Together we caused
Thracian
Hebrus to run red with Getic blood, together overthrew the squadrons of the Sarmatae, together rested our weary limbs on the snows of
Mount Riphaeus and seared the frozen Danube with our chariot's wheel — come, therefore, since
heaven's halls claim me, do thou take
task ; be thou sole guardian of my children, let thy hand protect my two sons.
Mount Riphaeus and seared the frozen Danube with our chariot's wheel — come, therefore, since
heaven's halls claim me, do thou take
task ; be thou sole guardian of my children, let thy hand protect my two sons.
Claudian - 1922 - Loeb
Catullus lxi.
).
262
EPITHALAMIUM
Pinker thy fingers than Aurora's, firmer thy
red !
shoulders than Diana's ; even thy mother dost thou surpass. If Bacchus, Ariadne's lover, could trans form his mistress' garland into a constellation how comes it that a more beauteous maid has no crown of stars ? Even now Bootes is weaving for thee a starry crown, even now heaven brings new stars to birth to do thee honour. Go, mate with one who is worthy of thee and share with him an empire co-extensive with the world. Ister now shall do thee homage ; all nations shall adore thy name. Now Rhine and Elbe shall be thy slaves ; thou shalt be queen among the Sygambri. Why should I number the peoples and the Atlantic's distant shores ? The whole world alike shall be thy dowry. "
She spake and fitted to Maria's neck and shining limbs the rich gear which the happy Nereids had
just given her. She parted her hair with the spear's point, girded up her dress, and with her own hands
set the veil over the maiden's hair. 1 The cession is halted singing at the door ; brightly gleams the holy chariot in which the new bride is to fare. The prince burns to run and meet her and longs for the sun's tardy setting. Even so the noble steed when first the smell that stirs his passions smites upon him proudly shakes his thick, disordered mane and courses over Pharsalia's plains. His nostrils are aflame and with a neighing he greets the streams that saw his birth. His masters smile at the hope of their stud's increase, and the mares take pleasure in their handsome mate.
Meanwhile the army has laid aside its swords : the soldiers are dressed in white and throng around Stilicho, the bride's father. No standard-bearer nor
263
pro
CLAUDIAN
nec miles pluviae flores dispergere ritu
cessat purpureoque ducem perfundere nimbo. haec quoque velati lauro myrtoque canebant :
" Dive parens, seu te complectitur axis Olympi, seu premis Elysias animarum praemia valles, 301 en promissa tibi Stilicho iam vota peregit ;
iam gratae rediere vices ; cunabula pensat ; acceptum reddit thalamum natoque reponit,
quod dederat genitor. numquam te, sancte, pigebit iudicii nec te pietas suprema fefellit. 306 dignus cui leges, dignus cui pignora tanti
principis et rerum commendarentur habenae.
dicere possemus, quae proelia gesta sub Haemo quaeque cruentarint fumantem Strymona pugnae, quam notus clipeo, quanta vi fulminet hostem, 311
ni prohiberet Hymen, quae tempestiva relatu, nunc canimus. quis consilio, quis iuris et aequi nosse modum melior ? quod semper dissilit, in te convenit, ingenio robur, prudentia forti. 315 fronte quis aequali ? quem sic Romana decerent culmina ? sufficerent tantis quae pectora curis ?
stes licet in populo, clamet quicumque videbit :
' hic est, hic Stilicho '
! sic se testatur et offert
celsa potestatis species, non voce feroci, 320 non alto simulata gradu, non improba gestu. adfectant alii quidquid fingique laborant,
hoc donat natura tibi. pudor emicat una
264
EPITHALAMIUM
common soldier fails to scatter flowers like rain and to drench their leader in a mist of purple blossoms. Crowned with laurel and myrtle they sing : " Blessed father, whether the vault of heaven is thy home, or thou walkest in Elysium, the mansion of the blest, behold Stilicho hath now fulfilled the promises he made thee. A happy interchange has now been made : he compensates thee for his upbringing, and renders marriage in return for marriage, giving back to a son what thou, that son's father, gave to him. Never needst thou repent of thy choice ; a dying father's love misled thee not. Worthy is he to be thine heir, worthy to be entrusted with the child of so powerful a prince and to hold the reins of government. Now could I tell of the battles fought beneath the slopes of Mount Haemus, the contests wherefrom Strymon reeked red with blood ; I could sing the fame of his arms and how, like a thunder bolt, he falls upon his foes, but the marriage- god says me nay. Our song must be such as now befits the singing. Who can surpass Stilicho in counsel ? who in knowledge of law and equity ? In thee are two opposed qualities reconciled, wisdom and strength, prudence and fortitude. Was e'er so noble a brow ? Whom would Rome's
highest place more befit ? What heart but thine is strong
enough to bear so many troubles ? Shouldst thou stand amid the crowd whoe'er shall see thee would exclaim, ' That is Stilicho. ' It is thus that the aspect of supreme majesty brings its own witness— not with arrogant voice, or pompous walk, or haughty gesture. The graces which others affect and strive to seem to possess are thine by nature's gift. Modesty shines forth together with a noble stern
265
CLAUDIAN
formosusque rigor vultusque auctura verendos canities festina venit. cum sorte remota 325
contingat senio gravitas viresque iuventae, utraque te cingit propriis insignibus aetas. ornatur Fortuna viro. non ulla nocendi tela nec infecti iugulis civilibus enses.
non odium terrore moves nec frena resolvit 330
gratia ; diligimus pariter pariterque timemus.
ipse metus te noster amat, iustissime legum
arbiter, egregiae pacis fidissime custos,
optime ductorum, fortunatissime patrum.
plus iam, plus domino cuncti debere fatemur, 335 quod gener est, invicte, tuus. vincire corona ; insere te nostris contempto iure choreis.
sic puer Eucherius superet virtute parentem ;
aurea sic videat similes Thermantia taedas ;
sic uterus crescat Mariae ; sic natus in ostro 340 parvus Honoriades genibus considat avitis. "
1 Eucherius (born about 388) was the son, and Ther mantia the younger daughter, of Stilicho and Serena. After the death of Maria she became Honorius' second wife.
266
EPITHALAMIUM
ness, and white hairs come hastening to increase the reverence of thy face. Though dignity be the crown of age and strength, by a far different lot, of youth, yet either season decks thee with its own peculiar honours. Thou art the ornament of fortune. Never tookst thou up the sword for hurt nor ever didst steep its blade in citizens' blood. No cruelties on thy part aroused men's hatred ; favouritism never slacks the reins of justice. We love thee, yet we fear thee. Our very fear testifies to our love, O thou most righteous interpreter of Law, guardian most sure of peace with honour, greatest of our generals, most blessed among the fathers of our country. We all confess that now we owe our emperor an even
firmer allegiance for that thou, hero invincible, art the father of his bride. Crown thy head with a garland, lay aside thy rank for a moment and join our dances. An thou dost this, so may thy son Eucherius 1 surpass the virtues of his sire ; so may
the fair Thermantia,1 thy daughter, live to see a marriage such as this ; so may Maria's womb grow big and a little Honorius, born in the purple, rest on his grandsire's lap. "
267
PANEGYRICUS
DE TERTIO CONSULATU HONORII AUGUSTI
PRAEFATIO
(VI. )
Parvos non aquilis fas est educere fetus ante fidem solis iudiciumque poli.
nam pater, excusso saluit cum tegmine proles ovaque maternus rupit hiulca tepor,
protinus implumes convertit ad aethera nidos 5 et recto flammas imperat ore pati.
consulit ardentes radios et luce magistra natorum vires ingeniumque probat.
degenerem refugo torsit qui lumine visum,
unguibus hunc saevis ira paterna ferit. 10
exploratores oculis qui pertulit ignes sustinuitque acie nobiliore diem,
nutritur volucrumque potens et fulminis heres, gesturus summo tela trisulca Iovi.
me quoque Pieriis temptatum saepius antris 15 audet magna suo mittere Roma deo.
iam dominas aures, iam regia tecta meremur et chelys Augusto iudice nostra sonat.
268
PANEGYRIC ON THE THIRD CONSULSHIP OF THE EMPEROR HONORIUS (a. d. 396)
PREFACE
(VI)
Eagles may not rear their young without the sun's permission and the goodwill of heaven. So soon as the chicks have shattered their shells and issued forth, after that the warmth of their mother's body has cracked the opening egg, the father bird makes haste to carry the unfledged nestlings aloft and bids them gaze at the sun's fires with unblinking eye. He takes counsel of those bright beams and under light's schooling makes trial of the strength and temper of
his sons. The angry father strikes with pitiless talons the degenerate who turns away his glance, but he whose eye can bear the searching flame, who with bolder sight can outstare the noonday sun, is brought up a king of birds, heir to the thunderbolt, destined to carry Jove's three-forked weapon. So mighty Rome fears not to send me, oft tested e'er now in the Muses' caverns, to face the emperor, her god. Now have I won an emperor's ear, the entrance to an
emperor's palace and the emperor himself as judge of my lyre's song.
269
PANEGYRICUS
(VII. )
Tertia Romulei sumant exordia fasces
terque tuas ducat bellatrix pompa curules ;
festior annus eat cinctusque imitata Gabinos
dives Hydaspeis augescat purpura gemmis ; succedant armis trabeae, tentoria lictor 5 ambiat et Latiae redeant ad signa secures.
tuque o qui patrium curis aequalibus orbem
Eoo cum fratre regis, procede secundis
alitibus Phoebique novos ordire meatus,
spes votumque poli, quem primo a limine vitae 10 nutrix aula fovet, strictis quem fulgida telis
inter laurigeros aluerunt castra triumphos.
ardua privatos nescit Fortuna penates
et regnum cum luce dedit. cognata potestas excepit Tyrio venerabile pignus in ostro 15 lustravitque tuos aquilis victricibus ortus
miles et in mediis cunabula praebuit hastis.
te nascente ferox toto Germania Rheno
1 The ductus Gabinus was one of the insignia of the consul ship. It consisted in girding the toga tight round the body by means of one of its laciniae ( = loose ends). Servius (on Virg. Aen. vii. 612) has a story that Gabii was invaded during the performance of a sacrifice and that the parti cipants repulsed the enemy in their cinctus.
270
PANEGYRIC
(VII)
Let the consular fasces of Romulus open a third year, and for the third time let the warlike procession accompany thy curule litter. More festal in array be the coming year, and let purple, folded in Gabine 1 guise, be proudly enriched with gems of Hydaspes ; let the cloak of peace succeed the arms of war ; let the lictor guard the consul's tent and the Latin axes return to the standards. 2 And do thou, Honorius, who with thy brother, lord of the East, governest with equal care a world that was once thy sire's, go thy way with favourable omens and order the sun's new course, thyself heaven's hope and desire, palace-nurtured even from life's threshold, to whom the camp, gleaming with drawn swords, gave schooling among the laurels of victory. Thy towering fortune has never known the condition of a private citizen ; when thou wast born thou wast born a king. Power which was thine by birth received thee, a precious pledge, amid the purple ; soldiers bearing victorious standards inaugurated thy birth and set thy cradle in the midst of arms. When thou wast born fierce Germany trembled along
2 Claudian suggests the uniting of civil and military power in the hands of Honorius.
271
CLAUDIAN
intremuit movitque suas formidine silvas
Caucasus et positis numen confessa pharetris 20 ignavas Meroe traxit de crine sagittas.
reptasti per scuta puer, regumque recentes
exuviae tibi ludus erant, primusque solebas
aspera complecti torvum post proelia patrem,
signa triumphato quotiens flexisset ab Histro 25 Arctoa de strage calens, et poscere partem
de spoliis, Scythicos arcus aut rapta Gelonis
cingula vel iaculum Daci vel frena Suebi.
ille coruscanti clipeo te saepe volentem
sustulit adridens et pectore pressit anhelo 30 intrepidum ferri galeae nec triste timentem
fulgur et ad summas tendentem brachia cristas.
tum sic laetus ait : " rex o stellantis Olympi,
talis perdomito redeat mihi filius hoste,
Hyrcanas populatus opes aut caede superbus 35 Assyria, sic ense rubens, sic flamine crebro
turbidus et grato respersus pulvere belli,
armaque gaviso referat captiva parenti. "
Mox ubi firmasti recto vestigia gressu,
non tibi desidias molles nec marcida luxu 40 otia nec somnos genitor permisit inertes,
sed nova per duros instruxit membra labores
et cruda teneras exercuit indole vires :
frigora saeva pati, gravibus non cedere nimbis, aestivum tolerare iubar, transnare sonoras 45 torrentum furias, ascensu vincere montes,
272
THE THIRD CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
the Rhine's full course, Caucasus shook his forests in fear, and the people of Meroe, confessing thy divinity, laid aside their quivers and drew the use less arrows from their hair. As a child thou didst crawl among shields, fresh-won spoils of monarchs were thy playthings, and thou wert ever the first to embrace thy stern father on his return from rude battles, when that, reeking with the blood of northern savages, he came home victorious from
his conquest over the tribes of the Danube. Then wouldst thou demand thy share of the spoils, a Scythian bow or a belt won from the Geloni, a Dacian spear or Suabian bridle. Often would he smile on thee and uplift thee, eager for the honour, on his shining shield, and clasp thee to his still panting bosom. Thou fearedst not his coat of mail nor the dread gleam of his helmet but stretchedst out thy hands to grasp its lofty plumes. Then in his joy
proud with the slaughter of the Assyrians ; his sword thus red with blood, his countenance thus roughened by the constant blasts and stained with the welcome dust of heroic combat, may he bring back to his happy father the arms of his conquered foes. "
Soon when thou couldst stand upright and walk with firm step thy sire forbade thee enervating sloth, luxurious ease, time-wasting slumbers. He strength
ened thy young limbs with hard toils and rude was the training wherewith he exercised thy tender powers. Thou wert taught to bear winter's cruel cold, to shrink not before storm and tempest, to face the heat of summer, to swim across loud-roaring torrents, to
vol. i t 273
"
King of starry Olympus, may
thy father cried :
this my son return in like manner from the lands of conquered foes, rich with the spoils of Hyrcania or
CLAUDIAN
planitiem cursu, valles et concava saltu, nec non in clipeo vigiles producere noctes,
in galea potare nives, nunc spicula cornu
tendere, nunc glandes Baleari spargere funda. 50 quoque magis nimium pugnae inflammaret amorem, facta tui numerabat avi, quem litus adustae
horrescit Libyae ratibusque impervia Thule :
ille leves Mauros nec falso nomine Pictos
edomuit Scottumque vago mucrone secutus 55 fregit Hyperboreas remis audacibus undas
et geminis fulgens utroque sub axe tropaeis
Tethyos alternae refluas calcavit harenas.
hos tibi virtutum stimulos, haec semina laudum, haec exempla dabat. non ocius hausit Achilles 60 semiferi praecepta senis, seu cuspidis artes
sive lyrae cantus medicas seu disceret herbas.
Interea turbata fides. civilia rursus
bella tonant dubiumque quatit discordia mundum. pro crimen superum, longi pro dedecus aevi : 65 barbarus Hesperias exul possederat urbes
sceptraque deiecto dederat Romana clienti.
iam princeps molitur iter gentesque remotas
colligit Aurorae, tumidus quascumque pererrat 69 Euphrates, quas lustrat Halys, quas ditat Orontes ; turiferos Arabes saltus, vada Caspia Medi,
Armenii Phasin, Parthi liquere Niphaten.
Quae tibi tum Martis rabies quantusque sequendi ardor erat ? quanto flagrabant pectora voto
1 Pict, to a Roman, means " painted. " They were " well- named Picts " because they painted themselves with woad
or other stain. " 2 Arbogast is " the
barbarian," Eugenius (by trade a rhetorician) the dependent. " See Introduction, p. ix.
274
THE THIRD CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
climb mountains, to run o'er the plain, to leap ravines and hollows, to spend sleepless nights of watching under arms, to drink melted snow from thy casque, to shoot the arrow from the bow or hurl the acorn-missiles with a Balearic sling. And the more to inflame thy heart with love of battle he would recount to thee the deeds of thy grandsire, object of dread to Libya's sun-scorched shores and Thule whither no ship can sail. He conquered the fleet Moors and the well-named 1 Picts ; his roaming sword pursued the flying Scot ; his adventurous oars broke the surface of the northern seas. Crowned with the spoils of triumphs won beneath the northern and the southern sky he trod the wave-swept strand of either Ocean. Thus did he spur thy courage, thus sow the seeds of fame ; these were the examples he gave. Not more avidly did Achilles himself drink in the Centaur's precepts when he learnt of him how to wield the spear or play the lyre or discern healing plants.
Meanwhile the world forgot its loyalty ; the thunder of civil war sounded afresh and discord shook the tottering earth. O ye guilty gods ! O shame everlasting ! — a barbarian 2 exile had possessed him self of the cities of Italy and had entrusted the government of Rome to some low-born dependent. But Theodosius was already afoot, rallying to his standard the distant nations of the East, the dwellers on the banks of flooding Euphrates, clear Halys, and
rich Orontes. The Arabs left their spicy groves, the Medes the waters of the Caspian Sea, the Armenians the river Phasis, the Parthians the Niphates.
What lust of battle then filled thy heart, what
longing to accompany thy father !
What would not 275
CLAUDIAN
optatas audire tubas campique cruenta tempestate frui truncisque inmergere plantas ?
ut leo, quem fulvae matris spelunca tegebat uberibus solitum pasci, cum crescere sensit ungue pedes et terga iubis et dentibus ora, iam negat imbelles epulas et rupe relicta Gaetulo comes ire patri stabulisque minari
aestuat et celsi tabo sordere iuvenci.
ille vetat rerumque tibi commendat habenas et sacro meritos ornat diademate crines. tantaque se rudibus pietas ostendit in annis, sic aetas animo cessit, quererentur ut omnes
imperium tibi sero datum.
Victoria velox auspiciis effecta tuis. Pugnastis uterque :
tu fatis genitorque manu. te propter et Alpes invadi faciles cauto nec profuit hosti
munitis haesisse locis : spes inrita valli
concidit et scopulis patuerunt claustra revulsis.
te propter gelidis Aquilo de monte procellis obruit adversas acies revolutaque tela
vertit in auctores et turbine reppulit hastas. o nimium dilecte deo, cui fundit ab antris Aeolus armatas hiemes, cui militat aether et coniurati veniunt ad classica venti. Alpinae rubuere nives, et Frigidus amnis
276
THE THIRD CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
thine eager spirit have given to hear the beloved clarion's note and to revel in the bloody storm of battle, trampling upon the slaughtered bodies of thy
Like a
young
lion in a cave, accustomed to look
foes !
for nourishment to the teats of its tawny mother, who, so soon as he finds talons beginning to grow from out his paws and a mane sprout from his neck and teeth arm his jaws, will have none of this in glorious food but burns to leave his cavern home and accompany his Gaetulian sire, to bring death upon the herds and steep him in the gore of some tall steer. But Theodosius said thee nay, and put the reins of government into thy hands, crowning thy head with the sacred diadem it wore so meetly. And so did thy virtue show in earliest years, so did thy soul out-range thy youth that all complained that to thee empire was granted late.
Swiftly beneath thy auspices was victory achieved. Both fought for us—thou with thy happy influence, thy father with his strong right arm. Thanks to thee the Alps lay open to our armies, nor did it avail the careful foe to cling to fortified posts. Their ramparts, and the trust they put therein, fell ; the rocks were torn away and their hiding-places exposed. Thanks to thine influence the wind of the frozen North overwhelmed the enemy's line with his mountain storms, hurled back their weapons upon the throwers and with the violence of his tempest drove back their spears. Verily God is with thee, when at thy behest Aeolus frees the armed tempests from his cave, when the very elements fight for thee and the allied winds come at the call of thy trumpets. The Alpine snows grew red with slaughter, the cold Frigidus, its waters turned to blood, ran hot and steaming, and would
277
CLAUDIAN
mutatis fumavit aquis turbaque cadentum 100 staret, ni rapidus iuvisset flumina sanguis.
At ferus inventor scelerum traiecerat altum
non uno mucrone latus, duplexque tepebat
ensis, et ultrices in se converterat iras
tandem iusta manus. iam libertate reducta, 105 quamvis emeritum peteret natura reverti
numen et auratas astrorum panderet arces nutaretque oneris venturi conscius Atlas,
distulit Augustus cupido se credere caelo,
dum tibi pacatum praesenti traderet orbem. 110 nec mora : Bistoniis alacer consurgis ab oris,
inter barbaricas ausus transire cohortes
impavido vultu ; linquis Rhodopeia saxa
Orpheis animata modis ; iuga deseris Oetes Herculeo damnata rogo ; post Pelion intras 115 Nereis inlustre toris ; te pulcher Enipeus
celsaque Dodone stupuit rursusque locutae
in te Chaoniae moverunt carmina quercus. Illyrici legitur plaga litoris ; arva teruntur
Dalmatiae ; Phrygii numerantur stagna Timavi. 120 gaudent Italiae sublimibus oppida muris
adventu sacrata tuo, summissus adorat
Eridanus blandosque iubet mitescere fluctus
et Phaethonteas solitae deflere ruinas
roscida frondosae revocant electra sorores. 125
Quanti tum iuvenes, quantae sprevere pudorem spectandi studio matres, puerisque severi
1 This is obscure. Zosimus (iv. 58. 6) and Socrates (v. 25) merely mention suicide, but from Claudian's account it looks as though, like Nero, Arbogast's courage had failed him and an attendant had had to help him to his death.
2 The Fons Timavi (near Aquileia and the river Frigidus) is called Trojan from the story of the colonization of Venetia by the Trojan Antenor (Livy i. 1 . 3).
278
THE THIRD CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
have been choked with the heaps of corpses had not their own fast-flowing gore helped on its course.
Meanwhile Arbogast, the cause of this wicked war, had pierced his side deep not with a single blade : two swords 1 reeked with his blood, and his own hand, learning justice at last, had turned its savage fury against himself. Thus was liberty restored ; but though Nature demanded the return to heaven of divine Theodosius whose work was now accomplished, though the sky threw open the golden palaces of its starry vault and Atlas staggered
to which Orpheus' lyre gave life ; thou quittest the heights of Oeta, scene of Hercules' ill-omened funeral pyre ; next thou climbest Pelion, famed for the marriage of Peleus and Thetis. Fair Enipeus and lofty Dodona look upon thee in amaze, and the oaks of Chaonia, finding tongues once more, utter oracles in thine honour. Thou skirtest the extreme coasts of Illyria and, passing over Dalmatia's fields, dost cross in turn the nine sources of Trojan Timavus. 2 The high-walled cities of Italy rejoice in the bless ings of thy presence. Eridanus bows his head and worships, bidding his waves flow gently to the sea ; and Phaethon's leafy sisters, that ever weep their brother's death, check the flow of their dewy amber.
How many youths, how many matrons set modesty aside in eagerness to behold thee ! Austere grey
279
the burden he was to bear, yet did the
knowing
emperor forbear to entrust him to expectant Olympus until he could in thy presence hand over to thee a world at peace. Straightway didst thou, Honorius, leave the coasts of Thrace, and, braving the dangers of the journey, pass without a tremor through the hordes of barbarians. Thou leavest the rocks of Rhodope
CLAUDIAN
certavere senes, cum tu genitaris amico
exceptus gremio mediam veherere per urbem velaretque pios communis laurea currus ! 130 quis non Luciferum roseo cum Sole videri
credidit aut iunctum Bromio radiare Tonantem ? floret cristatis exercitus undique turmis,
quisque sua te voce canens. praestringit aena
lux oculos, nudique seges Mavortia ferri 135 ingeminat splendore diem. pars nobilis arcu,
pars longe iaculis, pars comminus horrida contis ;
hi volucres tollunt aquilas, hi picta draconum
colla levant, multusque tumet per nubila serpens iratus stimulante Noto vivitque receptis 140 flatibus et vario mentitur sibila tractu.
Ut ventum ad sedes, cunctos discedere tectis
dux iubet et generum compellat talibus ultro :
" bellipotens Stilicho, cuius mihi robur in armis,
pace probata fides : quid enim per proelia gessi 145 te sine ? quem merui te non sudante triumphum ? Odrysium pariter Getico foedavimus Hebrum sanguine, Sarmaticas pariter prostravimus alas
Riphaeaque simul fessos porreximus artus
in glacie stantemque rota sulcavimus Histrum : 150
ergo age, me quoniam caelestis regia poscit,
tu curis succede meis, tu pignora solus
nostra fove : geminos dextra tu protege fratres. 280
THE THIRD CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
beards struggle with boys for places whence to see thee in the tender embraces of thy sire, borne through the midst of Rome on a triumphal chariot decked but with the shade of a simple laurel branch. Who did not then think that he beheld the morning- star together with the rosy sun, or the Thunderer shine in concert with Bacchus ? On every side
stretches the host of plumed warriors, each hymning thy praises in his own tongue ; the brightness of bronze dazzles the eye and the martial glint of a forest of unsheathed swords redoubles the light of day. Some are decked with bows, others bristle with far-flung javelins or pikes for fighting at close quarters. These raise standards adorned with flying eagles, or with embroidered dragons or writhing serpents, that in their thousands seem to be
roused to angry life by the breath of the wind which, as it blows them this way and that, causes them to rustle with a sound like the hiss of a living snake.
When they reached the palace the emperor bade all depart and thus unbidden addressed his son-in- law : " Victorious Stilicho, of whose courage in war, of whose loyalty in peace I have made proof —what warlike feat have I performed without thine aid ? What triumph have I won that thou helpedst me not in the winning ?
Together we caused Thracian Hebrus to run red with Getic blood, together overthrew the squadrons of the Sarmatae, together rested our weary limbs on the snows of
Mount Riphaeus and seared the frozen Danube with our chariot's wheel — come, therefore, since
heaven's halls claim me, do thou take
task ; be thou sole guardian of my children, let thy hand protect my two sons. I adjure thee by
up my 281
CLAUDIAN
per consanguineos thalamos noctemque beatam,
per taedas, quas ipsa tuo regina levavit 153 coniugio sociaque nurum produxit ab aula,
indue mente patrem, crescentes dilige fetus
ut ducis, ut soceri. Iamiam securus ad astra
te custode ferar ; rupta si mole Typhoeus
prosiliat, vinclis Tityos si membra resolvat, 160 si furor Enceladi proiecta mugiat Aetna,
opposito Stilichone cadent. "
Nec plura locutus, sicut erat, liquido signavit tramite nubes
ingrediturque globum Lunae limenque relinquit Arcados et Veneris clementes advolat auras. 165 hinc Phoebi permensus iter flammamque nocentem Gradivi placidumque Iovem ; stetit arce suprema, algenti qua zona riget Saturnia tractu.
machina laxatur caeli rutilaeque patescunt
sponte fores. Arctoa parat convexa Bootes, 170 australes reserat portas succinctus Orion
invitantque novum sidus, pendentque vicissim
quas partes velit ipse sequi, quibus esse sodalis
dignetur stellis aut qua regione morari.
o decus aetherium, terrarum gloria quondam, 175 te tuus Oceanus natali gurgite lassum
excipit et notis Hispania proluit undis.
fortunate parens, primos cum detegis ortus,
adspicis Arcadium ; cum te proclivior urges, occiduum visus remoratur Honorius ignem ; 180
et quocumque vagos flectas sub cardine cursus, 282
THE THIRD CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
that marriage that makes thee kin with me, by the night that saw its consummation, by the torch
which at thy wedding-feast the queen carried in her own hand when she led thy bride-elect from out
the imperial palace, take on thee a father's spirit, guard the years of their childhood. Was not their sire thy master and thy wife's father ? Now, now I shall mount untroubled to the stars for thou wilt watch over them. Even should Typhoeus rend away the rocks and leap forth, should Tityus free his captive limbs, should Enceladus, hurling Etna from him, roar in rage — each and all will fall before Stilicho's attack. "
He spake no more but still in human form clove a furrow of light through the clouds ; he passes to Luna's globe, leaves Mercury's threshold and hastens to the gentle airs of Venus. Hence he tra verses Phoebus' path, Mars' baleful fires and Jupiter's quiet quarters, and stands upon the very crown of the sky, cold Saturn's frozen zone. Heaven's fabric opens, unbidden the shining doors swing back. Bootes prepares a place in the vault of the northern sky, sword-girt Orion unbars the portals of the south ;
offer welcome to the new star, uncertain each in turn to what region he will betake himself, what constellation he will grace with his presence, or in what quarter he will elect to shine alone. O glory of heaven as once thou wert of earth, the ocean that laves the shores of the land of thy birth receives thee wearied with thy nightly course, Spain bathes thee in thy natal waves. Happy father, when first thou risest above the horizon thou lookest upon Arcadius, when thou dippest to thy setting the sight of Honorius delays thy westering fires. Through whichever hemisphere thou takest thy wandering
283
they
CLAUDIAN
natorum per regna venis, qui mente serena maturoque regunt iunctas moderamine gentes, saecula qui rursus formant meliore metallo. luget Avarities Stygiis innexa catenis
cumque suo demens expellitur Ambitus auro. non dominantur opes nec corrumpentia sensus dona valent : emitur sola virtute potestas.
Unanimi fratres, quorum mare terraque fatis debetur, quodcumque manus evasit avitas, quod superest patri : vobis iam Mulciber arma praeparat et Sicula Cyclops incude laborat, Brontes innumeris exasperat aegida signis, altum fulminea crispare in casside conum festinat Steropes, nectit thoraca Pyragmon ignifluisque gemit Lipare fumosa cavernis. vobis Ionia virides Neptunus in alga
nutrit equos, qui summa freti per caerula possint ferre viam segetemque levi percurrere motu, nesciat ut spumas nec proterat ungula culmos. iam video Babylona rapi Parthumque coactum non ficta trepidare fuga, iam Bactra teneri legibus et famulis Gangen pallescere ripis
gemmatosque humilem dispergere Persida cultus. ite per extremum Tanaim pigrosque Triones,
ijte per ardentem Libyam, superate vapores solis et arcanos Nili deprendite fontes, Herculeum finem, Bacchi transcurrite metas :
Indus ebur, ramos Panchaia, vellera Seres. 284
vestri iuris erit, quidquid complectitur
vobis Rubra dabunt pretiosas aequora conchas,
axis,
THE THIRD CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
journey, thou passest over the domains of sons who with tranquil mind and ripe control rule over allied peoples, who once again fashion the ages from a nobler ore. Avarice is left to weep in
Stygian chains, mad Ambition and his gold banished afar.
Wealth does not hold sway ; sense-corrupting gifts are of no avail ; virtue alone can purchase power.
Brothers twain, with the heart of one, brothers to
whose rule fate has entrusted sea and land, if there
is aught that has escaped your grandsire's conquering hand, aught your father has left unsubdued, even now Vulcan prepares the arms for their subjection and Cyclops labours on the Sicilian anvil. Brontes carves countless figures on the shield, Steropes hastes to bend the lofty peak of the flashing helmet, Pyrag- mon knits the coat of mail, smoky Lipare roars throughout its fire-belching caves. 'Tis for you that Neptune pastures in the sea-weed meadows of the Ionian main green sea-horses who can fly o'er the surface of the blue waters with so light a step that their hoofs are unflecked with foam, and course o'er fields of corn so delicately that the ears do not bend beneath their weight. E'en now I see the sack of Babylon and the Parthian driven to flight that is not feigned, Bactria subjected to the Law, the fearful pallor of the Ganges' servile banks, the humbled Per sian throwing off his gem-encrusted robes. Mount
to Tanais' source, explore the frozen North, traverse sun-scorched Libya, o'ercome the fires of Titan and surprise Nile's hidden spring ; pass the Pillars of Hercules, the bourne, too, whence Bacchus returned ; whatever heaven enfolds shall own your dominion. To you the Red Sea shall give precious shells, India her ivory, Panchaia perfumes, and China silk.
285
PANEGYRICUS
DE QUARTO CONSULATU HONORII AUGUSTI
(VIII. )
Auspiciis iterum sese regalibus annus
induit et nota fruitur iactantior aula,
limina nec passi circum privata morari
exultant reduces Augusto consule fasces,
cernis ut armorum proceres legumque potentes 5 patricios sumant 1 habitus ? et more Gabino
discolor incedit legio positisque parumper bellorum signis sequitur vexilla Quirini.
lictori cedunt aquilae ridetque togatus
miles et in mediis effulget curia castris. 10 ipsa Palatino circumvallata senatu
iam trabeam Bellona gerit parmamque removit
et galeam sacras umeris vectura curules.
nec te laurigeras pudeat, Gradive, secures
pacata gestare manu Latiaque micantem 15 loricam mutare toga, dum ferreus haeret
currus et Eridani ludunt per prata iugales.
Haud indigna coli nec nuper cognita Marti Ulpia progenies et quae diademata mundo
sparsit Hibera domus. nec tantam vilior unda 20 1 sumant B ; Birt reads sumunt, following the other uss.
286
As marking a festival ; see note on vii. 3.
PANEGYRIG ON THE FOURTH CONSULSHIP OF THE EMPEROR HONORIUS (a. d. 398)
(VIII)
Once more the year opens under royal auspices and enjoys in fuller pride its famous prince ; not
to linger around private thresholds the returning fasces rejoice in Caesar's consulship Seest thou how the armed chiefs and mighty judges don the raiment of senators ? and the soldiers step forth in garb of peaceful hue worn Gabine 1 wise, and laying aside for a season the standards of war follow the banner of Quirinus. The eagles give way to the lictors, the smiling soldier wears the toga of peace and the senate-house casts
its brilliance in the midst of the camp. Bellona herself, surrounded by a noble band of senators, puts on the consul's gown and lays by her shield and helmet in order to harness the sacred curule chair to her shoulders. Think it no shame, Gradivus, to bear the laurel-crowned axes in a hand of peace and to
brooking
for the Latin toga while thine iron chariot remains unused and
exchange thy shining breastplate
thy steeds disport them in the pastures of Eridanus.
Not unworthy of reverence nor but acquainted with war is the family of Trajan and that
house which has showered diadems upon the world. No common stream was held worthy
287
Spanish
newly
GLAUDIAN
promeruit gentis seriem : cunabula fovit
Oceanus ; terrae dominos pelagique futuros
inmenso decuit rerum de principe nasci.
hinc processit avus, cui post Arctoa frementi
classica Massylas adnexuit Africa laurus, 25 ille, Caledoniis posuit qui castra pruinis,
qui medios Libyae sub casside pertulit aestus, terribilis Mauro debellatorque Britanni
litoris ac pariter Boreae vastator et Austri.
quid rigor aeternus, caeli quid frigora prosunt 30 ignotumque fretum ? maduerunt Saxone fuso Orcades ; incaluit Pictorum sanguine Thyle ; Scottorum cumulos flevit glacialis Hiverne.
quid calor obsistit forti ? per vasta cucurrit Aethiopum cinxitque novis Atlanta maniplis, 35
virgineum Tritona bibit sparsosque venenis Gorgoneos vidit thalamos et vile virentes
Hesperidum risit, quos ditat fabula, ramos.
arx incensa Iubae, rabies Maurusia ferro
cessit et antiqui penetralia diruta Bocchi. 40
Sed laudes genitor longe transgressus avitas subdidit Oceanum sceptris et margine caeli
clausit opes, quantum distant a Tigride Gades,
inter se Tanais quantum Nilusque relinquunt :
haec tamen innumeris per se quaesita tropaeis, 45
1 Claudian is thinking of such passages in Homer as e. g. II. xiv. 245-246 :
'Qxeavov, Ss ircp yiveais tAvtwci Htvutm,
or perhaps Vergil's Oceanumque patrem rerum (Virg. Oeorg. iv. 382).
288
THE FOURTH CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
to water the homeland of so illustrious a race ; Ocean laved their cradle, for it befitted the future lords of earth and sea to have their origin in the great father 1 of all things. Hence came Theodosius, grandfather of Honorius, for whom, exultant after his northern victories, Africa twined fresh laurels won from the Massylae. 'Twas he who pitched his camp amid the snows of Caledonia,2 who never doffed his helmet for all the heat of a Libyan summer, who struck terror into the Moors, brought into subjection the coasts of Britain and with equal success laid waste the north and the south. What avail against him the eternal snows, the frozen air, the uncharted sea ? The Orcades ran red with Saxon slaughter ; Thule was warm with the blood of Picts ; ice-bound Hibernia wept for the heaps of slain Scots. Could heat stay the advance of a courageous general ? No ; he overran the deserts of Ethiopia, invested Atlas with troops strange to him, drank of lake Triton where was born the virgin goddess Minerva, beheld the Gorgon's empoisoned lair, and laughed to see the common verdure of those gardens of the Hesperides which story had clothed with gold. Juba's fortress was burned down, the frenzied valour of the Moor yielded to the sword and the palace of ancient Bocchus was razed to the ground.
But thy father's fame far surpassed that of thy grandsire : he subdued Ocean to his governance and set the sky for border to his kingdom, ruling from Gades to the Tigris, and all that lies 'twixt Tanais and Nile ; yet all these lands won by count less triumphs of his own, he gained them not by gift
vol. i
2 Cf. note on xv. 216.
u 289
CLAUDIAN
non generis dono, non ambitione potitus.
digna legi virtus. ultro se purpura supplex
obtulit et solus meruit regnare rogatus.
nam cum barbaries penitus commota gementem inrueret Rhodopen et mixto turbine gentes 50
iam deserta suas in nos transfunderet Arctos, Danuvii totae vomerent cum proelia ripae,
cum Geticis ingens premeretur Mysia plaustris flavaque Bistonios operirent agmina campos,
omnibus adflictis et vel labentibus ictu 55 vel prope casuris : unus tot funera contra
restitit extinxitque faces agrisque colonos
reddidit et leti rapuit de faucibus urbes.
nulla relicta foret Romani nominis umbra,
ni pater ille tuus iamiam ruitura subisset 60
pondera turbatamque ratem certaque levasset naufragium commune manu : velut ordine rupto
cum procul insanae traherent Phaethonta
quadrigae saeviretque dies terramque et stagna propinqui
haurirent radii, solito cum murmur e torvis 65 sol occurrit equis ; qui postquam rursus eriles agnovere sonos, rediit meliore magistro
machina concentusque poli, currusque recepit imperium flammaeque modum.
Sic traditus ille servatusque Oriens. at non pars altera rerum 70
tradita : bis possessa manu, bis parta periclis. per varium gemini scelus erupere tyranni tractibus occiduis : hunc saeva Britannia fudit ;
290
THE FOURTH CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
of birth or from lust of power. It was his own merit secured his election. Unsought the purple begged his acceptance of itself ; he alone when asked to rule was worthy to do so. For when unrest at home drove barbarian hordes over unhappy Rhodope and the now deserted north had poured its tribes in wild confusion across our borders, when all the banks of Danube poured forth battles and broad Mysia rang beneath the chariots of the Getae, when flaxen-haired hordes covered the plains of Thrace and amid this universal ruin all was either prostrate or tottering to its fall, one man alone withstood the tide of disaster, quenched the flames, restored to the husbandmen their fields and snatched the cities from the very jaws of destruction. No shadow of Rome's name had survived had not thy sire borne up the tottering mass, succoured the storm-tossed bark and with sure hand averted universal ship wreck. As when the maddened coursers broke from their path and carried Phaethon far astray, when day's heat grew fierce and the sun's rays, brought near to earth, dried up both land and sea, Phoebus checked his fierce horses with his wonted voice ; for they knew once more their master's tones, and with a happier guide heaven's harmonious order was restored ; for now the chariot again accepted govern ment and its fires control.
Thus was the East entrusted to him and thus was its salvation assured ; but the other half of the world was not so entrusted : twice was the West gained by valour, twice won by dangers. In those lands of the sunset by manifold crime there arose to power tyrants twain : wild Britain produced
one (Maximus), the other (Eugenius) was chosen 291
CLAUDIAN
hunc sibi Germanus famulum delegerat exul :
ausus uterque nefas, domini respersus uterque 75 insontis kigulo. novitas audere priori
suadebat cautumque dabant exempla sequentem. hie nova moliri praeceps, hie quaerere tuta
providus ; hie fusis, collectis viribus ille ;
hie vagus excurrens, hie intra claustra reductus. 80 dissimiles, sed morte pares. evadere neutri
dedecus aut mixtis licuit procumbere teUs.
amissa specie, raptis insignibus ambo
in vultus rediere suos manibusque revinctis
oblati gladiis summittunt colla paratis 85 et vitam veniamque rogant. pro damna pudoris ! qui modo tam densas nutu movere cohortes,
in quos iam dubius sese libraverat orbis,
non hostes victore cadunt, sed iudice sontes ;
damnat voce reos, petiit quos Marte tyrannos. 90 amborum periere duces : hie sponte carina
decidit in fluctus, illum suus abstulit ensis ;
hunc Alpes, hunc pontus habet. solacia caesis fratribus haec ultor tribuit : necis auctor uterque labitur ; Augustas par victima mitigat umbras. 95 has dedit inferias tumulis, iuvenumque duorum purpureos merito placavit sanguine manes.
Illi iustitiam confirmavere triumphi,
1 Maximus was responsible for the murder of the Emperor Gratian, Eugenius for that of Valentinian II. See Intro duction, p. viii.
292
THE FOURTH CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
as a tool by a Frankish outlaw (Arbogast). Both dared monstrous guilt ; both stained their hands with an innocent emperor's 1 blood. Sudden elevation inspired Maximus with audacity, his failure taught his successor caution. Maximus was quick to arm rebellion, Eugenius careful to attempt only what was safe. The one o'erran the country, spreading his forces in all directions, the other kept his troops together and himself secure behind a rampart. Different were they, but in their deaths alike. To neither was it granted to escape an ignominious end and to fall in the thick of the fight. Gone was their glory, their weapons were reft from them and they reduced to their former state ; their arms were bound behind their backs and they stretched forth their necks to the sword's imminent stroke, begging for pardon and for life. What a fall did pride there suffer ! They who but lately had moved such
countless cohorts with but a nod, into whose palm
a wavering world had hung ready to drop, fall not as warriors at a victor's hand but as malefactors before a judge ; he sentences with his voice as criminals those whom he assailed in war as tyrants. With both perished their lieutenants :
Andragathius hurled himself from his ship into the waves, Arbo
gast took his life with his own sword ; the Alps mark the tomb of the one, the sea of the other. This solace at least the avenger afforded to those mur dered brothers that both the authors of their deaths themselves were slain ; two victims went to appease those royal ghosts. Such was Theodosius' oblation at their tomb and with the blood of the guilty he appeased the shades of the two young emperors.
Those triumphs stablished Justice on her throne 293
CLAUDIAN
docuere deos. hinc saecula discant indomitum nihil esse pio tutumve nocenti : 100 nuntius ipse sui longas incognitus egit
praevento rumore vias, inopinus utrumque
perculit et clausos montes, ut plana, reliquit.
extruite inmanes scopulos, attollite turres,
cingite vos fluviis, vastas opponite silvas, 105 Garganum Alpinis Appenninumque nivalem permixtis sociate iugis et rupibus Haemum
addite Caucasiis, involvite Pelion Ossae :
non dabitis murum sceleri. qui vindicet, ibit : omnia subsident meliori pervia causae. 110
Nec tamen oblitus civem cedentibus atrox partibus infremuit ; non insultare iacenti malebat : mitis precibus, pietatis abundans,
poenae parous erat ; paci non intulit iram ;
post acies odiis idem qui terminus armis. 115 profuit hoc vincente capi, multosque subactos prospera1 laturae commendavere catenae.
magnarum largitor opum, largitor honorum
pronus et in melius gaudens converter e fata.
hinc amor, hinc validum devoto milite robur. 120 hinc natis mansura fides.
Hoc nobilis ortu nasceris aequaeva cum maiestate creatus
nullaque privatae passus contagia sortis.
omnibus acceptis ultro te regia solum
protulit et patrio felix adolescis in ostro, 125
1 Birt, with the mss. , aspera ; / return to the prospera of the edit. princeps.
praesentes
1 i. e. by winning first the pity and then the favour of Theodosius.
2 " Only," because Arcadius was born before Theodosius became emperor.
294
THE FOURTH CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
and taught that heaven gives help. From them let the ages learn that righteousness need fear no foe and guilt expect no safety. Himself his own messenger, outstripping the rumour of his approach, Theodosius traversed those long journeys undetected by his enemies. Suddenly he fell on both, passing over entrenched mountains as if they were a plain. Build up monstrous rocks, raise towers, surround yourselves with rivers, set limitless forests to protect you, put Garganus and the snowy Apennines upon
the summits of the Alps that all form one vast moun tain barrier, plant Haemus on the crags of Caucasus, roll Pelion on Ossa, yet will ye not gain security for guilt. The avenger will come ; for the better cause all things shall sink to make a path.
Yet never did Theodosius forget that he and the vanquished were fellow-citizens, nor was his anger implacable against those who yielded. Not his the choice to exult over the fallen. His ears were open to prayers, his clemency unbounded, his vengeance restrained. His anger did not survive
the war to darken the days of peace ; the day that set an end to the combat set an end to his wrath. Capture by such a victor was a gain ; and many a conquered foe did their chains commend to future fortune. 1 As liberal of money as of honours he was ever bent to redress the injuries of fate.
Hence the love, the fortitude, the devotion of his troops ; hence their abiding loyalty to his sons.
Child of so noble a sire, thy kingly state was coeval with thy birth nor ever knewest thou the soilure of a private lot. To thee all things came unsought ; thee only 2 did a palace rear ; thy happy growth was in ancestral purple, and thy limbs, never
295
CLAUDIAN
membraque vestitu numquam violata profano
in sacros cecidere sinus. Hispania patrem
auriferis eduxit aquis, te gaudet alumno
Bosphorus. Hesperio de limine surgit origo,
sed nutrix Aurora tibi ; pro pignore tanto 130 certatur, geminus civem te vindicat axis.
Herculis et Bromii sustentat gloria Thebas,
haesit Apollineo Delos Latonia partu
Cretaque se iactat tenero reptata Tonanti ;
sed melior Delo, Dictaeis clarior oris 135 quae dedit hoc numen regio ; non litora nostro sufficerent angusta deo. nec inhospita Cynthi
saxa tuos artus duro laesere cubili :
adclinis genetrix auro, circumflua gemmis
in Tyrios enixa toros ; ululata verendis 140 aula puerperiis. quae tunc documenta futuri ?
quae voces avium ? quanti per inane volatus ?
qui vatum discursus erat ? tibi corniger Hammon
et dudum taciti rupere silentia Delphi,
te Persae cecinere magi, te sensit Etruscus 145 augur et inspectis Babylonius horruit astris,
Chaldaei stupuere senes Cumanaque rursus
intonuit rupes, rabidae delubra Sibyllae.
nec te progenitum Cybeleius aere sonoro
lustravit Corybas : exercitus undique fulgens 150 adstitit ; ambitur signis augustior infans,
sentit adorantes galeas, redditque ferocem
vagitum lituus.
296
Vitam tibi contulit idem
THE FOURTH CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
outraged by garb profane, were laid upon a hal lowed lap. Spain with its rivers of gold gave birth to thy sire ; Bosporus boasts thee among its children. The West is the cradle of thy race but the East was thine own nurse ; rivals are they for so dear a pledge, either hemisphere claims thee as its citizen. The fame of Hercules and Bacchus has immortalized Thebes ; when Latona gave birth to Apollo in Delos that island stayed its errant course ; it is Crete's boast that over its fields the infant Thunderer crawled. But the land that brought divine Honorius to birth is a greater than Delos, a more famous than
Crete. Such narrow shores would not suffice our god. Nor did the bleak rocks of Cynthus hurt thy body with their rough bed ; on couch of gold, clothed in jewelled raiment, thy mother gave birth to thee amid Tyrian purples ; a palace rang with
joy at that royal deliverance. What presages were there not then of future prosperity ? what songs of birds, what flights of good omen in the heavens ? What was the hurrying to and fro of seers ? Horned Ammon and Delphi so long dumb at length broke their silence ; Persian magi prophesied thy triumphs ; Tuscan augurs felt thine influence ; seers of Babylon beheld the stars and trembled ; amazement seized the Chaldaean priests ; the rock of Cumae, shrine
of raging Sibyl, thundered once again. Cybele's corybants surrounded not thy cradle with the clatter of their brazen shields ; a shining host stood by thee on every side. Standards of war hedged in the royal babe who marked the bowed helmets of the worshipping soldiery while the trumpet's blare answered his warlike cries.
The day that gave thee birth gave thee a kingdom ; 297
CLAUDIAN
imperiumque dies ; inter cunabula consul
proveheris, signas posito modo nomine fastos 155 donaturque tibi, qui te produxerat, annus.
ipsa Quirinali parvum te cinxit amictu
mater et ad primas docuit reptare curules.
uberibus Sanctis inmortalique dearum
crescis adoratus gremio : tibi saepe Diana 160
Maenalios arcus venatricesque pharetras
suspendit, puerile decus ; tu saepe Minervae
lusisti clipeo fulvamque impune pererrans
aegida tractasti blandos interritus angues ;
saepe tuas etiam tum gaudente marito 165 velavit regina comas festinaque voti
praesumptum diadema dedit, tum lenibus ulnis
sustulit et magno porrexit ad oscula patri.
nec dilatus honos : mutatur principe Caesar ;
protinus aequaris fratri. 170 Non certius umquam
hortati superi, nullis praesentior aether
adfuit ominibus. tenebris involverat atra
lumen hiems densosque Notus collegerat imbres.
sed mox, cum solita miles te voce levasset,
nubila dissolvit Phoebus pariterque dabantur 175 sceptra tibi mundoque dies : caligine liber Bosphorus adversam patitur Calchedona cerni.
nec tantum vicina nitent, sed tota repulsis
nubibus exuitur Thrace, Pangaea renident insuetosque palus radios Maeotia vibrat. 180
1 Honorius, who was born Sept. 9, 384, was made consul for 386.
2 Arcadius was made Augustus Jan. 16 (? 19), 383 : Honorius not till Nov. 20, 393. Both succeeded to the throne Jan. 17, 395.
298
THE FOURTH CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
in thy cradle thou wast raised to the consulship. 1 With the name so recently bestowed upon thee thou dowerest the fasti and the year wherein thou wert born is consecrated to thee. Thy mother herself wrapped thy small form in the consular robe and directed thy first steps to the curule chair. Nourished at a goddess' breasts, honoured with the embraces of im mortal arms thou grewest to maturity. Oft to grace thy boyish form Diana hung upon thy shoulders her Maenalian bow and huntress' quiver ; oft thou didst sport with Minerva's shield and, crawling unharmed over her glittering aegis, didst caress its friendly
serpents with fearless hand. Often even in those early days thy mother beneath thy sire's happy gaze crowned thy tender locks and, anticipating the answer to her prayers, gave thee the diadem that was to be thine hereafter ; then raising thee in her gentle arms she held thee up to receive thy mighty father's kiss. Nor was that honour long in coming ; thou, then Caesar, didst become emperor and wert straightway made equal with thy brother. 2
Never was the encouragement of the gods more sure, never did heaven attend with more favouring omens. Black tempest had shrouded the light in darkness and the south wind gathered thick rain- clouds, when of a sudden, so soon as the soldiers had borne thee aloft with customary shout, Phoebus scattered the clouds and at the same moment was given to thee the sceptre, to the world light. Bos porus, freed from clouds, permits a sight of Chalcedon on the farther shore ; nor is it only the vicinity of Byzantium that is bathed in brightness ; the clouds are driven back and all Thrace is cleared ; Pangaeus shows afar and lake Maeotis makes quiver the rays he
299
CLAUDIAN
nec Boreas nimbos aut sol ardentior egit :
imperii lux illa fuit ; praesagus obibat
cuncta nitor risitque tuo natura sereno.
262
EPITHALAMIUM
Pinker thy fingers than Aurora's, firmer thy
red !
shoulders than Diana's ; even thy mother dost thou surpass. If Bacchus, Ariadne's lover, could trans form his mistress' garland into a constellation how comes it that a more beauteous maid has no crown of stars ? Even now Bootes is weaving for thee a starry crown, even now heaven brings new stars to birth to do thee honour. Go, mate with one who is worthy of thee and share with him an empire co-extensive with the world. Ister now shall do thee homage ; all nations shall adore thy name. Now Rhine and Elbe shall be thy slaves ; thou shalt be queen among the Sygambri. Why should I number the peoples and the Atlantic's distant shores ? The whole world alike shall be thy dowry. "
She spake and fitted to Maria's neck and shining limbs the rich gear which the happy Nereids had
just given her. She parted her hair with the spear's point, girded up her dress, and with her own hands
set the veil over the maiden's hair. 1 The cession is halted singing at the door ; brightly gleams the holy chariot in which the new bride is to fare. The prince burns to run and meet her and longs for the sun's tardy setting. Even so the noble steed when first the smell that stirs his passions smites upon him proudly shakes his thick, disordered mane and courses over Pharsalia's plains. His nostrils are aflame and with a neighing he greets the streams that saw his birth. His masters smile at the hope of their stud's increase, and the mares take pleasure in their handsome mate.
Meanwhile the army has laid aside its swords : the soldiers are dressed in white and throng around Stilicho, the bride's father. No standard-bearer nor
263
pro
CLAUDIAN
nec miles pluviae flores dispergere ritu
cessat purpureoque ducem perfundere nimbo. haec quoque velati lauro myrtoque canebant :
" Dive parens, seu te complectitur axis Olympi, seu premis Elysias animarum praemia valles, 301 en promissa tibi Stilicho iam vota peregit ;
iam gratae rediere vices ; cunabula pensat ; acceptum reddit thalamum natoque reponit,
quod dederat genitor. numquam te, sancte, pigebit iudicii nec te pietas suprema fefellit. 306 dignus cui leges, dignus cui pignora tanti
principis et rerum commendarentur habenae.
dicere possemus, quae proelia gesta sub Haemo quaeque cruentarint fumantem Strymona pugnae, quam notus clipeo, quanta vi fulminet hostem, 311
ni prohiberet Hymen, quae tempestiva relatu, nunc canimus. quis consilio, quis iuris et aequi nosse modum melior ? quod semper dissilit, in te convenit, ingenio robur, prudentia forti. 315 fronte quis aequali ? quem sic Romana decerent culmina ? sufficerent tantis quae pectora curis ?
stes licet in populo, clamet quicumque videbit :
' hic est, hic Stilicho '
! sic se testatur et offert
celsa potestatis species, non voce feroci, 320 non alto simulata gradu, non improba gestu. adfectant alii quidquid fingique laborant,
hoc donat natura tibi. pudor emicat una
264
EPITHALAMIUM
common soldier fails to scatter flowers like rain and to drench their leader in a mist of purple blossoms. Crowned with laurel and myrtle they sing : " Blessed father, whether the vault of heaven is thy home, or thou walkest in Elysium, the mansion of the blest, behold Stilicho hath now fulfilled the promises he made thee. A happy interchange has now been made : he compensates thee for his upbringing, and renders marriage in return for marriage, giving back to a son what thou, that son's father, gave to him. Never needst thou repent of thy choice ; a dying father's love misled thee not. Worthy is he to be thine heir, worthy to be entrusted with the child of so powerful a prince and to hold the reins of government. Now could I tell of the battles fought beneath the slopes of Mount Haemus, the contests wherefrom Strymon reeked red with blood ; I could sing the fame of his arms and how, like a thunder bolt, he falls upon his foes, but the marriage- god says me nay. Our song must be such as now befits the singing. Who can surpass Stilicho in counsel ? who in knowledge of law and equity ? In thee are two opposed qualities reconciled, wisdom and strength, prudence and fortitude. Was e'er so noble a brow ? Whom would Rome's
highest place more befit ? What heart but thine is strong
enough to bear so many troubles ? Shouldst thou stand amid the crowd whoe'er shall see thee would exclaim, ' That is Stilicho. ' It is thus that the aspect of supreme majesty brings its own witness— not with arrogant voice, or pompous walk, or haughty gesture. The graces which others affect and strive to seem to possess are thine by nature's gift. Modesty shines forth together with a noble stern
265
CLAUDIAN
formosusque rigor vultusque auctura verendos canities festina venit. cum sorte remota 325
contingat senio gravitas viresque iuventae, utraque te cingit propriis insignibus aetas. ornatur Fortuna viro. non ulla nocendi tela nec infecti iugulis civilibus enses.
non odium terrore moves nec frena resolvit 330
gratia ; diligimus pariter pariterque timemus.
ipse metus te noster amat, iustissime legum
arbiter, egregiae pacis fidissime custos,
optime ductorum, fortunatissime patrum.
plus iam, plus domino cuncti debere fatemur, 335 quod gener est, invicte, tuus. vincire corona ; insere te nostris contempto iure choreis.
sic puer Eucherius superet virtute parentem ;
aurea sic videat similes Thermantia taedas ;
sic uterus crescat Mariae ; sic natus in ostro 340 parvus Honoriades genibus considat avitis. "
1 Eucherius (born about 388) was the son, and Ther mantia the younger daughter, of Stilicho and Serena. After the death of Maria she became Honorius' second wife.
266
EPITHALAMIUM
ness, and white hairs come hastening to increase the reverence of thy face. Though dignity be the crown of age and strength, by a far different lot, of youth, yet either season decks thee with its own peculiar honours. Thou art the ornament of fortune. Never tookst thou up the sword for hurt nor ever didst steep its blade in citizens' blood. No cruelties on thy part aroused men's hatred ; favouritism never slacks the reins of justice. We love thee, yet we fear thee. Our very fear testifies to our love, O thou most righteous interpreter of Law, guardian most sure of peace with honour, greatest of our generals, most blessed among the fathers of our country. We all confess that now we owe our emperor an even
firmer allegiance for that thou, hero invincible, art the father of his bride. Crown thy head with a garland, lay aside thy rank for a moment and join our dances. An thou dost this, so may thy son Eucherius 1 surpass the virtues of his sire ; so may
the fair Thermantia,1 thy daughter, live to see a marriage such as this ; so may Maria's womb grow big and a little Honorius, born in the purple, rest on his grandsire's lap. "
267
PANEGYRICUS
DE TERTIO CONSULATU HONORII AUGUSTI
PRAEFATIO
(VI. )
Parvos non aquilis fas est educere fetus ante fidem solis iudiciumque poli.
nam pater, excusso saluit cum tegmine proles ovaque maternus rupit hiulca tepor,
protinus implumes convertit ad aethera nidos 5 et recto flammas imperat ore pati.
consulit ardentes radios et luce magistra natorum vires ingeniumque probat.
degenerem refugo torsit qui lumine visum,
unguibus hunc saevis ira paterna ferit. 10
exploratores oculis qui pertulit ignes sustinuitque acie nobiliore diem,
nutritur volucrumque potens et fulminis heres, gesturus summo tela trisulca Iovi.
me quoque Pieriis temptatum saepius antris 15 audet magna suo mittere Roma deo.
iam dominas aures, iam regia tecta meremur et chelys Augusto iudice nostra sonat.
268
PANEGYRIC ON THE THIRD CONSULSHIP OF THE EMPEROR HONORIUS (a. d. 396)
PREFACE
(VI)
Eagles may not rear their young without the sun's permission and the goodwill of heaven. So soon as the chicks have shattered their shells and issued forth, after that the warmth of their mother's body has cracked the opening egg, the father bird makes haste to carry the unfledged nestlings aloft and bids them gaze at the sun's fires with unblinking eye. He takes counsel of those bright beams and under light's schooling makes trial of the strength and temper of
his sons. The angry father strikes with pitiless talons the degenerate who turns away his glance, but he whose eye can bear the searching flame, who with bolder sight can outstare the noonday sun, is brought up a king of birds, heir to the thunderbolt, destined to carry Jove's three-forked weapon. So mighty Rome fears not to send me, oft tested e'er now in the Muses' caverns, to face the emperor, her god. Now have I won an emperor's ear, the entrance to an
emperor's palace and the emperor himself as judge of my lyre's song.
269
PANEGYRICUS
(VII. )
Tertia Romulei sumant exordia fasces
terque tuas ducat bellatrix pompa curules ;
festior annus eat cinctusque imitata Gabinos
dives Hydaspeis augescat purpura gemmis ; succedant armis trabeae, tentoria lictor 5 ambiat et Latiae redeant ad signa secures.
tuque o qui patrium curis aequalibus orbem
Eoo cum fratre regis, procede secundis
alitibus Phoebique novos ordire meatus,
spes votumque poli, quem primo a limine vitae 10 nutrix aula fovet, strictis quem fulgida telis
inter laurigeros aluerunt castra triumphos.
ardua privatos nescit Fortuna penates
et regnum cum luce dedit. cognata potestas excepit Tyrio venerabile pignus in ostro 15 lustravitque tuos aquilis victricibus ortus
miles et in mediis cunabula praebuit hastis.
te nascente ferox toto Germania Rheno
1 The ductus Gabinus was one of the insignia of the consul ship. It consisted in girding the toga tight round the body by means of one of its laciniae ( = loose ends). Servius (on Virg. Aen. vii. 612) has a story that Gabii was invaded during the performance of a sacrifice and that the parti cipants repulsed the enemy in their cinctus.
270
PANEGYRIC
(VII)
Let the consular fasces of Romulus open a third year, and for the third time let the warlike procession accompany thy curule litter. More festal in array be the coming year, and let purple, folded in Gabine 1 guise, be proudly enriched with gems of Hydaspes ; let the cloak of peace succeed the arms of war ; let the lictor guard the consul's tent and the Latin axes return to the standards. 2 And do thou, Honorius, who with thy brother, lord of the East, governest with equal care a world that was once thy sire's, go thy way with favourable omens and order the sun's new course, thyself heaven's hope and desire, palace-nurtured even from life's threshold, to whom the camp, gleaming with drawn swords, gave schooling among the laurels of victory. Thy towering fortune has never known the condition of a private citizen ; when thou wast born thou wast born a king. Power which was thine by birth received thee, a precious pledge, amid the purple ; soldiers bearing victorious standards inaugurated thy birth and set thy cradle in the midst of arms. When thou wast born fierce Germany trembled along
2 Claudian suggests the uniting of civil and military power in the hands of Honorius.
271
CLAUDIAN
intremuit movitque suas formidine silvas
Caucasus et positis numen confessa pharetris 20 ignavas Meroe traxit de crine sagittas.
reptasti per scuta puer, regumque recentes
exuviae tibi ludus erant, primusque solebas
aspera complecti torvum post proelia patrem,
signa triumphato quotiens flexisset ab Histro 25 Arctoa de strage calens, et poscere partem
de spoliis, Scythicos arcus aut rapta Gelonis
cingula vel iaculum Daci vel frena Suebi.
ille coruscanti clipeo te saepe volentem
sustulit adridens et pectore pressit anhelo 30 intrepidum ferri galeae nec triste timentem
fulgur et ad summas tendentem brachia cristas.
tum sic laetus ait : " rex o stellantis Olympi,
talis perdomito redeat mihi filius hoste,
Hyrcanas populatus opes aut caede superbus 35 Assyria, sic ense rubens, sic flamine crebro
turbidus et grato respersus pulvere belli,
armaque gaviso referat captiva parenti. "
Mox ubi firmasti recto vestigia gressu,
non tibi desidias molles nec marcida luxu 40 otia nec somnos genitor permisit inertes,
sed nova per duros instruxit membra labores
et cruda teneras exercuit indole vires :
frigora saeva pati, gravibus non cedere nimbis, aestivum tolerare iubar, transnare sonoras 45 torrentum furias, ascensu vincere montes,
272
THE THIRD CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
the Rhine's full course, Caucasus shook his forests in fear, and the people of Meroe, confessing thy divinity, laid aside their quivers and drew the use less arrows from their hair. As a child thou didst crawl among shields, fresh-won spoils of monarchs were thy playthings, and thou wert ever the first to embrace thy stern father on his return from rude battles, when that, reeking with the blood of northern savages, he came home victorious from
his conquest over the tribes of the Danube. Then wouldst thou demand thy share of the spoils, a Scythian bow or a belt won from the Geloni, a Dacian spear or Suabian bridle. Often would he smile on thee and uplift thee, eager for the honour, on his shining shield, and clasp thee to his still panting bosom. Thou fearedst not his coat of mail nor the dread gleam of his helmet but stretchedst out thy hands to grasp its lofty plumes. Then in his joy
proud with the slaughter of the Assyrians ; his sword thus red with blood, his countenance thus roughened by the constant blasts and stained with the welcome dust of heroic combat, may he bring back to his happy father the arms of his conquered foes. "
Soon when thou couldst stand upright and walk with firm step thy sire forbade thee enervating sloth, luxurious ease, time-wasting slumbers. He strength
ened thy young limbs with hard toils and rude was the training wherewith he exercised thy tender powers. Thou wert taught to bear winter's cruel cold, to shrink not before storm and tempest, to face the heat of summer, to swim across loud-roaring torrents, to
vol. i t 273
"
King of starry Olympus, may
thy father cried :
this my son return in like manner from the lands of conquered foes, rich with the spoils of Hyrcania or
CLAUDIAN
planitiem cursu, valles et concava saltu, nec non in clipeo vigiles producere noctes,
in galea potare nives, nunc spicula cornu
tendere, nunc glandes Baleari spargere funda. 50 quoque magis nimium pugnae inflammaret amorem, facta tui numerabat avi, quem litus adustae
horrescit Libyae ratibusque impervia Thule :
ille leves Mauros nec falso nomine Pictos
edomuit Scottumque vago mucrone secutus 55 fregit Hyperboreas remis audacibus undas
et geminis fulgens utroque sub axe tropaeis
Tethyos alternae refluas calcavit harenas.
hos tibi virtutum stimulos, haec semina laudum, haec exempla dabat. non ocius hausit Achilles 60 semiferi praecepta senis, seu cuspidis artes
sive lyrae cantus medicas seu disceret herbas.
Interea turbata fides. civilia rursus
bella tonant dubiumque quatit discordia mundum. pro crimen superum, longi pro dedecus aevi : 65 barbarus Hesperias exul possederat urbes
sceptraque deiecto dederat Romana clienti.
iam princeps molitur iter gentesque remotas
colligit Aurorae, tumidus quascumque pererrat 69 Euphrates, quas lustrat Halys, quas ditat Orontes ; turiferos Arabes saltus, vada Caspia Medi,
Armenii Phasin, Parthi liquere Niphaten.
Quae tibi tum Martis rabies quantusque sequendi ardor erat ? quanto flagrabant pectora voto
1 Pict, to a Roman, means " painted. " They were " well- named Picts " because they painted themselves with woad
or other stain. " 2 Arbogast is " the
barbarian," Eugenius (by trade a rhetorician) the dependent. " See Introduction, p. ix.
274
THE THIRD CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
climb mountains, to run o'er the plain, to leap ravines and hollows, to spend sleepless nights of watching under arms, to drink melted snow from thy casque, to shoot the arrow from the bow or hurl the acorn-missiles with a Balearic sling. And the more to inflame thy heart with love of battle he would recount to thee the deeds of thy grandsire, object of dread to Libya's sun-scorched shores and Thule whither no ship can sail. He conquered the fleet Moors and the well-named 1 Picts ; his roaming sword pursued the flying Scot ; his adventurous oars broke the surface of the northern seas. Crowned with the spoils of triumphs won beneath the northern and the southern sky he trod the wave-swept strand of either Ocean. Thus did he spur thy courage, thus sow the seeds of fame ; these were the examples he gave. Not more avidly did Achilles himself drink in the Centaur's precepts when he learnt of him how to wield the spear or play the lyre or discern healing plants.
Meanwhile the world forgot its loyalty ; the thunder of civil war sounded afresh and discord shook the tottering earth. O ye guilty gods ! O shame everlasting ! — a barbarian 2 exile had possessed him self of the cities of Italy and had entrusted the government of Rome to some low-born dependent. But Theodosius was already afoot, rallying to his standard the distant nations of the East, the dwellers on the banks of flooding Euphrates, clear Halys, and
rich Orontes. The Arabs left their spicy groves, the Medes the waters of the Caspian Sea, the Armenians the river Phasis, the Parthians the Niphates.
What lust of battle then filled thy heart, what
longing to accompany thy father !
What would not 275
CLAUDIAN
optatas audire tubas campique cruenta tempestate frui truncisque inmergere plantas ?
ut leo, quem fulvae matris spelunca tegebat uberibus solitum pasci, cum crescere sensit ungue pedes et terga iubis et dentibus ora, iam negat imbelles epulas et rupe relicta Gaetulo comes ire patri stabulisque minari
aestuat et celsi tabo sordere iuvenci.
ille vetat rerumque tibi commendat habenas et sacro meritos ornat diademate crines. tantaque se rudibus pietas ostendit in annis, sic aetas animo cessit, quererentur ut omnes
imperium tibi sero datum.
Victoria velox auspiciis effecta tuis. Pugnastis uterque :
tu fatis genitorque manu. te propter et Alpes invadi faciles cauto nec profuit hosti
munitis haesisse locis : spes inrita valli
concidit et scopulis patuerunt claustra revulsis.
te propter gelidis Aquilo de monte procellis obruit adversas acies revolutaque tela
vertit in auctores et turbine reppulit hastas. o nimium dilecte deo, cui fundit ab antris Aeolus armatas hiemes, cui militat aether et coniurati veniunt ad classica venti. Alpinae rubuere nives, et Frigidus amnis
276
THE THIRD CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
thine eager spirit have given to hear the beloved clarion's note and to revel in the bloody storm of battle, trampling upon the slaughtered bodies of thy
Like a
young
lion in a cave, accustomed to look
foes !
for nourishment to the teats of its tawny mother, who, so soon as he finds talons beginning to grow from out his paws and a mane sprout from his neck and teeth arm his jaws, will have none of this in glorious food but burns to leave his cavern home and accompany his Gaetulian sire, to bring death upon the herds and steep him in the gore of some tall steer. But Theodosius said thee nay, and put the reins of government into thy hands, crowning thy head with the sacred diadem it wore so meetly. And so did thy virtue show in earliest years, so did thy soul out-range thy youth that all complained that to thee empire was granted late.
Swiftly beneath thy auspices was victory achieved. Both fought for us—thou with thy happy influence, thy father with his strong right arm. Thanks to thee the Alps lay open to our armies, nor did it avail the careful foe to cling to fortified posts. Their ramparts, and the trust they put therein, fell ; the rocks were torn away and their hiding-places exposed. Thanks to thine influence the wind of the frozen North overwhelmed the enemy's line with his mountain storms, hurled back their weapons upon the throwers and with the violence of his tempest drove back their spears. Verily God is with thee, when at thy behest Aeolus frees the armed tempests from his cave, when the very elements fight for thee and the allied winds come at the call of thy trumpets. The Alpine snows grew red with slaughter, the cold Frigidus, its waters turned to blood, ran hot and steaming, and would
277
CLAUDIAN
mutatis fumavit aquis turbaque cadentum 100 staret, ni rapidus iuvisset flumina sanguis.
At ferus inventor scelerum traiecerat altum
non uno mucrone latus, duplexque tepebat
ensis, et ultrices in se converterat iras
tandem iusta manus. iam libertate reducta, 105 quamvis emeritum peteret natura reverti
numen et auratas astrorum panderet arces nutaretque oneris venturi conscius Atlas,
distulit Augustus cupido se credere caelo,
dum tibi pacatum praesenti traderet orbem. 110 nec mora : Bistoniis alacer consurgis ab oris,
inter barbaricas ausus transire cohortes
impavido vultu ; linquis Rhodopeia saxa
Orpheis animata modis ; iuga deseris Oetes Herculeo damnata rogo ; post Pelion intras 115 Nereis inlustre toris ; te pulcher Enipeus
celsaque Dodone stupuit rursusque locutae
in te Chaoniae moverunt carmina quercus. Illyrici legitur plaga litoris ; arva teruntur
Dalmatiae ; Phrygii numerantur stagna Timavi. 120 gaudent Italiae sublimibus oppida muris
adventu sacrata tuo, summissus adorat
Eridanus blandosque iubet mitescere fluctus
et Phaethonteas solitae deflere ruinas
roscida frondosae revocant electra sorores. 125
Quanti tum iuvenes, quantae sprevere pudorem spectandi studio matres, puerisque severi
1 This is obscure. Zosimus (iv. 58. 6) and Socrates (v. 25) merely mention suicide, but from Claudian's account it looks as though, like Nero, Arbogast's courage had failed him and an attendant had had to help him to his death.
2 The Fons Timavi (near Aquileia and the river Frigidus) is called Trojan from the story of the colonization of Venetia by the Trojan Antenor (Livy i. 1 . 3).
278
THE THIRD CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
have been choked with the heaps of corpses had not their own fast-flowing gore helped on its course.
Meanwhile Arbogast, the cause of this wicked war, had pierced his side deep not with a single blade : two swords 1 reeked with his blood, and his own hand, learning justice at last, had turned its savage fury against himself. Thus was liberty restored ; but though Nature demanded the return to heaven of divine Theodosius whose work was now accomplished, though the sky threw open the golden palaces of its starry vault and Atlas staggered
to which Orpheus' lyre gave life ; thou quittest the heights of Oeta, scene of Hercules' ill-omened funeral pyre ; next thou climbest Pelion, famed for the marriage of Peleus and Thetis. Fair Enipeus and lofty Dodona look upon thee in amaze, and the oaks of Chaonia, finding tongues once more, utter oracles in thine honour. Thou skirtest the extreme coasts of Illyria and, passing over Dalmatia's fields, dost cross in turn the nine sources of Trojan Timavus. 2 The high-walled cities of Italy rejoice in the bless ings of thy presence. Eridanus bows his head and worships, bidding his waves flow gently to the sea ; and Phaethon's leafy sisters, that ever weep their brother's death, check the flow of their dewy amber.
How many youths, how many matrons set modesty aside in eagerness to behold thee ! Austere grey
279
the burden he was to bear, yet did the
knowing
emperor forbear to entrust him to expectant Olympus until he could in thy presence hand over to thee a world at peace. Straightway didst thou, Honorius, leave the coasts of Thrace, and, braving the dangers of the journey, pass without a tremor through the hordes of barbarians. Thou leavest the rocks of Rhodope
CLAUDIAN
certavere senes, cum tu genitaris amico
exceptus gremio mediam veherere per urbem velaretque pios communis laurea currus ! 130 quis non Luciferum roseo cum Sole videri
credidit aut iunctum Bromio radiare Tonantem ? floret cristatis exercitus undique turmis,
quisque sua te voce canens. praestringit aena
lux oculos, nudique seges Mavortia ferri 135 ingeminat splendore diem. pars nobilis arcu,
pars longe iaculis, pars comminus horrida contis ;
hi volucres tollunt aquilas, hi picta draconum
colla levant, multusque tumet per nubila serpens iratus stimulante Noto vivitque receptis 140 flatibus et vario mentitur sibila tractu.
Ut ventum ad sedes, cunctos discedere tectis
dux iubet et generum compellat talibus ultro :
" bellipotens Stilicho, cuius mihi robur in armis,
pace probata fides : quid enim per proelia gessi 145 te sine ? quem merui te non sudante triumphum ? Odrysium pariter Getico foedavimus Hebrum sanguine, Sarmaticas pariter prostravimus alas
Riphaeaque simul fessos porreximus artus
in glacie stantemque rota sulcavimus Histrum : 150
ergo age, me quoniam caelestis regia poscit,
tu curis succede meis, tu pignora solus
nostra fove : geminos dextra tu protege fratres. 280
THE THIRD CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
beards struggle with boys for places whence to see thee in the tender embraces of thy sire, borne through the midst of Rome on a triumphal chariot decked but with the shade of a simple laurel branch. Who did not then think that he beheld the morning- star together with the rosy sun, or the Thunderer shine in concert with Bacchus ? On every side
stretches the host of plumed warriors, each hymning thy praises in his own tongue ; the brightness of bronze dazzles the eye and the martial glint of a forest of unsheathed swords redoubles the light of day. Some are decked with bows, others bristle with far-flung javelins or pikes for fighting at close quarters. These raise standards adorned with flying eagles, or with embroidered dragons or writhing serpents, that in their thousands seem to be
roused to angry life by the breath of the wind which, as it blows them this way and that, causes them to rustle with a sound like the hiss of a living snake.
When they reached the palace the emperor bade all depart and thus unbidden addressed his son-in- law : " Victorious Stilicho, of whose courage in war, of whose loyalty in peace I have made proof —what warlike feat have I performed without thine aid ? What triumph have I won that thou helpedst me not in the winning ?
Together we caused Thracian Hebrus to run red with Getic blood, together overthrew the squadrons of the Sarmatae, together rested our weary limbs on the snows of
Mount Riphaeus and seared the frozen Danube with our chariot's wheel — come, therefore, since
heaven's halls claim me, do thou take
task ; be thou sole guardian of my children, let thy hand protect my two sons. I adjure thee by
up my 281
CLAUDIAN
per consanguineos thalamos noctemque beatam,
per taedas, quas ipsa tuo regina levavit 153 coniugio sociaque nurum produxit ab aula,
indue mente patrem, crescentes dilige fetus
ut ducis, ut soceri. Iamiam securus ad astra
te custode ferar ; rupta si mole Typhoeus
prosiliat, vinclis Tityos si membra resolvat, 160 si furor Enceladi proiecta mugiat Aetna,
opposito Stilichone cadent. "
Nec plura locutus, sicut erat, liquido signavit tramite nubes
ingrediturque globum Lunae limenque relinquit Arcados et Veneris clementes advolat auras. 165 hinc Phoebi permensus iter flammamque nocentem Gradivi placidumque Iovem ; stetit arce suprema, algenti qua zona riget Saturnia tractu.
machina laxatur caeli rutilaeque patescunt
sponte fores. Arctoa parat convexa Bootes, 170 australes reserat portas succinctus Orion
invitantque novum sidus, pendentque vicissim
quas partes velit ipse sequi, quibus esse sodalis
dignetur stellis aut qua regione morari.
o decus aetherium, terrarum gloria quondam, 175 te tuus Oceanus natali gurgite lassum
excipit et notis Hispania proluit undis.
fortunate parens, primos cum detegis ortus,
adspicis Arcadium ; cum te proclivior urges, occiduum visus remoratur Honorius ignem ; 180
et quocumque vagos flectas sub cardine cursus, 282
THE THIRD CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
that marriage that makes thee kin with me, by the night that saw its consummation, by the torch
which at thy wedding-feast the queen carried in her own hand when she led thy bride-elect from out
the imperial palace, take on thee a father's spirit, guard the years of their childhood. Was not their sire thy master and thy wife's father ? Now, now I shall mount untroubled to the stars for thou wilt watch over them. Even should Typhoeus rend away the rocks and leap forth, should Tityus free his captive limbs, should Enceladus, hurling Etna from him, roar in rage — each and all will fall before Stilicho's attack. "
He spake no more but still in human form clove a furrow of light through the clouds ; he passes to Luna's globe, leaves Mercury's threshold and hastens to the gentle airs of Venus. Hence he tra verses Phoebus' path, Mars' baleful fires and Jupiter's quiet quarters, and stands upon the very crown of the sky, cold Saturn's frozen zone. Heaven's fabric opens, unbidden the shining doors swing back. Bootes prepares a place in the vault of the northern sky, sword-girt Orion unbars the portals of the south ;
offer welcome to the new star, uncertain each in turn to what region he will betake himself, what constellation he will grace with his presence, or in what quarter he will elect to shine alone. O glory of heaven as once thou wert of earth, the ocean that laves the shores of the land of thy birth receives thee wearied with thy nightly course, Spain bathes thee in thy natal waves. Happy father, when first thou risest above the horizon thou lookest upon Arcadius, when thou dippest to thy setting the sight of Honorius delays thy westering fires. Through whichever hemisphere thou takest thy wandering
283
they
CLAUDIAN
natorum per regna venis, qui mente serena maturoque regunt iunctas moderamine gentes, saecula qui rursus formant meliore metallo. luget Avarities Stygiis innexa catenis
cumque suo demens expellitur Ambitus auro. non dominantur opes nec corrumpentia sensus dona valent : emitur sola virtute potestas.
Unanimi fratres, quorum mare terraque fatis debetur, quodcumque manus evasit avitas, quod superest patri : vobis iam Mulciber arma praeparat et Sicula Cyclops incude laborat, Brontes innumeris exasperat aegida signis, altum fulminea crispare in casside conum festinat Steropes, nectit thoraca Pyragmon ignifluisque gemit Lipare fumosa cavernis. vobis Ionia virides Neptunus in alga
nutrit equos, qui summa freti per caerula possint ferre viam segetemque levi percurrere motu, nesciat ut spumas nec proterat ungula culmos. iam video Babylona rapi Parthumque coactum non ficta trepidare fuga, iam Bactra teneri legibus et famulis Gangen pallescere ripis
gemmatosque humilem dispergere Persida cultus. ite per extremum Tanaim pigrosque Triones,
ijte per ardentem Libyam, superate vapores solis et arcanos Nili deprendite fontes, Herculeum finem, Bacchi transcurrite metas :
Indus ebur, ramos Panchaia, vellera Seres. 284
vestri iuris erit, quidquid complectitur
vobis Rubra dabunt pretiosas aequora conchas,
axis,
THE THIRD CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
journey, thou passest over the domains of sons who with tranquil mind and ripe control rule over allied peoples, who once again fashion the ages from a nobler ore. Avarice is left to weep in
Stygian chains, mad Ambition and his gold banished afar.
Wealth does not hold sway ; sense-corrupting gifts are of no avail ; virtue alone can purchase power.
Brothers twain, with the heart of one, brothers to
whose rule fate has entrusted sea and land, if there
is aught that has escaped your grandsire's conquering hand, aught your father has left unsubdued, even now Vulcan prepares the arms for their subjection and Cyclops labours on the Sicilian anvil. Brontes carves countless figures on the shield, Steropes hastes to bend the lofty peak of the flashing helmet, Pyrag- mon knits the coat of mail, smoky Lipare roars throughout its fire-belching caves. 'Tis for you that Neptune pastures in the sea-weed meadows of the Ionian main green sea-horses who can fly o'er the surface of the blue waters with so light a step that their hoofs are unflecked with foam, and course o'er fields of corn so delicately that the ears do not bend beneath their weight. E'en now I see the sack of Babylon and the Parthian driven to flight that is not feigned, Bactria subjected to the Law, the fearful pallor of the Ganges' servile banks, the humbled Per sian throwing off his gem-encrusted robes. Mount
to Tanais' source, explore the frozen North, traverse sun-scorched Libya, o'ercome the fires of Titan and surprise Nile's hidden spring ; pass the Pillars of Hercules, the bourne, too, whence Bacchus returned ; whatever heaven enfolds shall own your dominion. To you the Red Sea shall give precious shells, India her ivory, Panchaia perfumes, and China silk.
285
PANEGYRICUS
DE QUARTO CONSULATU HONORII AUGUSTI
(VIII. )
Auspiciis iterum sese regalibus annus
induit et nota fruitur iactantior aula,
limina nec passi circum privata morari
exultant reduces Augusto consule fasces,
cernis ut armorum proceres legumque potentes 5 patricios sumant 1 habitus ? et more Gabino
discolor incedit legio positisque parumper bellorum signis sequitur vexilla Quirini.
lictori cedunt aquilae ridetque togatus
miles et in mediis effulget curia castris. 10 ipsa Palatino circumvallata senatu
iam trabeam Bellona gerit parmamque removit
et galeam sacras umeris vectura curules.
nec te laurigeras pudeat, Gradive, secures
pacata gestare manu Latiaque micantem 15 loricam mutare toga, dum ferreus haeret
currus et Eridani ludunt per prata iugales.
Haud indigna coli nec nuper cognita Marti Ulpia progenies et quae diademata mundo
sparsit Hibera domus. nec tantam vilior unda 20 1 sumant B ; Birt reads sumunt, following the other uss.
286
As marking a festival ; see note on vii. 3.
PANEGYRIG ON THE FOURTH CONSULSHIP OF THE EMPEROR HONORIUS (a. d. 398)
(VIII)
Once more the year opens under royal auspices and enjoys in fuller pride its famous prince ; not
to linger around private thresholds the returning fasces rejoice in Caesar's consulship Seest thou how the armed chiefs and mighty judges don the raiment of senators ? and the soldiers step forth in garb of peaceful hue worn Gabine 1 wise, and laying aside for a season the standards of war follow the banner of Quirinus. The eagles give way to the lictors, the smiling soldier wears the toga of peace and the senate-house casts
its brilliance in the midst of the camp. Bellona herself, surrounded by a noble band of senators, puts on the consul's gown and lays by her shield and helmet in order to harness the sacred curule chair to her shoulders. Think it no shame, Gradivus, to bear the laurel-crowned axes in a hand of peace and to
brooking
for the Latin toga while thine iron chariot remains unused and
exchange thy shining breastplate
thy steeds disport them in the pastures of Eridanus.
Not unworthy of reverence nor but acquainted with war is the family of Trajan and that
house which has showered diadems upon the world. No common stream was held worthy
287
Spanish
newly
GLAUDIAN
promeruit gentis seriem : cunabula fovit
Oceanus ; terrae dominos pelagique futuros
inmenso decuit rerum de principe nasci.
hinc processit avus, cui post Arctoa frementi
classica Massylas adnexuit Africa laurus, 25 ille, Caledoniis posuit qui castra pruinis,
qui medios Libyae sub casside pertulit aestus, terribilis Mauro debellatorque Britanni
litoris ac pariter Boreae vastator et Austri.
quid rigor aeternus, caeli quid frigora prosunt 30 ignotumque fretum ? maduerunt Saxone fuso Orcades ; incaluit Pictorum sanguine Thyle ; Scottorum cumulos flevit glacialis Hiverne.
quid calor obsistit forti ? per vasta cucurrit Aethiopum cinxitque novis Atlanta maniplis, 35
virgineum Tritona bibit sparsosque venenis Gorgoneos vidit thalamos et vile virentes
Hesperidum risit, quos ditat fabula, ramos.
arx incensa Iubae, rabies Maurusia ferro
cessit et antiqui penetralia diruta Bocchi. 40
Sed laudes genitor longe transgressus avitas subdidit Oceanum sceptris et margine caeli
clausit opes, quantum distant a Tigride Gades,
inter se Tanais quantum Nilusque relinquunt :
haec tamen innumeris per se quaesita tropaeis, 45
1 Claudian is thinking of such passages in Homer as e. g. II. xiv. 245-246 :
'Qxeavov, Ss ircp yiveais tAvtwci Htvutm,
or perhaps Vergil's Oceanumque patrem rerum (Virg. Oeorg. iv. 382).
288
THE FOURTH CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
to water the homeland of so illustrious a race ; Ocean laved their cradle, for it befitted the future lords of earth and sea to have their origin in the great father 1 of all things. Hence came Theodosius, grandfather of Honorius, for whom, exultant after his northern victories, Africa twined fresh laurels won from the Massylae. 'Twas he who pitched his camp amid the snows of Caledonia,2 who never doffed his helmet for all the heat of a Libyan summer, who struck terror into the Moors, brought into subjection the coasts of Britain and with equal success laid waste the north and the south. What avail against him the eternal snows, the frozen air, the uncharted sea ? The Orcades ran red with Saxon slaughter ; Thule was warm with the blood of Picts ; ice-bound Hibernia wept for the heaps of slain Scots. Could heat stay the advance of a courageous general ? No ; he overran the deserts of Ethiopia, invested Atlas with troops strange to him, drank of lake Triton where was born the virgin goddess Minerva, beheld the Gorgon's empoisoned lair, and laughed to see the common verdure of those gardens of the Hesperides which story had clothed with gold. Juba's fortress was burned down, the frenzied valour of the Moor yielded to the sword and the palace of ancient Bocchus was razed to the ground.
But thy father's fame far surpassed that of thy grandsire : he subdued Ocean to his governance and set the sky for border to his kingdom, ruling from Gades to the Tigris, and all that lies 'twixt Tanais and Nile ; yet all these lands won by count less triumphs of his own, he gained them not by gift
vol. i
2 Cf. note on xv. 216.
u 289
CLAUDIAN
non generis dono, non ambitione potitus.
digna legi virtus. ultro se purpura supplex
obtulit et solus meruit regnare rogatus.
nam cum barbaries penitus commota gementem inrueret Rhodopen et mixto turbine gentes 50
iam deserta suas in nos transfunderet Arctos, Danuvii totae vomerent cum proelia ripae,
cum Geticis ingens premeretur Mysia plaustris flavaque Bistonios operirent agmina campos,
omnibus adflictis et vel labentibus ictu 55 vel prope casuris : unus tot funera contra
restitit extinxitque faces agrisque colonos
reddidit et leti rapuit de faucibus urbes.
nulla relicta foret Romani nominis umbra,
ni pater ille tuus iamiam ruitura subisset 60
pondera turbatamque ratem certaque levasset naufragium commune manu : velut ordine rupto
cum procul insanae traherent Phaethonta
quadrigae saeviretque dies terramque et stagna propinqui
haurirent radii, solito cum murmur e torvis 65 sol occurrit equis ; qui postquam rursus eriles agnovere sonos, rediit meliore magistro
machina concentusque poli, currusque recepit imperium flammaeque modum.
Sic traditus ille servatusque Oriens. at non pars altera rerum 70
tradita : bis possessa manu, bis parta periclis. per varium gemini scelus erupere tyranni tractibus occiduis : hunc saeva Britannia fudit ;
290
THE FOURTH CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
of birth or from lust of power. It was his own merit secured his election. Unsought the purple begged his acceptance of itself ; he alone when asked to rule was worthy to do so. For when unrest at home drove barbarian hordes over unhappy Rhodope and the now deserted north had poured its tribes in wild confusion across our borders, when all the banks of Danube poured forth battles and broad Mysia rang beneath the chariots of the Getae, when flaxen-haired hordes covered the plains of Thrace and amid this universal ruin all was either prostrate or tottering to its fall, one man alone withstood the tide of disaster, quenched the flames, restored to the husbandmen their fields and snatched the cities from the very jaws of destruction. No shadow of Rome's name had survived had not thy sire borne up the tottering mass, succoured the storm-tossed bark and with sure hand averted universal ship wreck. As when the maddened coursers broke from their path and carried Phaethon far astray, when day's heat grew fierce and the sun's rays, brought near to earth, dried up both land and sea, Phoebus checked his fierce horses with his wonted voice ; for they knew once more their master's tones, and with a happier guide heaven's harmonious order was restored ; for now the chariot again accepted govern ment and its fires control.
Thus was the East entrusted to him and thus was its salvation assured ; but the other half of the world was not so entrusted : twice was the West gained by valour, twice won by dangers. In those lands of the sunset by manifold crime there arose to power tyrants twain : wild Britain produced
one (Maximus), the other (Eugenius) was chosen 291
CLAUDIAN
hunc sibi Germanus famulum delegerat exul :
ausus uterque nefas, domini respersus uterque 75 insontis kigulo. novitas audere priori
suadebat cautumque dabant exempla sequentem. hie nova moliri praeceps, hie quaerere tuta
providus ; hie fusis, collectis viribus ille ;
hie vagus excurrens, hie intra claustra reductus. 80 dissimiles, sed morte pares. evadere neutri
dedecus aut mixtis licuit procumbere teUs.
amissa specie, raptis insignibus ambo
in vultus rediere suos manibusque revinctis
oblati gladiis summittunt colla paratis 85 et vitam veniamque rogant. pro damna pudoris ! qui modo tam densas nutu movere cohortes,
in quos iam dubius sese libraverat orbis,
non hostes victore cadunt, sed iudice sontes ;
damnat voce reos, petiit quos Marte tyrannos. 90 amborum periere duces : hie sponte carina
decidit in fluctus, illum suus abstulit ensis ;
hunc Alpes, hunc pontus habet. solacia caesis fratribus haec ultor tribuit : necis auctor uterque labitur ; Augustas par victima mitigat umbras. 95 has dedit inferias tumulis, iuvenumque duorum purpureos merito placavit sanguine manes.
Illi iustitiam confirmavere triumphi,
1 Maximus was responsible for the murder of the Emperor Gratian, Eugenius for that of Valentinian II. See Intro duction, p. viii.
292
THE FOURTH CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
as a tool by a Frankish outlaw (Arbogast). Both dared monstrous guilt ; both stained their hands with an innocent emperor's 1 blood. Sudden elevation inspired Maximus with audacity, his failure taught his successor caution. Maximus was quick to arm rebellion, Eugenius careful to attempt only what was safe. The one o'erran the country, spreading his forces in all directions, the other kept his troops together and himself secure behind a rampart. Different were they, but in their deaths alike. To neither was it granted to escape an ignominious end and to fall in the thick of the fight. Gone was their glory, their weapons were reft from them and they reduced to their former state ; their arms were bound behind their backs and they stretched forth their necks to the sword's imminent stroke, begging for pardon and for life. What a fall did pride there suffer ! They who but lately had moved such
countless cohorts with but a nod, into whose palm
a wavering world had hung ready to drop, fall not as warriors at a victor's hand but as malefactors before a judge ; he sentences with his voice as criminals those whom he assailed in war as tyrants. With both perished their lieutenants :
Andragathius hurled himself from his ship into the waves, Arbo
gast took his life with his own sword ; the Alps mark the tomb of the one, the sea of the other. This solace at least the avenger afforded to those mur dered brothers that both the authors of their deaths themselves were slain ; two victims went to appease those royal ghosts. Such was Theodosius' oblation at their tomb and with the blood of the guilty he appeased the shades of the two young emperors.
Those triumphs stablished Justice on her throne 293
CLAUDIAN
docuere deos. hinc saecula discant indomitum nihil esse pio tutumve nocenti : 100 nuntius ipse sui longas incognitus egit
praevento rumore vias, inopinus utrumque
perculit et clausos montes, ut plana, reliquit.
extruite inmanes scopulos, attollite turres,
cingite vos fluviis, vastas opponite silvas, 105 Garganum Alpinis Appenninumque nivalem permixtis sociate iugis et rupibus Haemum
addite Caucasiis, involvite Pelion Ossae :
non dabitis murum sceleri. qui vindicet, ibit : omnia subsident meliori pervia causae. 110
Nec tamen oblitus civem cedentibus atrox partibus infremuit ; non insultare iacenti malebat : mitis precibus, pietatis abundans,
poenae parous erat ; paci non intulit iram ;
post acies odiis idem qui terminus armis. 115 profuit hoc vincente capi, multosque subactos prospera1 laturae commendavere catenae.
magnarum largitor opum, largitor honorum
pronus et in melius gaudens converter e fata.
hinc amor, hinc validum devoto milite robur. 120 hinc natis mansura fides.
Hoc nobilis ortu nasceris aequaeva cum maiestate creatus
nullaque privatae passus contagia sortis.
omnibus acceptis ultro te regia solum
protulit et patrio felix adolescis in ostro, 125
1 Birt, with the mss. , aspera ; / return to the prospera of the edit. princeps.
praesentes
1 i. e. by winning first the pity and then the favour of Theodosius.
2 " Only," because Arcadius was born before Theodosius became emperor.
294
THE FOURTH CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
and taught that heaven gives help. From them let the ages learn that righteousness need fear no foe and guilt expect no safety. Himself his own messenger, outstripping the rumour of his approach, Theodosius traversed those long journeys undetected by his enemies. Suddenly he fell on both, passing over entrenched mountains as if they were a plain. Build up monstrous rocks, raise towers, surround yourselves with rivers, set limitless forests to protect you, put Garganus and the snowy Apennines upon
the summits of the Alps that all form one vast moun tain barrier, plant Haemus on the crags of Caucasus, roll Pelion on Ossa, yet will ye not gain security for guilt. The avenger will come ; for the better cause all things shall sink to make a path.
Yet never did Theodosius forget that he and the vanquished were fellow-citizens, nor was his anger implacable against those who yielded. Not his the choice to exult over the fallen. His ears were open to prayers, his clemency unbounded, his vengeance restrained. His anger did not survive
the war to darken the days of peace ; the day that set an end to the combat set an end to his wrath. Capture by such a victor was a gain ; and many a conquered foe did their chains commend to future fortune. 1 As liberal of money as of honours he was ever bent to redress the injuries of fate.
Hence the love, the fortitude, the devotion of his troops ; hence their abiding loyalty to his sons.
Child of so noble a sire, thy kingly state was coeval with thy birth nor ever knewest thou the soilure of a private lot. To thee all things came unsought ; thee only 2 did a palace rear ; thy happy growth was in ancestral purple, and thy limbs, never
295
CLAUDIAN
membraque vestitu numquam violata profano
in sacros cecidere sinus. Hispania patrem
auriferis eduxit aquis, te gaudet alumno
Bosphorus. Hesperio de limine surgit origo,
sed nutrix Aurora tibi ; pro pignore tanto 130 certatur, geminus civem te vindicat axis.
Herculis et Bromii sustentat gloria Thebas,
haesit Apollineo Delos Latonia partu
Cretaque se iactat tenero reptata Tonanti ;
sed melior Delo, Dictaeis clarior oris 135 quae dedit hoc numen regio ; non litora nostro sufficerent angusta deo. nec inhospita Cynthi
saxa tuos artus duro laesere cubili :
adclinis genetrix auro, circumflua gemmis
in Tyrios enixa toros ; ululata verendis 140 aula puerperiis. quae tunc documenta futuri ?
quae voces avium ? quanti per inane volatus ?
qui vatum discursus erat ? tibi corniger Hammon
et dudum taciti rupere silentia Delphi,
te Persae cecinere magi, te sensit Etruscus 145 augur et inspectis Babylonius horruit astris,
Chaldaei stupuere senes Cumanaque rursus
intonuit rupes, rabidae delubra Sibyllae.
nec te progenitum Cybeleius aere sonoro
lustravit Corybas : exercitus undique fulgens 150 adstitit ; ambitur signis augustior infans,
sentit adorantes galeas, redditque ferocem
vagitum lituus.
296
Vitam tibi contulit idem
THE FOURTH CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
outraged by garb profane, were laid upon a hal lowed lap. Spain with its rivers of gold gave birth to thy sire ; Bosporus boasts thee among its children. The West is the cradle of thy race but the East was thine own nurse ; rivals are they for so dear a pledge, either hemisphere claims thee as its citizen. The fame of Hercules and Bacchus has immortalized Thebes ; when Latona gave birth to Apollo in Delos that island stayed its errant course ; it is Crete's boast that over its fields the infant Thunderer crawled. But the land that brought divine Honorius to birth is a greater than Delos, a more famous than
Crete. Such narrow shores would not suffice our god. Nor did the bleak rocks of Cynthus hurt thy body with their rough bed ; on couch of gold, clothed in jewelled raiment, thy mother gave birth to thee amid Tyrian purples ; a palace rang with
joy at that royal deliverance. What presages were there not then of future prosperity ? what songs of birds, what flights of good omen in the heavens ? What was the hurrying to and fro of seers ? Horned Ammon and Delphi so long dumb at length broke their silence ; Persian magi prophesied thy triumphs ; Tuscan augurs felt thine influence ; seers of Babylon beheld the stars and trembled ; amazement seized the Chaldaean priests ; the rock of Cumae, shrine
of raging Sibyl, thundered once again. Cybele's corybants surrounded not thy cradle with the clatter of their brazen shields ; a shining host stood by thee on every side. Standards of war hedged in the royal babe who marked the bowed helmets of the worshipping soldiery while the trumpet's blare answered his warlike cries.
The day that gave thee birth gave thee a kingdom ; 297
CLAUDIAN
imperiumque dies ; inter cunabula consul
proveheris, signas posito modo nomine fastos 155 donaturque tibi, qui te produxerat, annus.
ipsa Quirinali parvum te cinxit amictu
mater et ad primas docuit reptare curules.
uberibus Sanctis inmortalique dearum
crescis adoratus gremio : tibi saepe Diana 160
Maenalios arcus venatricesque pharetras
suspendit, puerile decus ; tu saepe Minervae
lusisti clipeo fulvamque impune pererrans
aegida tractasti blandos interritus angues ;
saepe tuas etiam tum gaudente marito 165 velavit regina comas festinaque voti
praesumptum diadema dedit, tum lenibus ulnis
sustulit et magno porrexit ad oscula patri.
nec dilatus honos : mutatur principe Caesar ;
protinus aequaris fratri. 170 Non certius umquam
hortati superi, nullis praesentior aether
adfuit ominibus. tenebris involverat atra
lumen hiems densosque Notus collegerat imbres.
sed mox, cum solita miles te voce levasset,
nubila dissolvit Phoebus pariterque dabantur 175 sceptra tibi mundoque dies : caligine liber Bosphorus adversam patitur Calchedona cerni.
nec tantum vicina nitent, sed tota repulsis
nubibus exuitur Thrace, Pangaea renident insuetosque palus radios Maeotia vibrat. 180
1 Honorius, who was born Sept. 9, 384, was made consul for 386.
2 Arcadius was made Augustus Jan. 16 (? 19), 383 : Honorius not till Nov. 20, 393. Both succeeded to the throne Jan. 17, 395.
298
THE FOURTH CONSULSHIP OF HONORIUS
in thy cradle thou wast raised to the consulship. 1 With the name so recently bestowed upon thee thou dowerest the fasti and the year wherein thou wert born is consecrated to thee. Thy mother herself wrapped thy small form in the consular robe and directed thy first steps to the curule chair. Nourished at a goddess' breasts, honoured with the embraces of im mortal arms thou grewest to maturity. Oft to grace thy boyish form Diana hung upon thy shoulders her Maenalian bow and huntress' quiver ; oft thou didst sport with Minerva's shield and, crawling unharmed over her glittering aegis, didst caress its friendly
serpents with fearless hand. Often even in those early days thy mother beneath thy sire's happy gaze crowned thy tender locks and, anticipating the answer to her prayers, gave thee the diadem that was to be thine hereafter ; then raising thee in her gentle arms she held thee up to receive thy mighty father's kiss. Nor was that honour long in coming ; thou, then Caesar, didst become emperor and wert straightway made equal with thy brother. 2
Never was the encouragement of the gods more sure, never did heaven attend with more favouring omens. Black tempest had shrouded the light in darkness and the south wind gathered thick rain- clouds, when of a sudden, so soon as the soldiers had borne thee aloft with customary shout, Phoebus scattered the clouds and at the same moment was given to thee the sceptre, to the world light. Bos porus, freed from clouds, permits a sight of Chalcedon on the farther shore ; nor is it only the vicinity of Byzantium that is bathed in brightness ; the clouds are driven back and all Thrace is cleared ; Pangaeus shows afar and lake Maeotis makes quiver the rays he
299
CLAUDIAN
nec Boreas nimbos aut sol ardentior egit :
imperii lux illa fuit ; praesagus obibat
cuncta nitor risitque tuo natura sereno.
