“Celerina’s father has won every title that a warrior may. Step by step

he has reached the highest of all ranks, that of commander-in-chief;

it is he who dispenses titles of honour, settles the garrisons of the

provinces, unites the scattered forces of the empire, and checks the

disposition of its troops. He decides the defences of Sarmatia and

the legions that are to face the wild Getae or keep Saxon and Scot in

subjection. He knows how many cohorts fringe the shore of Ocean, how

great an army maintains peace along the banks of the Rhine. In the

family of Celerina is to be found unspotted

[84] Carus was struck by lightning (or murdered) during his Persian

campaign, A.D. 283; (_cf._ Sidon. Apol. c. 23. 91).

* * * * *

Page 212

casta domus, sincera fides, industria sollers.

elegit Stilicho; nihil ultra laudibus addi

iudiciove potest. tali nubente puella

nonne tibi cessare nefas? duc protinus omnes, 95

duc age. marcentes cupio quassare coronas

et vibrare faces et noctem ducere ludo.

haec quoque non vilem iam fistula commodat usum

responsura choris.”

Vix haec Hymenaeus; at illa

fontibus abluitur gelidis legemque capillo 100

reddit et ornatum formae prelisque solutae

mira Dioneae sumit velamina telae.

floribus extruitur currus; iuga floribus halant;

florea purpureas adnectunt frena columbas.

undique concurrunt volucres, quaecumque frementem

permulcent Athesin cantu, quas Larius audit, 106

quas Benacus alit, quas excipit amne quieto

Mincius: ereptis obmutuit unda querellis.

Eridani ripas et raucae stagna Padusae

diffugiens nudavit olor. laetantur Amores 110

frenatisque truces avibus per nubila vecti

ostentant se quisque deae magnoque tumultu

confligunt pronique manus in verbera tendunt

atque impune cadunt: lapsus meliore volatu

consequitur vincitque suos auriga iugales. 115

Ut thalami tetigere fores, tum vere rubentes

desuper invertunt calathos largosque rosarum

imbres et violas plenis sparsere pharetris

collectas Veneris prato, quibus ipse pepercit

* * * * *

Page 213

virtue, unfeigned loyalty, and diligence guided by knowledge. She

is Stilicho’s choice; to such choice and judgement no praise can be

added. It were a shame, Venus, shouldst thou not be present at the

marriage of such a maid. Come, bring all thy train. Fain would I shake

the withering wreaths, brandish the torches, and devote the night to

pleasure. Now even this my pipe gives no dishonoured service answering

the choirs’ songs.”

Scarce had Hymen spoken and she bathes her in the cool stream, gathers

her flowing hair, and renews her charms, taking from out the press the

wondrous garments spun by her mother Dione. Her chariot is heaped with

flowers and the yoke thereof is fragrant with blossoms. Flowers entwine

the reins that fetter her bright doves. From all sides the birds flock

together, those that soothe with their song the roar of Athesis, those

whom Larius hears, Benacus feeds, or Mincius welcomes with his quiet

flood. Quiet are those waters now that the birds’ plaintive notes

resound there no more. The swans have flown away and left the banks

of Eridanus and the sounding marshes of Padusa. Right glad are the

wanton Loves; they catch and harness the birds and ride them through

the clouds before the eyes of Venus. There they join in noisy battle,

lean forward to strike one another, and fall but suffer no hurt. Fallen

they overtake their steeds with flight swifter than theirs, for the

charioteer is fleeter than the chariot.

Soon as they reached the doors of the marriage-chamber they empty

baskets full of red spring flowers, pouring forth showers of roses and

scattering from their laden quivers violets gathered in Venus’ meadow,

violets untouched e’en by the heat of the

* * * * *

Page 214

Sirius et teneras clementi sidere fovit. 120

gemmatis alii per totum balsama tectum

effudere cadis, duro quae saucius ungue

Niliacus pingui desudat vulnere cortex.

adgreditur Cytherea nurum flentemque pudico

detraxit matris gremio. matura tumescit 125

virginitas superatque nives ac lilia candor

et patrium flavis testatur crinibus Histrum.

tum dextram complexa viri dextramque puellae

tradit et his ultro sancit conubia dictis:

“Vivite concordes et nostrum discite munus. 130

oscula mille sonent; livescant brachia nexu;

labra ligent animas. neu tu virtute proterva

confidas, iuvenis; non est terrore domanda,

sed precibus placanda tibi. concede marito

tu quoque neu Scythicas infensis unguibus iras 135

exercere velis: vinci patiare, rogamus.

sic uxor, sic mater eris. quid lumina tinguis,

virgo? crede mihi: quem nunc horrescis, amabis.”

Dixit et aligera geminos arcuque manuque

praestantes e plebe vocat. puer ilicet Aethon 140

et Pyrois rutilas respersi murice plumas

prosiliunt puroque imbutis melle sagittis

hic nuptam petit, ille virum. sonuere reducta

cornua; certa notos pariter sulcavit harundo

et pariter fixis haeserunt tela medullis. 145

* * * * *

Page 215

Dog-star who had tempered for their frail beauty his accustomed

fires. Others throughout the palace poured forth from jewelled

caskets unguents gathered by the banks of the Nile from trees whose

bark, when wounded by the cruel finger-nail, oozed with rich gum.

Cytherea approaches the bride, and, despite her tears, drew her from

her mother’s arms. Her swelling breast betokens maidenhood ripe for

marriage, her skin is whiter than lilies or than snow, and her golden

hair points to the Danube as her birthplace. Then, taking the hand of

the bridegroom, Venus joins to it that of the bride and with these

words blesses their union: “Live as one and fulfil all my rites. Give

a thousand kisses, let arm be bruised with enfolding arm, and lips so

join that soul may meet soul. And thou, husband, put not thy confidence

in rude love-making; thy wife’s love cannot be won by threats, but

must be gained by entreaty. And do thou yield to thy husband nor seek

to show anger; use not thy nails as weapons like the women of Scythia.

I beg thee submit to conquest; so shalt thou be indeed a wife, so a

mother. Why are there tears in thine eyes? Believe me, thou shalt love

him whom now thou fearest.”

So spake she, and chose from out her winged attendants the two whose

bows were strongest and their aim most sure. At once Aethon and Pyrois

leaped forward, their bright wings tinged with purple. Dipping their

shafts in pure honey the one aims his at the bride, the other his at

the bridegroom. They draw their bows; the strings twang and the sure

arrows cleave the air with equal speed and implant themselves at equal

depths in the hearts of the twain.

* * * * *

Page 216

XXVI. (XLIX.)

_Aponus._

Fons, Antenoreae vitam qui porrigis urbi

fataque vicinis noxia pellis aquis,

cum tua vel mutis tribuant miracula vocem,

cum tibi plebeius carmina dictet honos

et sit nulla manus, cuius non pollice ductae 5

testentur memores prospera vota notae:

nonne reus Musis pariter Nymphisque tenebor,

si tacitus soli praetereare mihi?

ludibrium quid enim fas est a vate relinqui

hunc qui tot populis pervolat ora locum? 10

Alto colle minor, planis erectior arvis

conspicuo clivus molliter orbe tumet

ardentis fecundus aquae; quacumque cavernas

perforat, offenso truditur igne latex.

spirat putre solum, conclusaque subter anhelo 15

pumice rimosas perfodit[85] unda vias.

umida flammarum regio: Vulcania terrae

ubera, sulphureae fervida regna plagae.

quis sterilem non credat humum? fumantia vernant

pascua; luxuriat gramine cocta silex 20

et, cum sic rigidae cautes fervore liquescant,

contemptis audax ignibus herba viret.

Praeterea grandes effosso marmore sulci

saucia longinquo limite saxa secant. 25

[85] _perfodit_ Koch; codd. (Birt) _perforat_.

* * * * *

Page 217

XXVI. (XLIX.)

_Aponus._[86]

Fount that prolongest life for the dwellers in Antenor’s city,

banishing by thy neighbouring waters all harmful fates, seeing that

thy marvels stir utterance even in the dumb, that a people’s love bids

poets to honour thee in song, and that there is no hand whose fingers

have not traced for thee some lines in thankful witness of prayers

granted, shall I not be held guilty alike by the Muses and the Nymphs

if I alone sing not thy praises? How can a spot whose fame is on so

many lips rightly be passed over by me in slighting silence?

Lower than a lofty hill yet higher than the level plain rises a gentle

eminence, clear to see from all around. Prolific is it in hot springs,

for wherever water penetrates its recesses encountering fires drive it

forth. The crumbling ground exhales vapours, and the water, closed down

in its prison of burning rock, forces its way out by many a fissured

channel. ’Tis a region of liquid fire where Vulcan’s flames spring

forth from earth’s breast, a land of burning and of sulphur. Who would

not think it barren? Yet are those fiery fields green with verdure;

grass grows o’er the burning marl and, though the very rocks melt at

the heat, plants, mocking at the flames, boldly flourish.

Beyond this are vast furrows cut in the rock, scarring and cleaving it

in long lines. Traces are

[86] Aponus (mod. Abano) near Padua, famous for its hot mineral

springs (_cf._ Mart. vi. 42. 4; Lucan, vii. 193; Sil. Ital. xii.

218, etc.). Padua (Patavinum) is said to have been founded by

Antenor.

* * * * *

Page 218

Herculei (sic fama refert) monstratur aratri

semita, vel casus vomeris egit opus,

in medio pelagi late flagrantis imago

caerulus inmenso panditur ore lacus

ingenti fusus spatio; sed maior in altum

intrat et arcanae rupis inane subit: 30

densus nube sua tactuque inmitis et haustu,

sed vitreis idem lucidus usque vadis.

consuluit natura sibi, ne tota lateret,

admisitque oculos, quo vetat ire calor:

turbidus impulsu venti cum spargitur aër 35

glaucaque fumiferae terga serenat aquae,

tunc omnem liquidi vallem mirabere fundi,

tunc veteres hastae, regia dona, micant

(quas inter, nigrae tenebris obscurus harenae,

discolor abruptum flumen hiatus agit; 40

adparent infra latebrae, quas gurges opacus

implet et abstrusos ducit in antra sinus);

tunc montis secreta patent, qui flexus in arcum

aequora pendenti margine summa ligat.

Viva coronatos adstringit scaena vapores, 45

et levis exili cortice terra natat

calcantumque oneri numquam cessura virorum

sustentat trepidum, fida ruina, pedem.

facta manu credas, sic levis circuit oras

ambitus et tenuis perpetuusque riget. 50

* * * * *

Page 219

they--so tradition tells--of Hercules’ plough, or else chance did the

ploughshare’s work. In the middle of the hill is what seems a broad,

steaming sea, an azure lake of vast extent. Great is the space it

covers, still greater its depth where it plunges down and loses itself

beneath the rocky caverns. A thick pall of steam hangs over it; its

waters cannot be touched nor drunk though they are transparent as

crystal to the very bottom. Nature took counsel for herself and lest

that lake should be entirely beyond our ken she let our eyes penetrate

what, because of its heat, our bodies could not enter. When a breeze

scatters the thick clouds of steam and clears the grey surface of the

erstwhile vaporous water you can gaze with wonder on the valley floor

below that glassy flood where glint old weapons, king’s gifts[87] of

bygone days (between these a gulf of other hue, dark with the eddyings

of black sand, swallows the hastening waters; below there opens a

cavern into which the darkling flood pours, filling every nook and

cranny with its swirling eddies); then are revealed the hidden places

of the hill which, bent round in a bow, encircles the surface of the

water with an overhanging rim.[88]

A verdant amphitheatre surrounds this steaming cauldron, and the

ground floats lightly with slender film[89]; never will it give way

beneath the visitor’s weight, upholding his timorous feet, trusty

though seeming so unsure. One would think it the work of man’s hand, so

smoothly does its circuit enfold the shore, slight and yet firm all the

way. The water

[87] Doubtless _ex voto_ offerings.

[88] The “hidden places” (_i.e._ the sides of the mountain below

the water-level) are “revealed” because of the translucency of the

water.

[89] Claudian describes a film or crust which encircles the lake

and forms a path.

* * * * *

Page 220

haerent stagna lacu plenas aequantia ripas

praescriptumque timent transiluisse modum;

quod superat, fluvius devexa rupe volutus

egerit et campi dorsa recurva petit,

devehit exceptum nativo spira[90] meatu; 55

in patulas plumbi labitur inde vias;

nullo cum strepitu madidis infecta favillis

despumat niveum fistula cana salem.

multifidas dispergit opes artemque secutus,

qua iussere manus, mobile torquet iter 60

et iunctos rapido pontes subtermeat aestu

adflatasque vago temperat igne tholos.

acrior interius, rauci cum murmure saxi,

spumeus eliso pellitur amne vapor.--

hinc pigras repetunt fessi sudore lacunas, 65

frigora quis longae blanda dedere morae.

Salve Paeoniae largitor nobilis undae,

Dardanii salve gloria magna soli,

publica morborum requies, commune medentum

auxilium, praesens numen, inempta salus. 70

seu ruptis inferna ruunt incendia ripis

et nostro Phlegethon devius orbe calet,

sulphuris in venas gelidus seu decidit amnis

accensusque fluit (quod manifestat odor),

sive pares[91] flammas undarum lance rependens 75

arbiter in foedus mons elementa vocat,

ne cedant superata sibi, sed legibus aequis

alterius vires possit utrumque pati:

[90] _spira_ Heinsius; Birt follows MSS. _spina_.

[91] _pares_ EVJ; Birt reads _pari_ (A). If _pari_, probably a

juristic formula (= _aequa lance_); cf. Symm. Epp. ii. 56. 1.

* * * * *

Page 221

in the lake stands motionless, filling it to the brim and fearing

to o’erstep its appointed limit. The overflow runs in a stream down

a sloping rock and seeks the undulating plain below. A natural but

tortuous channel carries the water away and thence it flows into an

open conduit of lead. These pipes, noiselessly impregnated with some

powderous mineral that the water carries down, produce a snow-white

distillation of salt. The streams branch off in all directions carrying

with them this natural wealth whithersoever art has directed their

going, flexing this way and that their errant courses, flowing in swift

torrent below aqueducts and warming the arches with the heat of their

rushing waters. Within the arches, amid the roarings of the echoing

rock, issues forth fiercer steam and vapour as the water rushes out.

Then the sick, weak with sweating, seek next the stagnant pools that

long time has made pleasantly cool.

Hail to thee, stream, generous giver of the waters of healing, chief

glory of the land of Italy, doctor of all that come to thee, common

helper of all Aesculapius’ sons; a very present deity for whose aid

there is nought to pay. Whether it be that hell’s fiery streams have

burst their banks and that Phlegethon gone astray bestows his heat

upon the upper world, or that a river, originally of cold water, sinks

down into veins of sulphur and rises thence afire (as one would think

from the smell), or that the mountain in arbitration summons the two

elements to a treaty, balancing a certain quantity of fire against a

similar amount of water that neither yield to the other but under a

just law of equipoise each may withstand the other’s might--whatsoever

* * * * *

Page 222

quidquid erit causae, quocumque emitteris ortu,

non sine consilio currere certa fides. 80

quis casum meritis adscribere talibus audet?

quis negat auctores haec statuisse deos?

ille pater rerum, qui saecula dividit astris,

inter prima poli te quoque sacra dedit

et fragilem nostri miseratus corporis usum 85

telluri medicas fundere iussit aquas,

Parcarumque colos exoratura severas

flumina laxatis emicuere iugis.

Felices, proprium qui te meruere, coloni,

fas quibus est Aponon iuris habere sui. 90

non illis terrena lues corrupta nec Austri

flamina nec saevo Sirius igne nocet,

sed quamvis Lachesis letali stamine damnet,

in te fata sibi prosperiora petunt.

quodsi forte malus membris exuberat umor 95

languida vel nimio viscera felle rubent,

non venas reserant nec vulnere vulnera sanant

pocula nec tristi gramine mixta bibunt:

amissum lymphis reparant impune vigorem,

pacaturque aegro luxuriante dolor. 100

XXVII. (XLIV.)

_Phoenix._

Oceani summo circumfluus aequore lucus

trans Indos Eurumque viret, qui primus anhelis

sollicitatur equis vicinaque verbera sentit,

umida roranti resonant cum limina curru,

* * * * *

Page 223

shall prove to be the cause, whatever the origin, of this we may be

sure--that thou flowest not without design. Who would dare to ascribe

such a miracle to chance? Who could deny that the overruling gods have

so ordained? Nature’s lord, who measures the centuries by the stars,

has given thee a place of honour among the works of his divinity, and,

pitying the feebleness of our human bodies, has bidden pour forth

healing waters for the earth, and from the riven hills burst forth

streams that should win pardon from the Fates’ relentless distaffs.

Happy ye whose lot it is to dwell by those banks and to possess Aponus

for your own; you no plague of earth, no pestilence-fraught winds of

the south, nor Sirius with his cruel fires can harm. Should Lachesis’

fatal thread threaten death men find in thee a more propitious fate. If

it chance that noxious humours swell their limbs or that excess of bile

inflames their ailing bowels they need not to open their veins nor to

cure one wound with another nor yet to drink medicine of bitter herbs.

By thy water’s aid they renew their lost strength without suffering;

’mid luxury the sick find relief from pain.

XXVII. (XLIV.)

_The Phoenix._[92]

There is a leafy wood fringed by Ocean’s farthest marge beyond the

Indes and the East where Dawn’s panting coursers first seek entrance;

it hears the lash close by, what time the watery threshold echoes to

the dewy car; and hence comes forth the rosy

[92] C. follows Herodotus (ii. 73) fairly closely.

* * * * *

Page 224

unde rubet ventura dies longeque coruscis 5

nox adflata rotis refugo pallescit amictu:

haec fortunatus nimium Titanius ales

regna colit solusque plaga defensus iniqua

possidet intactas aegris animalibus oras

saeva nec humani patitur contagia mundi. 10

par volucer superis, stellas qui vividus aequat

durando membrisque terit redeuntibus aevum,

non epulis saturare famem, non fontibus ullis

adsuetus prohibere sitim; sed purior illum

solis fervor alit ventosaque pabula potat 15

Tethyos, innocui carpens alimenta vaporis.

arcanum radiant oculi iubar. igneus ora

cingit honos. rutilo cognatum vertice sidus

attollit cristatus apex tenebrasque serena

luce secat. Tyrio pinguntur crura veneno. 20

antevolant Zephyros pinnae, quas caerulus ambit

flore color sparsoque super ditescit in auro.

Hic neque concepto fetu nec semine surgit,

sed pater est prolesque sui nulloque creante

emeritos artus fecunda morte reformat 25

et petit alternam totidem per funera vitam.

namque ubi mille vias longinqua retorserit aestas,

tot ruerint hiemes, totiens ver cursibus actum,

quas tulit autumnus, dederit cultoribus umbras:

tum multis gravior tandem subiungitur annis 30

lustrorum numero victus: ceu lassa procellis

ardua Caucasio nutat de culmine pinus

seram ponderibus pronis tractura ruinam;

pars cadit adsiduo flatu, pars imbre peresa

rumpitur, abripuit partem vitiosa vetustas. 35

* * * * *

Page 225

morn while night, illumined by those far-shining wheels of fire, casts

off her sable cloak and broods less darkly. This is the kingdom of the

blessèd bird of the sun where it dwells in solitude defended by the

inhospitable nature of the land and immune from the ills that befall

other living creatures; nor does it suffer infection from the world of

men. Equal to the gods is that bird whose life rivals the stars and

whose renascent limbs weary the passing centuries. It needs no food to

satisfy hunger nor any drink to quench thirst; the sun’s clear beam is

its food, the sea’s rare spray its drink--exhalations such as these

form its simple nourishment. A mysterious fire flashes from its eye,

and a flaming aureole enriches its head. Its crest shines with the

sun’s own light and shatters the darkness with its calm brilliance. Its

legs are of Tyrian purple; swifter than those of the Zephyrs are its

wings of flower-like blue dappled with rich gold.

Never was this bird conceived nor springs it from any mortal seed,

itself is alike its own father and son, and with none to recreate it,

it renews its outworn limbs with a rejuvenation of death, and at each

decease wins a fresh lease of life. For when a thousand summers have

passed far away, a thousand winters gone by, a thousand springs in

their course given to the husbandmen that shade[93] of which autumn

robbed them, then at last, fordone by the number of its years, it

falls a victim to the burden of age; as a tall pine on the summit of

Caucasus, wearied with storms, heels over with its weight and threatens

at last to crash in ruin; one portion falls by reason of the unceasing

winds, another breaks away rotted by the rain, another consumed by the

decay of years.

[93] _i.e._ given leaves which in turn supply shade.

* * * * *

Page 226

Iam breve decrescit lumen languetque senili

segnis stella gelu, qualis cum forte tenetur

nubibus et dubio vanescit Cynthia cornu.

iam solitae medios alae transcurrere nimbos

vix ima tolluntur humo. tum conscius aevi 40

defuncti reducisque parans exordia formae

arentes tepidis de collibus eligit herbas

et tumulum texens pretiosa fronde Sabaeum

componit, bustumque sibi partumque futurum.

Hic sedet et Solem blando clangore salutat 45

debilior miscetque preces ac supplice cantu

praestatura novas vires incendia poscit.

quem procul adductis vidit cum Phoebus habenis,

stat subito dictisque pium solatur alumnum:

“o senium positure rogo falsisque sepulcris 50

natales habiture vices, qui saepe renasci

exitio proprioque soles pubescere leto,

accipe principium rursus corpusque coactum

desere. mutata melior procede figura.”

Haec fatus propere flavis e crinibus unum 55

concussa cervice iacit missoque volentem

vitali fulgore ferit. iam sponte crematur

ut redeat gaudetque mori festinus in ortum.

fervet odoratus telis caelestibus agger

consumitque senem. nitidos stupefacta iuvencos 60

luna premit pigrosque polus non concitat axes

parturiente rogo: curis Natura laborat,

* * * * *

Page 227

Now the Phoenix’s bright eye grows dim and the pupil becomes palsied by

the frost of years, like the moon when she is shrouded in clouds and

her horn begins to vanish in the mist. Now his wings, wont to cleave

the clouds of heaven, can scarce raise them from the earth. Then,

realizing that his span of life is at an end and in preparation for

a renewal of his splendour, he gathers dry herbs from the sun-warmed

hills, and making an interwoven heap of the branches of the precious

tree of Saba he builds that pyre which shall be at once his tomb and

his cradle.

On this he takes his seat and as he grows weaker greets the Sun with

his sweet voice; offering up prayers and supplications he begs that

those fires will give him renewal of strength. Phoebus, on seeing him

afar, checks his reins and staying his course consoles his loving child

with these words: “Thou who art about to leave thy years behind upon

yon pyre, who, by this pretence of death, art destined to rediscover

life; thou whose decease means but the renewal of existence and who

by self-destruction regainest thy lost youth, receive back thy life,

quit the body that must die, and by a change of form come forth more

beauteous than ever.”

So speaks he, and shaking his head casts one of his golden hairs and

smites willing Phoenix with its life-giving effulgence. Now, to ensure

his rebirth, he suffers himself to be burned and in his eagerness to be

born again meets death with joy. Stricken with the heavenly flame the

fragrant pile catches fire and burns the aged body. The moon in amaze

checks her milk-white heifers and heaven halts his revolving spheres,

while the pyre conceives the new life; Nature takes care that the

deathless bird

* * * * *

Page 228

aeternam ne perdat avem, flammasque fideles

admonet, ut rerum decus inmortale remittant.

Continuo dispersa vigor per membra volutus 65

aestuat et venas recidivus sanguis inundat.

victuri cineres nullo cogente moveri

incipiunt plumaque rudem vestire favillam.

qui fuerat genitor, natus nunc prosilit idem

succeditque novus: geminae confinia vitae 70

exiguo medius discrimine separat ignis.

Protinus ad Nilum manes sacrare paternos

auctoremque globum Phariae telluris ad oras

ferre iuvat. velox alienum pergit in orbem

portans gramineo clausum velamine funus. 75

innumerae comitantur aves stipatque volantem

alituum suspensa cohors. exercitus ingens

obnubit vario late convexa meatu.

nec quisquam tantis e milibus obvius audet

ire duci, sed regis iter fragrantis adorant. 80

non ferus accipiter, non armiger ipse Tonantis

bella movet: commune facit reverentia foedus.

talis barbaricas flavo de Tigride turmas

ductor Parthus agit: gemmis et divite cultu

luxurians sertis apicem regalibus ornat; 85

auro frenat equum, perfusam murice vestem

Assyria signatur acu tumidusque regendo

celsa per famulas acies dicione superbit.

Clara per Aegyptum placidis notissima sacris

urbs Titana colit, centumque adcline columnis 90

invehitur templum Thebano monte revulsis.

* * * * *

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perish not, and calls upon the sun, mindful of his promise, to restore

its immortal glory to the world.

Straightway the life spirit surges through his scattered limbs; the

renovated blood floods his veins. The ashes show signs of life; they

begin to move though there is none to move them, and feathers clothe

the mass of cinders. He who was but now the sire comes forth from the

pyre the son and successor; between life and life lay but that brief

space wherein the pyre burned.

His first delight is to consecrate his father’s spirit by the banks

of the Nile and to carry to the land of Egypt the burned mass from

which he was born. With all speed he wings his way to that foreign

strand, carrying the remains in a covering of grass. Birds innumerable

accompany him, and whole flocks thereof throng his airy flight. Their

mighty host shuts out the sky where’er it passes. But from among

so vast an assemblage none dares outstrip the leader; all follow

respectfully in the balmy wake of their king. Neither the fierce hawk

nor the eagle, Jove’s own armour-bearer, fall to fighting; in honour

of their common master a truce is observed by all. Thus the Parthian

monarch leads his barbarous hosts by yellow Tigris’ banks, all glorious

with jewels and rich ornament and decks his tiara with royal garlands;

his horse’s bridle is of gold, Assyrian embroidery embellishes his

scarlet robes, and proud with sovereignty he lords it o’er his

numberless slaves.

There is in Egypt a well-known city celebrated for its pious sacrifices

and dedicated to the worship of the Sun. Its temple rests on a hundred

columns hewn from the quarries of Thebes. Here, as the

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illic, ut perhibent, patriam de more reponit

congeriem vultumque dei veneratus erilem

iam flammae commendat onus, iam destinat aris

semina relliquiasque sui: mirata relucent 95

limina; divino spirant altaria fumo,

et Pelusiacas productus ad usque paludes

Indus odor penetrat nares completque salubri

tempestate viros et nectare dulcior aura

ostia nigrantis Nili septena vaporat. 100

O felix heresque tui! quo solvimur omnes,

hoc tibi suppeditat vires; praebetur origo

per cinerem, moritur te non pereunte senectus.

vidisti quodcumque fuit; te saecula teste

cuncta revolvuntur; nosti quo tempore pontus 105

fuderit elatas scopulis stagnantibus undas,

quis Phaëthonteis erroribus arserit annus,

et clades te nulla rapit solusque superstes

edomita tellure manes: non stamina Parcae

in te dira legunt nec ius habuere nocendi. 110

XXVIII. (XLVII.)

_Nilus._

Felix, qui Pharias proscindit vomere terras:

nubila non sperat tenebris condentia caelum

nec graviter flantes pluviali frigore Cauros

invocat aut arcum variata luce rubentem.

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story tells, the Phoenix is wont to store his father’s ashes and,

adoring the image of the god, his master, to entrust his precious

burden to the flames. He places on the altar that from which he is

sprung and that which remains of himself. Bright shines the wondrous

threshold; the fragrant shrine is filled with the holy smoke of the

altar and the odour of Indian incense, penetrating even as far as the

Pelusiac marshes, fills the nostrils of men, flooding them with its

kindly influence and with a scent sweeter than that of nectar perfumes

the seven mouths of the dark Nile.

Happy bird, heir to thine own self! Death which proves our undoing

restores thy strength. Thine ashes give thee life and though thou

perish not thine old age dies. Thou hast beheld all that has been,

hast witnessed the passing of the ages. Thou knowest when it was that

the waves of the sea rose and o’erflowed the rocks, what year it was

that Phaëthon’s error devoted to the flames. Yet did no destruction

overwhelm thee; sole survivor thou livest to see the earth subdued;

against thee the Fates gather not up their threads, powerless to do

thee harm.

XXVIII. (XLVII.)

_The Nile._[94]

Blessèd is the man who cleaves the soil of Egypt with his plough; he

need not hope for clouds to shroud the heavens in darkness nor call

upon the storm-winds that bring the chilling rain or the rainbow bright

with its various colours.

[94] Claudian again borrows from Herodotus (ii. 20-27).

* * * * *

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Aegyptus sine nube ferax imbresque serenos 5

sola tenet; secura poli, non indiga venti

gaudet aquis, quas ipsa vehit, Niloque redundat:

qui rapido tractu mediis elatus ab Austris,

flammiferae patiens zonae cancrique calentis,

fluctibus ignotis nostrum procurrit in orbem 10

secreto de fonte cadens, qui semper inani

quaerendus ratione latet, nec contigit ulli

hoc vidisse caput: fertur sine teste creatus

flumina profundens alieni conscia caeli.

inde vago lapsu Libyam dispersus in omnem 15

Aethiopum per mille ruit nigrantia regna

et loca continuo solis damnata vapore

inrorat populisque salus sitientibus errat

per Meroën Blemyasque feros atramque Syenem.

hunc bibit infrenis Garamas domitorque ferarum 20

Gyrraeus, qui vasta colit sub rupibus antra,

qui ramos ebeni, dentes qui vellit eburnos,

et gens compositis crinem velata sagittis.

Nec vero similes causas crescentibus undis

aut tempus meruit. glacie non ille soluta 25

nec circumfuso scopulis exuberat imbre.

nam cum tristis hiems alias produxerit undas,

tunc Nilum retinent ripae; cum languida cessant

flumina, tunc Nilus mutato iure tumescit.

quippe quod ex omni fluvio spoliaverit aestas, 30

hoc Nilo natura refert, totumque per orbem

collectae partes unum revocantur in amnem;

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Page 233

Fertile is Egypt without clouds; here alone is sunshine and yet rain.

She regards not the sky, needs not the wind; enough for her the water

she herself contains, Nile’s overflow. This swiftly-flowing river rises

in the mountainous country of the south where it suffers the heats

of the torrid zone and of the scorching Crab and issues forth from

regions unknown into our world. Whence it comes none knows, for vain

has ever been the search after its springing nor has any ever seen

that source. ’Tis said that, fashioned without witness, it pours forth

waters that have known a clime other than ours. Thence with errant

stream it stretches through all Libya, and through Ethiopia’s thousand

dusky kingdoms where it waters lands condemned to the sun’s unceasing

fires, saviour of thirsting peoples, and threads its course across

Meroë and black Syene and through the country of the wild Blemyae. The

unconquered Garamantes and the Gyrraei who can tame wild animals drink

of its waters, as do those tribes who dwell in huge rocky caverns,

gathering the wood of ebony-trees and robbing the elephant of his tusks

of ivory, and the folk who wear arrows in their hair.

Neither the cause nor yet the season of its overflow is the same as

that of other rivers. Its waters rise neither because of melted snows

nor by reason of rains flooding its rocky marge; for when dull winter

giveth increase to other rivers Nile keeps within his banks; when other

rivers flow with diminished stream, Nile, under other laws, rises. For

of a truth whatever toll summer has exacted from all rivers Nature

repays to the Nile, and waters gathered together from the whole world

meet thus

* * * * *

Page 234

quoque die Titana canis flagrantior armat

et rapit umores madidos venasque calore

compescit radiisque potentibus aestuat axis, 35

Nilo bruma venit, contraria tempora mundo:

defectis solitum referens cultoribus aequor

effluit Aegaeo stagnantior, acrior alto

Ionio seseque patentibus explicat arvis:

fluctuat omnis ager; remis sonuere novales; 40

saepius, aestivo iaceat cum forte sopore,

cernit cum stabulis armenta natantia pastor.

XXIX. (XLVIII.)

_Magnes._

Quisquis sollicita mundum ratione secutus

semina rimatur rerum, quo luna laborat

defectu, quae causa iubet pallescere solem,

unde rubescentes ferali crine cometae,

unde fluant venti, trepidae quis viscera terrae 5

concutiat motus, quis fulgura ducat hiatus,

unde tonent nubes, quo lumine floreat arcus,

hoc mihi quaerenti, si quid deprendere veri

mens valet, expediat.

Lapis est cognomine magnes

decolor obscurus vilis. non ille repexam 10

caesariem regum, non candida virginis ornat

colla nec insigni splendet per cingula morsu;

sed nova si nigri videas miracula saxi,

tunc pulchros superat cultus et quidquid Eois

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Page 235

in one river. Then when the Dog-star increases the heat of the sun and

sucks up all moisture, drying up earth’s veins and filling heaven with

its scorching rays, winter comes upon the Nile, though elsewhere all is

summer. Then, bringing back to the fainting husbandmen its accustomed

waters, it o’erflows ampler than the Aegean, fiercer than the deep

Ionian, and spreads itself over the low-lying country. All the fields

are aswim; plough-land sounds to the beat of the oar, and full often

the shepherd, o’ercome with summer’s heat, wakes to see flocks and fold

carried away by the flood.

XXIX. (XLVIII.)

_The Magnet._

Whosoever with anxious thought examines the universe and searches out

the origin of things--the reason of the sun’s and moon’s eclipse, the

causes of comets’ red and baneful fires, the source of the winds, the

motion that makes the earth to quake, the force that splits the heavens

in twain, the noise of the thunder, the brilliance of the rainbow, let

this man (if man’s mind has any power to conceive the truth) explain to

me something I would fain understand.

There is a stone called the loadstone; black, dull, and common. It does

not adorn the braided hair of kings nor the snowy necks of girls, nor

yet shine in the jewelled buckles of warriors’ belts. But consider the

marvellous properties of this dull-looking stone and you will see that

it is of more worth than lovely gems and any pearl sought of

* * * * *

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Indus litoribus Rubra scrutatur in alga. 15

nam ferro meruit vitam ferrique rigore

vescitur; hoc dulces epulas, hoc pabula novit;

hinc proprias renovat vires; hinc fusa per artus

aspera secretum servant alimenta vigorem;

hoc absente perit: tristi morientia torpent 20

membra fame, venasque sitis consumit apertas.

Mavors, sanguinea qui cuspide verberat urbes,

et Venus, humanas quae laxat in otia curas,

aurati delubra tenent communia templi.

effigies non una deis: sed ferrea Martis 25

forma nitet, Venerem magnetica gemma figurat.

illis conubium celebrat de more sacerdos.

ducit flamma choros; festa frondentia myrto

limina cinguntur, roseisque cubilia surgunt

floribus, et thalamum dotalis purpura velat. 30

hic mirum consurgit opus: Cytherea maritum

sponte rapit caelique toros imitata priores

pectora lascivo flatu Mavortia nectit

et tantum suspendit onus galeaeque lacertos

implicat et vivis totum complexibus ambit. 35

ille lacessitus longo spiraminis actu

arcanis trahitur gemma de coniuge nodis.

pronuba fit Natura deis ferrumque maritat

aura tenax: subitis sociantur numina furtis.

Quis calor infudit geminis alterna metallis 40

foedera? quae duras iungit concordia mentes?

flagrat anhela silex et amicam saucia sentit

materiem placidosque chalybs cognoscit amores.

* * * * *

Page 237

Indian amid the seaweed on the Red Sea’s shores. It lives on iron and

feeds on its inflexible nature; iron is its food and nourishment;

from iron it recruits its strength. This seemingly inedible food,

circulating throughout its body, renews its hidden powers. Without iron

the loadstone dies; its bulk wastes away from lack of nourishment and

thirst parches its emptied veins.

Mars, who strikes cities with his bloody spear, and Venus, who changes

human cares to ease, share a common shrine and temple built of gold.

Each deity has his own image; Mars, a polished iron statue, Venus, one

fashioned of the loadstone. The priest duly celebrates their union. The

nuptial torch precedes the choir; myrtle wreaths adorn the portals, the

couches are piled with roses, while cloth of scarlet dye, as befits

a marriage, adorns the bridal chamber. But, lo, a prodigy: Cytherea,

without quitting her station, attracts her husband to her, and

recalling the scene of which heaven was once witness, clasps Mars to

her bosom with amorous breath. There she holds him suspended; her arms

enfold the helmet of the god and clasp his whole body in a lifelike

embrace. He, stirred by the far-compelling influence of her breath,

is drawn towards her by the secret chains of his jewel-bride. Nature

presides over the divine marriage; a binding breath woos the steel to

wedlock; suddenly two deities are mated in secret union.

What hidden warmth infuses mutual sympathy into these twin metals? What

harmony makes one their stubborn souls? The stone sighs and burns, and

smitten with love recognizes in the iron the object of its desire,

while the iron experiences a

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sic Venus horrificum belli compescere regem

et vultum mollire solet, cum sanguine praeceps 45

aestuat et strictis mucronibus asperat iras.

sola feris occurrit equis solvitque tumorem

pectoris et blando praecordia temperat igni.

pax animo tranquilla datur, pugnasque calentes

deserit et rutilas declinat in oscula cristas. 50

Quae tibi, saeve puer, non est permissa potestas?

tu magnum superas fulmen caeloque relicto

fluctibus in mediis cogis mugire Tonantem.

iam gelidas rupes vivoque carentia sensu

membra feris, iam saxa tuis obnoxia telis, 55

et lapides suus ardor agit, ferrumque tenetur

inlecebris; rigido regnant in marmore flammae.

XXX. (XXIX.)

_Laus Serenae._

Dic, mea Calliope, tanto cur tempore differs

Pierio meritam serto redimire Serenam?

vile putas donum, solitam consurgere gemmis

et Rubro radiare mari si floribus ornes

reginae regina comam? sed floribus illis, 5

quos neque frigoribus Boreas nec Sirius urit

aestibus, aeterno sed veris honore rubentes

* * * * *

Page 239

gentle attraction for the stone. It is thus that Venus often holds the

fierce god of war in check and softens his fiery glance when the angry

blood boils within him and with drawn sword he whets his wrath. She

alone can face his fierce steeds and appease the tumult of his heart,

calming his anger with gentle flame. Peace and quiet are restored

within his soul; he abjures the heat of battle and bends his head,

helmed with ruddy plumes, to kiss the goddess.

Cruel boy, is aught beyond thy powers? Thou dost master the mighty

thunderbolt; thou canst force the Thunderer to leave the sky and bellow

amid the waves. Now thou showest that thou canst smite cold rocks and

shapes not instinct with feeling or life, that stone can be wounded

by thine arrows. Rocks are stirred by a passion of their own; iron

is obedient to thy blandishments; thy flames exercise dominion over

hardest marl.

XXX. (XXIX.)

_In praise of Serena._[95]

Say, my Muse, why tarriest thou so long to crown Serena’s brows with

the Pierian garland they so well deserve? Thinkest thou the gift too

poor shouldst thou, a queen, deck but with flowers the head of a queen

accustomed rather to wear a tiara bright with all the jewels of the Red

Sea? Nay, those flowers of thine are such that neither Boreas’ cold

blast nor Sirius’ scorching heat can hurt them; theirs is the bloom of

everlasting spring for they

[95] For Serena, niece and adoptive daughter of Theodosius and

wife of Stilicho, _cf._ Introduction, p. xvi. I follow Vollmer (in

Pauly-Wissowa, art. “Claudianus”) rather than Birt in dating this

poem _circ._ 398 and XXXI. as 404.

* * * * *

Page 240

fons Aganippea Permessius educat unda:

unde piae pascuntur apes et prata legentes

transmittunt saeclis Heliconia mella futuris. 10

Dignius an vates alios exercuit unum

femineae virtutis opus? quod sponte redempto

casta maritali successit Thessala fato

inque suos migrare virum non abnuit annos,

hoc Grai memorant. Latiis movet ora Camenis 15

praescia fatorum Tanaquil rediensque per undas

Cloelia Thybrinas et eodem flumine ducens

Claudia virgineo cunctantem crine Cybeben.

anne aliud toto molitur carminis actu

Maeonii mens alta senis? quod stagna Charybdis 20

armavit, quod Scylla canes, quod pocula Circe,

Antiphatae vitata fames surdoque carina

remige Sirenum cantus transvecta tenaces,

lumine fraudatus Cyclops, contempta Calypso:

Penelopae decus est atque uni tanta paratur 25

scaena pudicitiae. terrae pelagique labores

et saevi totidem bellis quot fluctibus anni

coniugii docuere fidem. sit Claudia felix

teste dea castosque probet sub numine mores

absolvens puppisque moras crimenque pudoris: 30

Penelope trahat arte procos fallatque furentes

stamina nocturnae relegens Laërtia telae:

non tamen audebunt titulis certare Serenae.

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Page 241

have grown by Permessus’ fount and been watered by Aganippe’s wave.

Those flowers have fed the holy bees that skim the meadows and transmit

the honey of Helicon to coming generations.

Did ever the single theme of woman’s worth more fitly stir other bards?

The Greeks sing of Alcestis, that chaste Thessalian, who, to win her

husband from death, freely offered herself in his stead, allowing

him to enjoy her own span of life. The Latin Muse takes prophetic

Tanaquil[96] for her theme or Cloelia breasting Tiber’s waves in her

return to Rome or the maiden Claudia dragging with her own hair the

ship which bore Cybele, what time it stuck fast in that same stream.

Does old Homer’s soaring soul essay aught else throughout his song?

Dangers from Charybdis’ gulf, from Scylla’s dogs, from Circe’s cup,

the escape of Ulysses from the greed of Antiphate, the passage of

the ship between the rocks where sat the Sirens to whose alluring

voices the rowers were deaf, the blinding of Cyclops, the desertion of

Calypso--all these do but redound to the glory of Penelope, and the

whole scene is set to display her chastity alone. Toils by land and

sea, ten years of war, ten years of wandering, all do but illustrate

the fidelity of a wife. Let Claudia rejoice in the goddess’ witness

and with heaven’s help vindicate her claim to chastity, freeing at

the same moment the vessel’s stern and her own character from shame.

Let Penelope by artful delays deceive the madness of the suitors and,

ever faithful to Ulysses, delude their solicitations, ever winding up

again by night the warp of her day-spun web. Yet shall not one of these

heroines dare to vie with Serena.

[96] Tanaquil, sister of the elder Tarquin, wife of the Etruscan

Lucumo; for her prophetic powers see Livy i. 34. 8. Cloelia, a

hostage with Porsenna, swam back to Rome (Livy ii. 13. 6). When the

image of Cybele was brought to Rome (204 B.C.) and the boat stuck

in a shallow at the Tiber’s mouth it was said that only a chaste

woman could move it. Claudia, who had been accused of adultery,

took hold of the rope and towed the vessel to shore.

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Quodsi nobilitas cunctis exordia pandit

laudibus atque omnes redeunt in semina causae, 35

quis venerabilior sanguis, quae maior origo

quam regalis erit? non hoc privata dedere

limina nec tantum poterat contingere nomen

angustis laribus; patruo te principe celsam

bellipotens inlustrat avus, qui signa Britanno 40

intulit Oceano Gaetulaque reppulit arma.

claram Scipiadum taceat Cornelia gentem

seque minus iactet Libycis dotata trophaeis.

cardine tu gemino laurus praetendis avitas:

inde Caledoniis, Australibus inde parentum 45

cingeris exuviis. necdum moderamina mundi

sumpserat illa domus, cum te Lucina beatis

adderet astrorum radiis, o maxima rerum

gloria: post genitam didicit regnare Serenam.

Quid dignum memorare tuis, Hispania, terris 50

vox humana valet? primo lavat aequore solem

India: tu fessos exacta luce iugales

proluis inque tuo respirant sidera fluctu.

dives equis, frugum facilis, pretiosa metallis,

principibus fecunda piis, tibi saecula debent 55

Traianum; series his fontibus Aelia fluxit.

hinc senior, pater, hinc iuvenum diademata fratrum.

namque aliae gentes, quas foedere Roma recepit

aut armis domuit, varios aptantur in usus

imperii; Phariae segetes et Punica messis 60

castrorum devota cibo; dat Gallia robur

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Page 243

But if noble birth opens the first path to fame and all its causes are

to be traced to ancestry, what blood more noble, what birth more gentle

than that of royalty? Such majesty could not have flourished within the

house of a mere commoner nor could glory so great have sprung from any

simple home. Thou art famous for that thine uncle was an emperor, more

famous by reason of the warlike deeds of thy grandsire[97] who carried

the Roman eagles across the British Channel and repulsed the armed

bands of the Gaetulians. Cornelia, daughter of the Scipios, must cease

to vaunt her high birth and to boast that she received for dower the

spoils of Carthage. Thou canst point to ancestral triumphs in either

hemisphere; on thy brow sit two crowns, the one won by thy sires from

Scotland, the other from the South. Thou glory of the world, what time

Lucina assisted at the birth of thee, our new star, thy house had not

yet taken on itself the government of the whole earth; not till after

Serena’s birth did it know world-empire.

What human voice can worthily sing thy praises, Spain? Though India

first bathes the new-born sun in her ocean yet when the light dies

thou waterest his wearied steeds and in thy waves the stars find

refreshment. Rich in horses, bounteous in crops, dowered with mines,

prolific in good emperors, to thee the world owes Trajan, from thee

sprang the Aelian[98] race. From thy land came the brothers who now

govern us and their father. Other races whom Rome has either received

into alliance or subdued by arms serve the varying needs of empire:

the corn of Egypt, the harvests of Africa go to feed our armies; Gaul

recruits our powerful legions;

[97] For Theodosius the elder _cf._ note on xv. 216.

[98] Referring to Hadrian.

* * * * *

Page 244

militis; Illyricis sudant equitatibus alae:

sola novum Latiis vectigal Hiberia rebus

contulit Augustos. fruges, aeraria, miles

undique conveniunt totoque ex orbe leguntur: 65

haec generat qui cuncta regant. nec laude virorum

censeri contenta fuit, nisi matribus aeque

vinceret et gemino certatim splendida sexu

Flaccillam Mariamque daret pulchramque Serenam.

Te nascente ferunt per pinguia culta tumentem 70

divitiis undasse Tagum; Callaecia risit

floribus et roseis formosus Duria ripis

vellere purpureo passim mutavit ovile.

Cantaber Oceanus vicino litore gemmas

expuit; effossis nec pallidus Astur oberrat 75

montibus: oblatum sacris natalibus aurum

vulgo vena vomit, Pyrenaeisque sub antris

ignea flumineae legere ceraunia Nymphae;

quaeque relabentes undas aestumque secutae

in refluos venere palam Nereides amnes 80

confessae plausu dominam cecinere futuris

auspicium thalamis. alio tum parvus in axe

crescebat Stilicho votique ignarus agebat,

debita cui longe coniunx, penitusque remoto

orbe parabatur tanti concordia fati. 85

Nec tua mortalis meruit cunabula nutrix.

ubera prima dabant gremio redolente Napaeae

ternaque te nudis innectens Gratia membris

adflavit docuitque loqui. quacumque per herbam

reptares, fluxere rosae, candentia nasci 90

* * * * *

Page 245

Illyria produces stout horsemen for our cavalry. But Spain alone pays

that rarest tribute--the gift of emperors. Corn, money, soldiers come

from all the world over and are gathered together from every quarter of

the globe; Spain gives us men to govern and direct all this. Nor was

she content to be esteemed only for her famous heroes, did she not also

excel in heroines, and, emulous to win glory from either sex, bestow

upon us Flaccilla,[99] Maria, and the fair Serena.

At thy[100] birth they tell how swelling Tagus o’erflowed the rich

fields with gold; Galicia laughed with flowers and on the rose-covered

banks of Duria’s fair stream the once white fleeces of the sheep were

everywhere turned to purple grain. The Cantabrian main cast up jewels

upon the shore, and the pale Asturian delves no more into the bowels of

the mountain; on the day hallowed by thy birth earth poured forth gold

as dross from her open veins. Beneath the caves of the Pyrenees the

river Nymphs gather the fiery thunder-stones. The Nereids, yielding to

the flowing tide, followed the flooding waves up the river’s courses;

there, in the sight of all, they acknowledged thee their queen by their

applause and celebrated thy coming marriage in prophetic strains. And

all the time beneath another sky grew the young Stilicho; he lived

unwitting of his fortune, of the destined bride that awaited him afar,

and in a distant world was the union of such high destinies prepared.

No mortal nurse was worthy to watch over thy cradle. First the Nymphs

gave thee suck at their fragrant breasts; the three Graces held thee in

their arms and breathing upon thee taught thee to speak. Roses sprang

where’er thou didst creep over the

[99] Flaccilla, wife of Theodosius the Great (_cf._ x. 43).

[100] _i.e._ Serena’s.

* * * * *

Page 246

lilia; si placido cessissent lumina somno,

purpura surgebat violae, factura cubile

gramineum, vernatque tori regalis imago,

omina non audet genetrix tam magna fateri

successusque suos arcani conscia voti 95

spe trepidante tegit.

Gestabat Honorius arto

te pater amplexu. quotiens ad limina princeps

Theodosius privatus adhuc fraterna veniret,

oscula libabat teque ad sua tecta ferebat

laetior; in matrem teneris conversa querellis: 100

“quid me de propriis auferre penatibus?” inquis:

“imperat hic semper!” praesagia luserat error

et dedit augurium regnis infantia linguae,

defuncto genitore tuo sublimis adoptat

te patruus magnique animo solacia luctus 105

restituens propius quam si genuisset amavit

defuncti fratis subolem; nec carior olim

mutua Ledaeos devinxit cura Lacones:

addidit et proprio germana vocabula nato

quaque datur fratris speciem sibi reddit adempti. 110

denique cum rerum summas electus habenas

susciperet, non ante suis intendit amorem

pignoribus quam te pariter fidamque sororem

litus ad Eoum terris acciret Hiberis.

Deseritur iam ripa Tagi Zephyrique relictis 115

sedibus Aurorae famulas properatur ad urbes.

incedunt geminae proles fraterna puellae:

inde Serena minor, prior hinc Thermantia natu,

expertes thalami, quarum Cythereia necdum

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grass and white lilies blossomed there; didst thou close thine eyes

in quiet sleep, there burgeoned the purple violet to adorn thy grassy

couch with her imperial colour. Thy mother dared not tell of such

great omens and, knowing her own secret vow, hides with eager hope the

fulfilment she prays for.

Thy father Honorius held thee in a close embrace. Whenever

Theodosius--not emperor then--came to his brother’s house he covered

thee with kisses and loved to take thee with him to his own home. Then

turning to thy mother with gentle complaint, “Why,” thou saidst, “take

me from my own home? This man ever commands.[101]” Prophetic was the

sportive word and thine infant lips gave augury of empire. At the death

of thy sire thine illustrious uncle adopted thee and to console thee

for the bitterness of that loss, bestowed upon thee, his brother’s

child, more love than he could have bestowed on any child of his own.

Leda’s twin sons were not united with a bond of affection more sure. He

gave his own son the name his brother had borne, hoping in some way to

discover in that son the image of the brother he had loved and lost.

Finally, when the people’s choice had summoned him to take up the reins

of empire, Theodosius would not vouchsafe his sons any proof of his

affection for them until he had summoned thee and thy faithful sister

from Spain to the lands of morning.

So now they leave Tagus’ banks and the home of the west winds and

hasten towards the cities that recognize the empery of the east. They

come, the maidens twain, his brother’s children, on this side Serena

the younger, on that Thermantia[102] the elder born, strange as yet to

love; nor has Hymen bent

[101] Claudian plays on the words _imperat_ and _imperator_.

[102] This Thermantia is not to be confused with her niece Thermantia,

daughter of Serena and Stilicho (x. 339).

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sub iuga cervices niveas Hymenaeus adegit. 120

utraque luminibus timidum micat, utraque pulchro

excitat ore faces. qualis Latonia virgo

et solo Iove nata soror cum forte revisunt

aequorei sortem patrui (spumantia cedunt

aequora castarum gressus venerata dearum; 125

non ludit Galatea procax, non improbus audet

tangere Cymothoën Triton totoque severos

indicit mores pelago pudor ipsaque Proteus

arcet ab amplexu turpi Neptunia monstra):

tales sceptriferi visurae tecta parentis 130

limen Honoriades penetrant regale sorores.

ambas ille quidem patrio complexus amore,

sed merito pietas in te proclivior ibat;

et quotiens, rerum moles ut publica cogit,

tristior aut ira tumidus flagrante redibat, 135

cum patrem nati fugerent atque ipsa timeret

commotum Flaccilla virum, tu sola frementem

frangere, tu blando poteras sermone mederi.

adloquiis haerere tuis, secreta fateri.[103]

Prisca puellares reverentia transilit annos. 140

non talem Triviae confert laudator Homerus

Alcinoo genitam, quae dum per litora vestes

explicat et famulas exercet laeta choreis,

auratam iaculata pilam post naufraga somni

otia progressum foliis expavit Ulixen. 145

Pierius labor et veterum tibi carmina vatum

ludus erat: quos Smyrna dedit, quos Mantua libros

[103] MSS. have _fideli_; P marks the passage as corrupt. I adopt

Birt’s _fateri_ and, with Heinsius and Buecheler, suppose a line

fallen out between 138 and 139.

* * * * *

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their snowy necks to the yoke of Venus. Spirited yet modest is the

glance of each; of each the beauty fires the hearts of men. Such as

are Diana and her sister, motherless child of Jove, when they visit

the realm of their uncle, lord of the sea (the foaming waves grow

smooth before them in honour of the approach of the chaste goddesses;

Galatea ceases her mad frolics, bold Triton dares not clasp Cymothoë

in his embrace; o’er the whole ocean the dictates of purity hold sway

and Proteus prevents even Neptune’s flocks from indulging in their

shameless amours)--even such the daughters of Honorius enter the

palace and view the home of their royal parent. Both did the prince

embrace with a father’s love but justly did affection turn more readily

to thee. Often when, his heart troubled by the anxieties of public

business, he returned home depressed or angered, when his own sons fled

his presence and even Flaccilla feared to approach her exasperated

husband, thou alone wert able to stay his wrath and bring healing with

sweet converse. On thy words he would hang, to thee confess his secret

thoughts.

Thy modesty, worthy of an earlier age, surpassed even that of modest

girlhood. Less chaste than thee was that daughter of Alcinous whom

Homer, in his praises of her, compares to Diana; she who spread her

clothes on the shore to dry and sported with her attendant maids,

throwing a golden ball from hand to hand until she fled in alarm from

Ulysses issuing forth from the thicket where he had been enjoying sleep

after his shipwreck.

The study of the Muses and the songs of poets of olden time were thy

delight. Turning the pages of Homer, bard of Smyrna, or those of

Virgil,

* * * * *

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percurrens damnas Helenam nec parcis Elissae.

nobiliora tenent animos exempla pudicos:

Laodamia sequens remeantem rursus ad umbras 150

Phylaciden et prona ruens Capaneia coniunx

communes ardente viro mixtura favillas,

et gravis incumbens casto Lucretia ferro,

vulnere quae proprio facinus testata tyranni

armavit patriae iustos in bella dolores 155

exule Tarquinio, memorandaque concidit uno

ulta pudicitiam libertatemque cruore.

talia facta libens non tu virtute minore,

sed fato meliore legis.

Iam nubilis aetas

principe sollicito votis erexerat aulam 160

incertis, quem tanta tori fortuna maneret.

Antiquos loquitur Musarum pagina reges,

quod dura sub lege procos certare iuberent,

empturos thalamum dubii discrimine leti,

et sua crudeles gauderent pignora mortis 165

ambitione peti. curru Pisaea marino

fugit praeda Pelops; nam perfidus obice regis

prodidit Oenomai deceptus Myrtilus axem.

Hippomenes trepidus cursu ferroque secutam

aurato volucrem flexit Schoeneida pomo. 170

Herculeas vidit Fluvio luctante palaestras

moenibus ex altis Calydon pretiumque labori

Deianira fuit, cum pectore victor anhelo

Alcides fremeret retroque Acheloius iret

decolor: attonitae stringebant vulnera Nymphae; 175

saucia truncato pallebant flumina cornu.

* * * * *

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poet of Mantua, thou findest fault with Helen nor canst approve of

Dido. Thy chaste mind fastens upon examples more noble: Laodamia

following Protesilaus as he returned to the shades; Euadne who cast

herself on the flaming pyre whereon her husband Capaneus perished,

wishing to mingle her ashes with his; grave Lucrece who fell upon a

chaste sword, she who self-slain bore witness to the tyrant’s crime,

aroused to war her country’s righteous wrath, drove Tarquin into exile

and died gloriously, having avenged by her one sacrifice both chastity

and freedom. Of such deeds thou dost read with joy, thyself not less in

virtue though more blessed of fortune.

Now that thou art of an age for marriage the hopes of the young

courtiers run high, but the prince hesitates to select the happy man

who is to share thy couch and regal state.

The pages of the poets tell how ancient kings bade suitors contend on

the hard terms of purchasing the bride at hazard of their lives, and

rejoiced that death should be the wooer of their daughters. Pelops

escaped the weapons of Pisa’s king, thanks to the chariot Neptune gave

him, for it was Myrtilus who tricked King Oenomaus by withdrawing the

lynch-pin from the chariot-wheel. Panting Hippomenes got the better of

Atalanta, daughter of Schoeneus, who followed close on his traces, a

sword in her hand, by means of the golden apples. The inhabitants of

Calydon watched from their high battlements the struggle of Hercules

with the river-god when, Deianira being the prize of victory, the

panting hero shouted in triumph and Achelous paled and shrank away,

shorn of his horn, the wound whereof the astonished river nymphs sought

to heal.

* * * * *

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te non Hesperidum pomis, non amne subacto,

non socerum fallente rota, sed iudice dignus

Augusto variis Stilicho spectatus in armis

accipit et regni dotes virtute paravit. 180

saepe duces meritis bello tribuere coronas:

hunc cingit muralis honos; hunc civica quercus

nexuit; hunc domitis ambit rostrata carinis.

solus, militiae mira mercede, iugalem

promeruit Stilicho socero referente coronam. 185

Agnovit patrui similem Thermantia curam;

nupsit et illa duci; sed longe fata sororis

inferiora tuis. alio tibi numine taedas

accendit Romana Salus magnisque coronis

coniugium fit causa tuum. dilectus equorum, 190

quos Phrygiae matres Argaeaque gramina pastae

semine Cappadocum sacris praesaepibus edunt,

primus honor, gemino mox inde e germine[104] duxit

agmina commissosque labor sic gessit honores,

ut semper merito princeps cum magna dedisset, 195

deberet maiora tamen. si bellica nubes

ingrueret, quamvis annis et iure minori

cedere grandaevos equitum peditumque magistros

adspiceres totumque palam permittere Martem,

nec gradus aetatisque pudor senioribus obstat, 200

ne iuveni parere velint. ceu flamine molli

[104] _germine_ is the reading adopted by the Aldine ed. The MSS. vary.

Birt conjectures _ex ordine_.

* * * * *

Page 253

But it is neither to the apples of the Hesperides nor to victory over a

river nor to treacherous tampering with a chariot-wheel that Stilicho

owes the winning of thy hand; the emperor himself adjudged him worthy

thereof, for that his valour had been proved in countless wars; his

own courage won him an empress to wife. Generals have often bestowed

decorations on those who have deserved them in battle: one man wins the

mural crown, another the civic wreath, a third, for having defeated

an enemy’s fleet, the naval decoration. Stilicho is the only warrior

who, as the reward for signal services in war, has won from a grateful

father’s hand the crown of marriage.

Thermantia owes her uncle no lesser debt of gratitude: she too was

married to a general. But how far inferior to thine, Serena, was thy

sister’s fortune! For thee with fairer promise Rome’s guardian-angel

kindles the torches, and glorious are the garlands that thy marriage

brings. First to be set in his charge is the care of the horses reared

in the royal stables, whose dams were Phrygian mares, or such as have

pastured on Argos’ plains, whose sires were Cappadocians. Soon he

exercises a double command in the army[105] and fulfils his functions

with such energy and success that, howsoever great the honours heaped

upon him by the emperor, his deserts are ever in excess of his

reward. Whenever the cloud of war threatened thou mightest have seen

experienced commanders of horse and foot give way to a leader younger

and of less exalted rank and without more ado entrust to him the whole

war. Neither rank nor age stays older men through shame from ready

obedience to a youth. As when on a calm sea

[105] _i.e._ _magister utriusque militiae_ in the East.

* * * * *

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tranquillisque fretis clavum sibi quisque regendum

vindicat; incumbat si turbidus Auster et unda

pulset utrumque latus, posito certamine nautae

contenti meliore manu seseque pavere 205

confessi (finem studiis fecere procellae):

haud aliter Stilicho, fremuit cum Thracia belli

tempestas, cunctis pariter cedentibus unus

eligitur ductor; suffragia quippe peregit

iudex vera timor; victus ratione salutis

Quis tibi tunc per membra tremor quantaeque cadebant

ubertim lacrimae, cum saeva vocantibus arma

iam lituis madido respectans lumina vultu

optares reducem galeaeque inserta minaci 215

oscula cristati raperes festina mariti!

gaudia quae rursus, cum post victricia tandem

classica sidereas ferratum pectus in ulnas

exciperes, castae tuto per dulcia noctis

otia pugnarum seriem narrare iuberes! 220

non illo nitidos umquam bellante capillos

comere, non solitos gemmarum sumere cultus:

numinibus votisque vacas et supplice crine

verris humum: teritur neglectae gratia formae

cum proprio reditura viro.

Nec deside cura 225

segnis marcet amor: laudem prudentia belli

feminea pro parte subit. dum gentibus ille

confligit, vigili tu prospicis omnia sensu,

ne quid in absentem virtutibus obvia semper

audeat invidiae rabies neu fervor iniquus, 230

ne qua procul positis furto subsederit armis

* * * * *

Page 255

every sailor maintains his right to manage the rudder, but if the

blustering south wind comes upon them and the waves buffet them on

either side, then contention ceases and the sailors accepting a

more skilful hand admit their fear (for the storm has set a term to

their jealousy), even so Stilicho when the storm of war broke out in

Thrace was chosen as commander-in-chief over the heads of all. Fear,

that surest of judges, won him the votes of all; regard for safety

o’ermastered ambition and jealousy was overthrown by dread.

How thou didst tremble and weep when the cruel bugles summoned thy lord

to arms! With a countenance wet with tears thou saw’st him leave thy

home praying for his safe return after snatching the final hasty kiss

from between the bars of his crested helmet’s visor. But again what

joy when at length he returned, preceded by the clarion of victory and

thou couldst hold his still mailed form in thy loving arms once more!

How sweet the long hours of the chaste night wherein thou badest him

tell in safety the story of his battles. Whilst he was at the wars thou

didst not comb thy shining hair nor wear the jewels that were wont to

adorn thee. Thy time is spent in worship and in prayer as thy suppliant

tresses sweep the temple floor; uncared for perishes the gracious

beauty that shall return with thine own lord.

But love languishes not in idleness and sloth; as far as it could a

woman’s watchful care seconds his deeds of glory. While he warred with

foreign nations thou keepest guard lest mad envy or burning calumny

should dare aught against him while far away, and lest, when war was

ended abroad, treachery should lie secretly in wait to injure him

* * * * *

Page 256

calliditas nocitura domi. tu sedula quondam

Rufino meditante nefas, cum quaereret artes

in ducis exitium coniuratosque foveret

contra pila Getas, motus rimata latentes 235

mandatis tremebunda virum scriptisque monebas.

XXXI. (XL.)

_Epistula ad Serenam._

Orphea cum primae sociarent numina taedae

ruraque compleret Thracia festus Hymen,

certavere ferae picturataeque volucres,

dona suo vati quae potiora darent,

quippe antri memores, cautes ubi saepe sonorae 5

praebuerant dulci mira theatra lyrae.

Caucasio crystalla ferunt de vertice lynces,

grypes Hyperborei pondera fulva soli,

furatae Veneris prato per inane columbae

florea conexis serta tulere rosis, 10

fractaque nobilium ramis electra sororum

cycnus oloriferi vexit ab amne Padi,

et Nilo Pygmaea grues post bella remenso

ore legunt Rubri germina cara maris.

venit et extremo Phoenix longaevus ab Euro 15

adportans unco cinnama rara pede.

nulla avium pecudumque fuit, quae ferre negaret

vectigal meritae conubiale lyrae.

Tunc opibus totoque Heliconis sedula regno

ornabat propriam Calliopea nurum. 20

* * * * *

Page 257

at home. Thou didst indeed once show thy vigilance what time Rufinus,

hatching his plots, sought means to destroy his master by traitorously

stirring up the Getae against Rome, for thou didst search out his foul

conspiracy and in fear for thy husband’s safety, didst send him warning

by letters and messages.

XXXI. (XL.)

_Letter to Serena._

At the first kindling of Orpheus’ marriage-torch when festive Hymen

filled the countryside of Thrace the beasts and gay-plumaged birds

strove among themselves what best gifts they could bring their poet.

Mindful of the cave whose sounding rocks had offered a wondrous

theatre for his tuneful lyre, the lynxes brought him crystal from

the summits of Caucasus; griffins golden nuggets from regions of the

north; doves wreaths of roses and other flowers which they had flown

to gather from Venus’ meadow; the swan bore from the stream of its

native Padus amber broken from the boughs of the famed sisters[106];

while the cranes, after their war with the pygmies, recrossed the Nile

and gathered in their mouths the precious pearls of the Red Sea. There

came, too, immortal Phoenix from the distant East, bearing rare spices

in his curvèd talons. No bird nor beast was there but brought to that

marriage-feast tribute so richly deserved by Orpheus’ lyre.

Busily Calliopea decked her son’s bride with her riches and all the

treasures of Helicon, and, moreover,

[106] _i.e._ of Phaëthon, who were changed into poplars.

* * * * *

Page 258

ipsam praeterea dominam stellantis Olympi

ad nati thalamos ausa rogare parens.

nec sprevit regina deum vel matris honore

vel iusto vatis ducta favore pii,

qui sibi carminibus totiens lustraverat aras 25

Iunonis blanda numina voce canens

proeliaque altisoni referens Phlegraea mariti,

Titanum fractas Enceladique minas.

ilicet adventu noctem dignata iugalem

addidit augendis munera sacra toris, 30

munera mortales non admittentia cultus,

munera, quae solos fas habuisse deos.

sed quod Threicio Iuno placabilis Orphei,

hoc poteris votis esse, Serena, meis.

illius expectent famulantia sidera nutum; 35

sub pedibus regitur terra fretumque tuis.

non ego, cum peterem, sollemni more procorum

promisi gregibus pascua plena meis

nec, quod mille mihi lateant sub palmite colles

fluctuet et glauca pinguis oliva coma, 40

nec, quod nostra Ceres numerosa falce laboret

aurataeque ferant culmina celsa trabes.

suffecit mandasse deam: tua littera nobis

et pecus et segetes et domus ampla fuit.

inflexit soceros et maiestate petendi 45

texit pauperiem nominis umbra tui.

quid non perficeret scribentis voce Serenae

vel genius regni vel pietatis amor?

Atque utinam sub luce tui contingeret oris

coniugis et castris et solio generi 50

* * * * *

Page 259

with a mother’s pride dared to invite to her son’s wedding the queen of

starry heaven herself. The queen of the gods spurned not her request

either out of respect for Calliopea herself or because she was drawn

by a just affection for the pious poet who had so often in her honour

chanted his songs before her altars, hymning Juno’s godhead with his

sweet voice and telling of the battles of her lord the Thunderer waged

on the plains of Phlegra, and of the menace of Enceladus and the Titans

there broken. Straightway, counting the marriage--night worthy of her

presence, she brought heavenly gifts to deck the bridal, gifts such

as stoop not to adorn mortals, gifts that the gods alone may possess.

But as Juno showed herself gracious to Thracian Orpheus, so wilt thou,

Serena, be favourable to my prayers. The stars, her slaves, obey the

nod of her head; thee land and sea, subdued beneath thy feet, obey. I

did not, as other suitors use, promise at my courtship fields where

graze unnumbered flocks nor hills covered with countless vines, nor

rich olive-trees waving in the breeze their grey foliage, nor harvests

reaped by a thousand scythes, nor a lofty palace with golden pillars.

Enough was the mandate of a goddess; thy letter, Serena, stands me in

stead of flocks, of harvests, of palace. The shadow of thy name has

won over her parents and an imperial prayer concealed my poverty. When

Serena writes, what with such words could not the empire’s spirit or

duteous love accomplish?[107]

Would heaven had allowed me to solemnize the longed-for day in the

light of thy presence, in thy

[107] Claudian means that Serena’s imperial position and his

own respect therefor ensure his obedience. Serena had written

(_littera_, l. 43) urging Claudian to marry, and the poet uses the

letter to urge his suit (ll. 37-46).

* * * * *

Page 260

optatum celebrare diem! me iungeret auspex

purpura, me sancto cingeret aula choro.

et mihi quam scriptis desponderat ante puellam,

coniugiis eadem pronuba dextra daret.

nunc medium quoniam votis maioribus aequor 55

invidet et Libycae dissidet ora plagae,

saltem absens, regina, fave reditusque secundos

adnue sidereo laeta supercilio.

terrarum tu pande vias, tu mitibus Euris

aequora pacari prosperiora iube, 60

ut tibi Pierides doctumque fluens Aganippe

debita servato vota cliente canant.

XXXII. (XCV.)

_De salvatore._

Christe potens rerum, redeuntis conditor aevi,

vox summi sensusque dei, quem fudit ab alta

mente pater tantique dedit consortia regni,

impia tu nostrae domuisti crimina vitae

passus corporea numen[108] vestire figura 5

adfarique palam populos hominemque fateri;

quemque utero inclusum Mariae mox numine viso

virginei tumuere sinus, innuptaque mater

arcano stupuit compleri viscera partu

[108] _numen_ Koch; _mundum_ Birt (following the MSS.); he suggests

_mentem_.

* * * * *

Page 261

lord’s camp, before thy son-in-law’s throne. The royal purple would

have been a good omen for our union, the august assembly of the court

would have graced the ceremony and the hand which, by writing that

letter, promised me my bride would have kindled the torch to light her

to the altar. Now that the envious sea deprives me of my fondest hopes

and stretches between thee and the coasts of Libya, yet, though absent,

be gracious unto me, O queen, and of thy goodness grant me a safe

return as by a nod of thy head thou, a goddess, canst do. Make straight

the paths of earth; bid but gentle breezes blow and a calm sea prosper

my voyage, that the Muses and Aganippe’s stream, the fount of song,

may hymn thy praises in gratitude for the saving of their servant, the

poet.[109]

XXXII. (XCV.)

_Of the Saviour._

Christ, lord of the world, founder of a new age of gold, voice and

wisdom of the Most High, proceeding from the Father’s lofty mind and

given by that Father a share in the governance of this great universe,

thou hast overcome the sins of this our mortal life, for thou hast

suffered thy Godhead to be clothed in human form and hath allowed

mankind to address thee face to face and confess thee man. The swelling

womb of the Virgin Mary conceived thee after that she had been visited

by the angel, and the unwed mother, destined to give birth to her own

creator, was astonished at the unborn

[109] The Muses themselves are to hymn Serena for having by her prayers

(l. 60) secured the safe return of their servant, Claudian.

* * * * *

Page 262

auctorem paritura suum: mortalia corda 10

artificem texere poli, mundique repertor

pars fuit humani generis, latuitque sub uno

pectore, qui totum late complectitur orbem,

et qui non spatiis terrae, non aequoris unda

nec capitur caelo, parvos confluxit in artus. 15

quin et supplicii nomen nexusque subisti,

ut nos subriperes leto mortemque fugares

morte tua, mox aetherias evectus in auras

purgata repetens laetum tellure parentem.

Augustum foveas, festis ut saepe diebus 20

annua sinceri celebret ieiunia sacri.

XXXIII.-XXXIX.

_De crystallo cui aqua inerat._

XXXIII. (LVI.)

Possedit glacies naturae signa prioris

et fit parte lapis, frigora parte negat.

sollers lusit hiems, imperfectoque rigore

nobilior vivis gemma tumescit aquis.

XXXIV. (LVII.)

Lymphae, quae tegitis cognato carcere lymphas,

et, quae nunc estis quaeque fuistis, aquae,

quod vos ingenium iunxit? qua frigoris arte

torpuit et maduit prodigiosa silex?

quis tepor inclusus securas vindicat undas? 5

interior glacies quo liquefacta Noto?

gemma quibus causis arcano mobilis aestu

vel concreta fuit vel resoluta gelu?

* * * * *

Page 263

child that grew within her body. A mortal womb hid the artificer of

the heavens: the creator of the world became a part of human nature.

In one body was conceived the God who embraces the whole wide world,

and he whom nor earth nor sea nor sky can contain was enclosed by the

limbs of a little child. Thou wert punished and didst suffer too, for

our sins, to save us from destruction, and didst by thy death overcome

Death. Then didst Thou ascend into Heaven, returning to the Father who

rejoiced at the salvation of the world.

Bless Thou our Emperor that at holy seasons he may for many years to

come observe the fast-days of the calendar.

XXXIII-XXXIX

_On a Crystal enclosing a Drop of Water._

1. This piece of ice still shows traces of its original nature: part of

it has become stone, part resisted the cold. It is a freak of winter’s,

more precious by reason of its incomplete crystallization, for that the

jewel contains within itself living water.

2. Ye waters, who confine waters in a prison akin to them, ye that are

liquid still and ye that were so, what wit has united you? By what

trick of freezing is the marvellous stone at once hard and wet? What

containèd heat has protected those enclosed waters? what warm wind

melted that heart of ice? How comes it that the jewel in whose heart

the water ebbs and flows was either made solid or liquid by frost?

* * * * *

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XXXV. (LVIII.)

Solibus indomitum glacies Alpina rigorem

sumebat nimio iam pretiosa gelu

nec potuit toto mentiri corpore gemmam,

sed medio mansit proditor orbe latex.

auctus honor; liquidi crescunt miracula saxi,

et conservatae plus meruistis aquae.

XXXVI. (LIX.)

Adspice porrectam splendenti fragmine venam,

qua trahitur limes lucidiore gelu.

hic nullum Borean nec brumam sentit opacus

umor, sed varias itque reditque vias.

non illum constrinxit hiems, non Sirius axis, 5

aetatis spatium non tenuavit edax.

XXXVII. (LX.)

Clauditur inmunis convexo tegmine rivus,

duratisque vagus fons operitur aquis.

nonne vides, propriis ut spumet gemma lacunis

et refluos ducant pocula viva sinus

udaque pingatur radiis obstantibus Iris,

secretas hiemes sollicitante die? 5

mira silex mirusque latex, et flumina vincit

et lapides merito, quod fluit et lapis est.

XXXVIII. (LXI.)

Dum crystalla puer contingere lubrica gaudet

et gelidum tenero pollice versat onus,

vidit perspicuo deprensas marmore lymphas,

dura quibus solis parcere novit hiems,

et siccum relegens labris sitientibus orbem 5

inrita quaesitis oscula fixit aquis.

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3. Alpine ice was becoming so hard that the sun could not melt it,

and this excess of cold was like to make it precious as diamond. But

it could not imitate that stone in its entirety for at its heart lay

a drop of water which betrayed its nature. As crystal its value is

enhanced, for this liquid rock is accounted a miracle and the water

enclosed within it increases its rarity.

4. See this vein which runs in a bright streak through the translucent

ice. This hidden water fears not any blast of Boreas nor winter’s chill

but runs this way and that. It is not frozen by December’s cold, nor

dried up by July’s sun, nor wasted away by all-consuming time.

5. Safely hidden away in this round covering is a stream, an errant

spring, enclosed within frozen waters. Mark you not how the crystal is

all awash in its cavernous heart where living waters surge this way

and that, and how, when the sun penetrates its frozen depths, the hues

of the rainbow are reflected in it? Wonderful stone, wonderful water:

stranger than all rivers and all stones because it is a stone and yet

fluid.

6. Children love to handle this shining crystal and turn its chilly

mass over and over in their little hands; they see imprisoned in the

transparent rock the water which alone winter forebore to freeze.

Placing the dry sphere against their thirsty lips they press useless

kisses on that which guards the waters they desire.

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XXXIX. (LXII.)

Marmoreum ne sperne globum: spectacula transit

regia nec Rubro vilior iste mari.

informis glacies, saxum rude, nulla figurae

gratia, sed raras inter habetur opes.

XL. (XLI.)

_Epistula ad Olybrium._

Quid rear, adfatus quod non mihi dirigis ullos

nec redit alterno pollice ducta salus?

scribendine labor? sed quae tam prona facultas,

carmina seu fundis seu Cicerone tonas?

cedere divitiis animi fortuna fatetur 5

et tantas oris copia vincit opes.

An rarus qui scripta ferat? quin tempore nullo

cessant Flaminiae pulverulenta viae.

cum fluat ingenium, cum sit qui dicta reportet,

quae, nisi contemnor, causa relicta tibi? 10

despicis ergo tuum, si fas est credere, vatem

perfidus, et spatio debilitatur amor.

Excidimusne tibi? lucem iam condet Hydaspes,

et Tartesiaco, Sol, oriere vado,

candescet Geticis Meroë conversa pruinis 15

claraque se vetito proluet Ursa mari,

et, si iam nostros fastidit Olybrius ignes,

constat Oresteam nil valuisse fidem.

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7. Do not despise this sphere of rock-crystal. Kings’ palaces contain

no rarer jewel, nor are the Red Sea’s pearls of greater value. It may

be shapeless ice, unpolished rock, a rough, uncarven mass, yet is it

accounted among the most precious of riches.

XL. (XLI.)

_Letter to Olybrius._

What am I to think, that you send me no greeting, that no “Good

wishes” traced by your fingers come back to me in turn? Is writing

so difficult? Nay, who so eloquent as thou whether thou dost compose

verses or, a second Cicero, thunder forth thy speeches? Greater even

than thy riches is thy genius, greater thine eloquence even than thy

wealth. Are the posts infrequent? Nay, couriers’ feet never allow the

dust to lie on the Flaminian Way. If, then, thou hast the power to

write and messengers in plenty to carry thy letters what reason hast

thou for thy silence unless indeed thou wish to slight me? I take it

thou hast abandoned thy poet and wilt have none of him (though I can

scarce believe it); or distance has made thy heart less fond. Dost thou

forget me? Now shall Hydaspes lay the day to rest, and thou, O sun,

rise from out the seas of Spain; now shall Egypt change her nature and

glisten with Getic frost and the Bear bathe him in forbidden waters.

No, if Olybrius now disdains my love then ’tis sure Orestes’ loyalty

availed nought. Nay come, banish

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Quin age rumpe moras solaturusque sodalem

absens eloquio fertiliore doce, 20

crebraque facundo festinet littera cursu

libris atque animis insinuanda meis.

dignatus tenui Caesar scripsisse Maroni,

nec tibi dedecori Musa futura. vale.

XLI. (XLII.)

_Ad Probinum._

Quem, precor, inter nos habitura silentia finem?

quando dabit caras littera grata vices?

me timidum vel te potius dixisse superbum

convenit? alterius crimen utrumque tenet.

transfluxere dies et, dum scripsisse priorem 5

paenitet, aeternas itur in usque moras.

sed quid agam? coepisse vetat reverentia vestri;

hinc amor hortatur scribere. vincat amor.

“fors iuvat audentes” prisci sententia vatis.

hac duce non dubitem te reticente loqui; 10

audax aut si quid penitus peccasse videbor,

arguar, ingrati non subiturus onus.

Romanos bibimus primum te consule fontes

et Latiae accessit Graia Thalia togae,

incipiensque tuis a fascibus omina cepi 15

fataque debebo posteriora tibi.

ergo lacessitus tandem rescribe roganti

et patria florens sorte, Probine, vale.

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delay and to console thy friend speak to him from far away with richer

eloquence; hither let many a letter hasten with winged speech, to find

its way to my shelves and to my heart. Augustus disdained not to write

to poor Vergil and my muse shall never bring thee shame. Farewell.

XLI.

_Letter to Probinus._[110]

How long, pray, shall there be silence between us? When shall a welcome

letter win a dear return? Is it right to call me timid or rather thee

proud? Surely each shares the other’s fault. The days slip away and

while each is ashamed to be the first to write our hesitation leads to

an unbroken silence. Yet what am I to do? Respect forbids me to write

first; love encourages me to do so. Let love have his way. Fortune

favours the brave, as the old poet sang. Under her guidance I could

not hesitate to speak, though thou still keep silence. If I shall seem

overbold or guilty of some grave fault, thou mayst blame but I shall

not bear the burden of ingratitude. ’Twas when thou wert consul that

I first drank of the stream of Latin song and that my Muse, deserting

Hellas, assumed the Roman toga.[111] From thy consulship my youth

drew its omens and to thee I shall owe my future destiny. Be moved by

my importunity and after so long a delay answer my letter. Farewell,

Probinus; be thy father’s fortune thine.

[110] See note on i. 8 and Introduction, p. xiii.

[111] See Introduction, p. xiii.

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XLII. (LIII.)

_De apro et leone._

Torvus aper fulvusque leo coiere superbis

viribus, hic saeta saevior, ille iuba;

hunc Mars, hunc laudat Cybele. dominatur uterque

montibus; Herculeus sudor uterque fuit.

XLIII. (LXXV.)

_In Curetium._

Fallaces vitreo stellas componere mundo

et vaga Saturni sidera saepe queri

venturumque Iovem paucis promittere nummis

Cureti genitor noverat Uranius.

in prolem dilata ruunt periuria patris 5

et poenam merito filius ore luit.

nam spurcos avidae lambit meretricis hiatus

consumens luxu flagitiisque domum

et, quas fallacis collegit lingua parentis,

has eadem nati lingua refundit opes. 10

XLIV. (LXXVI.)

_In eundem Curetium._

Si tua, Cureti, penitus cognoscere quaeris

sidera, patre tuo certius ipse loquar.

quod furis, adversi dedit inclementia Martis;

quod procul a Musis, debilis Arcas erat;

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XLII. (LIII.)

_The Wild Boar and the Lion._

A dark boar and a tawny lion met once in battle, each exulting in his

strength: the one shook his cruel bristles, the other his dreadful

mane. One was Mars’ favourite, the other Cybele’s: both are kings of

the mountains, both engaged the labours of Hercules.

XLIII. (LXXV.)

_Against Curetius._[112]

Uranius, Curetius’ father, could set deceptive stars in a sphere of

glass, gloomily shake his head over the errant course of Saturn, or

ensure for a trifle the favourable influence of Jupiter. The father’s

chicanery meets with its punishment, so long deferred, in the son whose

mouth needs must pay the just penalty. For filthy are his delights and

he wastes all his substance in wantoning and debauchery. And so the

tongue of the son has squandered all the riches which that of his lying

father gathered together.

XLIV. (LXXVI.)

_The Same._

Wouldst thou, Curetius, have sure knowledge of thy horoscope, I can

give it thee better than even thy father. Thy madness thou owest to the

evil influence of Mars; thine ignorance of poetry to

[112] We know nothing further of Curetius.

* * * * *

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quod turpem pateris iam cano podice morbum, 5

femineis signis Luna Venusque fuit;

attrivit Saturnus opes. hoc prorsus in uno

haereo: quae cunnum lambere causa facit?

XLV. (LV.)

_De concha._

Transferat huc liquidos fontes Heliconia Nais

et patulo conchae divitis orbe fluat.

namque latex doctae qui laverit ora Serenae,

ultra Pegaseas numen habebit aquas.

XLVI. (LXXII.)

_De chlamyde et frenis._

Non semper clipei metuendum gentibus orbem

dilecto studiosa parens fabricabat Achilli,

Lemnia nec semper supplex ardentis adibat

antra dei nato galeam factura comantem,

sed placidos etiam cinctus et mitia pacis 5

ornamenta dabat, bello quibus ille peracto

conspicuus reges inter fulgeret Achivos.

ipsa manu chlamydes ostro texebat et auro,

frenaque, quae volucrem Xanthum Baliumque decerent,

aequore quaesitis onerabat sedula gemmis. 10

At tibi diversis, princeps altissime, certant

obsequiis soceri. Stilicho Mavortia confert

munera, barbaricas strages Rhenique triumphos.

reginae contenta modum servare Serena

in tua sollicitas urget velamina telas. 15

* * * * *

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enfeebling Mercury; thy shameful disease and premature decay to lady

Moon and lady Venus; Saturn has robbed thee of thy property. But this

one fact is beyond me:--what causes thy filthy ways?

XLV. (LV.)

_The Shell._

Nymph, come from Helicon and pour herein thy limpid waters; fill all

the vast extent of this wondrous shell. Surely the water that has

bathed the face of the poetess Serena will have more virtue than all

the streams of Castalia.

XLVI. (LXXII.)

_On a Cloak and a Bridle._

His loving mother did not always fashion for her dear son Achilles

those round shields that did affright the world; she did not constantly

approach the fiery caverns of the god of Lemnos, begging a plumèd

helmet for her son. She gave him, besides these, garments of peace and

unwarlike adornments wherewith, after the toils of war, he might shine

conspicuous among the chiefs of the Achaeans. With her own hand she

wove him cloaks of purple and gold and with patient care studded with

ocean gems bridles to adorn his fleet steeds, Xanthus and Balius.

On thee, most puissant emperor, thy wife’s parents bestow diverse

presents. Stilicho gives thee warlike gifts--slaughter of barbarians

and victories on the Rhine; Serena, content to do such work as befits a

queen, plies her busy loom to weave thee raiment.

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XLVII. (LXXIII.)

_De equo dono dato._

O felix sonipes, tanti cui frena mereri

numinis et sacris licuit servire lupatis,

seu tua per campos vento iuba lusit Hiberos,

seu te Cappadocum gelida sub valle natantem

Argaeae lavere nives, seu laeta solebas 5

Thessaliae rapido perstringere pascua cursu:

accipe regales cultus et crine superbus

erecto virides spumis perfunde smaragdos.

luxurient tumido gemmata monilia collo,

nobilis auratos iam purpura vestiat armos, 10

et medium te zona liget variata colorum

floribus et castae manibus sudata Serenae,

Persarum gentile decus. sic quippe laborat

maternis studiis nec dedignatur equestres

moliri phaleras genero latura decorem. 15

XLVIII. (LXX.)

_De zona equi regii missa Honorio Augusta a Serena._

Accipe parva tuae, princeps venerande, sororis

munera, quae manibus texuit ipsa suis,

dumque auro phalerae, gemmis dum frena renident,

hac uterum zona cinge frementis equi,

sive illum Armeniis aluerunt gramina campis 5

turbidus Argaea seu nive lavit Halys,

sanguineo virides morsu vexare smaragdos

et Tyrio dignum terga rubere toro.

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XLVII. (LXXIII.)

_On a Gift to a Horse._

Happy steed, whose good fortune it is to obey the directing hand of a

god and to be guided by a sacred bit. Whether on the plains of Spain

the wind tossed thy mane in sport, or thou didst bathe in the melted

snows of Mount Argaeus, in some fertile valley of Cappadocia, or thou

didst scour the rich pasture-lands of Thessaly in wind-swift course,

receive this royal harness and, tossing thy proud mane, fleck with foam

the bridle studded with emeralds. Arch thy haughty neck beneath its

collar of pearls; let cloth of purple and gold clothe thy shoulders and

a belt of many colours worked by Serena’s chaste hands pass beneath

thy belly. ’Tis an ornament worthy the kings of Persia. Such is her

motherly love that to enhance her son-in-law’s glory she disdains not

to embroider the very harness of his horses.

XLVIII. (LXX.)

_On a Strap embroidered by Serena for Honorius’ Horse._

Receive at a sister’s hand a small gift, revered prince, a gift

embroidered by her own hand; the bridle of thy champing steed is of

gold, his head-harness studded with jewels; use now this strap to pass

beneath his belly. Whether his home was the grassy plain of Armenia, or

by the Halys, swollen with the melted snows of Mount Argaeus wherein he

was wont to bathe, he well deserves an emerald-encrusted bit to champ

in his blood-flecked mouth and cloth of Tyrian purple to adorn his

back. How

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o quantum formae sibi conscius erigit armos

spargit et excussis colla superba iubis! 10

augescit brevitas doni pietate Serenae,

quae volucres etiam fratribus ornat equos.

XLIX. (XLVI.)

_De torpedine._

Quis non indomitam dirae torpedinis artem

audiit et merito signatas nomine vires?

Illa quidem mollis segnique obnixa natatu

reptat et attritis vix languida serpit harenis.

sed latus armavit gelido natura veneno, 5

et frigus, quo cuncta rigent animata[113], medullis

miscuit et proprias hiemes per viscera duxit.

naturam iuvat ipsa dolis et conscia sortis

utitur ingenio longeque extenta per algas

attactu confisa subit. inmobilis haeret: 10

qui tetigere iacent. successu laeta resurgit

et vivos impune ferox depascitur artus.

Si quando vestita cibis incautior aera

hauserit et curvis frenari senserit hamis,

non fugit aut vano conatur vellere morsu, 15

sed proprius nigrae iungit se callida saetae

et meminit captiva sui longeque per undas

pigra venenatis effundit flamina venis.

per saetam vis alta meat fluctusque relinquit

absentem victura virum: metuendus ab imis 20

[113] MSS. _armata_ which Birt prints, suggesting _afflata_ in a note;

_animata_ is Scaliger’s emendation.

* * * * *

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conscious he is of his own beauty as he steps high and shakes his

flowing mane over his proud neck! The slight nature of the present is

dignified by the affection of Serena who for her brothers decks even

their swift steeds.

XLIX. (XLVI.)

_The Electric Ray._

Who has not heard of the invincible skill of the dread torpedo and of

the powers that win it its name?

Its body is soft and its motion slow. Scarcely does it mark the sand

o’er which it crawls so sluggishly. But nature has armed its flanks

with a numbing poison and mingled with its marrow chill to freeze

all living creatures, hiding as it were its own winter in its heart.

The fish seconds nature’s efforts with its own guilefulness; knowing

its own capabilities, it employs cunning, and trusting to its power

of touch lies stretched full length among the seaweed and so attacks

its prey. It stays motionless; all that have touched it lie benumbed.

Then, when success has crowned its efforts, it springs up and greedily

devours without fear the living limbs of its victim.

Should it carelessly swallow a piece of bait that hides a hook of

bronze and feel the pull of the jagged barbs, it does not swim away

nor seek to free itself by vainly biting at the line; but artfully

approaches the dark line and, though a prisoner, forgets not its skill,

emitting from its poisonous veins an effluence which spreads far and

wide through the water. The poison’s bane leaves the sea and creeps up

the line; it will soon prove too much for the distant fisherman.

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emicat horror aquis et pendula fila secutus

transit harundineos arcano frigore nodos

victricemque ligat concreto sanguine dextram.

damnosum piscator onus praedamque rebellem

iactat et amissa redit exarmatus avena. 25

L. (LXXVII.)

_In Iacobum magistrum equitum._

Per cineres Pauli, per cani limina Petri,

ne laceres versus, dux Iacobe, meos.

sic tua pro clipeo defendat pectora Thomas

et comes ad bellum Bartholomaeus eat;

sic ope sanctorum non barbarus inruat Alpes, 5

sic tibi det vires sancta Susanna suas;

sic quicumque ferox gelidum transnaverit Histrum,

mergatur volucres ceu Pharaonis equi;

sic Geticas ultrix feriat romphaea catervas

Romanasque regat prospera Thecla manus; 10

sic tibi det magnum moriens conviva triumphum

atque tuam vincant dolia fusa sitim;

sic numquam hostili maculetur sanguine dextra:

ne laceres versus, dux Iacobe, meos.

LI. (LXVIII.)

_In sphaeram Archimedis._

Iuppiter in parvo cum cerneret aethera vitro,

risit et ad superos talia dicta dedit:

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The dread paralysing force rises above the water’s level and climbing

up the drooping line, passes down the jointed rod, and congeals,

e’er he is even aware of it, the blood of the fisherman’s victorious

hand. He casts away his dangerous burden and lets go his rebel prey,

returning home disarmed without his rod.

L. (LXXVII.)

_Against James Commander of the Cavalry._[114]

By the ashes of S. Paul and the shrine of revered S. Peter, do not pull

my verses to pieces, General James. So may S. Thomas prove a buckler to

protect thy breast and S. Bartholomew bear thee company to the wars; so

may the blessed saints prevent the barbarians from crossing the Alps

and Suzanna[115] endow thee with her strength; so, should any savage

foe seek to swim across the Danube, let him be drowned therein like the

swift chariots of Pharaoh; so may an avenging javelin strike the Getic

hordes and the favour of Thecla[116] guide the armies of Rome; so may

thy guests dying in their efforts to out-drink thee assure thy board

its triumph of hospitality and the broached casks o’ercome thy thirst;

so may thy hand ne’er be red with an enemy’s blood--do not, I say, pull

my verses to pieces.

LI. (LXVIII.)

_Archimedes’ Sphere._

When Jove looked down and saw the heavens figured in a sphere of glass

he laughed and said to

[114] Nothing is known of this man. Birt dates the poem 401.

[115] Suzanna was martyred under Diocletian.

[116] There were several virgins, saints, and martyrs of this name.

Claudian probably means the proto-martyr of Iconium, the friend and

companion of S. Paul.

* * * * *

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“hucine mortalis progressa potentia curae?

iam meus in fragili luditur orbe labor?

iura poli rerumque fidem legesque deorum 5

ecce Syracusius transtulit arte senex.

inclusus variis famulatur spiritus astris

et vivum certis motibus urget opus.

percurrit proprium mentitus Signifer annum,

et simulata novo Cynthia mense redit, 10

iamque suum volvens audax industria mundum

gaudet et humana sidera mente regit.

quid falso insontem tonitru Salmonea miror?

aemula naturae parva reperta manus.”

LII. (XXXVII.)

_Gigantomachia._

Terra parens quondam caelestibus invida regnis

Titanumque simul crebros miserata dolores

omnia monstrifero complebat Tartara fetu

invisum genitura nefas Phlegramque retexit

tanta prole tumens et in aethera protulit hostes. 5

fit sonus: erumpunt crebri necdumque creati

iam dextras in bella parant superosque lacessunt

stridula volventes gemino vestigia lapsu.

pallescunt subito stellae flectitque rubentes

Phoebus equos docuitque timor revocare meatus. 10

Oceanum petit Arctos inocciduique Triones

occasum didicere pati. tum fervida natos

talibus hortatur genetrix in proelia dictis:

“O pubes domitura deos, quodcumque videtis,

* * * * *

Page 281

the other gods: “Has the power of mortal effort gone so far? Is my

handiwork now mimicked in a fragile globe? An old man of Syracuse has

imitated on earth the laws of the heavens, the order of nature, and the

ordinances of the gods. Some hidden influence within the sphere directs

the various courses of the stars and actuates the lifelike mass with

definite motions. A false zodiac runs through a year of its own, and a

toy moon waxes and wanes month by month. Now bold invention rejoices to

make its own heaven revolve and sets the stars in motion by human wit.

Why should I take umbrage at harmless Salmoneus and his mock thunder?

Here the feeble hand of man has proved Nature’s rival.”

LII. (XXXVII.)

_The Battle of the Giants._

Once upon a time mother Earth, jealous of the heavenly kingdoms and in

pity for the ceaseless woes of the Titans, filled all Tartarus with

a monster brood, thus giving birth to that which proved a very bane.

Her womb swollen with this monstrous birth she opened Phlegra’s side

and brought forth foes against heaven. With a noise as of thunder they

burst forth in profusion and, scarce born, prepare their hands for war,

as with twofold trail[117] they writhe their hissing course. Suddenly

the stars grow pale, Phoebus turns his rosy steeds and, impelled by

fear, retraces his steps. The Bear takes refuge in the Ocean, and the

unsetting Triones learned to endure setting. Then their angry mother

stirred up her sons to war with words such as these: “Children, ye

shall conquer

[117] They were twiform; _cf._ l. 81.

* * * * *

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pugnando dabitur; praestat victoria mundum. 15

sentiet ille meas tandem Saturnius iras,

cognoscet, quid Terra potest, si viribus ullis

vincor, si Cybele nobis meliora creavit!

cur nullus Telluris honos? cur semper acerbis

me damnis urgere solet? quae forma nocendi 20

defuit? hinc volucrem vivo sub pectore pascit

infelix Scythica fixus convalle Prometheus;

hinc Atlantis apex flammantia pondera fulcit

et per canitiem glacies asperrima durat.

quid dicam Tityon, cuius sub vulture saevo 25

viscera nascuntur gravibus certantia poenis?

sed vos, o tandem veniens exercitus ultor,

solvite Titanas vinclis, defendite matrem.

sunt freta, sunt montes: nostris ne parcite membris;

in Iovis exitium telum non esse recuso. 30

ite, precor, miscete polum, rescindite turres

sidereas. rapiat fulmen sceptrumque Typhoeus;

Enceladi iussis mare serviat; alter habenas

Aurorae pro Sole regat: te Delphica laurus

stringet, Porphyrion, Cirrhaeaque templa tenebis.” 35

His ubi consiliis animos elusit inanes,

iam credunt vicisse deos mediisque revinctum

Neptunum traxisse fretis; hic sternere Martem

cogitat, hic Phoebi laceros divellere crines;

hic sibi promittit Venerem speratque Dianae 40

coniugium castamque cupit violare Minervam.

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heaven: all that ye see is the prize of victory; win, and the universe

is yours. At last shall Saturn’s son feel the weight of my wrath; shall

recognize Earth’s power. What! can any force conquer me? Has Cybele

born sons superior to mine? Why has Earth no honour? Why is she ever

condemned to bitter loss? Has any form of injury passed me by? There

hangs luckless Prometheus in yon Scythian vale, feeding the vulture

on his living breast; yonder, Atlas supports the weight of the starry

heavens upon his head, and his grey hair is frozen stiff with cruel

cold. What need to tell of Tityus whose liver is ever renewed beneath

the savage vulture’s beak, to contend with his heavy punishment? Up,

army of avengers, the hour is come at last, free the Titans from

their chains; defend your mother. Here are seas and mountains, limbs

of my body, but care not for that. Use them as weapons. Never would

I hesitate to be a weapon for the destruction of Jove. Go forth and

conquer; throw heaven into confusion, tear down the towers of the sky.

Let Typhoeus seize the thunderbolt and the sceptre; Enceladus, rule

the sea, and another in place of the sun guide the reins of dawn’s

coursers. Porphyrion, wreathe thou thy head with Delphi’s laurel and

take Cirrha for thy sanctuary.”

This exhortation filled their minds with vain hopes. They think

themselves already victors o’er the gods, imagine they have thrown

Neptune into chains and dragged him a prisoner from Ocean’s bed. One

thinks to lay Mars low, one to tear Phoebus’ locks from his head; one

assigns Venus to himself, another anticipates in thought his marriage

with Diana, and another is all aflame to do violence to chaste Minerva.

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Interea superos praenuntia convocat Iris.

qui fluvios, qui stagna colunt, cinguntur et ipsi

auxilio Manes; nec te, Proserpina, longe

umbrosae tenuere fores; rex ipse silentum 45

Lethaeo vehitur curru lucemque timentes

insolitam mirantur equi trepidoque volatu

spissas caeruleis tenebras e naribus efflant.

ac velut hostilis cum machina terruit urbem,

undique concurrunt arcem defendere cives: 50

haud secus omnigenis coeuntia numina turmis

ad patris venere domos. tum Iuppiter infit:

“O numquam peritura cohors, o debita semper

caelo progenies, nullis obnoxia fatis:

cernitis ut Tellus nostrum coniuret in orbem 55

prole nova dederitque alios interrita partus?

ergo, quot dederit natos, tot funera matri

reddamus: longo maneat per saecula luctu

tanto pro numero paribus damnata sepulcris.”

Iam tuba nimborum sonuit, iam signa ruendi 60

his Aether, his Terra dedit confusaque rursus

pro domino Natura timet. discrimina rerum

miscet turba potens: nunc insula deserit aequor,

nunc scopuli latuere mari. quot litora restant

nuda! quot antiquas mutarunt flumina ripas! 65

hic rotat Haemonium praeduris viribus Oeten;

hic iuga conixus manibus Pangaea coruscat;

hunc armat glacialis Athos; hoc Ossa movente

tollitur; his Rhodopen Hebri cum fonte revellit

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Meanwhile Iris, messenger of the gods, summons the immortal council.

There come the deities of river and lake; the very ghosts were there

in heaven’s defence. Hell’s shady portals could not hold Proserpine

afar; the king of the silent himself advances in his Lethaean chariot.

His horses fear the light which hitherto their astonished eyes have

never looked upon and, swerving this way and that, they breathe forth

thick vapour from their soot-black nostrils. As, when an enemy’s

siege-engine affrights a town, the citizens run together from all sides

to defend their citadel, so gods of all shapes and forms came together

to protect their father’s home. Them Jove thus addressed: “Deathless

army, whose dwelling-place is, and must ever be, the sky, ye whom no

adverse fortune can ever harm, mark ye how Earth with her new children

conspires against our kingdom and undismayed has given birth to another

brood? Wherefore, for all the sons she bore, let us give back to their

mother as many dead; let her mourning last through the ages as she

weeps by as many graves as she now has children.”

The clouds echo the blast of heaven’s trumpets; on this side Heaven,

on that Earth, sounds the attack. Once more Nature is thrown into

confusion and fears for her lord. The puissant company of the giants

confounds all differences between things; islands abandon the deep;

mountains lie hidden in the sea. Many a river is left dry or has

altered its ancient course. One giant brandishes Thessalian Oeta in his

mighty hand, another gathers all his strength and hurls Pangaeus at the

foe, Athos with his snows arms another; this one roots up Ossa, that

tears out Rhodope and Hebrus’ source, dividing the

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et socias truncavit aquas summaque levatus 70

rupe Giganteos umeros inrorat Enipeus:

subsedit patulis Tellus sine culmine campis

in natos divisa suos.

Horrendus ubique

it fragor et pugnae spatium discriminat aër.

primus terrificum Mavors non segnis in agmen 75

Odrysios impellit equos, quibus ille Gelonos

sive Getas turbare solet: splendentior igni

aureus ardescit clipeus, galeamque nitentes

adrexere iubae. tum concitus ense Pelorum

transigit adverso, femorum qua fine volutus 80

duplex semifero conectitur ilibus anguis,

atque uno ternas animas interficit ictu.

tum super insultans avidus languentia curru

membra terit multumque rotae sparsere cruorem.

Occurrit pro fratre Mimas Lemnumque calentem 85

cum lare Vulcani spumantibus eruit undis

et prope torsisset, si non Mavortia cuspis

ante revelato cerebrum fudisset ab ore.

ille, viro toto moriens, serpentibus imis

vivit adhuc stridore ferox et parte rebelli 90

victorem post fata petit.

Tritonia virgo

prosilit ostendens rutila cum Gorgone pectus;

adspectu contenta suo non utitur hasta

(nam satis est vidisse semel) primumque furentem

longius in faciem saxi Pallanta reformat. 95

ille procul subitis fixus sine vulnere nodis

ut se letifero sensit durescere visu

(et steterat iam paene lapis) “quo vertimur?” inquit,

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waters that before were one; Enipeus, gathered up with its beetling

crags, scatters its waters over yon giant’s shoulders: robbed of her

mountains Earth sank into level plains, parted among her own sons.

On all sides a horrid din resounds and only the air divides the

rival armies. First impetuous Mars urges against the horrid band his

Thracian steeds that oft have driven in rout Getae or Geloni. Brighter

than flame shines his golden shield, high towers the crest of his

gleaming helmet. Dashing into the fray he first encounters Pelorus and

transfixes him with his sword, where about the groin the two-bodied

serpent unites with his own giant form, and thus with one blow puts an

end to three lives. Exulting in his victory he drives his chariot over

the dying giant’s limbs till the wheels ran red with blood.

Mimas ran forward to avenge his brother. He had torn Lemnos and with it

Vulcan’s fiery house from out the foaming main, and was on the point of

hurling it when Mars’ javelin prevented him, scattering the brain from

his shattered skull. What was giant in him died, but the serpent legs

still lived, and, hissing vengeance, sought to attack the victor after

Mimas’ death.

Minerva rushed forward presenting her breast whereon glittered the

Gorgon’s head. The sight of this, she knew, was enough: she needed

not to use a spear. One look sufficed. Pallas drew no nearer, rage as

he might, for he was the first to be changed into a rock. When, at a

distance from his foe, without a wound, he found himself rooted to the

ground, and felt the murderous visage turn him, little by little, to

stone (and all but stone he was) he called out, “What is happening to

me? What

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“quae serpit per membra silex? qui torpor inertem

marmorea me peste ligat?” vix pauca locutus, 100

quod timuit, iam totus erat; saevusque Damastor,

ad depellendos iaculum cum quaereret hostes,

germani rigidum misit pro rupe cadaver.

Hic vero interitum fratris miratus Echion

inscius, auctorem dum vult temptare nocendo, 105

te, Dea, respexit, solam quam cernere nulli

bis licuit. meruit sublata audacia poenas

et didicit cum morte deam. sed turbidus ira

Palleneus, oculis aversa tuentibus atrox,

ingreditur caecasque manus in Pallada tendit. 110

hunc mucrone ferit dea comminus; ac simul angues

Gorgoneo riguere gelu corpusque per unum

pars moritur ferro, partes periere videndo.

Ecce autem medium spiris delapsus in aequor

Porphyrion trepidam conatur rumpere Delon, 115

scilicet ad superos ut torqueat improbus axes.

horruit Aegaeus; stagnantibus exilit antris

longaevo cum patre Thetis desertaque mansit

regia Neptuni famulis veneranda profundis.

exclamant placidae Cynthi de vertice Nymphae, 120

Nymphae, quae rudibus Phoebum docuere sagittis

errantes agitare feras primumque gementi

Latonae struxere torum, cum lumina caeli

parturiens geminis ornaret fetibus orbem.

implorat Paeana suum conterrita Delos 125

auxiliumque rogat: “si te gratissima fudit

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is this ice that creeps o’er all my limbs? What is this numbness that

holds me prisoner in these marble fetters?” Scarce had he uttered these

few words when he was what he feared, and savage Damastor, seeking a

weapon wherewith to repel the foe, hurled at them in place of a rock

his brother’s stony corpse.

Then Echion, marvelling, all ignorant, at his brother’s death, even as

he seeks to assail the author of the deed, turned his gaze upon thee,

goddess, whom alone no man may see twice. Beaten audacity well deserved

its punishment and in death he learned to know the goddess. But

Palleneus, mad with anger, turning his eyes aside, rushed at Minerva,

striking at her with undirected sword. Nigh at hand the goddess smote

him with her sword, and at the same time the snakes froze at the

Gorgon’s glance, so that of one body a part was killed by a weapon and

a part by a mere look.

Impious Porphyrion, carried by his serpents into the middle of the sea,

tries to uproot trembling Delos, wishing to hurl it at the sky. The

Aegean was affrighted; Thetis and her agèd sire fled from their watery

caverns; the palace of Neptune, regarded with awe by all the denizens

of the deep, lay deserted. The summit of Cynthus rang with the cries

of the gentle nymphs who had taught Phoebus’ unpractised hand to shoot

at the wandering beasts with his bow, they who first had prepared the

bed for weeping Latona when, in labour with the lights of heaven, she

blessed the world with twin offspring. Delos in terror called her lord

Phoebus to help her and begged him for aid. “In remembrance of the

* * * * *

Page 290

in nostros Latona sinus, succurre precanti.

en iterum convulsa feror.”

* * * * *

Page 291

time when Latona entrusted thine infant life to my care, help me who

thus call upon thee. Behold, once more they seek to uproot me.…”[118]

[118] Like the _De raptu Proserpinae_, the _Gigantomachia_ was

probably never completed. S. Jerome in his commentary on Isaiah

(viii. 27) quotes from a _Gigantomachia_, not giving the name of

its author. It is possible that the lines, which do not occur in

Claudian’s poem as we possess it, belong to a final portion which

has been lost. But it is more likely that they come from some other

poet’s work and that the abrupt end of Claudian’s poem is due not

to loss but to the poet’s sudden death.

* * * * *

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DE RAPTU PROSERPINAE

LIBRI PRIMI

PRAEFATIO

(XXXII.)

Inventa secuit primus qui nave profundum

et rudibus remis sollicitavit aquas,

qui dubiis ausus committere flatibus alnum

quas natura negat praebuit arte vias:

tranquillis primum trepidus se credidit undis 5

litora securo tramite summa legens;

mox longos temptare sinus et linquere terras

et leni coepit pandere vela Noto.

ast ubi paulatim praeceps audacia crevit

cordaque languentem dedidicere metum, 10

iam vagus inrumpit pelagus caelumque secutus

Aegaeas hiemes Ioniumque domat.

LIBER PRIMUS

(XXXIII.)

Inferni raptoris equos adflataque curru

sidera Taenario caligantesque profundae

Iunonis thalamos audaci promere cantu

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RAPE OF PROSERPINE