Iam sola renidet in Stilichone salus, et cuius semper acerbum ingratumque sibi factorum conscius horror credidit adventum, quem si procedere tantum Alpibus audissent, mortem poenasque tremebant, iam cuncti venisse volunt, scelerumque priorum 506 paenitet; hoc tantis bellorum sidus in undis sperant, hoc pariter iusti sontesque precantur: ceu pueri, quibus alta pater trans aequora merces devehit, intenti ludo studiisque soluti 510 latius amoto passim custode vagantur; si gravis auxilio vacuas invaserit aedes vicinus laribusque suis proturbet inultos, tum demum patrem implorant et nomen inani voce cient frustraque oculos ad litora tendunt. 515 Omnes supplicio dignos letoque fatentur, qui se tradiderint famulis Stilichone relicto. mutati stupuere diu sensuque reducto paulatim proprii mirantur monstra furoris avertuntque oculos: proiectis fascibus horret 520 lictor et infames labuntur sponte secures: quales Aonio Thebas de monte reversae Maenades infectis Pentheo sanguine thyrsis, cum patuit venatus atrox matrique rotatum conspexere caput, gressus caligine figunt 525 et rabiem desisse dolent. quin protinus ipsa tendit ad Italiam supplex Aurora potentem * * * * * Page 223 There now shone forth but one hope of salvation--Stilicho. Him the expectation of whose visits the consciousness of deeds ill-done had ever rendered bitter and unpleasant, him whose approach even as far as the Alps afflicted the Byzantines with fear of death and punishment, all now wish to come, repentant of their former wrongdoing. To him they look as to a star amid this universal shipwreck of war; to him innocent and guilty alike address their prayers. So children whose sire carries merchandise across the sea, wrapt up in their amusements and heedless of their studies, wander afield more joyfully now that their guardian is absent, yet, should a dangerous neighbour invade their defenceless home and seek to drive them forth unprotected as they are from their fireside, _then_ they beg their father’s help, call upon his name with useless cries and all to no purpose direct their gaze towards the shore.