Eutropius, although this terrible revolt could not be hid and although rumour had spread everywhere the dread news, none the less affects to ignore it and shuts his eyes to the empire’s peril. ’Twas some poor troop of wandering brigands; such wretches call for punishment not war; a judge--so he brags--not a general should crush their strength. Even so the great Libyan bird, hard pressed by the cries of its pursuers, runs o’er the burning sands and flies through the dust, curving its wings like sails to catch the breeze; but when it clearly hears the footsteps close behind it, it forgets its flight, standing with closed eyes and hiding its head, believing, poor fool, it cannot be seen by those whom itself cannot see. None the less Eutropius * * * * * Page 208 cum donis promissa novis, si forte rogatus desinat. ille semel nota dulcedine praedae se famulo servire negat, nec grata timentum munera; militiam nullam nec prima superbus 320 cingula dignari; nam quis non consule tali vilis honos? Postquam precibus mitescere nullis, non auro cessisse videt creberque recurrit nuntius incassum nec spes iam foederis extat: tandem consilium belli confessus agendi 325 ad sua tecta vocat. iuvenes venere protervi lascivique senes, quibus est insignis edendi gloria corruptasque dapes variasse decorum, qui ventrem invitant pretio traduntque palato sidereas Iunonis aves et si qua loquendi 330 gnara coloratis viridis defertur ab Indis, quaesitos trans regna cibos, quorumque profundam ingluviem non Aegaeus, non alta Propontis, non freta longinquis Maeotia piscibus explent. vestis odoratae studium; laus maxima risum 335 per vanos movisse sales minimeque viriles munditiae; compti vultus; onerique vel ipsa serica. si Chunus feriat, si Sarmata portas, solliciti scaenae; Romam contemnere sueti mirarique suas, quas Bosphorus obruat! aedes; 340 saltandi dociles aurigarumque periti. Pars humili de plebe duces; pars compede suras * * * * * Page 209 sends towering promises with new gifts, if haply his foe may pause at his entreaty. But the barbarian, in whose heart was once waked the old love of plunder, refuses to submit to a slave; for him the gifts of fear have no charm; haughtily he disdains any rank,[114] even the highest, for under such a consul what honour would not be disgrace?