and white hairs come hastening to increase the reverence of thy face. Though dignity be the crown of age and strength, by a far different lot, of youth, yet either season decks thee with its own peculiar honours. Thou art the ornament of fortune. Never tookst thou up the sword for hurt nor ever didst steep its blade in citizens’ blood. No cruelties on thy part aroused men’s hatred; favouritism never slacks the reins of justice. We love thee, yet we fear thee. Our very fear testifies to our love, O thou most righteous interpreter of Law, guardian most sure of peace with honour, greatest of our generals, most blessèd among the fathers of our country. We all confess that now we owe our emperor an even firmer allegiance for that thou, hero invincible, art the father of his bride. Crown thy head with a garland, lay aside thy rank for a moment and join our dances. An thou dost this, so may thy son Eucherius[137] surpass the virtues of his sire; so may the fair Thermantia, thy daughter, live to see a marriage such as this; so may Maria’s womb grow big and a little Honorius, born in the purple, rest on his grandsire’s lap.” [137] Eucherius (born about 388) was the son, and Thermantia the younger daughter, of Stilicho and Serena. After the death of Maria she became Honorius’ second wife. * * * * * Page 268 PANEGYRICUS DE TERTIO CONSULATU HONORII AUGUSTI PRAEFATIO (VI.) Parvos non aquilis fas est educere fetus ante fidem solis iudiciumque poli. nam pater, excusso saluit cum tegmine proles ovaque maternus rupit hiulca tepor, protinus implumes convertit ad aethera nidos 5 et recto flammas imperat ore pati. consulit ardentes radios et luce magistra natorum vires ingeniumque probat. degenerem refugo torsit qui lumine visum, unguibus hunc saevis ira paterna ferit. 10 exploratores oculis qui pertulit ignes sustinuitque acie nobiliore diem, nutritur volucrumque potens et fulminis heres, gesturus summo tela trisulca Iovi. me quoque Pieriis temptatum saepius antris 15 audet magna suo mittere Roma deo. iam dominas aures, iam regia tecta meremur et chelys Augusto iudice nostra sonat. * * * * * Page 269 PANEGYRIC ON THE THIRD CONSULSHIP OF THE EMPEROR HONORIUS (A.D. 396) PREFACE (VI.)