“Lo! on a sudden from that same clime comes another scourge, less terrible indeed but even more shameful, the consulship of Eutropius. I admit I have long learned to tolerate this unmanned tribe, ever since the court exalted itself with Arsacid pomp and the example of Parthia corrupted our morals. But till now they were but set to guard jewels and raiment, and to secure silence for the imperial slumber. Never beyond the sleeping-chamber [97] She calls him _Germanicus_ because of his pacification of Germany; see Introduction, p. x. * * * * * Page 170 militia eunuchi numquam progressa cubili, non vita spondente fidem, sed inertia tutum 420 mentis pignus erat. secreta monilia servent, ornatus curent Tyrios: a fronte recedant imperii. tenero tractari pectore nescit publica maiestas. numquam vel in aequore puppim vidimus eunuchi clavo parere magistri. 425 nos adeo sperni faciles? orbisque carina vilior? auroram sane, quae talia ferre gaudet, et adsuetas sceptris muliebribus urbes possideant; quid belliferam communibus urunt Italiam maculis nocituraque probra severis 430 ammiscent populis? peregrina piacula forti pellantur longe Latio nec transeat Alpes dedecus; in solis, quibus extitit, haereat arvis. scribat Halys, scribat famae contemptor Orontes: per te perque tuos obtestor Roma triumphos, 435 nesciat hoc Thybris, numquam poscentibus olim qui dare Dentatis annos Fabiisque solebat. Martius eunuchi repetet suffragia campus? Aemilios inter servatoresque Camillos Eutropius? iam Chrysogonis tua, Brute, potestas 440 Narcissisque datur? natos hoc dedere poenae profuit et misero civem praeponere patri? hoc mihi Ianiculo positis Etruria castris quaesiit et tantum fluvio Porsenna remotus? hoc meruit vel ponte Cocles vel Mucius igne? 445 visceribus frustra castum Lucretia ferrum * * * * * Page 171