He is
troubled
with thoughts of coming peace and cannot sleep, often starts up distraught from his bed and suffers as punishment the fear of punishment.
Claudian - 1922 - Loeb
Long hung the contest in suspense, but the struggle betwixt vice and virtue was ill-matched in character. Rufinus threatens slaughter, thou stayest his hand ; he robs the rich, thou givest back to the poor ; he overthrows, thou restorest ; he sets wars afoot, thou winnest them. As a pestilence, growing from day
47
snaky
CLAUDIAN
ac velut infecto morbus crudescere caelo incipiens primos pecudum depascitur artus,
mox populos urbesque rapit ventisque perustis corruptos Stygiam pestem desudat in amnes :
sic avidus praedo iam non per singula saevit. 305 sed sceptris inferre minas omnique perempto
milite Romanas ardet prosternere vires,
iamque Getas Histrumque movet Scythiamque
receptat
auxilio traditque suas hostilibus armis
mixtis descendit Sarmata Dacis 310 et qui cornipedes in pocula vulnerat audax
Massagetes caesamque bibens Maeotin Alanus membraque qui ferro gaudet pinxisse Gelonus, Rufino collecta manus. vetat ille domari
innectitque moras et congrua tempora differt. 315 nam tua cum Geticas stravisset dextra catervas,
ulta ducis socii letum, parsque una maneret
debilior facilisque capi, tunc impius ille
proditor imperii coniuratusque Getarum
distulit instantes eluso principe pugnas 320 Hunorum laturus opem, quos adfore bello
norat et invisis mox se coniungere castris.
Est genus extremos Scythiae vergentis in ortus trans gelidum Tanain, quo non famosius ullum
Arctos alit. turpes habitus obscaenaque visu 325 corpora ; mens duro numquam cessura labori ; praeda cibus, vitanda Ceres frontemque secari
1 Here and throughout his poems Claudian refers to the Visigoths as the Getae.
a Cf. Introduction, p. x. 48
relliquias.
THE FIRST BOOK AGAINST RUFINUS
to day by reason of the infected air, fastens first
upon the bodies of animals but soon sweeps
away and cities, and when the winds blow hot
peoples
spreads its hellish poison to the polluted streams, so the ambitious rebel marks down no private prey, but hurls his eager threats at kings, and seeks to destroy Rome's army and overthrow her might. Now he stirs up the Getae1 and the tribes on Danube's banks, allies himself with Scythia and exposes what few his cruelties have spared to the sword of the enemy. There march against us a mixed horde of Sarmatians and Dacians, the Massagetes who cruelly wound their horses that they may drink their blood, the Alans who break the ice and drink the waters of Maeotis' lake, and the Geloni who tattoo their limbs : these form Rufinus' army. And he brooks not their defeat ; he frames delays and postpones the fitting season for battle. For when thy right hand, Stilicho, had scattered the Getic bands and avenged the death of thy brother general, when one section of Rufinus' army was thus weakened and made an easy prey, then that foul traitor, that conspirator with the Getae, tricked the emperor and put off the instant day of battle, meaning to ally himself with the Huns, whom he knew would fight and quickly join the enemies of Rome. 2
VOL.
49
IE
These Huns are a tribe who live on the extreme eastern borders of Scythia, beyond frozen Tanais ; most infamous of all the children of the north. Hideous to look upon are their faces and loathsome their bodies, but indefatigable is their spirit. The chase supplies their food ; bread they will not eat. They love to slash their faces and hold it a
CLAUDIAN
ludus et occisos pulchrum iurare parentes. nee plus nubigenas duplex natura biformes
cognatis aptavit equis ; acerrima nullo 330 ordine mobilitas insperatique recursus.
Quos tamen impavidus contra spumantis ad Hebri tendis aquas, sic ante tubas aciemque precatus :
" Mavors, nubifero seu tu procumbis in Haemo
seu te cana gelu Rhodope seu remige Medo 335 sollicitatus Athos seu caligantia nigris
ilicibus Pangaea tenent, accingere mecum
et Thracas defende tuos si laetior adsit
gloria, vestita spoliis donabere quercu. "
Audiit illa pater scopulisque nivalibus Haemi 340
surgit et hortatur celeres clamore ministros :
" fer galeam, Bellona, mihi nexusque rotarum
tende, Pavor. frenet rapidos Formido iugales. festinas urgete manus. meus ecce paratur
ad bellum Stilicho, qui me de more tropaeis 345 ditat et hostiles suspendit in arbore cristas. communes semper litui, communia nobis
signa canunt iunctoque sequor tentoria curru. "
sic fatus campo insiluit lateque fugatas
hinc Stilicho turmas, illinc Gradivus agebat 350 et clipeis et mole pares ; stat cassis utrique
sidereis hirsuta iubis loricaque cursu
aestuat et largo saturatur vulnere cornus.
Acrior interea voto multisque Megaera
luxuriata malis maestam deprendit in arce 355 50
THE FIRST BOOK AGAINST RUFINUS
righteous act to swear by their murdered parents. Their double nature fitted not better the twi-formed Centaurs to the horses that were parts of them. Disorderly, but of incredible swiftness, they often return to the fight when little expected.
Fearless, however, against such forces, thou, Stilicho, approachest the waters of foaming Hebrus and thus prayest "ere the trumpets sound and the fight begins : Mars, whether thou reclinest on cloud-capped Haemus, or frost-white Rhodope holdeth thee, or Athos, severed to give passage to the Persian fleet, or Pangaeus, gloomy with dark holm-oaks, gird thyself at my side and defend
thine own land of Thrace. If victory smile on us, thy meed shall be an oak stump adorned with spoils. "
The Father heard his prayer and rose from the snowy peaks of Haemus shouting commands to his speedy servants : " Bellona, bring my helmet ; fasten me, Panic, the wheels upon my chariot ; harness my swift horses, Fear. Hasten : speed on your
work. See, my Stilicho makes him ready for war ; Stilicho whose habit it is to load me with rich trophies and hang upon the oak the plumed helmets of his enemies. For us together the trumpets ever sound the call to battle ; yoking my chariot I follow where soever he pitch his camp. " So spake he and leapt upon the plain, and on this side Stilicho scattered the enemy bands in broadcast flight and on that Mars ; alike the twain in accoutrement and stature. The helmets of either tower with bristling crests, their
breastplates flash as they speed along and their spears take their fill of widely dealt wounds.
Meanwhile Megaera, more eager now she has got her way, and revelling in this widespread 51
CLAUDIAN
Iustitiam diroque prior sic ore lacessit :
" en tibi prisca quies renovataque saecula rursus,
ut rebare, vigent ? en nostra potentia cessit
nec locus est usquam Furiis ? hue lumina flecte. adspice barbaricis iaceant quot moenia flammis, 360 quas mihi Rufinus strages quantumque cruoris praebeat et quantis epulentur caedibus hydri.
linque homines sortemque meam, pete sidera ; notis Autumni te redde plagis, qua vergit in Austrum
Signifer ; aestivo sedes vicina Leoni 365 iam pridem gelidaeque vacant confinia Librae. " atque utinam per magna sequi convexa liceret !
Diva refert : " non ulterius bacchabere demens. iam poenas tuus iste dabit, iam debitus ultor inminet, et, terras qui nunc ipsumque fatigat 370 aethera, non vili moriens condetur harena.
iamque aderit laeto promissus Honorius aevo
nec forti genitore minor nec fratre corusco,
qui subiget Medos, qui cuspide proteret Indos.
sub iuga venturi reges ; calcabitur asper 375
Phasis equo pontemque pati cogetur Araxes,
tuque simul gravibus ferri religata catenis
expellere die debellatasque draconum
tonsa comas imo barathri claudere recessu.
tum tellus communis erit, tum limite nullo 380
52
THE FIRST BOOK AGAINST RUFINUS
comes upon Justice sad at heart in her palace, and thus provokes her with horrid utterance : " Is this that old reign of peace ; this the return of that golden age thou fondly hopedst had come to pass ? Is our power gone, and no place now left
calamity,
for the Furies ? Turn thine eyes this way. See how many cities the barbarians' fires have laid low, how vast a slaughter, how much blood Rufinus hath procured for me, and on what
widespread death my serpents gorge themselves. Leave thou the world of men ; that lot is mine. Mount to the stars, return to that well-known tract of Autumn
sky where the Standard-bearer dips towards the south. The space next to the summer constella tion of the Lion, the neighbourhood of the winter Balance has long been empty. And would I could
now follow thee through the dome of heaven. "
The goddess made answer : " Thou shalt rage no
further, mad that thou art. Now shalt thy creature receive his due, the destined avenger hangs over him, and he who now wearies land and the very sky shall die, though no handful of dust shall cover his corpse. Soon shall come Honorius, promised of old to this fortunate age, brave as his father Theo- dosius, brilliant as his brother Arcadius ; he shall
subdue the Medes and overthrow the Indians with his spear. Kings shall pass under his yoke, frozen Phasis shall bear his horses' hooves, and Araxes submit perforce to be bridged by him. Then too shalt thou be bound with heavy chains of iron and cast out from the light of day and imprisoned in the nethermost pit, thy snaky locks overcome and shorn from thy head. Then the world shall be owned by all in common, no field marked off from another
53
CLAUDIAN
discernetur ager ; nec vomere sulcus adunco
findetur : subitis messor gaudebit aristis.
rorabunt querceta favis ; stagnantia passim
vina fluent oleique lacus ; nec murice tinctis velleribus quaeretur honos, sed sponte rubebunt 385 attonito pastore greges pontumque per omnem ridebunt virides gemmis nascentibus algae. "
54
THE FIRST BOOK AGAINST RUFINUS
by any dividing boundary, no furrow cleft with bended ploughshare ; for the husbandman shall rejoice in corn that springs untended. Oak groves shall drip with honey, streams of wine well up on every side, lakes of oil abound. No price shall be asked for fleeces dyed scarlet, but of themselves shall the flocks grow red to the astonishment of the shepherd, and in every sea the green seaweed will laugh with flashing jewels. "
55
IN RUFINUM LIBER SECUNDUS INCIPIT PRAEFATIO
(IV)
Pandite defensum reduces Helicona sorores, pandite ; permissis iam licet ire choris :
nulla per Aonios hostilis bucina campos carmina mugitu deteriore vetat.
tu quoque securis pulsa formidine Delphis 5 floribus ultorem, Delie, cinge tuum.
nullus Castalios latices et praescia fati flumina polluto barbarus ore bibit.
Alpheus late rubuit Siculumque per aequor sanguineas belli rettulit unda notas 10
agnovitque novos absens Arethusa triumphos et Geticam sensit teste cruore necem.
Inmensis, Stilicho, succedant otia curis et nostrae patiens corda remitte lyrae,
nec pudeat longos interrupisse labores 15 et tenuem Musis constituisse moram.
fertur et indomitus tandem post proelia Mavors lassa per Odrysias fundere membra nives
oblitusque sui posita clementior hasta
Pieriis aures pacificare modis. 20
1 A reference to Stilicho's campaign against Alaric in the Peloponnese in 397 (see Introduction, p. x).
56
THE SECOND BOOK AGAINST RUFINUS PREFACE
(IV)
Return, ye Muses, and throw open rescued
Helicon ; now again may your company gather there. Nowhere now in Italy does the hostile trumpet forbid song with its viler bray. Do thou too, Delian Apollo, now that Delphi is safe and fear has been dispelled, wreath thy avenger's head with flowers. No savage foe sets profane lips to Castalia's spring or those prophetic streams. Alpheus' 1 flood ran all his length red with slaughter and the waves bore the bloody marks of war across the Sicilian sea ; whereby Arethusa, though herself not present, recognized the triumphs freshly won and knew of the slaughter of the Getae, to which that blood bore witness.
Let peace, Stilicho, succeed these age-long labours and ease thine heart by graciously listening to my song. Think it no shame to interrupt thy long toil and to consecrate a few moments to the Muses. Even
Mars is said to have stretched his tired limbs on the snowy Thracian plain when at last the battle was ended, and, unmindful of his wonted fierceness, to have laid aside his spear in gentler mood, soothing his ear with the Muses' melody.
57
unwearying
LIBER II
(V)
lam post edomitas Alpes defensaque regna Hesperiae merita complexus sede parentem
auctior adiecto fulgebat sidere mundus,
iamque tuis, Stilicho, Romana potentia curis
et rerum commissus apex, tibi credita fratrum 5 utraque maiestas geminaeque exercitus aulae. Rufinus (neque enim patiuntur saeva quietem crimina pollutaeque negant arescere fauces)
infandis iterum terras accendere bellis
incohat et solito pacem vexare tumultu. 10 haec etiam secum : " quanam ratione tuebor
spem vitae fragilem ? qua tot depellere fluctus
arte queam ? premor hinc odiis, hinc milite cingor. heu quid agam ? non arma mihi, non principis ullus auxiliatur amor. matura pericula surgunt 15 undique et impositi radiant cervicibus enses.
quid restat, nisi cuncta novo confundere luctu insontesque meae populos miscere ruinae ?
everso iuvat orbe mori ; solacia leto
1 Theodosius died in January 395, not long after his defeat of Eugenius at the Frigidus River (near Aquileia), September 5-6, 394 (see Introduction, p. ix).
58
BOOK II
(V)
After the subjugation of the Alpine tribes and the salvation of the kingdoms of Italy the heavens welcomed the Emperor Theodosius 1 to the place of honour due to his worth, and so shone the brighter by the addition of another star. Then was the power of Rome entrusted to thy care, Stilicho ; in thy hands was placed the governance of the world. The brothers' twin majesty and the armies of either royal court were given into thy charge. But Rufinus (for cruelty and crime brook not peace, and a tainted mouth will not forgo its draughts of blood), Rufinus, I say, began once more to inflame the world with wicked wars and to disturb peace with accustomed sedition. Thus to himself : " How shall I assure my slender hopes of survival ? By what means beat back the rising storm ? On all sides are hate and the threat of arms. What am I to do ? No help can I find in soldier's weapon or emperor's favour. Instant dangers ring me round and a gleaming sword hangs above my head. What is left but to plunge the world into fresh troubles and draw down innocent peoples in my ruin ? Gladly will I perish if the world does too ; general destruction shall console me for
59
CLAUDIAN
exitium commune dabit nec territus ante 20 discedam : cum luce simul linquenda potestas. "
Haec fatus, ventis veluti si frena resolvat
Aeolus, abrupto gentes sic obice fudit
laxavitque viam bellis et, nequa maneret
inmunis regio, cladem divisit in orbem 25 disposuitque nefas. alii per terga ferocis
Danuvii solidata ruunt expertaque remos frangunt stagna rotis ; alii per Caspia claustra
Armeniasque nives inopino tramite ducti
invadunt Orientis opes. iam pascua fumant 30
Cappadocum volucrumque parens Argaeus equorum, iam rubet altus Halys nec se defendit iniquo
monte Cilix. Syriae tractus vastantur amoeni adsuetumque choris et laeta plebe canorum
proterit imbellem sonipes hostilis Orontem. 35 hinc planctus Asiae ; Geticis Europa catervis ludibrio praedaeque datur frondentis ad usque Dalmatiae fines : omnis quae mobile Ponti
aequor et Adriacas tellus interiacet undas
squalet inops pecudum, nullis habitata colonis, 40 instar anhelantis Libyae, quae torrida semper
solibus humano nescit mansuescere cultu.
Thessalus ardet ager ; reticet pastore fugato
Pelion ; Emathias ignis populatur aristas.
nam plaga Pannoniae miserandaque moenia Thracum arvaque Mysorum iam nulli flebile damnum, 46 sed cursus sollemnis erat campusque furori expositus, sensumque malis detraxerat usus.
eheu quam brevibus pereunt ingentia fatis !
60
THE SECOND BOOK AGAINST RUFINUS
mine own death, nor will I die (for I am no coward) till I have accomplished this. I will not lay down my power before my life. "
So spake he, and as if Aeolus unchained the winds so he, breaking their bonds, let loose the nations, clearing the way for war ; and, that no land should be free therefrom, apportioned ruin throughout the world, parcelling out destruction. Some pour
across the frozen surface of swift-flowing Danube and break with the chariot wheel what erstwhile knew but the oar ; others invade the wealthy East, led through the Caspian Gates and over the Armenian snows by a newly-discovered pass. The fields of Cappadocia reek with slaughter ; Argaeus, father of swift horses, is laid waste. Halys' deep waters run red and the Cilician cannot defend himself in his precipitous mountains. The pleasant plains of Syria are devastated, and the enemy's cavalry thunders along the banks of Orontes, home hitherto of the dance and of a happy people's song. Hence comes mourning to Asia, while Europe is left to be the sport and prey of Getic hordes even to the borders
of fertile Dalmatia. All that tract of land lying between the stormy Euxine and the Adriatic is laid waste and plundered, no inhabitants dwell there ;
'tis like torrid Africa whose sun-scorched plains never grow kindlier through human tillage. Thessaly is afire ; Pelion silent, his shepherds put to flight ; flames bring destruction on Macedonia's crops.
For Pannonia's plain, the Thracians' helpless cities, the fields of Mysia were ruined but now none wept ; year by year came the invader, unsheltered was the
from havoc and custom had robbed suffering of its sting. Alas, in how swift ruin perish 61
countryside
CLAUDIAN
imperium tanto quaesitum sanguine, tanto 50 servatum, quod mille ducum peperere labores,
quod tantis Romana manus contexuit annis,
proditor unus iners angusto tempore vertit.
Urbs etiam, magnae quae ducitur aemula Romae et Calchedonias contra despectat harenas, 55 iam non finitimo Martis terrore movetur,
sed propius lucere faces et rauca sonare
cornua vibratisque peti fastigia telis
adspicit. hi vigili muros statione tueri,
hi iunctis properant portus munire carinis. 60 obsessa tamen ille ferus laetatur in urbe
exultatque malis summaeque ex culmine turris
impia vicini cernit spectacula campi :
vinctas ire nurus, nunc in vada proxima mergi seminecem, hunc subito percussum vulnere labi 65 dum fugit, hunc animam portis efflare sub ipsis ;
nec canos prodesse seni puerique cruore
maternos undare sinus, inmensa voluptas
et risus plerumque subit ; dolor afficit unus,
quod feriat non ipse manu. videt omnia late 70 exceptis incensa suis et crimine tanto
luxuriat carumque sibi non abnuit hostem ; iactabatque ultro, quod soli castra paterent
sermonumque foret vicibus permissa potestas.
egregii quotiens exisset foederis auctor, 75 stipatur sociis, circumque armata clientum
62
1 Constantinople.
THE SECOND BOOK AGAINST RUFINUS
even the greatest things ! An empire won and kept at the expense of so much bloodshed, born from the toils of countless leaders, knit together through so many years by Roman hands, one coward traitor overthrew in the twinkling of an eye.
That city,1 too, called of men the rival of great Rome, that looks across to Chalcedon's strand, is stricken now with terror at no neighbouring war ; nearer home it observes the flash of torches, the trumpet's call, and its own roofs the target for an enemy's artillery. Some guard the walls with watchful outposts, others hasten to fortify the harbour with a chain of ships. But fierce Rufinus is full of joy in the leaguered city and exults in its misfortunes, gazing at the awful spectacle of the surrounding country from the summit of a lofty tower. He watches the procession of women in chains, sees one poor half-dead wretch drowned in the water hard by, another, stricken as he fled, sink down beneath the sudden wound, another breathe out his life at the tower's very gates ; he rejoices that no respect is shown to grey hairs and that mother's breasts are drenched with their children's blood. Great is his pleasure thereat ; from time to time he laughs and knows but one regret—that it is not his own hand that strikes. He sees the whole countryside (except for his own lands) ablaze, and has joy of his great wickedness, making no secret of the fact that the city's foes are his friends. It is his boast, moreover, that to him alone the enemy
camp opened its gates, and that there was allowed right of parley between them. Whene'er he issued forth to arrange some wondrous truce his companions thronged him round and an armed band of depen
63
CLAUDIAN
agmina privatis ibant famulantia signis ;
ipse inter medios, ne qua de parte relinquat barbariem, revocat fulvas in pectora pelles
frenaque et inmanes pharetras arcusque sonoros 80 adsimulat mentemque palam proclamat amictu,
nec pudet Ausonios currus et iura regentem
sumere deformes ritus vestemque Getarum ; insignemque habitum Latii mutare coactae
maerent captivae pellito iudice leges. 85
Quis populi tum vultus erat ! quae murmura furtim ! (nam miseris ne flere quidem aut lenire dolorem
colloquiis impune licet) : " quonam usque feremus exitiale iugum ? durae quis terminus umquam
sortis erit ? quis nos funesto turbine rerum 90 aut tantis solvet lacrimis, quos barbarus illinc,
hinc Rufinus agit, quibus arva fretumque negatur ? magna quidem per rura lues, sed maior oberrat
intra tecta timor. tandem succurre ruenti
heu patriae, Stilicho ! dilecta hie pignora certe, 95 hie domus, hie thalamis primum genialibus omen,
hie tibi felices erexit regia taedas.
vel solus sperate veni. te proelia viso languescent avidique cadet dementia monstri. "
Talibus urgetur discors Aurora procellis. 100
at Stilicho, Zephyris cum primum bruma remitti
et iuga diffusis nudari coepta pruinis, partibus Italiae tuta sub pace relictis
utraque castra movens Phoebi properabat ad ortus, 64
THE SECOND BOOK AGAINST RUFINUS
dents danced attendance on a civilian's standards. Rufinus himself in their midst drapes tawny skins of beasts about his breast (thorough in his barbarity), and uses harness and huge quivers and twanging bows
like those ofthe Getae—his dress openly showing the temper of his mind. One who drives a consul's chariot and enjoys a consul's powers has no shame to adopt the manners and dress of barbarians ; Roman
law, obliged to change her noble garment, mourns her slavery to a skin-clad judge.
What looks then on men's faces ! What furtive
us from this death-fraught anarchy, this day of tears ? On this side the barbarian hems us in, on that Rufinus oppresses us ; land and sea are alike denied us. A pestilence stalks through the country : yes,
For, poor wretches, they could not even
murmurs !
weep nor, without risk, ease their grief in converse. " How long shall we bear this deadly yoke ? What end shall there ever be to our hard lot? Who will free
but a deadlier terror haunts our houses. Stilicho, delay no more but succour thy dying land ; of a truth here are thy children, here thy home, here were taken those first auspices for thy marriage, so blessed with children, here the palace was illu mined with the torches of happy wedlock. Nay, come even though alone, thou for whom we long ; wars will perish at thy sight and the ravening monster's rage subside. "
if
Such were the tempests that vexed the turbulent East. But so soon as ever winter had given place to the winds of spring and the hills began to lose their covering of snow, Stilicho, leaving the fields of Italy in peace and safety, set in motion his two armies and hastened to the lands of the sunrise, combining
vol.
65
CLAUDIAN
Gallica discretis Eoaque robora turmis 105 amplexus. numquam tantae dicione sub una convenere manus nec tot discrimina vocum :
illinc Armeniae vibratis crinibus alae
herbida collectae facili velamina nodo ;
inde truces flavo comitantur vertice Galli, 110 quos Rhodanus velox, Araris quos tardior ambit
et quos nascentes explorat gurgite Rhenus
quosque rigat retro pernicior unda Garunnae,
Oceani pleno quotiens impellitur aestu.
mens eadem cunctis animique recentia ponunt 115 vulnera ; non odit victus victorve superbit.
et quamvis praesens tumor et civilia nuper
classica bellatrixque etiamnunc ira caleret,
in ducis eximii conspiravere favorem.
haud aliter Xerxen toto simul orbe secutus 120 narratur rapuisse vagos exercitus amnes
et telis umbrasse diem, cum classibus iret
per scopulos tectumque pedes contemneret aequor
Vix Alpes egressus erat nec iam amplius errat barbarus adventumque timens se cogit in unam planitiem tutoque includit pascua gyro :
tum duplici fossa non exuperabile vallum asperat alternis sudibus murique locata
in speciem caesis obtendit plaustra iuvencis.
At procul exanguis Rufinum perculit horror ;
infectae pallore genae ; stetit ore gelato incertus peteretne fugam, veniamne subactus
66
THE SECOND BOOK AGAINST RUFINUS
the so different squadrons of Gaul and of the East. Never before did there meet together under one com mand such numerous bands, never in one army such a babel of tongues. Here were curly-haired Armenian cavalry, their green cloaks fastened with a loose knot, fierce Gauls with golden locks accompanied them, some from the banks of the swift-flowing Rhone, or the more sluggish Saone, some whose infant bodies Rhine's flood had laved, or who had been washed by the waves of the Garonne that flow more rapidly
towards, than from, their source, whenever they are driven back by Ocean's full tide. One common purpose inspires them all ; grudges lately harboured are laid aside ; the vanquished feels no hate, the victor shows no pride. And despite of present unrest,
of the trumpet's late challenge to civil strife, and of warlike rage still aglow, yet were all at one in their support of their great leader. So it is said that the army that followed Xerxes, gathered into one from all quarters of the world, drank up whole rivers in their courses, obscured the sun with the rain of their arrows, passed through mountains on board ship, and walked the bridged sea with contemptuous foot.
Scarce had Stilicho crossed the Alps when the barbarian hordes began to restrict their forays and for fear of his approach gathered together in the plain and enclosed their pasture lands within a defensive ring. They then built an
impregnable fortification with a double moat, planted stakes two deep at intervals along its summit and set wagons
rigged with ox-hide all round like a wall.
Panic fear seized upon Rufinus as he saw this from afar, and his cheeks grew pale. He stood with ice- cold face, not knowing whether to fly, to own himself
67
i
CLAUDIAN
posceret an fidos sese transferret in hostes.
quid nunc divitiae, quid fulvi vasta metalli
congeries, quid purpureis effulta columnis 135 atria prolataeve iuvant ad sidera moles ?
audit iter numeratque dies spatioque viarum
metitur vitam. torquetur pace futura
nec recipit somnos et saepe cubilibus aniens
excutitur poenamque luit formidine poenae. 140 sed redit in rabiem scelerumque inmane resumit ingenium sacrasque fores praedivitis aulae
intrat et Arcadium mixto terrore precatur :
" Per fratris regale iubar, per facta parentis aetherii floremque tui te deprecor aevi, 145 eripe me gladiis ; liceat Stilichonis iniquas
evitare minas. in nostram Gallia caedem
coniurata venit. quidquid rigat ultima Tethys, extremos ultra volitat gens si qua Britannos,
mota mihi. tantis capiendi credimur armis ? 150 tot signis unum petitur caput ? unde cruoris
ista sitis ? geminum caeli sibi vindicat axem
et nullum vult esse parem. succumbere poscit cuncta sibi : regit Italiam Libyamque coercet ;
Hispanis Gallisque iubet ; non orbita solis, 155 non illum natura capit. quascumque paravit
hic Augustus opes et quas post bella recepit,
solus habet, possessa semel nec reddere curat,
scilicet ille quidem tranquilla pace fruatur ;
nos premat obsidio ? quid partem invadere temptat ? deserat Illyricos fines ; Eoa remittat 161
68
THE SECOND BOOK AGAINST RUFINUS
beaten and sue for mercy, or go over to an enemy whose good faith his treachery had assured. Of what use now were his riches, his vast stores of golden ore, his halls upheld with red marble pillars, his sky- towering palace ? He hears of Stilicho's march and counts the days, measuring his term of life according to the distance of his enemy from him.
He is troubled with thoughts of coming peace and cannot sleep, often starts up distraught from his bed and suffers as punishment the fear of punishment. But his fury repossesses him and, regaining his genius for crime, he enters the sacred portal of the rich palace and addresses Arcadius with prayers and threats : " By thy brother's royal star, by the deeds of thy divine sire and the flower of thine own age, I beg thee deliver me from the edge of the sword ; let me escape the cruel threatenings of Stilicho. All Gaul
is sworn to my destruction. Tethys' extreme coasts, the wandering tribes beyond the farthest Britons are stirred up against me. Am I thought fit prey for all those armies ? Are so many standards advanced against a solitary man ? Whence comes this lust for blood ? Stilicho lays claim to either hemisphere and will brook no equal. The world forsooth must lie at his feet. Italy is his kingdom, Libya his dominion, Spain and Gaul his empire. The sun's path circumscribes him not, no nor the whole universe. All the wealth collected here by Theo-
dosius or received by him after the war is Stilicho's alone, and he has small mind to restore what he has
once acquired. Is he to enjoy his gains in peace and quietness while 'tis mine to stand a siege ? Why should he encroach on thy share ? Let him leave Illyria, send back his Eastern troops, divide the
69
CLAUDIAN
agmina ; fraternas ex aequo dividat hastas,
nec sceptri tantum fueris, sed militis heres.
quodsi dissimulas nostrae succurrere morti
nec prohibere paras, Manes et sidera testor : 165 haec cervix non sola cadet ; miscebitur alter
sanguis ; nec Stygias ferar incomitatus ad undas nec mea securus ridebit funera victor ! "
Haec ubi, dictatur facinus missusque repente
qui ferat extortas invito principe voces. 170
Interea Stilicho iam laetior hoste propinquo
nec multo spatii distantibus aequore vallis
pugnandi cupidas accendit voce cohortes.
Armeniis frons laeva datur ; per cornua Gallos dexteriora locat. spumis ignescere frena, 175 pulveris extolli nimbos lateque videres
surgere purpureis undantes anguibus hastas serpentumque vago caelum saevire volatu.
implet Thessaliam ferri nitor antraque docti cornipedis, teneroque amnis reptatus Achilli 180 et nemus Oetaeum radiat. clamore nivalis
Ossa tonat pulsoque fragor geminatur Olympo. intumuit virtus et lucis prodigus arsit
impetus ; haud illos rupes, haud alta vetarent flumina : praecipiti stravissent omnia cursu. 185
Si tunc his animis acies collata fuisset, prodita non tantas vidisset' Graecia caedes, oppida semoto Pelopeia Marte vigerent,
70
THE SECOND BOOK AGAINST RUFINUS
hosts fairly between the two brothers, and do thou not be heir to the sceptre only but to thy forces. But if thou neglect to come to mine aid and make not ready to prevent my death, this head of mine shall not fall alone—by the dead and the stars I swear it. The blood of another shall be mingled with mine. I will not go unaccompanied to the waters of Styx nor shall the victor be free to exult in my death. "
So saying he dictates a treasonable letter and
sends therewith an emissary to bear the message
extorted from the emperor's unwilling lips. Meanwhile Stilicho, exulting in the thought of
advancing upon the foe and of the narrow stretch of country that separated him from the fortifications, inflames with his words the hearts of his troops already thirsting for battle. On the left wing are posted the Armenians, farther to the right the Gauls. A beholder might have seen bits covered with warm foam, clouds of dust uprising, and on all sides waving banners bearing the device of a scarlet dragon ; the very air seemed to teem with these fierce flying monsters. The glint of steel fills all
and the cave of the wise Centaur ; the river whose banks supported Achilles' baby footsteps and the forests of Oeta are agleam with arms, snowy
Thessaly
Ossa re-echoes to the sound and Olympus smitten therewith sends it back twofold. Hearts beat high with a courage that is lavish of life. Neither precipice nor deep river could check their advance : their head long speed would have overthrown all barriers.
If the two armies had then joined battle in this temper ruined Greece would not have witnessed such disaster as she did, the cities of the Peloponnese would still have been flourishing untouched by the hand
71
CLAUDIAN
starent Arcadiae, starent Lacedaemonis arces ;
non mare fumasset geminum flagrante Corintho 190 nec fera Cecropiae traxissent vincula matres.
illa dies potuit nostris imponere finem
cladibus et sceleris causas auferre futuri.
invida pro quantum rapuit Fortuna triumphum ! inter equos interque tubas mandata feruntur 195
regia et armati veniunt ductoris ad aures. Obstupuit ; simul ira virum, simul obruit ingens
maeror et ignavo tantum licuisse nocenti
dubios anceps sententia volvit
peragat pugnas an fortia coepta 200 Illyricis ardet succurrere damnis ; praeceptis obstare timet. reverentia frangit
miratur. eventus : deserat ?
virtutis stimulos : hinc publica commoda suadent, hinc metus invidiae. tandem indignatus ad astra extollit palmas et ab imo pectore fatur : 205
" Numina Romanis necdum satiata ruinis,
si iuvat imperium penitus de stirpe revelli, uno si placuit deleri saecula lapsu,
si piget humani generis, prorumpat in arva
libertas effrena maris vel limite iusto 210 devius errantes Phaethon confundat habenas.
cur per Rufinum geritur ? procumbere mundum
hoc auctore pudet. mediis revocamur ab armis
(pro dolor ! ) et strictos deponere cogimur enses.
vos, arsurae urbes perituraque moenia, testor : 215 cedo equidem et miserum permitto casibus orbem. flectite signa, duces. redeat iam miles Eous.
72
THE SECOND BOOK AGAINST RUFINUS
of war, Arcadia and Sparta's citadel would have remained unravaged. Burning Corinth would not have heated the waves of her two seas, nor would cruel chains have led in captivity the matrons of Athens. That day might have set an end to our disasters and destroyed the seeds of future calamities. For shame, envious Fortune, of what a triumph didst thou rob us ! The kingly mandate came to Stilicho in arms amid the cavalry and the trumpets' din.
He stood amazed ; anger and great grief o'erwhelm the hero and he wonders that such power for ill is allowed a coward. His wavering mind ponders the uncertain issue : shall he continue his advance or fail his brave beginnings ? He longs to stem Illyria's ruin but fears to disobey orders. Loyalty annuls the prickings-on of valour. The public good urges him one way, fear of the emperor's displeasure another. At length in his distress he raises his hands to
heaven and speaks from deep within his heart : " gods not yet glutted with Rome's destruction, if ye will that our empire be utterly uprooted, if ye have resolved to blot out all the centuries with one blow, if ye repent you of the race of man, then let the sea's unrestrained fury burst forth upon the land or let Phaethon, deviating from his ordained course, drive his straying chariot at random. Shall Rufinus be your tool ? 'Twere shame that such an one should be the author of the world's destruction. O the grief of it ! recalled in mid fight ; forced to lay
down the swords we have drawn ! Cities marked out for the flames, walls doomed to destruction, I call
you to witness : see, I retire ;
I leave the
world to its fate. Turn your banners, captains ; to your homes, soldiers of the east. Needs must we obey.
unhappy 73
Ye
CLAUDIAN
parendum est. taceant litui. prohibete sagittas. parcite contiguo —Rufinus praecipit ! —hosti. "
His dictis omnes una fremuere manipli 220 quantum non Italo percussa Ceraunia fluctu, quantum non madidis elisa tonitrua Cauris, secernique negant ereptaque proelia poscunt, insignemque ducem populus defendit uterque
et sibi quisque trahit. magno certatur amore, 225 alternamque fidem non inlaudata lacessit
seditio talique simul clamore queruntur :
" Quis mihi nudatos enses, quis tela lacertis excutit et solvi curvatos imperat arcus ?
quisnam audet stricto leges imponere ferro ? 230 inflammata semel nescit mitescere virtus,
iam mihi barbaricos sitientia pila cruores
sponte volant ultroque manus mucrone furenti ducitur et siccum gladium vagina recusat.
non patiar. semperne Getis discordia nostra 235 proderit ? en iterum belli civilis imago !
quid consanguineas acies, quid dividis olim
concordes aquilas ? non dissociabile corpus coniunctumque sumus. te qua libet ire sequemur. te vel Hyperboreo damnatam sidere Thylen, 240
te vel ad incensas Libyae comitabor harenas. Indorum si stagna petas Rubrique recessus
litoris, auriferum veniam poturus Hydaspen ;
si calcare Notum secretaque noscere Nib
nascentis iubeas, mundum post terga relinquam ; 246 74
THE SECOND BOOK AGAINST RUFINUS
Silence, ye clarions ; men, forbear to shoot. The foe is at hand, spare him ; 'tis Rufinus' command. "
At these words an unanimous roar went up from all the companies. With less din are the cliffs of Ceraunia buffeted by the Italian sea or the thunders evoked from the western winds' wet storm-clouds. They will not separate, and demand the battle of which they have been defrauded. East and west claim the leadership of that illustrious chief. It is a contest of affection ; insubordination that none can blame threatens to sap the loyalty of both armies who thus
utter their common complaint : " Who is it robs us of our drawn swords ? Who strikes the lance from our hand and bids us unstring the bent bow ? Who dares dictate to an army under arms ? Valour once roused knows no abatement. Spears thirsting for barbarian blood cast themselves from out our hands ; our headlong blades force our vengeful arms to follow them ; our very scabbards refuse to sheath an unblooded sword. I will not bear it. Shall the Getae ever profit by our dissension ? Behold once more the shadow of civil war. Why dost thou seek to separate armies whose blood is one, standards of immemorial alliance ? We are a body one and indivisible. Thee will we follow whithersoever thou goest ; thee will we accompany even as far as Thule lying icebound beneath the pole-star, or to the burning sands of Libya. Should thy path be by the waters of Ind, or the bays of the Red Sea,1 I would go drink
stream. Shouldst thou bid me fare south and search out the hidden sources of the
Nile, I would leave behind me the world
1 By the mare rubrum the ancients meant the Indian Ocean. The Hydaspes is the modern Jhylum.
75
Hydaspes' golden
stripling
CLAUDIAN
et quocumque loco Stilicho tentoria figat,
haec patria est. "Dux inde vetat : " desistite, quaeso. atque avidam differte manum. cadat iste minacis invidiae cumulus. non est victoria tanti,
ut videar vicisse mihi. vos fida iuventus 250 ite, mei quondam socii. " nec plura locutus
flexit iter : vacuo qualis discedit hiatu
impatiens remeare leo, quem plurima cuspis
et pastorales pepulerunt igne catervae,
inclinatque iubas demissaque lumina velat 255 et trepidas maesto rimatur murmure silvas.
Ut sese legio vidit disiuncta relinqui,
ingentem tollit gemitum galeasque solutis
umectat lacrimis pressamque morantia vocem thoracum validos pulsant suspiria nexus : 260 " tradimur, heu, tantumque sequi prohibemur
amorem ! "
exclamant. " spernisne tuas, dux optime, dextras,
quas tibi victriees totiens Bellona probavit ?
nos adeo viles ? adeo felicior axis
Hesperius, meruit qui te rectore teneri ? 265 quid nobis patriam, quid cara revisere tandem pignora dilectosve iuvat coluisse penates ?
te sine dulce nihil. iam formidata tyranni tempestas subeunda mihi, qui forte nefandas
iam parat insidias, qui nos aut turpibus Hunis 270 aut impacatis famulos praebebit Alanis ;
quamquam non adeo robur defecerit omne
tantave gestandi fuerit penuria ferri.
tu, licet occiduo maneas sub cardine caeli,
76
THE SECOND BOOK AGAINST RUFINUS
But Stilicho said them nay : Cease, I beg you," he cried, " stay your eager hands. Suffer to disperse the mountain of hatred that towers over me. I hold not victory so dear that I would fain seem to win it for myself. Loyal gentlemen, so long my fellow- soldiers, get you gone. " He said no more but turned away, as a lion loath to retire makes off with empty maw when the serried spears and the burning branches in the hands of the shepherd band drive him back and he droops his mane and closes his downcast eyes and with a disappointed roar pushes his way through the trembling forest.
When the armies saw that they had been parted and left, . they groaned deeply and bedewed their helmets with a stream of tears. The sighs that refused egress to their smothered words shook the strong fastenings of their breastplates. " We are betrayed," they cried, " and forbidden to follow him we love so well. Dost thou despise, matchless chief, thine own right hands which have so often won thee the victory ? Are we thus vile ? Is the Western sky to be the happier which has won the right to enjoy thy rule ? What boots it to return to our country, to see once more our children dear after so long an absence, to live again in the home we love ? Without thee is no joy. Now must I face the tyrant's dread wrath ; mayhap e'en now he is making ready against me some wicked snare and will make me a slave to the foul Huns or restless Alans. Yet is not my strength altogether perished nor so complete my powerlessness to wield the sword. Rest thou beneath
the sun's westering course, Stilicho, thou art still 77
I know. Wheresoever Stilicho plants his tent there is my fatherland. " "
CLAUDIAN
tu mihi dux semper, Stilicho, nostramque vel absens experiere fidem. dabitur tibi debita pridem 276 victima : promissis longe placabere sacris. "
Tristior Haemoniis miles digressus ab oris
tangebat Macetum fines murosque subibat, Thessalonica, tuos. sensu dolor haeret in alto 280 abditus et tacitas vindictae praestruit iras, spectaturque favens odiis locus aptaque leto
tempora. nec quisquam tanta de pube repertus, proderet incautis qui corda minantia verbis,
quae non posteritas, quae non mirabitur aetas 285 tanti consilium vulgi potuisse taceri
aut facinus tam grande tegi mentisque calorem
non sermone viae, non inter pocula rumpi ?
aequalis tantam tenuit constantia turbam
et fuit arcanum populo. percurritur Haemus, 290 deseritur Rhodope Thracumque per ardua tendunt, donee ad Herculei perventum nominis urbem.
Ut cessisse ducem, propius venisse cohortes cognita Rufino, magna cervice triumphat
omnia tuta ratus sceptrumque capessere fervet 295 et coniuratos hortatur voce clientes :
" vicimus, expulimus, facilis iam copia regni.
nullus ab hoste timor. quis enim, quem poscere solum horruit, hunc tanto munitum milite vincat ?
quis ferat armatum, quem non superavit inermem ?
i nunc, exitium nobis meditare remotus
301
1 Probably Heraclea, at the west end of the Propontis. 78
THE SECOND BOOK AGAINST RUFINUS
ever our general, and though we be not together thou shalt still know our loyalty. Long has a victim been owed thee ; he shall be sacrificed and thou placated by an immolation promised of old. "
Sad at heart the army left Thessaly, reached the borders of Macedon, and arrived before the walls of Thessalonica. Indignation deep hid in their hearts prepares the silent wrath of revenge. They look for a place where they may wreak their vengeance and a moment propitious for the blow, and of all that vast army not one is found to divulge with incautious speech his heart's intent. What succeeding age and time but will marvel that a plot so widespread could be kept hid, a deed of such vast import concealed ; that the ardour of their minds was not rendered of no avail by the chance word of a soldier on the march or a drunkard's babbling ? But discretion ruled all alike and the people's secret was kept. The army crossed the Hebrus, left Rhodope behind, and struck across the uplands of Thrace until it came to the city called after Hercules. 1
When Rufinus learned that Stilicho had retired
and that his troops were approaching he held his
head high in triumph, believing everything safe, and, anxious to seize the power, inflamed his traitorous minions with this speech : " We have conquered ; have driven off our enemy ; empire is within my grasp, nor have we anything to fear from the foe. Will one who dared not approach me when I stood alone defeat me now that I am strengthened by the addition of so great a force ? Who could stand
him armed whom unarmed he could not conquer ? Plot my destruction in exile, friend
79
against
CLAUDIAN
incassum, Stilicho, dum nos longissima tellus dividat et mediis Nereus interstrepat undis.
Alpinas transire tibi me sospite rupes
haud dabitur. iaculis illinc me figere tempta. 305 quaere ferox ensem, qui nostra ad moenia tendi possit ab Italia. non te documenta priorum,
non exempla vetant ? quisnam conatus adire
has iactat vitasse manus ? detrusimus orbe
te medio tantisque simul spoliavimus armis. 310 nunc epulis tempus, socii, nunc larga parare
munera donandumque novis legionibus aurum ! opportuna meis oritur lux crastina votis.
quod nolit rex ipse velit iubeatque coactus
in partem mihi regna dari. contingat in uno 315 privati fugisse modum crimenque tyranni. "
Talibus adclamat dictis infame nocentum
concilium, qui perpetuis crevere rapinis
et quos una facit Rufino causa sodales,
inlicitum duxisse nihil ; funesta tacere 320 nexus amicitiae. iamiam conubia laeti
despondent aliena sibi frustraque vicissim
promittunt, quae quisque petat, quas devoret urbes. Coeperat humanos alto sopire labores
nox gremio, nigrasque sopor diffuderat alas. 325 ille diu curis animum stimulantibus aegre
labitur in somnos. toto vix corde quierat,
ecce videt diras adludere protinus umbras,
80
THE SECOND BOOK AGAINST RUFINUS
Stilicho. What harm can that do so long as a vast stretch of country divide us and Nereus' waves thunder between ? Thou shalt have no chance of crossing the rocky Alps while I live. Transfix me from thence with thine arrows, if thou canst. Seek in thy fury a sword that from Italy shall reach my city's walls. Does not the experience and the example of those who have tried before deter thee ? Who that has dared approach can boast escape from my hands ?
I have driven thee from the centre of the civilized world and at the same time deprived thee of thy great army. Now, my friends, is come
the time for feasting and making ready bountiful gifts and bestowing gold upon these new legions.
To-morrow's light dawns prosperously for my purpose. Needs must the emperor will what he would not and bid a portion of his empire to be given to me. Mine alone be the happy fortune to rise above a private estate and yet escape the charge of tyranny. " —
To such words they shout acclaim that vile band of traitors, waxed fat on plunder, whom one principle makes fellows with Rufinus, the holding nothing unlawful, and whose bond of friendship is to guard guilt in silence. Straightway they joyfully promise themselves foreign wives and all to no
purpose forecast the booty they will win and the cities they will sack.
Night had begun to soothe human toils in her
deep bosom and sleep had spread his black wings when Rufinus, whose mind had long been a prey to anxiety, sank into a troubled slumber. Scarce had
fastened on his heart when, lo, he sees flit before his eyes the dread ghosts of those whom he
quiet
VOL. i g 81
CLAUDIAN
quas dedit ipse neci ; quarum quae clarior una
visa loqui : " pro ! surge toro. quid plurima volvis 330 anxius ? haec requiem rebus finemque labori adlatura dies : omni iam plebe redibis
altior et laeti manibus portabere vulgi. "
has canit ambages. occulto fallitur ille
omine nec capitis sentit praesagia fixi. 335
Iam summum radiis stringebat Lucifer Haemum
festinamque rotam solito properantior urget
tandem Rufini visurus funera Titan :
desiluit stratis densaeque capacia turbae
atria regifico iussit splendere paratu 340 exceptura dapes et, quod post vota daretur,
insculpi propriis aurum fatale figuris.
ipse salutatum reduces post proelia turmas
iam regale tumens et principe celsior ibat
collaque femineo solvebat mollia gestu 345 imperii certus, tegeret ceu purpura dudum
corpus et ardentes ambirent tempora gemmae.
Urbis ab angusto tractu, qua vergit in austrum, planities vicina patet : nam cetera pontus
circuit exiguo dirimi se limite passus. 350 hie ultrix acies ornatu lucida Martis
explicuit cuneos.
