Phoebeo domitus Python cum decidit arcu membraque Cirrhaeo fudit anhela iugo, qui spiris tegeret montes, hauriret hiatu flumina, sanguineis tangeret astra iubis: iam liber Parnasus erat nexuque soluto 5 coeperat erecta surgere fronde nemus concussaeque diu spatiosis tractibus orni securas ventis explicuere comas et qui vipereo spumavit saepe veneno Cephisos nitidis purior ibat aquis. 10 omnis “io Paean” regio sonat; omnia Phoebum rura canunt; tripodas plenior aura rotat, auditoque procul Musarum carmine dulci ad Themidis coëunt antra severa dei. Nunc alio domini telis Pythone perempto 15 convenit ad nostram sacra caterva lyram, qui stabilem servans Augustis fratribus orbem iustitia pacem, viribus arma regit. * * * * * Page 25 THE FIRST BOOK AGAINST RUFINUS PREFACE (II.) When Python had fallen, laid low by the arrow of Phoebus, his dying limbs outspread o’er Cirrha’s heights--Python, whose coils covered whole mountains, whose maw swallowed rivers and whose bloody crest touched the stars--then Parnassus was free and the woods, their serpent fetters shaken off, began to grow tall with lofty trees. The mountain-ashes, long shaken by the dragon’s sinuous coils, spread their leaves securely to the breeze, and Cephisus, who had so often foamed with his poisonous venom, now flowed a purer stream with limpid wave. The whole country echoed with the cry, “hail, Healer”: every land sang Phoebus’ praise. A fuller wind shakes the tripod, and the gods, hearing the Muses’ sweet song from afar off, gather in the dread caverns of Themis. A blessed band comes together to hear my song, now that a second Python has been slain by the weapons of that master of ours who made the rule of the brother Emperors hold the world steady, observing justice in peace and showing vigour in war. * * * * * Page 26 LIBER I (III.)