When Eutropius saw that no prayers could move him nor any gold win him over; when messenger after messenger returned, his mission unfulfilled, and all hopes of an alliance were at an end, he at last recognized the necessity for war and summoned the council to his palace. Thither they came--wanton lads and debauched greybeards whose greatest glory was gluttony, and whose pride it was to diversify the outraged banquet. Their hunger is only aroused by costly meats, and they tickle their palates with foods imported from overseas, the flesh of the many-eyed fowl of Juno,[115] or of that coloured bird brought from farthest Ind that knows how to speak. Not the Aegean, not deep Propontis, not Maeotis’ lake afar can sate their appetites with fish. Perfumed garments are their care, their pride to move foolish laughter with their silly jests. On their adornment and toilette they bestow a woman’s care and find even the silk they wear too heavy a burden. Should the Hun, the Sarmatian, strike at the city’s gates yet trouble they for nought but the theatre. Rome they despise and reserve their admiration for their own houses--may Bosporus’ waters overwhelm them! Skilful dancers they and clever judges of charioteers. Some sprung from the dregs of the people are generals; some magistrates--though their legs and [114] Claudian uses the word _cingulum_ (= a soldier’s belt) as = military service--a not uncommon late use, _cf._ Serv. _Aen._ viii. 724 and (frequently) _cingi_ = to serve, in the Digests. [115] _i.e._ the peacock. * * * * * Page 210 cruraque signati nigro liventia ferro iura regunt, facies quamvis inscripta repugnet seque suo prodat titulo. sed prima potestas 345 Eutropium praefert Hosio subnixa secundo. dulcior hic sane cunctis prudensque movendi iuris et admoto qui temperet omnia fumo, fervidus, accensam sed qui bene decoquat iram. considunt apices gemini dicionis Eoae, 350 hic cocus, hic leno, defossi verbere terga, servitio, non arte pares, hic saepius emptus, alter ad Hispanos nutritus verna penates. Ergo ubi collecti proceres, qui rebus in artis consulerent tantisque darent solacia morbis, 355 obliti subito Phrygiae bellisque relictis ad solitos coepere iocos et iurgia circi tendere. nequiquam magna confligitur ira, quis melius vibrata puer vertigine molli membra rotet, verrat quis marmora crine supino? 360 quis magis enodes laterum detorqueat arcus,[116] quis voci digitos, oculos quis moribus aptet? hi tragicos meminere modos; his fabula Tereus, his necdum commissa choro cantatur Agave. Increpat Eutropius: non haec spectacula tempus poscere; nunc alias armorum incumbere curas; 366 se satis Armenio fessum pro limite cingi