Could my words issue from a hundred mouths, could Phoebus’ manifold inspiration breathe through a hundred breasts, even so I could not tell of Probus’ deeds, of all the people his ordered governance ruled, of the many times he rose to the highest honours, when he held the reins of broad-acred Italy, the Illyrian coast, and Africa’s lands. But his sons o’ershadowed their sire and they alone deserve to be called Probus’ vanquishers. No such honour befell Probus in his youth: he was never consul with his brother. You ambition, ever o’ervaulting itself, pricks not; no anxious hopes afflict your minds or keep your hearts in long suspense. You have begun where most end: but few seniors have attained to your earliest office. You have finished your race e’er the full flower of youth has crowned your gentle cheeks or adolescence clothed your faces with its pleasant down. Do thou, my Muse, tell their ignorant poet what god it was granted such a boon to the twain. When the warlike emperor had with the thunderbolt of his might put his enemy to flight and freed * * * * * Page 8 Roma Probo cupiens dignas persolvere grates 75 sedula pro natis dominum flexura rogando ire parat. famuli currum iunxere volantem Impetus horribilisque Metus, qui semper agentes proelia cum fremitu Romam comitantur anhelo, sive petat Parthos seu cuspide turbet Hydaspen. 80 hic ligat axe rotas; hic sub iuga ferrea nectit cornipedes rigidisque docet servire lupatis. ipsa, triumphatis qua possidet aethera regnis, adsilit innuptae ritus imitata Minervae. nam neque caesariem crinali stringere cultu 85 colla nec ornatu patitur mollire retorto; dextrum nuda latus, niveos exerta lacertos, audacem retegit mammam, laxumque coercens mordet gemma sinum; nodus, qui sublevat ensem, album puniceo pectus discriminat ostro. 90 miscetur decori virtus pulcherque severo armatur terrore pudor, galeaeque minaci flava cruentarum praetenditur umbra iubarum, et formidato clipeus Titana lacessit lumine quem tota variarat Mulciber arte. 95 hic patrius Mavortis amor fetusque notantur Romulei; pius amnis inest et belua nutrix; electro Tiberis, pueri formantur in auro; fingunt aera lupam; Mavors adamante coruscat. Iam simul emissis rapido velocior Euro 100 fertur equis; strident Zephyri cursuque rotarum saucia dividuis clarescunt nubila sulcis. nec traxere moras, sed lapsu protinus uno, * * * * * Page 9