Already shouts of joy and of good omen resound about the consul’s throne to welcome this thy fourth opening of Rome’s year. Liberty enacts her wonted ceremonies; Law observes the custom dating back to Vindex[165] whereby a slave freed from his master’s service is introduced into thy presence and thence [165] Vindex (or Vindicius) was the name of the slave who was granted his liberty by Brutus for giving information of the royalist plot in which Brutus’ own sons were implicated. For the story (probably an aetiological myth to explain _vindicta_, another word for _festuca_) see Livy ii. 5. * * * * * Page 332 ducitur et grato remeat securior ictu. 615 tristis condicio pulsata fronte recedit; in civem rubuere genae, tergoque removit verbera permissi felix iniuria voti. Prospera Romuleis sperantur tempora rebus in nomen ventura tuum. praemissa futuris 620 dant exempla fidem: quotiens te cursibus aevi praefecit, totiens accessit laurea patri. ausi Danuvium quondam transnare Gruthungi in lintres fregere nemus; ter mille ruebant per fluvium plenae cuneis inmanibus alni. 625 dux Odothaeus erat. tantae conamina classis incipiens aetas et primus contudit annus: summersae sedere rates; fluitantia numquam largius Arctoos pavere cadavera pisces; corporibus premitur Peuce; per quinque recurrens ostia barbaricos vix egerit unda cruores, 631 confessusque parens Odothaei regis opima rettulit exuviasque tibi. civile secundis conficis auspiciis bellum. tibi debeat orbis fata Gruthungorum debellatumque tyrannum: 635 Hister sanguineos egit te consule fluctus; Alpinos genitor rupit te consule montes. Sed patriis olim fueras successibus auctor, nunc eris ipse tuis. semper venere triumphi cum trabeis sequiturque tuos victoria fasces. 640 * * * * * Page 333 dismissed--a freeman thanks to that envied stroke.[166] A blow upon the brow and his base condition is gone; reddened cheeks have made him a citizen, and with the granting of his prayer a happy insult has given his back freedom from the lash.