'The Roman, when poor, apes the Goth: the Goth,
when rich, apes the Roman.'
There is a sort of Solomon's judgment, too, told of him, in the case of a
woman who refused to acknowledge her own son, which was effectual enough;
but somewhat too homely to repeat.
As for his personal appearance, it was given in a saga; but I have not
consulted it myself, and am no judge of its authenticity. The
traditional description of him is that of a man almost beardless--a rare
case among the Goths--with masses of golden ringlets, and black eyebrows
over 'oculos caesios,' the blue grey eyes common to so many conquerors. A
complexion so peculiar, that one must believe it to be truly reported.
His tragic death, and the yet more tragic consequences thereof, will be
detailed in the next lecture.