No More Learning

Ergo ubi collecti proceres, qui rebus in artis consulerent tantisque darent solacia morbis, 355 obliti subito Phrygiae bellisque relictis
ad solitos coepere iocos et iurgia circi
tendere. nequiquam magna confligitur ira,
quis melius vibrata puer vertigine molli
membra rotet, verrat quis marmora crine supino ? 360 quis magis enodes laterum detorqueat arcus,1
quis voci digitos, oculos quis moribus aptet ?
hi tragicos meminere modos ; his fabula Tereus, his necdum commissa choro cantatur Agave.
Increpat Eutropius : non haec spectacula tempus poscere ; nunc alias armorum incumbere curas ; 366 se satis Armenio fessum pro limite cingi
1 Birt artus ; / return to the vulg. arcus
1 Hosius, by birth a Spaniard, had been a slave and a cook — whence these various double meanings. He rose to be magister officiorum at the court of Arcadius (circa 396-8).
210
AGAINST EUTROPIUS, II
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.
When, therefore, the chief men were gathered
for consultation in this strait and to
together
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 point
less 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. Some recite speeches from tragedy, others chant the play of Tereus, others again that of Agave, never before staged.
Eutropius chides them ; the present moment, says he, demands other spectacles than these ; it is war which now should claim all their care. For his part (for he is an old man and a weary) it is enough to defend the frontiers of Armenia ; single
211
CLAUDIAN
nec tantis unum subsistere posse periclis ; ignoscant senio, iuvenes ad proelia mittant : qualis pauperibus nutrix invisa puellis adsidet et tela communem quaerere victum rauca monet ; festis illae lusisse diebus orant et positis aequaevas visere pensis, irataeque operi iam lasso pollice fila
—
' ' 370
turbant et teneros detergent stamine fletus. 375
Emicat extemplo cunetis trepidantibus audax crassa mole Leo, quem vix Cyclopia solum
aequatura fames, quem non ieiuna Celaeno
vinceret ; hinc nomen fertur meruisse Leonis.
acer in absentes linguae iactator, abundans 380 corporis exiguusque animi, doctissimus artis quondam lanificae, moderator pectinis unci.
non alius lanam purgatis sordibus aeque
praebuerit calathis, similis nec pinguia quisquam vellera per tenues ferri producere rimas. 385 tunc Aiax erat Eutropii lateque fremebat,
non septem vasto quatiens umbone iuvencos,
sed, quam perpetuis dapibus pigroque sedili
inter anus interque colos oneraverat, alvum.
adsurgit tandem vocemque expromit anhelam : 390
novus hie torpor, socii ? quonam usque sedemus
femineis clausi thalamis patimurque periclum gliscere desidia ? graviorum turba malorum texitur, ignavis trahimus dum tempora votis.
me petit hie sudor. numquam mea dextera segnis
ad ferrum. faveat tantum Tritonia coeptis, 396
1 Gainas and Leo were sent by Eutropius to put down the revolt of Tarbigilus. Gainas, however, never left the Hellespont and Leo, advancing into Pamphylia, there met, and was defeated by, Tarbigilus (Zosim. v. 16. 5). We gather from Claudian that he had once been a weaver.
212
" Quis
AGAINST EUTROPIUS, II
handed he cannot cope with all these perils. They must pardon his age and send younger men to the
war :—
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.
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 con tinuous 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 net work 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
213
it is as though a hated forewoman were sitting
inceptum peragetur opus,
CLAUDIAN
iam cuncta furorem qui gravat, efficiam leviorem pondere lanae
Tarbigilum timidum, desertoresque Gruthungos
ut miseras populabor oves et pace relata 400 pristina restituam Phrygias ad stamina matres. "
His dictis iterum sedit ; fit plausus et ingens concilii clamor, qualis resonantibus olim
exoritur caveis, quotiens crinitus ephebus
aut rigidam Nioben aut flentem Troada fingit. 405 protinus excitis iter inremeabile signis
adripit infaustoque iubet bubone moveri
agmina Mygdonias mox impletura volucres. Pulcher et urbanae cupiens exercitus umbrae,
adsiduus ludis, avidus splendere lavacris 410 nec soles imbresve pati, multumque priori
dispar, sub clipeo Thracum qui ferre pruinas,
dum Stilicho regeret, nudoque hiemare sub axe sueverat et duris haurire bipennibus Hebrum.
cum duce mutatae vires. Byzantia robur 415 fregit luxuries Ancyranique triumphi.
non peditem praecedit eques ; non commoda castris eligitur regio ; vicibus custodia nullis
advigilat vallo ; non explorantur eundae
vitandaeque viae ; nullo se cornua flectunt 420 ordine : confusi passim per opaca vagantur
lustra, per ignotas angusto tramite valles.
1 Triumphi is ironical. Claudian refers to Eutropius' pleasure journey to Ancyra ; c/. ]. 98 of this poem.
214
AGAINST EUTROPIUS, II
mine attempts and the work begun will be the work
Now will I render proud Tarbigilus, whose madness has caused all this turmoil, of less
completed.
than a ball of wool, the 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. "
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. Straight way Leo unfolds his banners and starts on the journey whence there is to be no return. To the accompani ment 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
weight
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. No longer does the cavalry ride ahead of the foot ; suitable ground is not chosen for camps ; no constant
leadership
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
215
change
CLAUDIAN
sic vacui rectoris equi, sic orba magistro fertur in abruptum casu, non sidere, puppis ; sic ruit in rupes amisso pisce sodali
belua, sulcandas qui praevius edocet undas
425
inmensumque pecus parvae moderamine caudae temperat et tanto coniungit foedera monstro ;
illa natat rationis inops et caeca profundi ;
iam brevibus deprensa vadis ignara reverti 430 palpitat et vanos scopulis inlidit hiatus.
Tarbigilus simulare fugam flatusque Leonis
spe nutrire leves improvisusque repente,
dum gravibus marcent epulis hostique catenas
inter vina crepant, largo sopita Lyaeo 435 castra subit. pereunt alii, dum membra cubili
tarda levant ; alii leto iunxere soporem ;
ast alios vicina palus sine more ruentes
excipit et cumulis inmanibus aggerat undas.
ipse Leo damma cervoque fugacior ibat 440 sudanti tremebundus equo : qui pondere postquam decidit, implicitus limo cunctantia pronus
per vada reptabat. caeno subnixa tenaci
mergitur et pingui suspirat corpore moles
more suis, dapibus quae iam devota futuris 445 turpe gemit, quotiens Hosius mucrone corusco armatur cingitque sinus secumque volutat,
quas figat verubus partes, quae frusta calenti
1 The balaena or whale. According to ancient naturalists the balaena entered into an alliance with the musculus or sea-mouse which, in Pliny's words, "vada praenatans demonstrat oculorumque vice fungitur" (Pliny, H. N. ix.
186). 216
AGAINST EUTROPIUS, II
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
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.
Tarbigilus feigns retreat and raises the presump
tuous hopes of Leo, then suddenly he bursts all unexpected upon the wine-sodden army, as, over come 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.
Others rush pell-mell into a neighbouring swamp and heap the marsh high with their dead bodies. 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. 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
217
guiding
CLAUDIAN
mandet aquae quantoque cutem distendat echino. flagrat opus ; crebro pulsatus perstrepit ictu ; 1 450 contexit varius penetrans Calchedona nidor.
Ecce levis frondes a tergo concutit aura : credit tela Leo ; valuit pro vulnere terror implevitque vicem iaculi, vitamque nocentem integer et sola formidine saucius efflat.
455
hie miserande iaces ; hie, dum tua vellera vitas, 460 tandem fila tibi neverunt ultima Parcae.
Iam vaga pallentem densis terroribus aulam
fama quatit ; stratas acies, deleta canebat
agmina, Maeonios foedari caedibus agros,
Pamphylos Pisidasque rapi. metuendus ab omni 465 Tarbigilus regione tonat ; modo tendere cursum
in Galatas, modo Bithynis incumbere fertur.
sunt qui per Cilicas rupto descendere Tauro,
sunt qui correptis ratibus terraque marique adventare ferant ; geminantur vera pavoris 470
ingenio : longe spectari puppibus urbes accensas, lucere fretum ventoque citatas omnibus in pelago velis haerere favillas.
Hos inter strepitus funestior advolat alter
1 /print Birt's text ; but unless pulsatus be taken as a substantive (Baehrens' suggestion, cf. P. Lat. Min. v. p. 120 I. 169) it is untranslatable. Emendations proposed are pulso
Cos . . . icta Barthius ; pulsatus aper strepit Buecheler ; cultri sus or pulpae ius Birt. The sense demands, however, some such word as Bosporus to make a parallelism with Calchedona. Possibly the line ended pulsatur Bosporus ictu, perstrepit being a gloss on pulsatur and eventually
ousting Bosporus. 218
quis tibi tractandos pro pectine, degener, enses, quis solio campum praeponere suasit avito ? quam bene texentum laudabas carmina tutus
et matutinis pellebas frigora mensis !
AGAINST EUTROPIUS, II
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.
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. 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.
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 Mygdonia 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.
Amid all this confusion comes a yet more terrible 219
CLAUDIAN
nuntius : armatam rursus Babylona minari 475 rege novo ; resides Parthos ignava perosos
otia Romanae finem iam quaerere paci.
rarus apud Medos regum cruor ; unaque cuncto poena manet generi : quamvis crudelibus aeque paretur dominis. sed quid non audeat annus 480 Eutropii ? socium nobis fidumque Saporem
perculit et Persas in regia vulnera movit
rupturasque fidem, leto pars ne qua vacaret, Eumenidum taedas trans flumina Tigridis egit.
Tum vero cecidere animi tantisque procellis 485 deficiunt. saepti latrantibus undique bellis
infensos tandem superos et consulis omen
agnovere sui, nec iam revocabile damnum
eventu stolido serum didicere magistro.
namque ferunt geminos uno de semine fratres 490
Iapetionidas generis primordia nostri
dissimili finxisse manu : quoscumque Prometheus excoluit multumque innexuit aethera limo,
hi longe ventura notant dubiisque parati
casibus occurrunt fabro meliore politi. 495
deteriore luto pravus quos edidit auctor,
quem merito Grai perhibent Epimethea vates, et nihil aetherii sparsit per membra vigoris,
hi pecudum ritu non impendentia vitant
nec res ante vident ; accepta clade queruntur 500 et seri transacta gemunt.
1 Varanes IV. , who, like his three predecessors, Artaxerxes, Sapor III. , and Varanes III. , had observed a truce with Rome, dicd in 399 and was succeeded by Isdigerdes. For all Claudian's real or simulated anxiety this monarch was as peaceably disposed as the previous Ones (see Oros. vii. 34). Claudian seems to have made an error in calling him Sapor
481). 220
(1.
AGAINST EUTROPIUS, II
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. Rare among the Medes is the murder of a king, for punishment falls on the regicide's whole family. 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 Per sians' 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.
Then indeed men's hearts failed them, their cour age 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. 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.
221
CLAUDIAN
lam sola renidet in Stilichone salus, et cuius semper acerbum
ingratumque sibi factorum conscius horror
credidit adventum, quem si procedere tantum Alpibus audissent, mortem poenasque tremebant, iam cuncti venisse volunt, scelerumque priorum 506 paenitet ; hoc tantis bellorum sidus in undis
sperant, hoc pariter iusti sontesque precantur :
ceu pueri, quibus alta pater trans aequora merces devehit, intenti ludo studiisque soluti 510 latius amoto passim custode vagantur ;
si gravis auxilio vacuas invaserit aedes
vicinus laribusque suis proturbet inultos,
tum demum patrem implorant et nomen inani
voce cient frustraque oculos ad litora tendunt. 515
Omnes supplicio dignos letoque fatentur, qui se tradiderint famulis Stilichone relicto.
mutati stupuere diu sensuque reducto
paulatim proprii mirantur monstra furoris avertuntque oculos : proiectis fascibus horret 520 lictor et infames labuntur sponte secures :
quales Aonio Thebas de monte reversae
Maenades infectis Pentheo sanguine thyrsis,
cum patuit venatus atrox matrique rotatum conspexere caput, gressus caligine figunt
et rabiem desisse dolent. quin protinus ipsa
tendit ad Italiam supplex Aurora potentem
222
525
AGAINST EUTROPIUS, II
—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 long to come, re pentant 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.
All admit that they deserve punishment and
death for deserting Stilicho and entrusting them selves 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 dis honoured 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
223
CLAUDIAN
non radiis redimita comam, non flammea vultu nec croceum vestita diem ; stat livida luctu,
qualis erat Phrygio tegeret cum Memnona busto. quam simul agnovit Stilicho nec causa latebat, 531 restitit ; illa manum victricem amplexa moratur altaque vix lacrimans inter suspiria fatur :
" Tantane te nostri ceperunt taedia mundi ?
sic me ludibrium famulis risumque relinquis 535 dux quondam rectorque meus ? solamque tueris Hesperiam ? domiti nec te post bella tyranni
cernere iam licuit ? sic te victoria nobis
eripuit Gallisque dedit ? Rufinus origo
prima mali : geminas inter discordia partes 540 hoc auctore fuit. sed iam maiora moventi
occurrit iusta rediens exercitus ira,
fortis adhuc ferrique memor. brevis inde reluxit falsaque libertas ; rursum Stilichonis habenis sperabam me posse regi. pro caeca futuri 545 gaudia ! fraterno coniungi coeperat orbis
imperio (quis enim tanto terrore recentis
exempli paribus sese committeret ausis
cum subito (monstrosa mihi turpisque relatu
fabula) Rufini castratus prosilit heres, 550 et similes iterum luctus Fortuna reduxit,
ut solum domini sexum mutasse viderer.
" Hic primum thalami claustris delicta tegebat clam timideque iubens erat invidiosa potestas,
sed tamen eunuchi, necdum sibi publica iura 555
224
i. e. that of Rufinus.
1
;
? ),
AGAINST EUTROPIUS, II
longer aureole-crowned and she no more bright of countenance nor clothed with the saffron of the dawn. 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. 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
I that Stilicho hoped
for
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 a monstrous story which scarce bears the telling) a eunuch came forward as Rufinus' heir. Thus fortune
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
vol. 225
by the mirage of liberty
:
would once more hold the reins of our empire. Alas
my short-sighted happiness ! The world had
brought
i
q
;
(it is
CLAUDIAN
sumere nec totas audebat vertere leges.
at postquam pulsisque bonis et faece retenta
peiores legit socios dignusque satelles
hinc Hosius stetit, inde Leo, fiducia crevit
regnandique palam flagravit aperta libido. 560 patricius, consul maculat quos vendit honores,
plus maculat quos ipse gerit. iam signa tubaeque mollescunt, ipsos ignavia fluxit in enses.
exultant merito gentes facilisque volenti
praeda sumus. iam Bistoniis Haemoque nivali 505 vastior expulsis Oriens squalescit aratris.
ei mihi, quas urbes et quanto tempore Martis
ignaras uno rapuerunt proelia cursu !
nuper ab extremo veniens equitatus Araxe
terruit Antiochi muros, ipsumque decorae 570 paene caput Syriae flammis hostilibus arsit.
utque gravis spoliis nulloque obstante profunda laetus caede redit, sequitur mucrone secundo continuum vulnus ; nec iam mihi Caucasus hostes nec mittit gelidus Phasis ; nascuntur in ipso 575
bella sinu. legio pridem Romana Gruthungi, iura quibus victis dedimus, quibus arva domusque praebuimus, Lydos Asiaeque uberrima vastant
ignibus et si quid tempestas prima reliquit.
nec vi nec numero freti ; sed inertia nutrit 580
proditioque ducum, quorum per crimina miles 226
AGAINST EUTROPIUS, II
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
-
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
escaped
227
CLAUDIAN
captivis dat terga suis, quos teste subegit Danuvio partemque timet qui reppulit omnes.
" Aula choris epulisque vacat nec perdita curat, dum superest aliquid. ne quid tamen orbe reciso venditor amittat, provincia quaeque superstes 586 dividitur geminumque duplex passura tribunal cogitur alterius pretium sarcire peremptae.
sic mihi restituunt populos ; hac arte reperta rectorum numerum terris pereuntibus augent. 590
" In te iam spes una mihi. pro fronde Minervae has tibi protendo lacrimas : succurre ruenti,
eripe me tandem, servilibus eripe regnis.
neve adeo cunctos paucorum crimine damnes
nec nova tot meritis offensa prioribus obstet. 595
iamiam flecte animum.
dant veniam culpae. quamvis iratus et exul pro patriae flammis non distulit arma Camillus. nec te subtrahimus Latio ; defensor utrique
sufficis. armorum liceat splendore tuorum 600 in commune frui ; clipeus nos protegat idem
unaque pro gemino desudet cardine virtus. "
228
suprema pericula semper
AGAINST EUTROPIUS, II
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
remain. But lest our salesman lose 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 :
this ingenious device they increase the number of my rulers while the lands they should rule are lost.
something aught by
by
In thee is now my only hope ;
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. "
229
in place of
FESCENNINA
DE NUPTIIS HONOPJI AUGUSTI
I. (XI. )
Princeps corusco sidere pulchrior,
Parthis sagittas tendere doctior,
eques Gelonis imperiosior,
quae digna mentis laus erit arduae ?
quae digna formae laus erit igneae ? 5 te Leda mallet quam dare Castorem :
praefert Achilli te proprio Thetis ;
victum fatetur Delos Apollinem ;
credit minorem Lydia Liberum.
tu cum per altas impiger ilices 10 praedo citatum cornipedem reges
ludentque ventis instabiles comae,
telis iacebunt sponte tuis ferae
gaudensque sacris vulneribus leo
admittet hastam morte superbior. 15 Venus reversum spernit Adonidem,
damnat reductum Cynthia Virbium. Cum post labores sub platani voles
virentis umbra vel gelido specu
torrentiorem fallere Sirium 20 et membra somno fessa resolveris :
o quantus uret tum Dryadas calor !
quot aestuantes ancipiti gradu
furtiva carpent oscula Naides !
230
FESCENNINE VERSES IN HONOUR OF THE MARRIAGE OF THE EMPEROR HONORIUS*
I (XI)
Prince, fairer than the day-star, who shootest thine arrows with an aim more sure than the Parthian rider more daring than the Geloni, what praise shall match thy lofty mind, what praise thy brilliant
Leda would rather have thee her son than Castor Thetis counts thee dearer than her
own Achilles Delos' isle admits thee
victor Lydia puts Bacchus second to thee. When in the heat of the chase thou guidest thy coursing steed amid the towering holm-oaks and thy tossing locks stream out upon the wind, the beasts of their own accord will fall before thine arrows and the lion, right gladly wounded by a prince's sacred hand, will welcome thy spear and be proud so to die. Venus scorns Adonis returned from the dead, Diana disapproves Hippolytus recalled to life.
When after thy toils thou seekest the shade of green plane-tree or shunnest Sirius' extreme heat in some cool grot and freest thy wearied limbs in sleep, what a passion of love will inflame the Dryads' hearts how many a Naiad will steal up with trembling foot and snatch an unmarked kiss Who,
The marriage of Honorius and Maria, daughter of Stilicho, took place at Milan, Feb. 398.
231
beauty
Apollo's
1
!
!
;
?
a
's,
; ;
CLAUDIAN
quis vero acerbis horridior Scythis, quis beluarum corde furentior,
qui, cum micantem te prope viderit, non optet ultro servitium pati,
qui non catenas adripiat libens
colloque poscat vincula libero ? tu si nivalis per iuga Caucasi
saevas petisses pulcher Amazonas, peltata pugnas desereret cohors sexu recepto ; patris et inmemor inter frementes Hippolyte tubas strictam securim languida poneret et seminudo pectorfe cingulum forti negatum solveret Herculi, bellumque solus conficeret decor.
Beata, quae te mox faciet virum primisque sese iunget amoribus.
II. (XII. )
Age cuncta nuptiali redimita vere tellus celebra toros eriles ;
omne nemus cum fluviis, omne canat profundum
Ligures favete campi, Veneti favete montes,
subitisque se rosetis vestiat Alpinus apex
et rubeant pruinae. Athesis strepat choreis
calamisque flexuosus leve Mincius susurret
FESCENNINE VERSES, I-II
though he be more uncivilized than the wild Scythians and more cruel even than the beasts, but will, when he has seen near at hand thy transcendent loveli ness, offer thee a ready servitude ? Who will not willingly seize the chains of slavery and demand the yoke for a neck as yet free ? Hadst thou o'er the heights of snowy Caucasus gone against the cruel Amazons in all thy beauty, that warrior band had fled the fight and called to mind again their proper sex ; Hippolyte, amid the trumpets' din, forgetful of her sire, had weakly laid aside her drawn battle- axe, and with half-bared breast loosed the girdle all Hercules' strength availed not to loose. Thy beauty alone would have ended the war.
Blessed is she who will soon call thee husband and unite herself to thee with the bonds of first love.
II (XII)
Come, earth, wreathed about with nuptial spring, do honour to thy master's marriage-feast. Sing, woods and rivers all, sing, deep of ocean. Give your blessing, too, Ligurian plains and yours, Venetian hills. Let Alpine heights on a sudden clothe them selves with rose-bushes and the fields of ice grow red. Let the Adige re-echo the sound of choric lays and meandering Mincius whisper gently through his
233
CLAUDIAN
et Padus electriferis admoduletur alnis ;
epulisque iam repleto resonet Quirite Thybris dominique laeta votis
aurca septemgemin'as Roma coronet arces.
procul audiant Hiberi,
fluit unde semen aulae, ubi plena laurearum
imperio feta domus
vix numerat triumphos. habet hinc patrem maritus,
habet hinc puella matrem
geminaque parte ductum Caesareum flumineo
stemma recurrit ortu. decorent virecta Baetim,
Tagus intumescat auro
generisque procreator sub vitreis Oceanus
luxurietur antris. Oriensque regna fratrum
simul Occidensque plaudat ; placide iocentur urbes,
quaeque novo quaeque nitent deficiente Phoebo.
Aquiloniae procellae, rabidi tacete Cauri, taceat sonorus Auster.
solus ovantem Zephyrus perdominetur annum.
FESCENNINE VERSES, II
reeds and Padus make answer with his amber-
alders. Let Tiber's banks now ring with the voices of Rome's full-fed citizens and the golden city, rejoicing in her lord's marriage, crown her seven hills with flowers.
Let Spain hear afar, Spain the cradle of the im
race, where is a house that is mother of emperors, rich in crowns of laurel, whose triumphs can scarce be numbered. Hence came the bride groom's sire, hence the bride's mother ; from either branch flows the blood of the Caesars, like twin streams reunited. Let rich herbage clothe Baetis' banks and Tagus swell his golden flood ; may Ocean, ancestor of the imperial race, make merry in his crystal caves. Let East and West, the two brothers' realms, join in their applause, and peace and joy fill the cities illumined by the sun at his rising and at his setting. Be still, ye storms of the north and ye mad blasts of Caurus ; sounding Auster, sink to rest. Let Zephyrus have sole rule over this year of triumph.
dripping
perial
23. 5
CLAUDIAN
III. (XIII. )
Solitas galea fulgere comas,
Stilicho, molli necte corona,
cessent litui saevumque procul Martem felix taeda releget.
tractus ab aula rursus in aulam redeat sanguis, patris officiis
iunge potenti pignora dextra.
gener Augusti pridem fueras,
nunc rursus eris socer Augusti.
quae iam rabies livoris erit ?
vel quis dabitur color invidiae ? Stilicho socer est, pater est Stilicho.
IV. (XIV. )
Attollens thalamis Idalium iubar
dilectus Veneri nascitur Hesperus,
iam nuptae trepidat sollicitus pudor,
iam produnt lacrimas flammea simplices. ne cessa, iuvenis, comminus adgredi, impacata licet saeviat unguibus.
non quisquam fruitur veris odoribus Hyblaeos latebris nee spoliat favos,
si fronti caveat, si timeat rubos ;
armat spina rosas, mella tegunt apes, crescunt difficili gaudia iurgio Venus, accenditque magis, quae refugit,
quod flenti tuleris, plus sapit osculum. dices " o ! " quotiens, " hoc mihi dulcius" quam flavos deciens vincere Sarmatas !
FESCENNINE VERSES, III— IV
III (XIII)
Twine with a soft garland, Stilicho, the locks whereon a helmet is wont to shine. Let the trumpets of war cease and the propitious torch of marriage banish savage Mars afar. Let regal blood unite once more with regal blood. Perform a father's office and unite these children with thine illustrious hand. Thou didst marry an emperor's daughter, now, in turn, thy daughter shall marry an emperor. What room is here for the madness of jealousy ? What excuse for envy ? Stilicho is father both of bride and bridegroom.
IV (XIV)
Hesperus, loved of Venus, rises and shines for the marriage with his Idalian 1 rays. Maiden shame now overcomes the anxious bride ; her veil now shows traces of innocent tears. Hesitate not to be close
in thine attacks, young lover, e'en though she oppose
thee savagely with cruel finger-nail. None can enjoy the scents of spring nor steal the honey of Hybla from its fastnesses if he fears that thorns may scratch his face. Thorns arm the rose and bees find a defence for their honey. The refusals of coyness do but increase the joy ; the desire for that which flies us is the more inflamed ; sweeter is the kiss snatched through tears. How oft wilt thou say : " Better this"than ten victories over the
yellow-haired Sarmatae !
1 Idalian : from Idalium, a mountain in Cyprus, sacred to Venus.
237
238
CLAUDIAN
Adspirate novam pectoribus fidem mansuramque facem tradite sensibus.
tam iunctis manibus nectite vincula,
quam frondens hedera stringitur aesculus,
quam lento premitur palmite populus, 20 et murmur querula blandius alite
Unguis adsiduo reddite mutuis.
et labris animum conciliantibus
alternum rapiat somnus anhelitum.
amplexu caleat purpura regio 25 et vestes Tyrio sanguine fulgidas
alter virgineus nobilitet cruor.
tum victor madido prosilias toro
nocturni referens vulnera proelii.
Ducant pervigiles carmina tibiae 30 permissisque iocis turba licentior
exultet tetricis libera legibus.
passim cum ducibus ludite milites,
passim cum pueris ludite virgines.
haec vox aetheriis insonet axibus, 35 haec vox per populos, per mare transeat :
" formosus Mariam ducit Honorius. "
FESCENNINE VERSES, IV
Breathe a new loyalty into your breasts and let your senses kindle a flame that shall never be extin guished. May your clasped hands form a bond more close than that betwixt ivy and
flowering chestnut or poplar and pliant vine. Be the frequent kisses that ye give and receive breathed more softly than those of. plaintive doves, and when lips have
united soul to soul let sleep still
breath. Be the purple couch warm with princely wooing, and a new stain ennoble coverlets ruddy with Tyrian dye. Then leap victorious from the marriage-bed, scarred with the night's encounter.
All night long let the music of the flute resound
and the crowd, set free from law's harsh restraints,
with larger licence indulge the permitted jest. Soldiers, make merry with your leaders, girls with boys. Be this the cry that re-echoes from" pole to pole, among the peoples, over the seas : Fair Honorius weds with Maria. "
your throbbing your
239
EPITHALAMIUM
DE NUPTIIS HONORII AUGUSTI
PRAEFATIO
(IX. )
Surgeret in thalamum ducto cum Pelion arcu nec caperet tantos hospita terra deos,
cum socer aequoreus numerosaque turba sororum certarent epulis continuare dies
praeberetque Iovi communia pocula Chiron, 5
molliter obliqua parte refusus equi, Peneus gelidos mutaret nectare fontes,
Oetaeis fluerent spumea vina iugis : Terpsichore facilem lascivo pollice movit
barbiton et molles duxit in antra choros. 10 carmina nec superis nec displicuere Tonanti,
cum teneris nossent congrua vota modis.
Centauri Faunique negant. quae flectere Rhoeton.
quae rigidum poterant plectra movere Pholum ?
Septima lux aderat caelo totiensque renato 15 viderat exactos Hesperus igne choros :
tum Phoebus, quo saxa domat, quo pertrahit ornos.
pectine temptavit nobiliore lyram
venturumque sacris fidibus iam spondet Achillem,
iam Phrygias caedes, iam Simoenta canit. 20 frondoso strepuit felix Hymenaeus Olympo ;
reginam resonant Othrys et Ossa Thetim. 240
EPITHALAMIUM OF HONORIUS AND MARIA
PREFACE
(IX)
When Pelion reared his height to form a bridal chamber with long-drawn arches, and his hospitable land could not contain so many gods ; when Nereus, sire of the bride, and all the throng of her sisters strove to link day to day with feastings ; when Chiron, lying at ease with his horse-flanks curled under him, offered the loving-cup to Jove ; when Peneus turned
his cold waters to nectar and frothing wine flowed down from Oeta's summit, Terpsichore struck her
with festive hand and led the girlish bands into the caves. The gods, the Thunderer himself, disdained not these songs, for they knew that lovers' vows ever harmonized with tender strains. Centaurs and Fauns would have none of it : what lyre could touch Rhoetus or move inhuman Pholus ?
The seventh day had flamed in heaven, seven times had Hesperus relumed his lamp and seen the dances completed ; then Phoebus touched his lyre with that nobler quill, wherewith he leads captive rocks and mountain-ashes, and sang to his sacred strings now the promised birth of Achilles, now the slaughter of the Trojans and the river Simois. The happy marriage-cry re-echoed o'er leafy Olympus, and Othrys and Ossa gave back their mistress Thetis' name.
VOL. i r 241
ready lyre
EPITHALAMIUM
(X. )
Hauserat insolitos promissae virginis ignes Augustus primoque rudis flagraverat aestu ;
nec novus unde calor nec quid suspiria vellent, noverat incipiens et adhuc ignarus amandi.
non illi venator equus, non spicula curae, 5 non iaculum torquere libet ; mens omnis aberrat
in vulnus, quod fixit Amor. quam saepe medullis
erupit gemitus ! quotiens incanduit ore
confessus secreta rubor nomenque beatum
iniussae scripsere manus ! iam munera nuptae 10 praeparat et pulchros Mariae sed luce minores
eligit ornatus, quidquid venerabilis olim
Livia divorumque nurus gessere superbae.
incusat spes aegra moras longique videntur
stare dies segnemque rotam non flectere Phoebe. 15 Scyria sic tenerum virgo flammabat Achillem
fraudis adhuc expers bellatricesque docebat
ducere fila manus et, mox quos horruit Ide, Thessalicos roseo nectebat pollice crines.
Haec etiam queritur secum : " quonam usque verendus 20
242
EPITHALAMIUM
(X)
Unfelt before was the fire the Emperor Honorius had conceived for his promised bride, and he burned, all unexperienced, with passion's first fever, nor knew whence came the heat, what meant the sighs — a tyro and as yet ignorant of love. Hunting, horses,
javelins —for none of these he now cares nor yet to fling the spear ; Love's wound occupies all his
thoughts. How often he groaned from the very heart ; how often a blush, mantling to his cheeks, betrayed his secret ; how often, unbidden of himself, his hand would write the loved one's name. Already he prepares gifts for his betrothed and selects to adorn her (though their beauty is less than hers) the
jewels once worn by noble Livia of old and all the proud women of the imperial house. The impatient lover chafes at the delay ; the long days seem as though they stood still and the moon as though she moved not her slow wheel. Thus Deidamia,
girl of Scyros, e'er yet she sees through his disguise, inflamed with love the young Achilles, and taught his warrior hands to draw the slender thread and passed her rosy fingers through the locks of that Thes- salian of whom all Ida was soon to stand in awe.
Thus too he communed with himself : "
How
243
long
CLAUDIAN
cunctatur mea vota socer ? quid iungere differt,
quam pepigit, castasque preces implere recusat ?
non ego luxuriem regum moremque secutus
quaesivi vultum tabulis 1 ut nuntia formae
lena per innumeros iret pictura penates, 25 nec variis dubium thalamis lecturus 2 amorem
ardua commisi falsae conubia cerae.
non rapio praeceps alienae foedera taedae,
sed quae sponsa mihi pridem patrisque relicta mandatis uno materni sanguinis ortu communem parti tur avum. fastidia supplex deposui gessique procum ; de limine sacro oratum misi proceres, qui proxima nobis
iura tenent. fateor, Stilicho, non parva poposci, sed certe mereor princeps, hoc principe natus
qui sibi te generum fraterna prole revinxit,
cui Mariam debes. faenus mihi solve paternum, redde suos aulae. mater fortasse rogari
mollior. o patrui germen, cui nominis heres successi, sublime decus torrentis Hiberi,
stirpe soror, pietate parens, tibi creditus infans inque tuo crevi gremio, partuque remoto
tu potius Flaccilla mihi. quid dividis ergo
1 tabulis vulg. ; Birt reads thalamis with the better mss. 2 Birt reads laturus with P ; other mss. lecturus
30
35
40
1 Serena, daughter of Honorius, the elder, the brother of Theodosius the Great. Theodosius adopted Serena so that by adoption Honorius and Serena were brother and sister,
244
EPITHALAMIUM
will honoured Stilicho forbear to grant my prayers ? Why postpones he the union of those whose love he has approved ? Why should he refuse to fulfil my
I follow not the
princes in seeking the beauties of a pictured counten
chaste desires ?
example
of luxurious
ance, whereby the pander canvass may pass from house to house to make known the charms de manded ; nor yet have I sought to choose the un certain object of my love from this house or from that, and thus entrusted to deceptive wax the difficult selection of a bride. I sever not in violence the bonds that unite a wedded woman to her lord ; her I seek who hath long been betrothed to me, who by a father's orders was left my affianced bride and who
grandsire. A suppliant I have laid aside my rank and acted the suitor. Princes, second only to myself in rank, have I sent from my imperial palace to present my petition. Tis no small thing I ask, Stilicho ; that I admit ; yet surely to me, an emperor, son of that other emperor who, by giving thee his
son-in-law, —to me thou dost owe Maria.
back to the son the interest due to his sire ; restore to the palace those who are its own. Mayhap her mother1 will be less inexorable. Daughter of mine uncle Honorius, whence I derive my name, chief glory of the land of swift-flowing Ebro, cousin by birth, by mother's love a mother, to thy care was mine infancy entrusted, in thine arms I grew to boy
hood ; save for my birth thou, rather than Flacilla, art my mother. Why dost thou separate thy two
by birth cousins. Serena was probably born in 376 ; Honorius not till Sept. 9, 384.
245
through her mother shares with me a common
brother's adopted daughter to wife, made thee his
Pay
CLAUDIAN
pignora ? quid iuveni natam non reddis alumno ? optatusne dies aderit ? dabiturne iugalis 45 nox umquam ? "
Tali solatur vulnera questu. risit Amor placidaeque volat trans aequora matri
nuntius et totas iactantior explicat alas.
Moris latus Ionium Cypri praeruptus obumbrat,
invius humano gressu, Phariumque cubile 50 Proteos et septem despectat cornua Nili.
hunc neque candentes audent vestire pruinae,
hunc venti pulsare timent, hunc laedere nimbi. luxuriae Venerique vacat. pars acrior anni
exulat ; aeterni patet indulgentia veris. 55 in campum se fundit apex ; hunc aurea saepes
circuit et fulvo defendit prata metallo. Mulciber, ut perhibent, his oscula coniugis emit moenibus et tales uxorius obtulit arces.
intus rura micant, manibus quae subdita nullis 60 perpetuum florent, Zephyro contenta colono, umbrosumque nemus, quo non admittitur ales,
ni probet ante suos diva sub iudice cantus :
quae placuit, fruitur ramis ; quae victa, recedit. vivunt in Venerem frondes omnisque vicissim 65 felix arbor amat ; nutant ad mutua palmae
foedera, populeo suspirat populus ictu
et platani platanis alnoque adsibilat alnus.
Labuntur gemini fontes, hie dulcis, amarus
alter, et infusis corrumpunt mella venenis, 70
246
EPITHALAMIUM
children ? Why not bestow a daughter born upon an adopted son ? Will the longed - for day ever come ; the marriage-night ever be sanctioned ?