I will not unfold the tale of thy sire’s[184] warlike deeds. Had he done nothing of note, had he in loyalty to Valens never led to battle those yellow-haired companies, yet to be the father of Stilicho would have spread abroad his fame. Ever from thy cradle did thy soul aspire, and in the tender years of childhood shone forth the signs of loftier estate. Lofty in spirit and eager, nothing paltry didst thou essay; never didst thou haunt any rich man’s doorstep; thy speech was such as to befit thy future dignities. A mark wert thou even then for all eyes, even then an object of reverence; the fiery brightness of thy noble countenance, the very mould [184] We know really nothing of Stilicho’s parentage save that the family was a Vandal one: _Vandalorum genere editus_, Oros. vii. 38. * * * * * Page 368 membrorumque modus, qualem nec carmina fingunt semideis. quacumque alte gradereris in urbe, cedentes spatiis adsurgentesque videbas quamvis miles adhuc. taciti suffragia vulgi iam tibi detulerant, quidquid mox debuit aula. 50 Vix primaevus eras, pacis cum mitteris auctor Assyriae; tanta foedus cum gente ferire commissum iuveni. Tigrim transgressus et altum Euphraten Babylona petis. stupuere severi Parthorum proceres, et plebs pharetrata videndi 55 flagravit studio, defixaeque hospite pulchro Persides arcanum suspiravere calorem. turis odoratae cumulis et messe Sabaea pacem conciliant arae; penetralibus ignem sacratum rapuere adytis rituque iuvencos 60 Chaldaeo stravere magi. rex ipse micantem inclinat dextra pateram secretaque Beli et vaga testatur volventem sidera Mithram. si quando sociis tecum venatibus ibant, quis Stilichone prior ferro penetrare leones 65 comminus aut longe virgatas figere tigres? flectenti faciles cessit tibi Medus habenas; torquebas refugum Parthis mirantibus arcum. Nubilis interea maturae virginis aetas urgebat patrias suspenso principe curas, 70 quem simul imperioque ducem nataeque maritum prospiceret; dubius toto quaerebat ab axe dignum coniugio generum thalamisque Serenae. * * * * * Page 369 of thy limbs, greater even than poets feign of demi-gods, marked thee out for a leader of men. Whithersoever thy proud form went in the city thou didst see men rise and give place to thee; yet thou wast then but a soldier. The silent suffrage of the people had already offered thee all the honours the court was soon to owe.