Between these rivers is a sun-kissed plain; kindly is it to the com, thick-set with vines and displaying the fruit of the grey-green olive; rich, too, in horses, fertile in flocks, and wealthy with the purple-veined marble that Synnada quarries.
sed Marsya velox,dum suus est, flexuque carens iam flumine mixtusmollitur, Maeandre, tuo;
Such was Phrygia then when the gods allowed it to be ravaged by Getic brigands. The barbarian burst in upon those cities so peaceful, so easy of capture. There was no hope of safety, no chance of escape. Long and peaceful ages had made the crumbling stones of their battlements to fall.
contraria passus,quam Rhodano stimulatus Arar: quos inter apricaplanities Cererique favet densisque ligaturvitibus et glaucae fructus attollit olivae,dives equis, felix pecori pretiosaque pictomarmore purpureis, caedit quod Synnada, venis.Talem tum Phrygiam Geticis populatibus uripermisere dei.
Meanwhile Cybele was seated amid the hallowed rocks of cold Ida, watching, as is her wont, the dance, and inciting the joyous Curetes to brandish their swords at the sound of the drum, when, lo, the golden-turreted crown, the eternal glory of her blessed hair, fell from off her head and, rolling from her brow, the castellated diadem is profaned in the dust. The Corybantes stopped in amazement at this omen; general alarm checked their orgies and silenced their pipes. The mother of the gods wept; then spake thus in sorrow. “
securas barbarus urbesinrupit facilesque capi. spes nulla salutis,nulla fugae: putribus iam propugnacula saxislongo corruerant aevo pacisque senecta.Interea gelidae secretis rupibus Idaedum sedet et thiasos spectat de more CybebeCuretumque alacres ad tympana suscitat enses,aurea sanctarum decus inmortale comarumdefluxit capiti turris summoque volutusvertice crinalis violatur pulvere murus.
This is the portent that agèd Lachesis foretold long years ago. My fallen crown assures me that Phrygia's final crisis is upon her. Alas for the blood that shall redden Sangarius' waves; for all the corpses that shall retard Meander's slow stream. The hour is fixed irrevocably; such, long since, was my son's, the Thunderer's, will. A like disaster awaits the neighbouring peoples; in vain does Lydia invoke the thyrsus of Bacchus in her defence. Now fare thee well, land of Phrygia, farewell, walls doomed to the flames, walls that now rear aloft proud towers but will soon be levelled with the ground and the bare earth. Farewell, dear rivers: never more shall I hold my inspired revels in your grottoes; no more shall my chariot leave the traces of its wheels on Berecynthus' heights.” So spake she, and turned her drums to strains of mourning.
obstipuere truces omen Corybantes et unofixa metu tacitas presserunt orgia buxos.indoluit genetrix, tum sic commota profatur:“Hoc mihi iam pridem Lachesis grandaeva canebataugurium: Phrygiae casus venisse supremosdelapsus testatur apex, heu sanguine qualisibit Sangarius quantasque cadavera lentiMaeandri passura moras! inmobilis haeretterminus, haec dudum nato placuere Tonanti.par et finitimis luctus, frustraque Lyaeinon defensuros implorat Lydia thyrsos.iamque vale Phrygiae tellus perituraque flammismoenia, conspicuas quae nunc attollitis arces,mox campi nudumque solum!
Attis filled his devoted country with holy lamentations and Cybele's tawny lions burst into tears.
dilecta valeteflumina! non vestris ultra bacchabor in antrisnec iuga sulcabit noster Berecynthia currus.”
Eutropius, although this terrible revolt could not be hid and although rumour had spread everywhere the dread news, none the less affects to ignore it and shuts his eyes to the empire's peril. 'Twas some poor troop of wandering brigands; such wretches call for punishment not war; a judge — so he brags — not a general should crush their strength. Even so the great Libyan bird, hard pressed by the cries of its pursuers, runs o'er the burning sands and flies through the dust, curving its wings like sails to catch the breeze; but when it clearly hears the footsteps close behind it, it forgets its flight, standing with closed eyes and hiding its head, believing, poor fool, it cannot be seen by those whom itself cannot see. None the less Eutropius sends towering promises with new gifts, if haply his foe may pause at his entreaty. But the barbarian, in whose heart was once waked the old love of plunder, refuses to submit to a slave; for him the gifts of fear have no charm; haughtily he disdains any rank,1 even the highest, for under such a consul what honour would not be disgrace?
dixit et ad tristes convertit tympana planctus.labentem patriam sacris ululatibus Attispersonat et torvi lacrimis maduere leones.Eutropius, nequeat quamvis metuenda tacericlades et trepidus vulgaverit omnia rumor,ignorare tamen fingit regnique ruinasdissimulat: parvam latronum errare catervam,ad sontes tormenta magis quam tela pararinec duce frangendas iactat, sed iudice vires:vasta velut Libyae venantum vocibus alescum premitur calidas cursu transmittit harenasinque modum veli sinuatis flamine pennispulverulenta volat; si iam vestigia retroclara sonent, oblita fugae stat lumine clauso(ridendum!) revoluta caput creditque latere,quem non ipsa videt. furtim tamen ardua mittitcum donis promissa no vis, si forte rogatusdesinat.
When Eutropius saw that no prayers could move him nor any gold win him over; when messenger after messenger returned, his mission unfulfilled, and all hopes of an alliance were at an end, he at last recognized the necessity for war and summoned the council to his palace. Thither they came — wanton lads and debauched greybeards whose greatest glory was gluttony, and whose pride it was to diversify the outraged banquet. Their hunger is only aroused by costly meats, and they tickle their palates with foods imported from overseas, the flesh of the many-eyed fowl of Juno,2 or of that coloured bird brought from farthest Ind that knows how to speak.
ille semel nota dulcedine praedaese famulo servire negat, nec grata timentummunera; militiam nullam nec prima superbuscingula dignari; nam quis non consule talivilis honos? Postquam precibus mitescere nullis,non auro cessisse videt creberque recurritnuntius incassum nec spes iam foederis extat:tandem consilium belli confessus agendiad sua tecta vocat.
Not the Aegean, not deep Propontis, not Maeotis' lake afar can sate their appetites with fish. Perfumed garments are their care, their pride to move foolish laughter with their silly jests. On their adornment and toilette they bestow a woman's care and find even the silk they wear too heavy a burden. Should the Hun, the Sarmatian, strike at the city's gates yet trouble they for nought but the theatre.
iuvenes venere protervilascivique senes, quibus est insignis edendigloria corruptasque dapes variasse decorum,qui ventrem invitant pretio traduntque palatosidereas Iunonis aves et si qua loquendignara coloratis viridis defertur ab Indis,quaesitos trans regna cibos, quorumque profundamingluviem non Aegaeus, non alta Propontis,non freta longinquis Maeotia piscibus explent.
Rome they despise and reserve their admiration for their own houses — may Bosporus' waters overwhelm them! Skilful dancers they and clever judges of charioteers.
vestis odoratae studium; laus maxima risumper vanos movisse sales minimeque virilesmunditiae; compti vultus;
Some sprung from the dregs of the people are generals; some magistrates — though their legs and ankles are still scarred and livid with their wearing of the fetters of servitude and though their branded foreheads deny their owners' right to office and disclose their true title. Among them Eutropius holds the first place; Hosius, on whom he relies, comes next. He of a truth is more popular, a cunning artificer of justice who knows well how to steam his cases; at times boiling with anger, yet well able to render down that anger when aroused. 1 These sit enthroned, joint rulers of the eastern empire, the one a cook the other a pander. The backs of both are scarred with the whip, each was a slave though of a different kind. The one had been bought and sold a hundred times, the other brought up a dependant in a Spanish household.
onerique vel ipsaserica. si Chunus feriat, si Sarmata portas,solliciti scaenae; Romam contemnere suetimirarique suas, quas Bosphorus obruat! aedes;saltandi dociles aurigarumque periti.Pars humili de plebe duces; pars compede surascruraque signati nigro liventia ferroiura regunt, facies quamvis inscripta repugnetseque suo prodat titulo. sed prima potestasEutropium praefert Hosio subnixa secundo.dulcior hic sane cunctis prudensque movendiiuris et admoto qui temperet omnia fumo,fervidus, accensam sed qui bene decoquat iram.
When, therefore, the chief men were gathered together for consultation in this strait and to comfort the sickness of the state, forthwith they forget Phrygia and, setting aside the question of war, start their accustomed fooling and engage in disputes about the Circus. With heat as fierce as it is pointless they wrangle what boy can best whirl quivering limbs in an easy somersault or sweep the marble floor with his drooping locks; who can most twist his flanks into a boneless arch; who can best suit his gestures to his words and his eyes to his character.
considunt apices gemini dicionis Eoae,hic cocus, hic leno, defossi verbere terga,servitio, non arte pares, hic saepius emptus,alter ad Hispanos nutritus verna penates.Ergo ubi collecti proceres, qui rebus in artisconsulerent tantisque darent solacia morbis,obliti subito Phrygiae bellisque relictisad solitos coepere iocos et iurgia circitendere. nequiquam magna confligitur ira,quis melius vibrata puer vertigine mollimembra rotet, verrat quis marmora crine supino?
Some recite speeches from tragedy, others chant the play of Tereus, others again that of Agave, never before staged.
quis magis enodes laterum detorqueat arcus,1quis voci digitos, oculos quis moribus aptet?
Eutropius chides them; the present moment, says he, demands other spectacles than these; it is war which now should claim all their care.
hi tragicos meminere modos; his fabula Tereus,his necdum commissa choro cantatur Agave.
For his part (for he is an old man and a weary) it is enough to defend the frontiers of Armenia; single- handed he cannot cope with all these perils. They must pardon his age and send younger men to the war: — it is as though a hated forewoman were sitting among a crowd of poor working-girls and bidding them in her raucous voice ply the loom and gain their livelihood, while they beg to be allowed the enjoyment of a holiday, to lay aside their tasks and visit their friends; angered at her refusal and wearied of their work they crush the threads in their hands and wipe away their gentle tears with the cloth.
Increpat Eutropius: non haec spectacula tempusposcere; nunc alias armorum incumbere curas;se satis Armenio fessum pro limite cinginec tantis unum subsistere posse periclis;ignoscant senio, iuvenes ad proelia mittant; —qualis pauperibus nutrix invisa puellisadsidet et tela communem quaerere victumrauca monet; festis illae lusisse diebusorant et positis aequaevas visere pensis,irataeque operi iam lasso pollice filaturbant et teneros detergent stamine fletus.
Sudden from out that trembling throng upleaps bold Leo 1 with his vast bulk, he whose single prowess Cyclopean hunger could scarce match, whom starving Celaeno could not outvie. 'Tis to this fact that he is said to have owed his name. Bold (when his foe was absent), brave (as a speaker), great in bulk but small of heart, once a highly skilled spinner of thread and a cunning carder, none other could so well cleanse the dirt from out the fleece and fill the baskets, none other pull the thick wool over the iron teeth of the comb as could he. He was then Eutropius' Ajax and far and near he raged, shaking not a huge shield compact of seven layers of ox-hide, but that belly of his, laden with continuous feastings, as he sat lazily among old dames and distaffs. At length he arose and, panting, said, “What unwonted sluggishness is this, my friends? How long must we sit closeted in the women's apartments and suffer our perils to increase by reason of our sloth? Fate weaves for us a network of ill while we waste our time in useless vows. This difficult task demands my action; never was my hand slow to use iron. Let but Minerva favour mine attempts and the work begun will be the work completed. Now will I render proud Tarbigilus, whose madness has caused all this turmoil, of less weight than a ball of wool, the faithless Gruthungi I will drive before me like a flock of wretched sheep; and when I have restored peace I will set the women of Phrygia once more beside their ancient spinning.”
Emicat extemplo cunctis trepidantibus audaxcrassa mole Leo, quem vix Cyclopia solumaequatura fames, quem non ieiuna Celaenovinceret; hinc nomen fertur meruisse Leonis.acer in absentes linguae iactator, abundanscorporis exiguusque animi, doctissimus artisquondam lanificae, moderator pectinis unci,non alius lanam purgatis sordibus aequepraebuerit calathis, similis nec pinguia quisquamvellera per tenues ferri producere rimas.tunc Aiax erat Eutropii lateque fremebat,non septem vasto quatiens umbone iuvencos,sed, quam perpetuis dapibus pigroque sediliinter anus interque colos oneraverat, alvum.adsurgit tandem vocemque expromit anhelam:“Quis novus hic torpor, socii? quonam usque sedemusfemineis clausi thalamis patimurque periclumgliscere desidia? graviorum turba malorumtexitur, ignavis trahimus dum tempora votis.me petit hie sudor, numquam mea dextera segnisad ferrum. faveat tantum Tritonia coeptis,inceptum peragetur opus, iam cuncta furoremqui gravat, efficiam leviorem pondere lanaeTarbigilum tumidum, desertoresque Gruthungosut miseras populabor oves et pace relatapristina restituam Phrygias ad stamina matres.”
So saying he sat down again. Great clamour and applause filled the council-chamber, applause such as rises from the rows of spectators in the theatre when some curled youth impersonates Niobe turned to stone, or Hecuba in tears. Straightway Leo unfolds his banners and starts on the journey whence there is to be no return. To the accompaniment of the screech-owl's ill-omened cry he bids march the host destined so soon to feed the vultures of Mygdonia. 'Tis a well-favoured army, enamoured of the city's shade, ever present at the games, anxious to shine in the baths, not to bear sun-scorch and rain, and oh! how different to that former army who, 'neath the leadership of Stilicho, endured under arms the frosts of Thrace and were wont to winter in the open air and break with their axes the frozen waters of Hebrus for a draught. Changed is the leader and changed their character. Byzantium's luxury and Ancyra's pomp 1 have destroyed their vigour.
His dictis iterum sedit; fit plausus et ingensconcilii clamor, qualis resonantibus olimexoritur caveis, quotiens crinitus ephebusaut rigidam Nioben aut flentem Troada fingit.protinus excitis iter inremeabile signisadripit infaustoque iubet bubone moveriagmina Mygdonias mox impletura volucres.Pulcher et urbanae cupiens exercitus umbrae,adsiduus ludis, avidus splendere lavacrisnec soles imbresve pati, multumque prioridispar, sub clipeo Thracum qui ferre pruinas,dum Stilicho regeret, nudoque hiemare sub axesueverat et duris haurire bipennibus Hebrum.
No longer does the cavalry ride ahead of the foot; suitable ground is not chosen for camps; no constant change of sentries safeguards the ramparts, no scouts are sent forward to discover which roads to take or which to avoid; their evolutions are performed without drill or discipline, in confusion they stray hither and thither amid dark forests, along narrow paths in unexplored valleys. So goes a horse that has lost his rider, thus a ship whose helmsman has been drowned is swept to the abyss, chance guiding her and not the stars. So too the sea monster 1 is dashed to pieces against the rocks when it has lost the comrade fish that swam before it and guided its course through the waves, piloting the great beast with the motion of its tiny tail according to the compact which is between it and its huge companion. Aimlessly the monster swims all unguided through the deep; then, surprised in the shallow water and knowing not how to return to the sea, pants and to no purpose dashes its gaping jaws against the rocks.
cum duce mutatae vires. Byzantia roburfregit luxuries Ancyranique triumphi.non peditem praecedit eques; non commoda castriseligitur regio; vicibus custodia nullisadvigilat vallo; non explorantur eundaevitandaeque viae; nullo se cornua flectuntordine: confusi passim per opaca vaganturlustra, per ignotas angusto tramite valles.sic vacui rectoris equi, sic orba magistrofertur in abruptum casu, non sidere, puppis;sic ruit in rupes amisso pisce sodalibelua, sulcandas qui praevius edocet undasinmensumque pecus parvae moderamine caudaetemperat et tanto coniungit foedera monstro;ilia natat rationis inops et caeca profundi;iam brevibus deprensa vadis ignara revertipalpitat et vanos scopulis inlidit hiatus.
Tarbigilus feigns retreat and raises the presumptuous hopes of Leo, then suddenly he bursts all unexpected upon the wine-sodden army, as, overcome by the heavy feast, they brag over their cups of leading the foe in chains. Some are slain as they lift their sluggish limbs from the couch, others know not any break between sleep and death.
Tarbigilus simulare fugam flatusque Leonisspe nutrire leves improvisusque repente,dum gravibus marcent epulis hostique catenasinter vina crepant, largo sopita Lyaeocastra subit. pereunt alii, dum membra cubilitarda levant; alii leto iunxere soporem;
Others rush pell-mell into a neighbouring swamp and heap the marsh high with their dead bodies.
ast alios vicina palus sine more ruentesexcipit et cumulis inmanibus aggerat undas.
Leo himself, swifter than deer or antelope, fled trembling on his foam-flecked horse, and it falling under his weight Leo sank in the mire and on all fours fought his way through the clinging slime.
ipse Leo damma cervoque fugacior ibatsudanti tremebundus equo: qui pondere postquamdecidit, implicitus limo cunctantia pronusper vada reptabat.
Held up at first by the thick mud, his fat body gradually settles down panting like a common pig, which, destined to grace the coming feast, squeals when Hosius arms him with flashing knife, and gathers up his garments, pondering the while what portions he will transfix with spits, which pieces of the flesh he will boil and how much sea-urchin stuffing will be needed to fill the empty skin. The work of preparation goes on apace, Bosporus echoes to many a blow and the savoury smell envelops Chalcedon.
caeno subnixa tenacimergitur et pingui suspirat corpore molesmore suis, dapibus quae iam devota futuristurpe gemit, quotiens Hosius mucrone coruscoarmatur cingitque sinus secumque volutat,quas figat verubus partes, quae frusta calentimandet aquae quantoque cutem distendat echino.flagrat opus; crebro pulsatus perstrepit ictu;
Suddenly a gentle breeze stirs the foliage behind Leo's back. He thinks it an arrow, and terror, taking a missile's place, does duty for a wound.
1contexit varius penetrans Calchedona nidor.Ecce levis frondes a tergo concutit aura:credit tela Leo;
Untouched and stricken only by fear he breathes his last. Degenerate Roman, by whose advice didst thou exchange the comb for the sword, thine ancestral calling for the field of battle? How much better to praise in safety the work of the weavers at their looms and keep out. the cold by means of morning feasts. Here thou hast suffered a wretched death; here, while thou soughtest to shirk thy spinning, the Fates have at last spun for thee the final thread.
valuit pro vulnere terrorimplevitque vicem iaculi, vitamque nocenteminteger et sola formidine saucius efflat.quis tibi tractandos pro pectine, degener, enses,quis solio campum praeponere suasit avito?quam bene texentum laudabas carmina tutuset matutinis pellebas frigora mensis!hic miserande iaces;
Now spreading rumour shakes the palace, pale with terror upon terror. It told how that the army was destroyed, the troops butchered, the plain of Maeonia red with slaughter, Pamphylia and Pisidia o'errun by the enemy. On all sides rings the dread name of Tarbigilus. He is now said to be bearing down upon Galatia, now to be meditating an attack on Bithynia. Some say he has crossed the Taurus and is descending upon Cilicia, others that he has possessed himself of a fleet and is advancing both by land and sea. Truth is doubled by panic's fancy; they say that from the ships far cities are seen ablaze, that the straits are aglow and that ashes driven by the wind catch in the sails of every ship at sea.
hic, dum tua vellera vitas,tandem fila tibi neverunt ultima Parcae.Iam vaga pallentem densis terroribus aulamfama quatit; stratas acies, deleta canebatagmina, Maeonios foedari caedibus agros,Pamphylos Pisidasque rapi. metuendus ab omniTarbigilus regione tonat; modo tendere cursumin Galatas, modo Bithynis incumbere fertur.sunt qui per Cilicas rupto descendere Tauro,sunt qui correptis ratibus terraque mariqueadventare ferant; geminantur vera pavorisingenio: longe spectari puppibus urbesaccensas, lucere fretum ventoque citatasomnibus in pelago velis haerere favillas.
Amid all this confusion comes a yet more terrible rumour — that Babylon is again in arms and, under a new monarch, 1 threatens our Empire; the Parthians, long inactive, and now scorning slothful ease, seek to put an end to the peace imposed by Rome.
Hos inter strepitus funestior advolat alternuntius: armatam rursus Babylona minarirege novo;
Rare among the Medes is the murder of a king, for punishment falls on the regicide's whole family.
resides Parthos ignava perososotia Romanae finem iam quaerere paci.rarus apud Medos regum cruor;
Thus equal obedience is offered to their overlords, cruel as well as kind. But what would not the year of Eutropius' consulship dare? 'Tis that has stricken down our faithful ally Sapor and roused the Persians' swords against their own king; that has cast the torch of the Furies across the Euphrates, there to kindle rebellion, that no quarter of the globe may escape carnage.
unaque cunctopoena manet generi: quamvis crudelibus aequeparetur dominis. sed quid non audeat annusEutropii? socium nobis fidumque Saporemperculit et Persas in regia vulnera movitrupturasque fidem, leto pars ne qua vacaret,Eumenidum taedas trans flumina Tigridis egit.
Then indeed men's hearts failed them, their courage ebbed away amid all these storms; surrounded as they were on every side by the din of war, at last they recognized the wrath of heaven and their consul's evil omen, learning too late — schooled by the stubborn issue — their now irrevocable doom.
Tum vero cecidere animi tantisque procellisdeficiunt. saepti latrantibus undique bellisinfensos tandem superos et consulis omenagnovere sui, nec iam revocabile damnumeventu stolido serum didicere magistro.
They say that the twin sons of Iapetus formed our first parents of the same materials but with unequal skill. Those whom Prometheus fashioned, and with whose clay he mingled abundant ether, foresee the distant future and, thanks to their more careful making by a better workman, are thus prepared to meet what fate has in store for them. Those framed of baser clay by the sorry artificer the Greek poets so well call Epimetheus, men through whose limbs no ethereal vigour spreads — these, like sheep, cannot avoid the dangers that o'erhang them, nor foresee aught. Not till the blow has fallen do they protest and weep too late the accomplished deed. There now shone forth but one hope of salvation — Stilicho. Him the expectation of whose visits the consciousness of deeds ill-done had ever rendered bitter and unpleasant, him whose approach even as far as the Alps afflicted the Byzantines with fear of death and punishment, all now wish to come, repentant of their former wrongdoing. To him they look as to a star amid this universal shipwreck of war; to him innocent and guilty alike address their prayers. So children whose sire carries merchandise across the sea, wrapt up in their amusements and heedless of their studies, wander afield more joyfully now that their guardian is absent, yet, should a dangerous neighbour invade their defenceless home and seek to drive them forth unprotected as they are from their fireside, then they beg their father's help, call upon his name with useless cries and all to no purpose direct their gaze towards the shore.
namque ferunt geminos uno de semine fratresIapetionidas generis primordia nostridissimili finxisse manu: quoscumque Prometheusexcoluit multumque innexuit aethera limo,hi longe ventura notant dubiisque paraticasibus occurrunt fabro meliore politi.deteriore luto pravus quos edidit auctor,quem merito Grai perhibent Epimethea vates,et nihil aetherii sparsit per membra vigoris,hi pecudum ritu non impendentia vitantnec res ante vident; accepta clade querunturet seri transacta gemunt. Iam sola renidetin Stilichone salus, et cuius semper acerbumingratumque sibi factorum conscius horrorcredidit adventum, quem si procedere tantumAlpibus audissent, mortem poenasque tremebant,iam cuncti venisse volunt, scelerumque priorumpaenitet; hoc tantis bellorum sidus in undissperant, hoc pariter iusti sontesque precantur:ceu pueri, quibus alta pater trans aequora mercesdevehit, intenti ludo studiisque solutilatius amoto passim custode vagantur;si gravis auxilio vacuas invaserit aedesvicinus laribusque suis proturbet inultos,tum demum patrem implorant et nomen inanivoce cient frustraque oculos ad litora tendunt.
All admit that they deserve punishment and death for deserting Stilicho and entrusting themselves to the governance of slaves. Long they stood dazed with altered thoughts, and as their senses slowly return they marvel at the results of their own madness and turn away their eyes; flinging down his rods the lictor shudders, and the dishonoured axes fall of their own accord. Even so the Maenads returning to Thebes from the Aonian mount, their thyrses dripping with Pentheus' blood, learning the true character of their dreadful hunting and seeing the head cast by the mother herself, hide them in the darkness and lament the end of their madness. Thereupon suppliant Aurora turned her flight towards powerful Italy, her hair no longer aureole-crowned and she no more bright of countenance nor clothed with the saffron of the dawn.
Omnes supplicio dignos letoque fatentur,qui se tradiderint famulis Stilichone relicto.mutati stupuere diu sensuque reductopaulatim proprii mirantur monstra furorisavertuntque oculos: proiectis fascibus horretlictor et infames labuntur sponte secures:quales Aonio Thebas de monte reversaeMaenades infectis Pentheo sanguine thyrsis,cum patuit venatus atrox matrique rotatumconspexere caput, gressus caligine figuntet rabiem desisse dolent. quin protinus ipsatendit ad Italiam supplex Aurora potentemnon radiis redimita comam, non flammea vultunec croceum vestita diem;
She stands wan with woe, even as when she buried Memnon in his Phrygian grave. Stilicho recognized her and stayed, well knowing the reason of her visit.
stat livida luctu,qualis erat Phrygio tegeret cum Memnona busto.quam simul agnovit Stilicho nec causa latebat,restitit;
Long time she clasped his victorious hand and at length amid tears and sighs addressed him. “Why art thou so wearied of the world whereon I shine? Leavest thou me thus to be the sport and laughing-stock of slaves and carest only for Italy, thou that wert once my guide and my leader? Since thy victory over the tyrant Eugenius I have not seen thee. Has victory thus robbed me of thee and given thee to Gaul? Rufinus was the prime cause of the trouble; 'twas he who wrought disunion between the two empires. But when he aimed at more there met him an army returning in righteous wrath, an army still strong, still mindful of its former prowess. For a moment I was dazzled by the mirage of liberty: I hoped that Stilicho would once more hold the reins of our empire. Alas for my short-sighted happiness! The world had begun to form one single empire under the rule of the two brothers (for who, with the awful example 1 so fresh in his mind, would dare embark upon a like venture?) when suddenly (it is a monstrous story which scarce bears the telling) a eunuch came forward as Rufinus' heir. Thus fortune brought back my former miseries with this one difference — that of changing my master's sex. At first he kept his crimes hidden behind the doors of his chamber, an unseen and timid ruler; power was his that all envied, yet only a eunuch's, nor dared he yet arrogate to himself the right of governing the state or of trampling on the laws. But when he had banished the good and, retaining the dregs of the people, had chosen therefrom advisers of no worth; when his creature Hosius stood on his one side and Leo on the other, then indeed his self-confidence waxed and his lust for power broke forth into open flame. Patrician and consul he brought defilement on the honours he sold; even greater defilement on those he carried himself. The very standards and trumpets of war grew feeble; a palsy seized upon our swords. What wonder the nations rejoiced and we became the easy prey of any who would subdue us? Gone are ploughs and ploughmen; the East is more a desert than Thrace and snowy Haemus. Alas! how many cities, how long unused to war's alarms, have perished in a single invasion! Not long since a mounted band coming from Araxes' farthest banks threatened the walls of Antioch and all but set fire to the chief city of the fair province of Syria. Laden with spoil and rejoicing in the vast carnage it had wrought the band returned with none to bar its passage; now it pursues its victorious career inflicting on me wound upon wound. 'Tis not now Caucasus nor cold Phasis that send forces against me; wars arise in the very centre of my empire. Time was when the Gruthungi formed a Roman legion; conquered we gave them laws; fields and dwelling-places we apportioned them. Now they lay waste with fire Lydia and the richest cities of Asia, ay, and everything that escaped the earlier storm. 'Tis neither on their own valour or numbers that they rely; it is our cowardice urges them on, cowardice and the treason of generals, through whose guilt our soldiers now flee before their own captives, whom, as Danube's stream well knows, they once subdued; and those now fear a handful who once could drive back all. Meanwhile the palace devotes its attention to dances and feastings, and cares not what be lost so something remain. But lest our salesman lose aught by this dismemberment of the empire he has divided each remaining province into two, and forces the two halves, each under its own governor, to compensate him for the loss of other provinces. 'Tis thus they give me back my lost peoples: by this ingenious device they increase the number of my rulers while the lands they should rule are lost. In thee is now my only hope; in place of Minerva's supplicating branch I offer thee my tears. Help me in my distress. Save me from this tyranny of a slave master; do not condemn all for the fault of a few, and let not a recent offence cancel former merits. Grant me now my request; extreme danger ever exonerates from blame. Camillus, though justly angered at his banishment, forebore not to succour his country when in flames. I seek not to draw thee away from Italy; thou art enough defence for both empires. Let both have the benefit of thine illustrious arms; let the same shield defend us and one hero work the salvation of a twofold world.”
ilia manum victricem amplexa moraturaltaque vix lacrimans inter suspiria fatur:“Tantane te nostri ceperunt taedia mundi?sic me ludibrium famulis risumque relinquisdux quondam rectorque meus? solamque tuerisHesperiam? domiti nec te post bella tyrannicernere iam licuit? sic te victoria nobiseripuit Gallisque dedit? Rufinus origoprima mali: geminas inter discordia parteshoc auctore fuit. sed iam maiora moventioccurrit iusta rediens exercitus ira,fortis adhuc ferrique memor. brevis inde reluxitfalsaque libertas; rursum Stilichonis habenissperabam me posse regi. pro caeca futurigaudia! fraterno coniungi coeperat orbisimperio (quis enim tanto terrore recentisexempli paribus sese committeret ausis?),cum subito (monstrosa mihi turpisque relatufabula) Rufini castratus prosilit heres,et similes iterum luctus Fortuna reduxit,ut solum domini sexum mutasse viderer.Hic primum thalami claustris delicta tegebatclam timideque iubens; erat invidiosa potestas,sed tamen eunuchi, necdum sibi publica iurasumere nec totas audebat vertere leges.at postquam pulsisque bonis et faece retentapeiores legit socios dignusque satelleshinc Hosius stetit, inde Leo, fiducia crevitregnandique palam flagravit aperta libido.patricius, consul maculat quos vendit honores,plus maculat quos ipse gerit. iam signa tubaequemollescunt, ipsos ignavia fluxit in enses.exultant merito gentes facilisque volentipraeda sumus. iam Bistoniis Haemoque nivalivastior expulsis Oriens squalescit aratris.ei mihi, quas urbes et quanto tempore Martisignaras uno rapuerunt proelia cursu!nuper ab extremo veniens equitatus Araxeterruit Antiochi muros, ipsumque decoraepaene caput Syriae flammis hostilibus arsit.utque gravis spoliis nulloque obstante profundalaetus caede redit, sequitur mucrone secundocontinuum vulnus; nec iam mihi Caucasus hostesnec mittit gelidus Phasis; nascuntur in ipsobella sinu. legio pridem Romana Gruthungi,iura quibus victis dedimus, quibus arva domusquepraebuimus, Lydos Asiaeque uberrima vastantignibus et si quid tempestas prima reliquit.nec vi nec numero freti; sed inertia nutritproditioque ducum, quorum per crimina milescaptivis dat terga suis, quos teste subegitDanuvio partemque timet qui reppulit omnes.Aula choris epulisque vacat nec perdita curat,dum superest aliquid. ne quid tamen orbe recisovenditor amittat, provincia quaeque superstesdividitur geminumque duplex passura tribunalcogitur alterius pretium sarcire peremptae.sic mihi restituunt populos; hac arte repertarectorum numerum terris pereuntibus augent.In te iam spes una mihi. pro fronde Minervaehas tibi protendo lacrimas: succurre ruenti,eripe me tandem, servilibus eripe regnis.neve adeo cunctos paucorum crimine damnesnec nova tot meritis offensa prioribus obstet.iamiam flecte animum. suprema pericula semperdant veniam culpae. quamvis iratus et exulpro patriae flammis non distulit arma Camillus.nec te subtrahimus Latio; defensor utriquesufficis. armorum liceat splendore tuorumin commune frui; clipeus nos protegat idemunaque pro gemino desudet cardine virtus.”