Let Spain hear afar, Spain the cradle of the imperial race, where is a house that is mother of emperors, rich in crowns of laurel, whose triumphs can scarce be numbered. Hence came the bridegroom’s sire, hence the bride’s mother; from either branch flows the blood of the Caesars, like twin streams reunited. Let rich herbage clothe Baetis’ banks and Tagus swell his golden flood; may Ocean, ancestor of the imperial race, make merry in his crystal caves. Let East and West, the two brothers’ realms, join in their applause, and peace and joy fill the cities illumined by the sun at his rising and at his setting. Be still, ye storms of the north and ye mad blasts of Caurus; sounding Auster, sink to rest. Let Zephyrus have sole rule over this year of triumph. * * * * * Page 236 III. (XIII.) Solitas galea fulgere comas, Stilicho, molli necte corona. cessent litui saevumque procul Martem felix taeda releget. tractus ab aula rursus in aulam 5 redeat sanguis. patris officiis iunge potenti pignora dextra. gener Augusti pridem fueras, nunc rursus eris socer Augusti. quae iam rabies livoris erit? 10 vel quis dabitur color invidiae? Stilicho socer est, pater est Stilicho. IV. (XIV.) Attollens thalamis Idalium iubar dilectus Veneri nascitur Hesperus. iam nuptae trepidat sollicitus pudor, iam produnt lacrimas flammea simplices. ne cessa, iuvenis, comminus adgredi, 5 impacata licet saeviat unguibus. non quisquam fruitur veris odoribus Hyblaeos latebris nec spoliat favos, si fronti caveat, si timeat rubos; armat spina rosas, mella tegunt apes. 10 crescunt difficili gaudia iurgio accenditque magis, quae refugit, Venus. quod flenti tuleris, plus sapit osculum. dices “o!” quotiens, “hoc mihi dulcius quam flavos deciens vincere Sarmatas!” 15 * * * * * Page 237 III. (XIII.) Twine with a soft garland, Stilicho, the locks whereon a helmet is wont to shine. Let the trumpets of war cease and the propitious torch of marriage banish savage Mars afar. Let regal blood unite once more with regal blood. Perform a father’s office and unite these children with thine illustrious hand. Thou didst marry an emperor’s daughter, now, in turn, thy daughter shall marry an emperor. What room is here for the madness of jealousy? What excuse for envy? Stilicho is father both of bride and bridegroom. IV. (XIV.)