quicumque
repertiim duxerit, aurata donabitur ille pharetra.
Claudian - 1922 - Loeb
(XIII.
)
Solitas galea fulgere comas,
Stilicho, molli necte corona,
cessent litui saevumque procul Martem felix taeda releget.
tractus ab aula rursus in aulam redeat sanguis, patris officiis
iunge potenti pignora dextra.
gener Augusti pridem fueras,
nunc rursus eris socer Augusti.
quae iam rabies livoris erit ?
vel quis dabitur color invidiae ? Stilicho socer est, pater est Stilicho.
IV. (XIV. )
Attollens thalamis Idalium iubar
dilectus Veneri nascitur Hesperus,
iam nuptae trepidat sollicitus pudor,
iam produnt lacrimas flammea simplices. ne cessa, iuvenis, comminus adgredi, impacata licet saeviat unguibus.
non quisquam fruitur veris odoribus Hyblaeos latebris nee spoliat favos,
si fronti caveat, si timeat rubos ;
armat spina rosas, mella tegunt apes, crescunt difficili gaudia iurgio Venus, accenditque magis, quae refugit,
quod flenti tuleris, plus sapit osculum. dices " o ! " quotiens, " hoc mihi dulcius" quam flavos deciens vincere Sarmatas !
FESCENNINE VERSES, III— IV
III (XIII)
Twine with a soft garland, Stilicho, the locks whereon a helmet is wont to shine. Let the trumpets of war cease and the propitious torch of marriage banish savage Mars afar. Let regal blood unite once more with regal blood. Perform a father's office and unite these children with thine illustrious hand. Thou didst marry an emperor's daughter, now, in turn, thy daughter shall marry an emperor. What room is here for the madness of jealousy ? What excuse for envy ? Stilicho is father both of bride and bridegroom.
IV (XIV)
Hesperus, loved of Venus, rises and shines for the marriage with his Idalian 1 rays. Maiden shame now overcomes the anxious bride ; her veil now shows traces of innocent tears. Hesitate not to be close
in thine attacks, young lover, e'en though she oppose
thee savagely with cruel finger-nail. None can enjoy the scents of spring nor steal the honey of Hybla from its fastnesses if he fears that thorns may scratch his face. Thorns arm the rose and bees find a defence for their honey. The refusals of coyness do but increase the joy ; the desire for that which flies us is the more inflamed ; sweeter is the kiss snatched through tears. How oft wilt thou say : " Better this"than ten victories over the
yellow-haired Sarmatae !
1 Idalian : from Idalium, a mountain in Cyprus, sacred to Venus.
237
238
CLAUDIAN
Adspirate novam pectoribus fidem mansuramque facem tradite sensibus.
tam iunctis manibus nectite vincula,
quam frondens hedera stringitur aesculus,
quam lento premitur palmite populus, 20 et murmur querula blandius alite
Unguis adsiduo reddite mutuis.
et labris animum conciliantibus
alternum rapiat somnus anhelitum.
amplexu caleat purpura regio 25 et vestes Tyrio sanguine fulgidas
alter virgineus nobilitet cruor.
tum victor madido prosilias toro
nocturni referens vulnera proelii.
Ducant pervigiles carmina tibiae 30 permissisque iocis turba licentior
exultet tetricis libera legibus.
passim cum ducibus ludite milites,
passim cum pueris ludite virgines.
haec vox aetheriis insonet axibus, 35 haec vox per populos, per mare transeat :
" formosus Mariam ducit Honorius. "
FESCENNINE VERSES, IV
Breathe a new loyalty into your breasts and let your senses kindle a flame that shall never be extin guished. May your clasped hands form a bond more close than that betwixt ivy and
flowering chestnut or poplar and pliant vine. Be the frequent kisses that ye give and receive breathed more softly than those of. plaintive doves, and when lips have
united soul to soul let sleep still
breath. Be the purple couch warm with princely wooing, and a new stain ennoble coverlets ruddy with Tyrian dye. Then leap victorious from the marriage-bed, scarred with the night's encounter.
All night long let the music of the flute resound
and the crowd, set free from law's harsh restraints,
with larger licence indulge the permitted jest. Soldiers, make merry with your leaders, girls with boys. Be this the cry that re-echoes from" pole to pole, among the peoples, over the seas : Fair Honorius weds with Maria. "
your throbbing your
239
EPITHALAMIUM
DE NUPTIIS HONORII AUGUSTI
PRAEFATIO
(IX. )
Surgeret in thalamum ducto cum Pelion arcu nec caperet tantos hospita terra deos,
cum socer aequoreus numerosaque turba sororum certarent epulis continuare dies
praeberetque Iovi communia pocula Chiron, 5
molliter obliqua parte refusus equi, Peneus gelidos mutaret nectare fontes,
Oetaeis fluerent spumea vina iugis : Terpsichore facilem lascivo pollice movit
barbiton et molles duxit in antra choros. 10 carmina nec superis nec displicuere Tonanti,
cum teneris nossent congrua vota modis.
Centauri Faunique negant. quae flectere Rhoeton.
quae rigidum poterant plectra movere Pholum ?
Septima lux aderat caelo totiensque renato 15 viderat exactos Hesperus igne choros :
tum Phoebus, quo saxa domat, quo pertrahit ornos.
pectine temptavit nobiliore lyram
venturumque sacris fidibus iam spondet Achillem,
iam Phrygias caedes, iam Simoenta canit. 20 frondoso strepuit felix Hymenaeus Olympo ;
reginam resonant Othrys et Ossa Thetim. 240
EPITHALAMIUM OF HONORIUS AND MARIA
PREFACE
(IX)
When Pelion reared his height to form a bridal chamber with long-drawn arches, and his hospitable land could not contain so many gods ; when Nereus, sire of the bride, and all the throng of her sisters strove to link day to day with feastings ; when Chiron, lying at ease with his horse-flanks curled under him, offered the loving-cup to Jove ; when Peneus turned
his cold waters to nectar and frothing wine flowed down from Oeta's summit, Terpsichore struck her
with festive hand and led the girlish bands into the caves. The gods, the Thunderer himself, disdained not these songs, for they knew that lovers' vows ever harmonized with tender strains. Centaurs and Fauns would have none of it : what lyre could touch Rhoetus or move inhuman Pholus ?
The seventh day had flamed in heaven, seven times had Hesperus relumed his lamp and seen the dances completed ; then Phoebus touched his lyre with that nobler quill, wherewith he leads captive rocks and mountain-ashes, and sang to his sacred strings now the promised birth of Achilles, now the slaughter of the Trojans and the river Simois. The happy marriage-cry re-echoed o'er leafy Olympus, and Othrys and Ossa gave back their mistress Thetis' name.
VOL. i r 241
ready lyre
EPITHALAMIUM
(X. )
Hauserat insolitos promissae virginis ignes Augustus primoque rudis flagraverat aestu ;
nec novus unde calor nec quid suspiria vellent, noverat incipiens et adhuc ignarus amandi.
non illi venator equus, non spicula curae, 5 non iaculum torquere libet ; mens omnis aberrat
in vulnus, quod fixit Amor. quam saepe medullis
erupit gemitus ! quotiens incanduit ore
confessus secreta rubor nomenque beatum
iniussae scripsere manus ! iam munera nuptae 10 praeparat et pulchros Mariae sed luce minores
eligit ornatus, quidquid venerabilis olim
Livia divorumque nurus gessere superbae.
incusat spes aegra moras longique videntur
stare dies segnemque rotam non flectere Phoebe. 15 Scyria sic tenerum virgo flammabat Achillem
fraudis adhuc expers bellatricesque docebat
ducere fila manus et, mox quos horruit Ide, Thessalicos roseo nectebat pollice crines.
Haec etiam queritur secum : " quonam usque verendus 20
242
EPITHALAMIUM
(X)
Unfelt before was the fire the Emperor Honorius had conceived for his promised bride, and he burned, all unexperienced, with passion's first fever, nor knew whence came the heat, what meant the sighs — a tyro and as yet ignorant of love. Hunting, horses,
javelins —for none of these he now cares nor yet to fling the spear ; Love's wound occupies all his
thoughts. How often he groaned from the very heart ; how often a blush, mantling to his cheeks, betrayed his secret ; how often, unbidden of himself, his hand would write the loved one's name. Already he prepares gifts for his betrothed and selects to adorn her (though their beauty is less than hers) the
jewels once worn by noble Livia of old and all the proud women of the imperial house. The impatient lover chafes at the delay ; the long days seem as though they stood still and the moon as though she moved not her slow wheel. Thus Deidamia,
girl of Scyros, e'er yet she sees through his disguise, inflamed with love the young Achilles, and taught his warrior hands to draw the slender thread and passed her rosy fingers through the locks of that Thes- salian of whom all Ida was soon to stand in awe.
Thus too he communed with himself : "
How
243
long
CLAUDIAN
cunctatur mea vota socer ? quid iungere differt,
quam pepigit, castasque preces implere recusat ?
non ego luxuriem regum moremque secutus
quaesivi vultum tabulis 1 ut nuntia formae
lena per innumeros iret pictura penates, 25 nec variis dubium thalamis lecturus 2 amorem
ardua commisi falsae conubia cerae.
non rapio praeceps alienae foedera taedae,
sed quae sponsa mihi pridem patrisque relicta mandatis uno materni sanguinis ortu communem parti tur avum. fastidia supplex deposui gessique procum ; de limine sacro oratum misi proceres, qui proxima nobis
iura tenent. fateor, Stilicho, non parva poposci, sed certe mereor princeps, hoc principe natus
qui sibi te generum fraterna prole revinxit,
cui Mariam debes. faenus mihi solve paternum, redde suos aulae. mater fortasse rogari
mollior. o patrui germen, cui nominis heres successi, sublime decus torrentis Hiberi,
stirpe soror, pietate parens, tibi creditus infans inque tuo crevi gremio, partuque remoto
tu potius Flaccilla mihi. quid dividis ergo
1 tabulis vulg. ; Birt reads thalamis with the better mss. 2 Birt reads laturus with P ; other mss. lecturus
30
35
40
1 Serena, daughter of Honorius, the elder, the brother of Theodosius the Great. Theodosius adopted Serena so that by adoption Honorius and Serena were brother and sister,
244
EPITHALAMIUM
will honoured Stilicho forbear to grant my prayers ? Why postpones he the union of those whose love he has approved ? Why should he refuse to fulfil my
I follow not the
princes in seeking the beauties of a pictured counten
chaste desires ?
example
of luxurious
ance, whereby the pander canvass may pass from house to house to make known the charms de manded ; nor yet have I sought to choose the un certain object of my love from this house or from that, and thus entrusted to deceptive wax the difficult selection of a bride. I sever not in violence the bonds that unite a wedded woman to her lord ; her I seek who hath long been betrothed to me, who by a father's orders was left my affianced bride and who
grandsire. A suppliant I have laid aside my rank and acted the suitor. Princes, second only to myself in rank, have I sent from my imperial palace to present my petition. Tis no small thing I ask, Stilicho ; that I admit ; yet surely to me, an emperor, son of that other emperor who, by giving thee his
son-in-law, —to me thou dost owe Maria.
back to the son the interest due to his sire ; restore to the palace those who are its own. Mayhap her mother1 will be less inexorable. Daughter of mine uncle Honorius, whence I derive my name, chief glory of the land of swift-flowing Ebro, cousin by birth, by mother's love a mother, to thy care was mine infancy entrusted, in thine arms I grew to boy
hood ; save for my birth thou, rather than Flacilla, art my mother. Why dost thou separate thy two
by birth cousins. Serena was probably born in 376 ; Honorius not till Sept. 9, 384.
245
through her mother shares with me a common
brother's adopted daughter to wife, made thee his
Pay
CLAUDIAN
pignora ? quid iuveni natam non reddis alumno ? optatusne dies aderit ? dabiturne iugalis 45 nox umquam ? "
Tali solatur vulnera questu. risit Amor placidaeque volat trans aequora matri
nuntius et totas iactantior explicat alas.
Moris latus Ionium Cypri praeruptus obumbrat,
invius humano gressu, Phariumque cubile 50 Proteos et septem despectat cornua Nili.
hunc neque candentes audent vestire pruinae,
hunc venti pulsare timent, hunc laedere nimbi. luxuriae Venerique vacat. pars acrior anni
exulat ; aeterni patet indulgentia veris. 55 in campum se fundit apex ; hunc aurea saepes
circuit et fulvo defendit prata metallo. Mulciber, ut perhibent, his oscula coniugis emit moenibus et tales uxorius obtulit arces.
intus rura micant, manibus quae subdita nullis 60 perpetuum florent, Zephyro contenta colono, umbrosumque nemus, quo non admittitur ales,
ni probet ante suos diva sub iudice cantus :
quae placuit, fruitur ramis ; quae victa, recedit. vivunt in Venerem frondes omnisque vicissim 65 felix arbor amat ; nutant ad mutua palmae
foedera, populeo suspirat populus ictu
et platani platanis alnoque adsibilat alnus.
Labuntur gemini fontes, hie dulcis, amarus
alter, et infusis corrumpunt mella venenis, 70
246
EPITHALAMIUM
children ? Why not bestow a daughter born upon an adopted son ? Will the longed - for day ever come ; the marriage-night ever be sanctioned ? "
With such complaint he assuages the wounds of love. Cupid laughed and speeding across the deep bore the news to his gentle mother, proudly spreading his wings to their full extent.
Where Cyprus looks out over the Ionian main a craggy mountain overshadows it ; unapproachable by human foot it faces the isle of Pharos, the home of Proteus and the seven mouths of the Nile. The hoar frost dares not clothe its sides, nor the rude winds buffet it nor clouds obscure. It is consecrate to pleasure and to Venus. The year's less clement seasons are strangers to it, whereover ever brood the blessings of eternal spring. The mountain's height slopes down into a plain ; that a golden hedge
encircles, guarding its meadows with yellow metal. This demesne, men say, was the price paid by Mulciber for the kisses of his wife, these towers were
the gift of a loving husband. Fair is the enclosed country, ever bright with flowers though touched with no labouring hand, for Zephyr is husbandman enough therefor. Into its shady groves no bird may enter save such as has first won the goddess' approval for its song. Those which please her may flit among the branches ; they must quit who cannot pass the test. The very leaves live for love and in his season every happy tree experiences love's power : palm bends down to mate with palm, poplar sighs its passion for poplar, plane whispers to plane, alder to alder.
Here spring two fountains, the one of sweet water, the other of bitter, honey is mingled with the first, poison with the second, and in these streams 'tis said
247
CLAUDIAN
unde Cupidineas armari fama sagittas.
mille pharetrati ludunt in margine fratres,
ore pares, aevo similes, gens mollis Amorum.
hos Nymphae pariunt, illum Venus aurea solum edidit. ille deos caelumque et sidera cornu 75 temperat et summos dignatur figere reges ;
hi plebem feriunt. nec cetera numina desunt :
hic habitat nullo constricta Licentia nodo
et flecti faciles Irae vinoque madentes
E'xcubiae Lacrimaeque rudes et gratus amantum 80
Pallor et in primis titubans Audacia furtis
iucundique Metus et non secura Voluptas ; et lasciva volant levibus Periuria ventis. quos inter petulans alta cervice Iuventas excludit Senium luco.
Procul atria divae permutant radios silvaque obstante virescunt.
Lemnius haec etiam gemmis extruxit et auro admiscens artem pretio trabibusque smaragdi supposuit caesas hyacinthi rupe columnas. beryllo paries et iaspide lubrica surgunt limina despectusque solo calcatur achates,
in medio glaebis redolentibus area dives praebet odoratas messes ; hic mitis amomi,
hic casiae matura seges, Panchaeaque turgent cinnama, nec sicco frondescunt vimina costo tardaque sudanti prorepunt balsama rivo.
85
90
.
95
Quo postquam delapsus Amor longasque peregit penna vias, alacer passuque superbior intrat. caesariem tunc forte Venus subnixa corusco
fingebat solio. dextra laevaque sorores 100 stabant Idaliae : largos haec nectaris imbres
248
1 i. e. the Graces.
-
EPITHALAMIUM
that Cupid dips his arrows. A thousand brother Loves with quivers play all around upon the banks, a tender company like to Cupid himself in face and of equal age. The nymphs are their mothers ; Cupid is the only child of golden Venus. He with his bow subdues the stars and the gods and heaven, and
disdains not to wound mighty kings ;
the common people is the prey. Other deities, too, are here : Licence bound by no fetters, easily moved Anger, Wakes dripping with wine, inexperienced Tears, Pallor that lovers ever prize, Boldness trem bling at his first thefts, happy Fears, unstable Pleasure, and lovers' Oaths, the sport of every lightest breeze. Amid them all wanton Youth with haughty neck shuts out Age from the grove.
of the others
Afar shines and glitters the goddess' many-coloured palace, green gleaming by reason of the encircling
Vulcan built this too of precious stones and gold, wedding their costliness to art. Columns cut from rock of hyacinth support emerald beams ; the walls are of beryl, the high-builded thresholds of polished jaspar, the floor of agate trodden as dirt beneath the foot. In the midst is a courtyard rich with fragrant turf that yields a harvest of perfume ; there grows sweet spikenard and ripe cassia, Panchaean cinnamon-flowers and sprays of oozy balm, while balsam creeps forth slowly in an exuding stream.
Hither Love glided down, winging his way o'er the long journey. Joyfully and with prouder gait than e'er his wont he enters. Venus was seated on her glittering throne, tiring her hair. On her right hand and on her left stood the Idalian sisters. 1 Of these one pours a rich stream of nectar over Venus'
249
grove.
CLAUDIAN
inrigat, haec morsu numerosi dentis eburno multifidum discrimen arat ; sed tertia retro
dat varios nexus et iusto dividit orbes
ordine, neglectam partem studiosa relinquens : 105 plus error decuit. speculi nec vultus egebat
iudicio ; similis tecto monstratur in omni
et capitur 1 quocumque videt. dum singula cernit, seque probat, nati venientis conspicit umbram ambrosioque sinu puerum complexa ferocem 110 " quid tantum gavisus ? " ait ; " quae proelia sudas improbe ? quis iacuit telis ? iterumne Tonantem inter Sidonias cogis mugire iuvencas ?
an Titana domas ? an pastoralia Lunam
rursus in antra vocas ? durum magnumque videris
debellasse deum. "
Gremio natum Cytherea removit et crines festina ligat peplumque fluentem
adlevat et blando spiranfem numine ceston
116
ille refert :
rettulimus, nostrum iam sensit Honorius arcum.
scis Mariam patremque ducem, qui cuspide Gallos Italiamque fovet, nec te praeclara Serenae 120 fama latet. propera ; regalibus adnue votis :
iunge toros. "
" Suspensus in oscula matris Laetare, parens ; inmane tropaeum
cingitur, impulsos pluviis quo mitigat amnes, 125 quo mare, quo ventos irataque fulmina solvit.
ut stetit ad litus, parvos adfatur alumnos :
" Heus ! quis erit, pueri, vitreas qui lapsus in undas hue rapidum Tritona vocet, quo vecta per altum
1 Birt, following the mss. , rapitur ; capitur was suggested by Conington, comparing Virg. Aen. viii. 311.
250
EPITHALAMIUM
head, another parts her hair with a fine ivory comb. A third, standing behind the goddess, braids her tresses and orders her ringlets in due array, yet carefully leaving a part untended ; such negligence becomes her more. Nor did her face lack the mirror's verdict ; her image is reflected over all the palace and she is charmed wheresoever she looks. While she surveys each detail and approves her beauty
she notes the shadow of her son as he approaches and catches the fierce boy to her fragrant bosom. " Whence comes thy joy ? " she asks ; " cruel child, what battles hast thou fought ? What victim has thine arrow pierced ? Hast thou once more com pelled the Thunderer to low among the heifers of Sidon ? Hast thou overcome Apollo, or again summoned Diana to a shepherd's care ? Methinks thou hast triumphed over some fierce and potent
god. "
" Hanging upon his mother's kisses he answered :
Mother, be thou glad ; a great victory is ours. Now has Honorius felt our arrows. Thou knowest Maria and her sire, the general whose spear pro tects Gaul and Italy ; the fame of noble Serena is not hidden from thee. Haste thee, assent to their
princely prayers and seal this royal union. "
freed her from her son's embrace,
Cytherea
hastily bound up her hair, gathered up her flowing dress and girt herself about with the divine girdle whose all-compelling charm can stay the rain-swollen torrent and appease the sea, the winds and angry thunderbolts. Soon as she stood on the shore she thus addressed her small foster-children. " Come, children, which of you will plunge beneath the glassy wave and summon me hither fleet Triton to bear me
251
CLAUDIAN
deferar ? haud umquam tanto mihi venerit usu. 130 sacri, quos petimus, thalami. pernicius omnes quaerite, seu concha Libycum circumsonat aequor, Aegaeas seu frangit aquas.
quicumque repertiim duxerit, aurata donabitur ille pharetra. "
Dixerat et sparsa diversi plebe feruntur 135 exploratores. pelagi sub fluctibus ibat
Carpathiis Triton obluctantemque petebat Cymothoen. timet illa ferum seseque sequenti subripit et duris elabitur uda lacertis.
" heus," inquit speculatus Amor, " non vestra sub imis furta tegi potuere vadis. accingere nostram 141 vecturus dominam : pretium non vile laboris
Cymothoen facilem, quae nunc detrectat, habebis. hac mercede veni. "
Prorupit gurgite torvus semifer ; undosi verrebant brachia crines ; 145
hispida tendebant bifido vestigia cornu,
qua pistrix commissa viro. ter pectora movit ; iam quarto Paphias tractu sulcabat harenas. umbratura deam retro sinuatur in arcum
belua ; tum vivo squalentia murice terga 150 purpureis mollita toris 1 : hoc navigat antro 2
fulta Venus ; niveae delibant aequora plantae. prosequitur volucer late comitatus Amorum tranquillumque choris quatitur mare. serta per
omnem
Neptuni dispersa domum. Cadmeia ludit 155 Leucothoe, frenatque rosis delphina Palaemon ; alternas violis Nereus interserit algas ;
1 toris A, followed by Birt ; but rosis VP is attractive. 2 antro P1 ; vulg. ostro.
252
EPITHALAMIUM
quickly o'er the deep ? Never will he have come
to do us better service. Sacred is the
that I seek. Make all speed in your search ; may be the Libyan sea rings to his conch, may be he cleaves the Aegean main. Whoso shall find and bring him hither shall have a golden quiver as a
reward. "
She spake and, dividing into various bands, the
scouts set out. Triton was swimming beneath the waves of the Carpathian sea, pursuing reluctant Cymothoe. She feared her rough lover and eluded his pursuit, her wet form gliding through the em braces of his strong arms. One of the Loves espied
marriage
him and cried, " Stay ! the deeps cannot hide your amours. Make ready to carry our mistress ; as a reward for thy services (and 'tis no meagre one) thou shalt have Cymothoe, a complaisant mistress shall she be though she flout thee now. Come and win thy recompense. "
The dread monster uprose from the abyss ; his billowing hair swept his shoulders ; hoofs of cloven horn grown round with bristles sprang from where his
fishy tail joined his man's body. He swam three strokes and at the fourth stranded upon the shore of Cyprus. To shade the goddess the monster arched back his tail ; then his back, rough with living purple, was bedded with scarlet coverlets ; resting in such a retreat does Venus voyage, her snowy feet just dipping in the sea. A great company of winged Loves fly after her, troubling the calm surface of Qcean. Neptune's palace is all adorned with flowers. Leucothoe, daughter of Cadmus, sports on the water, and Palaemon drives his dolphin
with a bridle of roses. Nereus sets violets here 253
CLAUDIAN
canitiem Glaucus ligat inmortalibus herbis.
nec non et variis vectae Nereides ibant
audito rumore feris (hanc pisce voluto 160 sublevat Oceani monstrum Tartesia tigris ;
hanc timor Aegaei rupturus fronte carinas
trux aries ; haec caeruleae suspensa leaenae
innatat ; haec viridem trahitur complexa iuvencum)
certatimque novis onerant conubia donis. cingula Cymothoe, rarum Galatea monile
et gravibus Psamathe bacis diadema ferebat intextum, Rubro quas legerat ipsa profundo. mergit se subito vellitque corallia Doto :
vimen erat dum stagna subit ; processerat undis : gemma fuit.
Nudae Venerem cinxere catervae
165
1 70
plaudentesque simul tali cum voce sequuntur :
" hos Mariae cultus, haec munera nostra precamur
reginae regina feras. die talia numquam promeruisse Thetim nec cum soror Amphitrite 175 nostro nupta Iovi. devotum sentiat aequor,
agnoscat famulum virgo Stilichonia pontum.
victrices nos saepe rates classemque paternam veximus, attritis cum tenderet ultor Achivis. "
Iam Ligurum terris spumantia pectora Triton 180 adpulerat lassosque fretis extenderat orbes.
continuo sublime volans ad moenia Gallis
condita, lanigeri suis ostentantia pellem,
pervenit. adventu Veneris pulsata recedunt
nubila, clarescunt puris Aquilonibus Alpes. 185
1 i. e. Neptune.
2 Milan ; cf. Isid. Orig. xv. 1 vocatum Mediolanum ab eo, quod ibi sus in medio lanea perhibetur inventa ; Sidon. Apol. vii. 1 7 et quae lanigero de sue nomen habent.
254
EPITHALAMIUM
and there among the seaweed and Glaucus wreathes his grey hair with deathless flowers. Hearing the tale the Nereids, too, came mounted on various beasts : one (maiden above but fish below) rides the dread sea-tiger of Tartessus ; another is carried by that fierce ram, the terror of the Aegean, who shatters ships with his forehead ; a third bestrides the neck of a sea-lion ; another is borne
along by the sea-calf to which she clings. They vie with
one another in bringing gifts to the newly-wedded pair. Cymothoe presents a girdle, Galatea a precious necklace, Psamathe a diadem heavily en crusted with pearls gathered by herself from the depths of the Red Sea. Doto suddenly dives to gather coral, a plant so long as it is beneath the water, a jewel once it is brought forth from the waves.
The nude crowd of Nereids throng around Venus,
following her and singing praises after this manner : " We beg thee, Venus, our queen, to bear these our gifts, these adornments, to queen Maria. Tell her that never did Thetis receive their like nor even our sister Amphitrite when she espoused our Jupiter. 1 Let the daughter of Stilicho hereby realize the devotion of the sea and know that Ocean is her slave. 'Tis we who bore up her father's fleet, the hope of his victorious land, what time he set
out to avenge the ruined Greeks. "
And now Triton's foam-flecked breast had touched
the Ligurian shore and his wearied coils were extended over the surface of the water. Straightway Venus flew high in the air to the city founded by the Gauls, the city that shows as its device the fleece-covered pelt of a sow. 2 At the coming of the goddess the routed clouds retire ; bright shine the Alps be
255
CLAUDIAN
laetitiae causas ignorat dicere miles laetaturque tamen ; Mavortia signa rubescunt floribus et subitis animantur frondibus hastae. illa suum dictis adfatur talibus agmen :
" Gradivum, nostri comites, arcete parumper, 190 ut soli vacet aula mihi. procul igneus horror
thoracum, gladiosque tegat vagina minaces.
stent bellatrices aquilae saevique dracones.
fas sit castra meis hodie succumbere signis :
tibia pro lituis et pro clangore tubarum 195 molle lyrae festumque canant. epulentur ad ipsas excubias ; mediis spirent crateres in armis.
laxet terribiles maiestas regia fastus
et sociam plebem non indignata potestas
confundat turbae proceres. solvantur habenis 200
gaudia nec leges pudeat ridere severas.
" Tu festas, Hymenaee, faces, tu, Gratia, flores
elige, tu geminas, Concordia, necte coronas.
vos, pennata cohors, quocumque vocaverit usus, divisa properate manu, neu marceat ulla 205 segnities : alii funalibus ordine ductis
plurima venturae suspendite lumina nocti ;
hi nostra nitidos postes obducere myrto
contendant ; pars nectareis adspergite tecta
fontibus et flamma lucos adolete Sabaeos ; 210 pars infecta croco velamina lutea Serum
pandite Sidoniasque solo prosternite vestes.
ast alii thalamum docto componite textu ; stamine gemmato picturatisque columnis
256
EPITHALAMIUM
neath the clear North wind. The soldier rejoices though he cannot tell why. The standards of war burgeon with red flowers and the spears on a sudden sprout with living leaves. Then Venus thus addresses her attendant throng. " Comrades mine, keep away for a while the god of war that the
palace may be mine and mine alone. Banish afar the terror of the flashing breastplate ; let its scabbard sheath the threatening sword. Advance not the standards of war, the eagles and savage dragons. This day the camp shall yield to my standards ; the flute shall sound instead of the bugle, the soft strains of the happy lyre take the place of the trumpets' blare. Let the soldiers feast even when on guard and the beakers foam in the midst of arms. Let regal majesty lay by its awful pride and power, disdaining not to associate with the people, make one the nobles with the crowd. Let joy be unrestrained and sober Law herself be not ashamed to laugh.
" Hymen, choose thou the festal torches, and ye Graces gather flowers for the feast. Thou, Concord, weave two garlands. You, winged band, divide and hasten whithersoever you can be of use : let none be slothful or lazy. You others hang numberless lamps in order from their brackets against the coming of
Let these haste to entwine the gleaming
night.
door-posts with my sacred myrtle. Do you sprinkle the palace with drops of nectar and kindle a whole grove of Sabaean incense. Let others unfold yellow- dyed silks from China and spread tapestries of Sidon on the ground. Do you employ all your arts in
the marriage-bed. Woven with jewels and upborne on carved columns be its canopy, such
decorating
vol. i s 257
CLAUDIAN
aedificetur apex, qualem non Lydia dives 215
erexit Pelopi nec quem struxere Lyaeo
Indorum spoliis et opaco palmite Bacchae.
illic exuvias omnes cumulate parentum : quidquid avus senior Mauro vel Saxone victis,
quidquid ab innumeris socio Stilichone tremendus 220
quaesivit genitor bellis, quodcumque Gelonus Armeniusve dedit ; quantum crinita sagittis
attulit extremo Meroe circumflua Nilo ;
misit Achaemenio quidquid de Tigride Medus,
cum supplex emeret Romanam Parthia pacem. 225 nobilibus gazis opibusque cubilia surgant
barbaricis ; omnes thalamo conferte triumphos. "
Sic ait et sponsae petit improvisa penates.
illa autem secura tori taedasque parari
nescia divinae fruitur sermone parentis 230 maternosque bibit mores exemplaque discit
prisca pudicitiae Latios nec volvere libros
desinit aut Graios, ipsa genetrice magistra,
Maeonius quaecumque senex aut Thracius Orpheus
aut Mytilenaeo modulatur pectine Sappho 235 (sic Triviam Latona monet ; sic mitis in antro
Mnemosyne docili tradit praecepta Thaliae) :
cum procul augeri nitor et iucundior aer
attonitam lustrare domum fundique comarum
gratus odor. mox vera fides numenque refulsit. 240 cunctatur stupefacta Venus ; nunc ora puellae,
258
EPITHALAMIUM
as rich Lydia ne'er built for Pelops nor yet the Bacchae for Lyaeus, decked as his was with the spoils of Ind and the mantling vine. Heap up there all the gathered wealth of the family, all the spoil that Honorius the elder, our emperor's grandsire, won from Moor and Saxon, all that his dread father with Stilicho at his side gained from numberless wars, all that the Geloni and Armenians have contributed or Meroe added—Meroe encircled by furthermost Nile whose people decorate their hair with arrows ; whatever the Medes sent from the banks of Persian Tigris when suppliant Parthia
of Rome. Let the lofty couch be
bought peace
adorned with the barbaric splendour of treasuries ; be all the wealth of all our triumphs gathered in that marriage-chamber. "
So spake she and all unannounced sought the bride's home. But Maria, with no thoughts of wedlock nor knowing that the torches were being got ready, was listening with rapt attention to the discourse of her saintly mother, drinking in that
mother's nature and learning to follow the example of old-world chastity ; nor does she cease under that mother's guidance to unroll the writers of Rome and Greece, all that old Homer sang, or Thracian Orpheus, or that Sappho set to music with Lesbian quill ; (even so Latona taught Diana ; so gentle Mnemosyne in her cave gave instruction to meek Thalia) —when the sky from afar grows more bright, a sweeter air breathes through the astonished palace and there is spread the happy fragrance of scented locks. Soon came the proof; in all her beauty the goddess bursts upon them. Yet Venus stands amazed, admiring now the daughter's
259
kings'
CLAUDIAN
nunc flavam niveo miratur vertice matrem.
haec modo crescenti, plenae par altera lunae : adsurgit ceu forte minor sub matre virenti
laurus et ingentes ramos olimque futuras 245 promittit iam parva comas ; vel flore sub uno
ceu geminae Paestana rosae per iugera regnant : haec largo matura die saturataque vernis
roribus indulget spatio ; latet altera nodo
nec teneris audet foliis admittere soles. 250 " Adstitit et blande Mariam Cytherea salutat :
salve sidereae proles augusta Serenae, magnorum suboles regum parituraque reges.
te propter Paphias sedes Cyprumque reliqui,
te propter libuit tantos explere labores 255 et tantum transnare maris, ne vilior ultra
privatos paterere lares neu tempore longo
dilatos iuvenis nutriret Honorius ignes.
accipe fortunam generis, diadema resume,
quod tribuas natis, et in haec penetralia rursus, 260 unde parens progressa, redi. fac nulla subesse vincula cognatae : quamvis aliena fuisses
principibus, regnum poteras hoc ore mereri.
quae propior sceptris facies ? qui dignior aula 264 vultus erit ? non labra rosae, non colla pruinae,
non crines aequant violae, non lumina flammae. quam iuncti leviter sese discrimine confert
umbra supercilii ! miscet quam iusta pudorem temperies nimio nec sanguine candor abundat !
1 The viola was probably a pansy or wallflower, Gk. XevxlXoy.
260
EPITHALAMIUM
loveliness, now the snowy neck and golden hair of the mother. The one is like unto the crescent moon, the other to the full. So grows a young laurel beneath the shadow of its parent tree and, small as it now is, gives promise of great branches
and thick foliage to come. of Paestum on one stalk ; has brought to maturity ;
Or as 'twere two roses the one day's fulness
steeped in the dews of
spring it spreads abroad its petals ; the other yet nestles in its bud nor dares receive the sun's warmth within its tender heart.
Venus stood and addressed Maria with these gentle words : " All hail ! revered daughter of divine Serena, scion of great kings and destined to be the mother of kings. For thy sake have I left my home in Paphos' isle and Cyprus ; for thy sake was I pleased to face so many labours and cross so many seas lest thou shouldst continue to live a private life little befitting thy true worth and lest young Honorius should still feed in his heart the flame of unrequited love. Take the rank thy birth demands, resume the crown to bequeath it to thy children and re-enter the palace whence thy mother sprang. E'en though no ties of blood united thee to the royal house, though thou wert in no way related thereto, yet would thy beauty render thee worthy of a king dom. What face could rather win a sceptre ? What countenance better adorn a palace ? Redder than roses thy lips, whiter than the hoar-frost thy neck, cowslips 1 are not more yellow than thine hair, fire not more bright than thine eyes. With how fine an interspace do the delicate eyebrows meet upon thy forehead ! How just the blend that makes thy blush, thy fairness not o'ermantled with too much
261
CLAUDIAN
Aurorae vincis digitos umerosque Dianae ; 270 ipsam iam superas matrem. si Bacchus amator dotali potuit caelum signare corona,
cur nullis virgo redimitur pulchrior astris ?
iam tibi molitur stellantia serta Bootes
inque decus Mariae iam sidera parturit aether. 275 i, digno nectenda viro tantique per orbem
consors imperii ! iam te venerabitur Hister ;
nomen adorabunt populi ; iam Rhenus et Albis serviet ; in medios ibis regina Sygambros.
quid numerem gentes Atlanteosque recessus 280 Oceani ? toto pariter donabere mundo. "
Dixit et ornatus, dederant quos nuper ovantes Nereides, collo membrisque micantibus aptat. ipsa caput distinguit acu, substringit amictus ;
flammea virgineis accommodat ipsa capillis. 285 ante fores iam pompa sonat, pilentaque sacra praeradiant ductura nurum. calet obvius ire
iam princeps tardumque cupit discedere solem : nobilis haud aliter sonipes, quem primus amoris sollicitavit odor, tumidus quatiensque decoras 290
curvata cervice iubas Pharsalia rura
pervolat et notos hinnitu flagitat amnes
naribus accensis ; mulcet fecunda magistros spes gregis et pulchro gaudent armenta marito.
Candidus interea positis exercitus armis 295 exultat socerum circa ; nec signifer ullus
1 Venus acts as pronuba. The parting of the hair with the spear was a relic of marriage by capture (cf. 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.
Solitas galea fulgere comas,
Stilicho, molli necte corona,
cessent litui saevumque procul Martem felix taeda releget.
tractus ab aula rursus in aulam redeat sanguis, patris officiis
iunge potenti pignora dextra.
gener Augusti pridem fueras,
nunc rursus eris socer Augusti.
quae iam rabies livoris erit ?
vel quis dabitur color invidiae ? Stilicho socer est, pater est Stilicho.
IV. (XIV. )
Attollens thalamis Idalium iubar
dilectus Veneri nascitur Hesperus,
iam nuptae trepidat sollicitus pudor,
iam produnt lacrimas flammea simplices. ne cessa, iuvenis, comminus adgredi, impacata licet saeviat unguibus.
non quisquam fruitur veris odoribus Hyblaeos latebris nee spoliat favos,
si fronti caveat, si timeat rubos ;
armat spina rosas, mella tegunt apes, crescunt difficili gaudia iurgio Venus, accenditque magis, quae refugit,
quod flenti tuleris, plus sapit osculum. dices " o ! " quotiens, " hoc mihi dulcius" quam flavos deciens vincere Sarmatas !
FESCENNINE VERSES, III— IV
III (XIII)
Twine with a soft garland, Stilicho, the locks whereon a helmet is wont to shine. Let the trumpets of war cease and the propitious torch of marriage banish savage Mars afar. Let regal blood unite once more with regal blood. Perform a father's office and unite these children with thine illustrious hand. Thou didst marry an emperor's daughter, now, in turn, thy daughter shall marry an emperor. What room is here for the madness of jealousy ? What excuse for envy ? Stilicho is father both of bride and bridegroom.
IV (XIV)
Hesperus, loved of Venus, rises and shines for the marriage with his Idalian 1 rays. Maiden shame now overcomes the anxious bride ; her veil now shows traces of innocent tears. Hesitate not to be close
in thine attacks, young lover, e'en though she oppose
thee savagely with cruel finger-nail. None can enjoy the scents of spring nor steal the honey of Hybla from its fastnesses if he fears that thorns may scratch his face. Thorns arm the rose and bees find a defence for their honey. The refusals of coyness do but increase the joy ; the desire for that which flies us is the more inflamed ; sweeter is the kiss snatched through tears. How oft wilt thou say : " Better this"than ten victories over the
yellow-haired Sarmatae !
1 Idalian : from Idalium, a mountain in Cyprus, sacred to Venus.
237
238
CLAUDIAN
Adspirate novam pectoribus fidem mansuramque facem tradite sensibus.
tam iunctis manibus nectite vincula,
quam frondens hedera stringitur aesculus,
quam lento premitur palmite populus, 20 et murmur querula blandius alite
Unguis adsiduo reddite mutuis.
et labris animum conciliantibus
alternum rapiat somnus anhelitum.
amplexu caleat purpura regio 25 et vestes Tyrio sanguine fulgidas
alter virgineus nobilitet cruor.
tum victor madido prosilias toro
nocturni referens vulnera proelii.
Ducant pervigiles carmina tibiae 30 permissisque iocis turba licentior
exultet tetricis libera legibus.
passim cum ducibus ludite milites,
passim cum pueris ludite virgines.
haec vox aetheriis insonet axibus, 35 haec vox per populos, per mare transeat :
" formosus Mariam ducit Honorius. "
FESCENNINE VERSES, IV
Breathe a new loyalty into your breasts and let your senses kindle a flame that shall never be extin guished. May your clasped hands form a bond more close than that betwixt ivy and
flowering chestnut or poplar and pliant vine. Be the frequent kisses that ye give and receive breathed more softly than those of. plaintive doves, and when lips have
united soul to soul let sleep still
breath. Be the purple couch warm with princely wooing, and a new stain ennoble coverlets ruddy with Tyrian dye. Then leap victorious from the marriage-bed, scarred with the night's encounter.
All night long let the music of the flute resound
and the crowd, set free from law's harsh restraints,
with larger licence indulge the permitted jest. Soldiers, make merry with your leaders, girls with boys. Be this the cry that re-echoes from" pole to pole, among the peoples, over the seas : Fair Honorius weds with Maria. "
your throbbing your
239
EPITHALAMIUM
DE NUPTIIS HONORII AUGUSTI
PRAEFATIO
(IX. )
Surgeret in thalamum ducto cum Pelion arcu nec caperet tantos hospita terra deos,
cum socer aequoreus numerosaque turba sororum certarent epulis continuare dies
praeberetque Iovi communia pocula Chiron, 5
molliter obliqua parte refusus equi, Peneus gelidos mutaret nectare fontes,
Oetaeis fluerent spumea vina iugis : Terpsichore facilem lascivo pollice movit
barbiton et molles duxit in antra choros. 10 carmina nec superis nec displicuere Tonanti,
cum teneris nossent congrua vota modis.
Centauri Faunique negant. quae flectere Rhoeton.
quae rigidum poterant plectra movere Pholum ?
Septima lux aderat caelo totiensque renato 15 viderat exactos Hesperus igne choros :
tum Phoebus, quo saxa domat, quo pertrahit ornos.
pectine temptavit nobiliore lyram
venturumque sacris fidibus iam spondet Achillem,
iam Phrygias caedes, iam Simoenta canit. 20 frondoso strepuit felix Hymenaeus Olympo ;
reginam resonant Othrys et Ossa Thetim. 240
EPITHALAMIUM OF HONORIUS AND MARIA
PREFACE
(IX)
When Pelion reared his height to form a bridal chamber with long-drawn arches, and his hospitable land could not contain so many gods ; when Nereus, sire of the bride, and all the throng of her sisters strove to link day to day with feastings ; when Chiron, lying at ease with his horse-flanks curled under him, offered the loving-cup to Jove ; when Peneus turned
his cold waters to nectar and frothing wine flowed down from Oeta's summit, Terpsichore struck her
with festive hand and led the girlish bands into the caves. The gods, the Thunderer himself, disdained not these songs, for they knew that lovers' vows ever harmonized with tender strains. Centaurs and Fauns would have none of it : what lyre could touch Rhoetus or move inhuman Pholus ?
The seventh day had flamed in heaven, seven times had Hesperus relumed his lamp and seen the dances completed ; then Phoebus touched his lyre with that nobler quill, wherewith he leads captive rocks and mountain-ashes, and sang to his sacred strings now the promised birth of Achilles, now the slaughter of the Trojans and the river Simois. The happy marriage-cry re-echoed o'er leafy Olympus, and Othrys and Ossa gave back their mistress Thetis' name.
VOL. i r 241
ready lyre
EPITHALAMIUM
(X. )
Hauserat insolitos promissae virginis ignes Augustus primoque rudis flagraverat aestu ;
nec novus unde calor nec quid suspiria vellent, noverat incipiens et adhuc ignarus amandi.
non illi venator equus, non spicula curae, 5 non iaculum torquere libet ; mens omnis aberrat
in vulnus, quod fixit Amor. quam saepe medullis
erupit gemitus ! quotiens incanduit ore
confessus secreta rubor nomenque beatum
iniussae scripsere manus ! iam munera nuptae 10 praeparat et pulchros Mariae sed luce minores
eligit ornatus, quidquid venerabilis olim
Livia divorumque nurus gessere superbae.
incusat spes aegra moras longique videntur
stare dies segnemque rotam non flectere Phoebe. 15 Scyria sic tenerum virgo flammabat Achillem
fraudis adhuc expers bellatricesque docebat
ducere fila manus et, mox quos horruit Ide, Thessalicos roseo nectebat pollice crines.
Haec etiam queritur secum : " quonam usque verendus 20
242
EPITHALAMIUM
(X)
Unfelt before was the fire the Emperor Honorius had conceived for his promised bride, and he burned, all unexperienced, with passion's first fever, nor knew whence came the heat, what meant the sighs — a tyro and as yet ignorant of love. Hunting, horses,
javelins —for none of these he now cares nor yet to fling the spear ; Love's wound occupies all his
thoughts. How often he groaned from the very heart ; how often a blush, mantling to his cheeks, betrayed his secret ; how often, unbidden of himself, his hand would write the loved one's name. Already he prepares gifts for his betrothed and selects to adorn her (though their beauty is less than hers) the
jewels once worn by noble Livia of old and all the proud women of the imperial house. The impatient lover chafes at the delay ; the long days seem as though they stood still and the moon as though she moved not her slow wheel. Thus Deidamia,
girl of Scyros, e'er yet she sees through his disguise, inflamed with love the young Achilles, and taught his warrior hands to draw the slender thread and passed her rosy fingers through the locks of that Thes- salian of whom all Ida was soon to stand in awe.
Thus too he communed with himself : "
How
243
long
CLAUDIAN
cunctatur mea vota socer ? quid iungere differt,
quam pepigit, castasque preces implere recusat ?
non ego luxuriem regum moremque secutus
quaesivi vultum tabulis 1 ut nuntia formae
lena per innumeros iret pictura penates, 25 nec variis dubium thalamis lecturus 2 amorem
ardua commisi falsae conubia cerae.
non rapio praeceps alienae foedera taedae,
sed quae sponsa mihi pridem patrisque relicta mandatis uno materni sanguinis ortu communem parti tur avum. fastidia supplex deposui gessique procum ; de limine sacro oratum misi proceres, qui proxima nobis
iura tenent. fateor, Stilicho, non parva poposci, sed certe mereor princeps, hoc principe natus
qui sibi te generum fraterna prole revinxit,
cui Mariam debes. faenus mihi solve paternum, redde suos aulae. mater fortasse rogari
mollior. o patrui germen, cui nominis heres successi, sublime decus torrentis Hiberi,
stirpe soror, pietate parens, tibi creditus infans inque tuo crevi gremio, partuque remoto
tu potius Flaccilla mihi. quid dividis ergo
1 tabulis vulg. ; Birt reads thalamis with the better mss. 2 Birt reads laturus with P ; other mss. lecturus
30
35
40
1 Serena, daughter of Honorius, the elder, the brother of Theodosius the Great. Theodosius adopted Serena so that by adoption Honorius and Serena were brother and sister,
244
EPITHALAMIUM
will honoured Stilicho forbear to grant my prayers ? Why postpones he the union of those whose love he has approved ? Why should he refuse to fulfil my
I follow not the
princes in seeking the beauties of a pictured counten
chaste desires ?
example
of luxurious
ance, whereby the pander canvass may pass from house to house to make known the charms de manded ; nor yet have I sought to choose the un certain object of my love from this house or from that, and thus entrusted to deceptive wax the difficult selection of a bride. I sever not in violence the bonds that unite a wedded woman to her lord ; her I seek who hath long been betrothed to me, who by a father's orders was left my affianced bride and who
grandsire. A suppliant I have laid aside my rank and acted the suitor. Princes, second only to myself in rank, have I sent from my imperial palace to present my petition. Tis no small thing I ask, Stilicho ; that I admit ; yet surely to me, an emperor, son of that other emperor who, by giving thee his
son-in-law, —to me thou dost owe Maria.
back to the son the interest due to his sire ; restore to the palace those who are its own. Mayhap her mother1 will be less inexorable. Daughter of mine uncle Honorius, whence I derive my name, chief glory of the land of swift-flowing Ebro, cousin by birth, by mother's love a mother, to thy care was mine infancy entrusted, in thine arms I grew to boy
hood ; save for my birth thou, rather than Flacilla, art my mother. Why dost thou separate thy two
by birth cousins. Serena was probably born in 376 ; Honorius not till Sept. 9, 384.
245
through her mother shares with me a common
brother's adopted daughter to wife, made thee his
Pay
CLAUDIAN
pignora ? quid iuveni natam non reddis alumno ? optatusne dies aderit ? dabiturne iugalis 45 nox umquam ? "
Tali solatur vulnera questu. risit Amor placidaeque volat trans aequora matri
nuntius et totas iactantior explicat alas.
Moris latus Ionium Cypri praeruptus obumbrat,
invius humano gressu, Phariumque cubile 50 Proteos et septem despectat cornua Nili.
hunc neque candentes audent vestire pruinae,
hunc venti pulsare timent, hunc laedere nimbi. luxuriae Venerique vacat. pars acrior anni
exulat ; aeterni patet indulgentia veris. 55 in campum se fundit apex ; hunc aurea saepes
circuit et fulvo defendit prata metallo. Mulciber, ut perhibent, his oscula coniugis emit moenibus et tales uxorius obtulit arces.
intus rura micant, manibus quae subdita nullis 60 perpetuum florent, Zephyro contenta colono, umbrosumque nemus, quo non admittitur ales,
ni probet ante suos diva sub iudice cantus :
quae placuit, fruitur ramis ; quae victa, recedit. vivunt in Venerem frondes omnisque vicissim 65 felix arbor amat ; nutant ad mutua palmae
foedera, populeo suspirat populus ictu
et platani platanis alnoque adsibilat alnus.
Labuntur gemini fontes, hie dulcis, amarus
alter, et infusis corrumpunt mella venenis, 70
246
EPITHALAMIUM
children ? Why not bestow a daughter born upon an adopted son ? Will the longed - for day ever come ; the marriage-night ever be sanctioned ? "
With such complaint he assuages the wounds of love. Cupid laughed and speeding across the deep bore the news to his gentle mother, proudly spreading his wings to their full extent.
Where Cyprus looks out over the Ionian main a craggy mountain overshadows it ; unapproachable by human foot it faces the isle of Pharos, the home of Proteus and the seven mouths of the Nile. The hoar frost dares not clothe its sides, nor the rude winds buffet it nor clouds obscure. It is consecrate to pleasure and to Venus. The year's less clement seasons are strangers to it, whereover ever brood the blessings of eternal spring. The mountain's height slopes down into a plain ; that a golden hedge
encircles, guarding its meadows with yellow metal. This demesne, men say, was the price paid by Mulciber for the kisses of his wife, these towers were
the gift of a loving husband. Fair is the enclosed country, ever bright with flowers though touched with no labouring hand, for Zephyr is husbandman enough therefor. Into its shady groves no bird may enter save such as has first won the goddess' approval for its song. Those which please her may flit among the branches ; they must quit who cannot pass the test. The very leaves live for love and in his season every happy tree experiences love's power : palm bends down to mate with palm, poplar sighs its passion for poplar, plane whispers to plane, alder to alder.
Here spring two fountains, the one of sweet water, the other of bitter, honey is mingled with the first, poison with the second, and in these streams 'tis said
247
CLAUDIAN
unde Cupidineas armari fama sagittas.
mille pharetrati ludunt in margine fratres,
ore pares, aevo similes, gens mollis Amorum.
hos Nymphae pariunt, illum Venus aurea solum edidit. ille deos caelumque et sidera cornu 75 temperat et summos dignatur figere reges ;
hi plebem feriunt. nec cetera numina desunt :
hic habitat nullo constricta Licentia nodo
et flecti faciles Irae vinoque madentes
E'xcubiae Lacrimaeque rudes et gratus amantum 80
Pallor et in primis titubans Audacia furtis
iucundique Metus et non secura Voluptas ; et lasciva volant levibus Periuria ventis. quos inter petulans alta cervice Iuventas excludit Senium luco.
Procul atria divae permutant radios silvaque obstante virescunt.
Lemnius haec etiam gemmis extruxit et auro admiscens artem pretio trabibusque smaragdi supposuit caesas hyacinthi rupe columnas. beryllo paries et iaspide lubrica surgunt limina despectusque solo calcatur achates,
in medio glaebis redolentibus area dives praebet odoratas messes ; hic mitis amomi,
hic casiae matura seges, Panchaeaque turgent cinnama, nec sicco frondescunt vimina costo tardaque sudanti prorepunt balsama rivo.
85
90
.
95
Quo postquam delapsus Amor longasque peregit penna vias, alacer passuque superbior intrat. caesariem tunc forte Venus subnixa corusco
fingebat solio. dextra laevaque sorores 100 stabant Idaliae : largos haec nectaris imbres
248
1 i. e. the Graces.
-
EPITHALAMIUM
that Cupid dips his arrows. A thousand brother Loves with quivers play all around upon the banks, a tender company like to Cupid himself in face and of equal age. The nymphs are their mothers ; Cupid is the only child of golden Venus. He with his bow subdues the stars and the gods and heaven, and
disdains not to wound mighty kings ;
the common people is the prey. Other deities, too, are here : Licence bound by no fetters, easily moved Anger, Wakes dripping with wine, inexperienced Tears, Pallor that lovers ever prize, Boldness trem bling at his first thefts, happy Fears, unstable Pleasure, and lovers' Oaths, the sport of every lightest breeze. Amid them all wanton Youth with haughty neck shuts out Age from the grove.
of the others
Afar shines and glitters the goddess' many-coloured palace, green gleaming by reason of the encircling
Vulcan built this too of precious stones and gold, wedding their costliness to art. Columns cut from rock of hyacinth support emerald beams ; the walls are of beryl, the high-builded thresholds of polished jaspar, the floor of agate trodden as dirt beneath the foot. In the midst is a courtyard rich with fragrant turf that yields a harvest of perfume ; there grows sweet spikenard and ripe cassia, Panchaean cinnamon-flowers and sprays of oozy balm, while balsam creeps forth slowly in an exuding stream.
Hither Love glided down, winging his way o'er the long journey. Joyfully and with prouder gait than e'er his wont he enters. Venus was seated on her glittering throne, tiring her hair. On her right hand and on her left stood the Idalian sisters. 1 Of these one pours a rich stream of nectar over Venus'
249
grove.
CLAUDIAN
inrigat, haec morsu numerosi dentis eburno multifidum discrimen arat ; sed tertia retro
dat varios nexus et iusto dividit orbes
ordine, neglectam partem studiosa relinquens : 105 plus error decuit. speculi nec vultus egebat
iudicio ; similis tecto monstratur in omni
et capitur 1 quocumque videt. dum singula cernit, seque probat, nati venientis conspicit umbram ambrosioque sinu puerum complexa ferocem 110 " quid tantum gavisus ? " ait ; " quae proelia sudas improbe ? quis iacuit telis ? iterumne Tonantem inter Sidonias cogis mugire iuvencas ?
an Titana domas ? an pastoralia Lunam
rursus in antra vocas ? durum magnumque videris
debellasse deum. "
Gremio natum Cytherea removit et crines festina ligat peplumque fluentem
adlevat et blando spiranfem numine ceston
116
ille refert :
rettulimus, nostrum iam sensit Honorius arcum.
scis Mariam patremque ducem, qui cuspide Gallos Italiamque fovet, nec te praeclara Serenae 120 fama latet. propera ; regalibus adnue votis :
iunge toros. "
" Suspensus in oscula matris Laetare, parens ; inmane tropaeum
cingitur, impulsos pluviis quo mitigat amnes, 125 quo mare, quo ventos irataque fulmina solvit.
ut stetit ad litus, parvos adfatur alumnos :
" Heus ! quis erit, pueri, vitreas qui lapsus in undas hue rapidum Tritona vocet, quo vecta per altum
1 Birt, following the mss. , rapitur ; capitur was suggested by Conington, comparing Virg. Aen. viii. 311.
250
EPITHALAMIUM
head, another parts her hair with a fine ivory comb. A third, standing behind the goddess, braids her tresses and orders her ringlets in due array, yet carefully leaving a part untended ; such negligence becomes her more. Nor did her face lack the mirror's verdict ; her image is reflected over all the palace and she is charmed wheresoever she looks. While she surveys each detail and approves her beauty
she notes the shadow of her son as he approaches and catches the fierce boy to her fragrant bosom. " Whence comes thy joy ? " she asks ; " cruel child, what battles hast thou fought ? What victim has thine arrow pierced ? Hast thou once more com pelled the Thunderer to low among the heifers of Sidon ? Hast thou overcome Apollo, or again summoned Diana to a shepherd's care ? Methinks thou hast triumphed over some fierce and potent
god. "
" Hanging upon his mother's kisses he answered :
Mother, be thou glad ; a great victory is ours. Now has Honorius felt our arrows. Thou knowest Maria and her sire, the general whose spear pro tects Gaul and Italy ; the fame of noble Serena is not hidden from thee. Haste thee, assent to their
princely prayers and seal this royal union. "
freed her from her son's embrace,
Cytherea
hastily bound up her hair, gathered up her flowing dress and girt herself about with the divine girdle whose all-compelling charm can stay the rain-swollen torrent and appease the sea, the winds and angry thunderbolts. Soon as she stood on the shore she thus addressed her small foster-children. " Come, children, which of you will plunge beneath the glassy wave and summon me hither fleet Triton to bear me
251
CLAUDIAN
deferar ? haud umquam tanto mihi venerit usu. 130 sacri, quos petimus, thalami. pernicius omnes quaerite, seu concha Libycum circumsonat aequor, Aegaeas seu frangit aquas.
quicumque repertiim duxerit, aurata donabitur ille pharetra. "
Dixerat et sparsa diversi plebe feruntur 135 exploratores. pelagi sub fluctibus ibat
Carpathiis Triton obluctantemque petebat Cymothoen. timet illa ferum seseque sequenti subripit et duris elabitur uda lacertis.
" heus," inquit speculatus Amor, " non vestra sub imis furta tegi potuere vadis. accingere nostram 141 vecturus dominam : pretium non vile laboris
Cymothoen facilem, quae nunc detrectat, habebis. hac mercede veni. "
Prorupit gurgite torvus semifer ; undosi verrebant brachia crines ; 145
hispida tendebant bifido vestigia cornu,
qua pistrix commissa viro. ter pectora movit ; iam quarto Paphias tractu sulcabat harenas. umbratura deam retro sinuatur in arcum
belua ; tum vivo squalentia murice terga 150 purpureis mollita toris 1 : hoc navigat antro 2
fulta Venus ; niveae delibant aequora plantae. prosequitur volucer late comitatus Amorum tranquillumque choris quatitur mare. serta per
omnem
Neptuni dispersa domum. Cadmeia ludit 155 Leucothoe, frenatque rosis delphina Palaemon ; alternas violis Nereus interserit algas ;
1 toris A, followed by Birt ; but rosis VP is attractive. 2 antro P1 ; vulg. ostro.
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EPITHALAMIUM
quickly o'er the deep ? Never will he have come
to do us better service. Sacred is the
that I seek. Make all speed in your search ; may be the Libyan sea rings to his conch, may be he cleaves the Aegean main. Whoso shall find and bring him hither shall have a golden quiver as a
reward. "
She spake and, dividing into various bands, the
scouts set out. Triton was swimming beneath the waves of the Carpathian sea, pursuing reluctant Cymothoe. She feared her rough lover and eluded his pursuit, her wet form gliding through the em braces of his strong arms. One of the Loves espied
marriage
him and cried, " Stay ! the deeps cannot hide your amours. Make ready to carry our mistress ; as a reward for thy services (and 'tis no meagre one) thou shalt have Cymothoe, a complaisant mistress shall she be though she flout thee now. Come and win thy recompense. "
The dread monster uprose from the abyss ; his billowing hair swept his shoulders ; hoofs of cloven horn grown round with bristles sprang from where his
fishy tail joined his man's body. He swam three strokes and at the fourth stranded upon the shore of Cyprus. To shade the goddess the monster arched back his tail ; then his back, rough with living purple, was bedded with scarlet coverlets ; resting in such a retreat does Venus voyage, her snowy feet just dipping in the sea. A great company of winged Loves fly after her, troubling the calm surface of Qcean. Neptune's palace is all adorned with flowers. Leucothoe, daughter of Cadmus, sports on the water, and Palaemon drives his dolphin
with a bridle of roses. Nereus sets violets here 253
CLAUDIAN
canitiem Glaucus ligat inmortalibus herbis.
nec non et variis vectae Nereides ibant
audito rumore feris (hanc pisce voluto 160 sublevat Oceani monstrum Tartesia tigris ;
hanc timor Aegaei rupturus fronte carinas
trux aries ; haec caeruleae suspensa leaenae
innatat ; haec viridem trahitur complexa iuvencum)
certatimque novis onerant conubia donis. cingula Cymothoe, rarum Galatea monile
et gravibus Psamathe bacis diadema ferebat intextum, Rubro quas legerat ipsa profundo. mergit se subito vellitque corallia Doto :
vimen erat dum stagna subit ; processerat undis : gemma fuit.
Nudae Venerem cinxere catervae
165
1 70
plaudentesque simul tali cum voce sequuntur :
" hos Mariae cultus, haec munera nostra precamur
reginae regina feras. die talia numquam promeruisse Thetim nec cum soror Amphitrite 175 nostro nupta Iovi. devotum sentiat aequor,
agnoscat famulum virgo Stilichonia pontum.
victrices nos saepe rates classemque paternam veximus, attritis cum tenderet ultor Achivis. "
Iam Ligurum terris spumantia pectora Triton 180 adpulerat lassosque fretis extenderat orbes.
continuo sublime volans ad moenia Gallis
condita, lanigeri suis ostentantia pellem,
pervenit. adventu Veneris pulsata recedunt
nubila, clarescunt puris Aquilonibus Alpes. 185
1 i. e. Neptune.
2 Milan ; cf. Isid. Orig. xv. 1 vocatum Mediolanum ab eo, quod ibi sus in medio lanea perhibetur inventa ; Sidon. Apol. vii. 1 7 et quae lanigero de sue nomen habent.
254
EPITHALAMIUM
and there among the seaweed and Glaucus wreathes his grey hair with deathless flowers. Hearing the tale the Nereids, too, came mounted on various beasts : one (maiden above but fish below) rides the dread sea-tiger of Tartessus ; another is carried by that fierce ram, the terror of the Aegean, who shatters ships with his forehead ; a third bestrides the neck of a sea-lion ; another is borne
along by the sea-calf to which she clings. They vie with
one another in bringing gifts to the newly-wedded pair. Cymothoe presents a girdle, Galatea a precious necklace, Psamathe a diadem heavily en crusted with pearls gathered by herself from the depths of the Red Sea. Doto suddenly dives to gather coral, a plant so long as it is beneath the water, a jewel once it is brought forth from the waves.
The nude crowd of Nereids throng around Venus,
following her and singing praises after this manner : " We beg thee, Venus, our queen, to bear these our gifts, these adornments, to queen Maria. Tell her that never did Thetis receive their like nor even our sister Amphitrite when she espoused our Jupiter. 1 Let the daughter of Stilicho hereby realize the devotion of the sea and know that Ocean is her slave. 'Tis we who bore up her father's fleet, the hope of his victorious land, what time he set
out to avenge the ruined Greeks. "
And now Triton's foam-flecked breast had touched
the Ligurian shore and his wearied coils were extended over the surface of the water. Straightway Venus flew high in the air to the city founded by the Gauls, the city that shows as its device the fleece-covered pelt of a sow. 2 At the coming of the goddess the routed clouds retire ; bright shine the Alps be
255
CLAUDIAN
laetitiae causas ignorat dicere miles laetaturque tamen ; Mavortia signa rubescunt floribus et subitis animantur frondibus hastae. illa suum dictis adfatur talibus agmen :
" Gradivum, nostri comites, arcete parumper, 190 ut soli vacet aula mihi. procul igneus horror
thoracum, gladiosque tegat vagina minaces.
stent bellatrices aquilae saevique dracones.
fas sit castra meis hodie succumbere signis :
tibia pro lituis et pro clangore tubarum 195 molle lyrae festumque canant. epulentur ad ipsas excubias ; mediis spirent crateres in armis.
laxet terribiles maiestas regia fastus
et sociam plebem non indignata potestas
confundat turbae proceres. solvantur habenis 200
gaudia nec leges pudeat ridere severas.
" Tu festas, Hymenaee, faces, tu, Gratia, flores
elige, tu geminas, Concordia, necte coronas.
vos, pennata cohors, quocumque vocaverit usus, divisa properate manu, neu marceat ulla 205 segnities : alii funalibus ordine ductis
plurima venturae suspendite lumina nocti ;
hi nostra nitidos postes obducere myrto
contendant ; pars nectareis adspergite tecta
fontibus et flamma lucos adolete Sabaeos ; 210 pars infecta croco velamina lutea Serum
pandite Sidoniasque solo prosternite vestes.
ast alii thalamum docto componite textu ; stamine gemmato picturatisque columnis
256
EPITHALAMIUM
neath the clear North wind. The soldier rejoices though he cannot tell why. The standards of war burgeon with red flowers and the spears on a sudden sprout with living leaves. Then Venus thus addresses her attendant throng. " Comrades mine, keep away for a while the god of war that the
palace may be mine and mine alone. Banish afar the terror of the flashing breastplate ; let its scabbard sheath the threatening sword. Advance not the standards of war, the eagles and savage dragons. This day the camp shall yield to my standards ; the flute shall sound instead of the bugle, the soft strains of the happy lyre take the place of the trumpets' blare. Let the soldiers feast even when on guard and the beakers foam in the midst of arms. Let regal majesty lay by its awful pride and power, disdaining not to associate with the people, make one the nobles with the crowd. Let joy be unrestrained and sober Law herself be not ashamed to laugh.
" Hymen, choose thou the festal torches, and ye Graces gather flowers for the feast. Thou, Concord, weave two garlands. You, winged band, divide and hasten whithersoever you can be of use : let none be slothful or lazy. You others hang numberless lamps in order from their brackets against the coming of
Let these haste to entwine the gleaming
night.
door-posts with my sacred myrtle. Do you sprinkle the palace with drops of nectar and kindle a whole grove of Sabaean incense. Let others unfold yellow- dyed silks from China and spread tapestries of Sidon on the ground. Do you employ all your arts in
the marriage-bed. Woven with jewels and upborne on carved columns be its canopy, such
decorating
vol. i s 257
CLAUDIAN
aedificetur apex, qualem non Lydia dives 215
erexit Pelopi nec quem struxere Lyaeo
Indorum spoliis et opaco palmite Bacchae.
illic exuvias omnes cumulate parentum : quidquid avus senior Mauro vel Saxone victis,
quidquid ab innumeris socio Stilichone tremendus 220
quaesivit genitor bellis, quodcumque Gelonus Armeniusve dedit ; quantum crinita sagittis
attulit extremo Meroe circumflua Nilo ;
misit Achaemenio quidquid de Tigride Medus,
cum supplex emeret Romanam Parthia pacem. 225 nobilibus gazis opibusque cubilia surgant
barbaricis ; omnes thalamo conferte triumphos. "
Sic ait et sponsae petit improvisa penates.
illa autem secura tori taedasque parari
nescia divinae fruitur sermone parentis 230 maternosque bibit mores exemplaque discit
prisca pudicitiae Latios nec volvere libros
desinit aut Graios, ipsa genetrice magistra,
Maeonius quaecumque senex aut Thracius Orpheus
aut Mytilenaeo modulatur pectine Sappho 235 (sic Triviam Latona monet ; sic mitis in antro
Mnemosyne docili tradit praecepta Thaliae) :
cum procul augeri nitor et iucundior aer
attonitam lustrare domum fundique comarum
gratus odor. mox vera fides numenque refulsit. 240 cunctatur stupefacta Venus ; nunc ora puellae,
258
EPITHALAMIUM
as rich Lydia ne'er built for Pelops nor yet the Bacchae for Lyaeus, decked as his was with the spoils of Ind and the mantling vine. Heap up there all the gathered wealth of the family, all the spoil that Honorius the elder, our emperor's grandsire, won from Moor and Saxon, all that his dread father with Stilicho at his side gained from numberless wars, all that the Geloni and Armenians have contributed or Meroe added—Meroe encircled by furthermost Nile whose people decorate their hair with arrows ; whatever the Medes sent from the banks of Persian Tigris when suppliant Parthia
of Rome. Let the lofty couch be
bought peace
adorned with the barbaric splendour of treasuries ; be all the wealth of all our triumphs gathered in that marriage-chamber. "
So spake she and all unannounced sought the bride's home. But Maria, with no thoughts of wedlock nor knowing that the torches were being got ready, was listening with rapt attention to the discourse of her saintly mother, drinking in that
mother's nature and learning to follow the example of old-world chastity ; nor does she cease under that mother's guidance to unroll the writers of Rome and Greece, all that old Homer sang, or Thracian Orpheus, or that Sappho set to music with Lesbian quill ; (even so Latona taught Diana ; so gentle Mnemosyne in her cave gave instruction to meek Thalia) —when the sky from afar grows more bright, a sweeter air breathes through the astonished palace and there is spread the happy fragrance of scented locks. Soon came the proof; in all her beauty the goddess bursts upon them. Yet Venus stands amazed, admiring now the daughter's
259
kings'
CLAUDIAN
nunc flavam niveo miratur vertice matrem.
haec modo crescenti, plenae par altera lunae : adsurgit ceu forte minor sub matre virenti
laurus et ingentes ramos olimque futuras 245 promittit iam parva comas ; vel flore sub uno
ceu geminae Paestana rosae per iugera regnant : haec largo matura die saturataque vernis
roribus indulget spatio ; latet altera nodo
nec teneris audet foliis admittere soles. 250 " Adstitit et blande Mariam Cytherea salutat :
salve sidereae proles augusta Serenae, magnorum suboles regum parituraque reges.
te propter Paphias sedes Cyprumque reliqui,
te propter libuit tantos explere labores 255 et tantum transnare maris, ne vilior ultra
privatos paterere lares neu tempore longo
dilatos iuvenis nutriret Honorius ignes.
accipe fortunam generis, diadema resume,
quod tribuas natis, et in haec penetralia rursus, 260 unde parens progressa, redi. fac nulla subesse vincula cognatae : quamvis aliena fuisses
principibus, regnum poteras hoc ore mereri.
quae propior sceptris facies ? qui dignior aula 264 vultus erit ? non labra rosae, non colla pruinae,
non crines aequant violae, non lumina flammae. quam iuncti leviter sese discrimine confert
umbra supercilii ! miscet quam iusta pudorem temperies nimio nec sanguine candor abundat !
1 The viola was probably a pansy or wallflower, Gk. XevxlXoy.
260
EPITHALAMIUM
loveliness, now the snowy neck and golden hair of the mother. The one is like unto the crescent moon, the other to the full. So grows a young laurel beneath the shadow of its parent tree and, small as it now is, gives promise of great branches
and thick foliage to come. of Paestum on one stalk ; has brought to maturity ;
Or as 'twere two roses the one day's fulness
steeped in the dews of
spring it spreads abroad its petals ; the other yet nestles in its bud nor dares receive the sun's warmth within its tender heart.
Venus stood and addressed Maria with these gentle words : " All hail ! revered daughter of divine Serena, scion of great kings and destined to be the mother of kings. For thy sake have I left my home in Paphos' isle and Cyprus ; for thy sake was I pleased to face so many labours and cross so many seas lest thou shouldst continue to live a private life little befitting thy true worth and lest young Honorius should still feed in his heart the flame of unrequited love. Take the rank thy birth demands, resume the crown to bequeath it to thy children and re-enter the palace whence thy mother sprang. E'en though no ties of blood united thee to the royal house, though thou wert in no way related thereto, yet would thy beauty render thee worthy of a king dom. What face could rather win a sceptre ? What countenance better adorn a palace ? Redder than roses thy lips, whiter than the hoar-frost thy neck, cowslips 1 are not more yellow than thine hair, fire not more bright than thine eyes. With how fine an interspace do the delicate eyebrows meet upon thy forehead ! How just the blend that makes thy blush, thy fairness not o'ermantled with too much
261
CLAUDIAN
Aurorae vincis digitos umerosque Dianae ; 270 ipsam iam superas matrem. si Bacchus amator dotali potuit caelum signare corona,
cur nullis virgo redimitur pulchrior astris ?
iam tibi molitur stellantia serta Bootes
inque decus Mariae iam sidera parturit aether. 275 i, digno nectenda viro tantique per orbem
consors imperii ! iam te venerabitur Hister ;
nomen adorabunt populi ; iam Rhenus et Albis serviet ; in medios ibis regina Sygambros.
quid numerem gentes Atlanteosque recessus 280 Oceani ? toto pariter donabere mundo. "
Dixit et ornatus, dederant quos nuper ovantes Nereides, collo membrisque micantibus aptat. ipsa caput distinguit acu, substringit amictus ;
flammea virgineis accommodat ipsa capillis. 285 ante fores iam pompa sonat, pilentaque sacra praeradiant ductura nurum. calet obvius ire
iam princeps tardumque cupit discedere solem : nobilis haud aliter sonipes, quem primus amoris sollicitavit odor, tumidus quatiensque decoras 290
curvata cervice iubas Pharsalia rura
pervolat et notos hinnitu flagitat amnes
naribus accensis ; mulcet fecunda magistros spes gregis et pulchro gaudent armenta marito.
Candidus interea positis exercitus armis 295 exultat socerum circa ; nec signifer ullus
1 Venus acts as pronuba. The parting of the hair with the spear was a relic of marriage by capture (cf. Catullus lxi. ).
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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
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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
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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
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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.
