperet Argo

Aeetam Colchosque petens, propiore periclo

omnibus attonitis, solus post numina Tiphys

incolumem tenui damno servasse carinam 5

fertur et ancipitem montis vitasse ruinam

deceptoque vagae concursu rupis in altum

victricem duxisse ratem; stupuere superbae

arte viri domitae Symplegades et nova passae

iura soli cunctis faciles iam puppibus haerent, 10

ut vinci didicere semel. quodsi ardua Tiphyn

navis ob innocuae meritum sic gloria vexit,

quae tibi pro tanti pulso discrimine regni

sufficient laudes, Stilicho? licet omnia vates

in maius celebrata ferant ipsamque secandis 15

Argois trabibus iactent sudasse Minervam

nec nemoris muti iunxisse carentia sensu

robora, sed caeso Tomari Iovis augure luco

arbore praesaga tabulas animasse loquaces.

plurima sed quamvis variis miracula monstris 20

ingeminent, teneras victuri carmine mentes,

* * * * *

Page 127

(XXVI.)

When the intrepid Argo, passing between the clashing rocks that

guarded its entrance, burst through the portals of the unfurrowed sea

making for Colchis where Aeëtes ruled, it is said that, when all were

panic-stricken by the nearing danger, Tiphys alone--with heaven’s

help--kept safe the almost uninjured bark. ’Twas thanks to him that

the Argo escaped the cliffs threatening ruin and came out victorious

into the open sea, cunningly eluding the meeting shock of the floating

rocks. Amazed were the proud Symplegades thus subdued by the hero’s

skill, and, submitting to the novel laws of the fixed earth, offer

unmoved an easy passage to all ships since once they have learned

defeat. But if the merit of saving a single vessel from ruin won, and

rightly won, for Tiphys such meed of honour, what praises shall suffice

for thee, Stilicho, who hast freed so great an empire from destruction?

Poets may exaggerate the story; they may boast that Minerva toiled with

her own hands to hew the Argo’s beams, and that she fitted together no

senseless timber from a dumb forest, but felled the augural grove of

Tomarian[45] Jove and with those prophetic trees quickened its planks

to speech. But though they burden their recital with the story of

countless prodigies to captivate the mind of the unlettered

[45] A reference to the “talking oaks” of Dodona, Tomarus (or Tmarus)

being a mountain in Epirus near Dodona.

* * * * *

Page 128

Harpyiasque truces insopitisque refusum

tractibus aurati custodem velleris anguem

et iuga taurorum rapidis ambusta favillis

et virides galeis sulcos fetasque novales 25

Martis et in segetem crescentis semina belli:

nil veris aequale dabunt. prohibere rapaces

scilicet Harpyias unaque excludere mensa

nobilior titulus, quam tot potuisse paratas

in Latii praedam Geticas avertere fauces? 30

anne ego terrigenas potius mirabor in ipsis

procubuisse satis, vitae quibus attulit idem

principium finemque dies, quam caesa Getarum

agmina, quos tantis aluit Bellona tropaeis

totaque sub galeis Mavortia canuit aetas? 35

Per te namque unum mediis exuta tenebris

imperio sua forma redit, claustrisque solutae

tristibus exangues audent procedere leges.

iamque potestates priscus discriminat ordo

iustitiae, quas ante pares effecerat una 40

nube timor. tua nos urgenti dextera leto

eripuit, tectisque suis redduntur et agris

damnati fato populi, virtute renati.

iam non in pecorum morem formidine clausi

prospicimus saevos campis ardentibus ignes 45

alta nec incertis metimur flumina votis

excidio latura moram nec poscimus amnes

* * * * *

Page 129

young, though they tell of fierce Harpies, of the dragon whose

unsleeping length lay curled in protecting folds about the golden

fleece, of yoked bulls afire with flickering flames, of a springing

crop of helmets, a field from out whose furrows grew a Martian race,

of seeds of war whose increase yielded a harvest, too, of war, yet do

these fictions fall short of the truth. Is it a nobler title to fame to

have driven off the greedy Harpies and banished them from the table of

a single man than to have had the strength to beat back those countless

Getic maws that thirsted for the spoil of Latium? Am I to look with

more admiration upon those earth-born warriors struck down in the very

furrows from which they sprang, born and dying in a single day, than

upon the slaughtered ranks of Getae whom the goddess of war reared on

so many spoils and whose martial life came to grey hairs, passed ever

beneath helmets?

Thou and thou alone, Stilicho, hast dispersed the darkness that

enshrouded our empire and hast restored its glory; thanks to thee

civilization, all but vanished, has been freed from the gloomy prison

and can again advance. The old order of justice now makes distinction

between magistracies which fear had made equal in a common gloom. Thy

right hand has snatched us from impending death and restored to their

homes and lands peoples whom fate sentenced and thy valour saved. No

longer, herded together like sheep by reason of our fears, do we watch

from the ramparts our fields ablaze with the enemy’s fire, no longer

measure the depth of rivers which we feebly hope will retard our

destruction nor ask the streams and flying clouds to

* * * * *

Page 130