Universal contempt is sometimes a boon. Driven out by all, he could freely range amid every sort of crime, and open a way for destiny. Oh thou, whosoe’er thou art, that holdest sway in Olympus, was it thy humour to make such mockery of mankind? He who was not suffered to perform the duties of a slave is admitted to the administration of an empire; him whom a private house scorned as a servant, a palace tolerates as its lord. When first the consular residence received this old vixen, who did not lament? Who grieved not to see an oft-sold corpse worm itself into the sacred service of the emperor? Nay, the very palace-servants, holding a prouder rank in slavery, murmured at such a colleague and long haughtily scorned his company. * * * * * Page 150 Cernite, quem Latiis poscant adnectere fastis: cuius et eunuchos puduit! sed vilior ante obscurae latuit pars ignotissima turbae, donec Abundanti furiis--qui rebus Eois exitium primumque sibi produxit--ab imis 155 evectus thalamis summos invasit honores. quam bene dispositum terris, ut dignus iniqui fructus consilii primis auctoribus instet. sic multos fluvio vates arente per annos hospite qui caeso monuit placare Tonantem, 160 inventas primus Busiridis imbuit aras et cecidit saevi, quod dixerat, hostia sacri. sic opifex tauri tormentorumque repertor, qui funesta novo fabricaverat aera dolori, primus inexpertum Siculo cogente tyranno 165 sensit opus docuitque suum mugire iuvencum. nullius Eutropius, quam qui se protulit, ante direptas possedit opes nullumque priorem perculit exilio solumque hoc rite peregit, auctorem damnare suum. Postquam obsitus aevo 170 semivir excelsam rerum sublatus in arcem, quod nec vota pati nec fingere somnia possunt, vidit sub pedibus leges subiectaque colla nobilium tantumque sibi permittere fata, qui nihil optasset plus libertate mereri, 175 * * * * * Page 151