The emperor first salutes the hallowed standards; Rufinus follows him, speaking with that crafty voice wherewith he deceived all, praising their devoted arms and addressing each by name. He tells those who have returned that their sons and fathers are still alive. The soldiers, observing a feigned rivalry in asking questions, begin to extend their long lines behind his back and to join up the ends so as to form a circle unnoticed by Rufinus. The space in the centre grows smaller and the wings meeting with serried shields gradually form into one lessening circle. Even so the huntsman surrounds the grassy glades with his widespread snares: so the spoiler of the ocean drives to land the frightened fish, narrowing the circuit of his nets and closing up all possible ways of egress. All others they exclude. In his eagerness he notes not yet that he is being surrounded and, strongly seizing his robe, chides the hesitating emperor: let him mount the lofty platform and declare him sharer in his sceptre, partaker in his dignities--when suddenly they draw their swords and above the rest there rang out a mighty voice; “Basest of the base, didst [60] Claudian refers to the devices emblazoned upon the banners. * * * * * Page 86 sperasti famulas imponere posse catenas? unde redi nescis? patiarne audire satelles, qui leges aliis libertatemque reduxi? bis domitum civile nefas, bis rupimus Alpes. tot nos bella docent nulli servire tyranno.” 390 Deriguit. spes nulla fugae; seges undique ferri circumfusa micat; dextra laevaque revinctus haesit et ensiferae stupuit mucrone coronae, ut fera, quae nuper montes amisit avitos altorumque exul nemorum damnatur harenae 395 muneribus, commota ruit; vir murmure contra hortatur nixusque genu venabula tendit; illa pavet strepitus cuneosque erecta theatri respicit et tanti miratur sibila vulgi. Unus per medios audendi pronior ense 400 prosilit exerto dictisque et vulnere torvus impetit: “hac Stilicho, quem iactas pellere, dextra te ferit; hoc absens invadit viscera ferro.” sic fatur meritoque latus transverberat ictu. Felix illa manus, talem quae prima cruorem 405 hauserit et fessi poenam libaverit orbis! mox omnes laniant hastis artusque trementes dilacerant; uno tot corpore tela tepescunt et non infecto puduit mucrone reverti. * * * * * Page 87 thou hope to cast upon _us_ the yoke of slavery? Knowest thou not whence I return? Shall I allow myself to be called another’s servant, I who gave laws to others and restored the reign of liberty? Two civil wars have I quenched, twice forced the barrier of the Alps. These many battles have taught me to serve no tyrant.”