While father and son thus debated in long converse, Theodosius the grandfather made his way to Italy and entered the chaste bedchamber where on his couch of Tyrian purple Honorius lay in sweet sleep by the side of his wife Maria. At his head he stood and thus spake to him in a dream. “What rash confidence is this, dear grandson, that fills the conquered Moors? Does the mad race descended from Juba, the people whom I subdued, once more conspire to oppose Rome’s power and recommence the war with its conqueror’s grandson? Have they forgotten the defeat of Firmus[75]? Do they think to repossess Libya won back by the sweat of battle? Dares Gildo strive with Rome? Does he not fear his brother’s fate. Fain would I go myself, old though I be, and show him the face he knows but too well. Will not the Moor flee my very shade, should he behold it? Why delayest thou? Up from thy bed; attack the rebel; give me back my prisoner; waste no more time. ’Tis Fate’s gift to thy family. While yet the race of Theodosius treads the earth the palace of Bocchus shall go in fear. Let the spoils of Gildo be added to those of Firmus; [75] Firmus, brother of Gildo, had, during the reign of Valentinian, risen against the oppressive government of Romanus, count of Africa, and had been defeated by Theodosius the elder. * * * * * Page 124 exornet geminos Maurusia laurea currus: una domus totiens una de gente triumphet. 345 di bene, quod tantis interlabentibus annis servati Firmusque mihi fraterque nepoti.” dixit et adflatus vicino sole refugit. At iuvenem stimulis inmanibus aemula virtus exacuit; iam puppe vehi, iam stagna secare 350 fervet et absentes invadere cuspide Mauros. tum iubet acciri socerum dextramque vocato conserit et, quae sit potior sententia, quaerit: “Per somnos mihi, sancte pater, iam saepe futura panduntur multaeque canunt praesagia noctes. 355 namque procul Libycos venatu cingere saltus et iuga rimari canibus Gaetula videbar. maerebat regio saevi vastata leonis incursu; pecudum strages passimque iuvenci semineces et adhuc infecta mapalia tabo 360 sparsaque sanguineis pastorum funera campis. adgredior latebras monstri mirumque relatu conspicio: dilapsus honos, cervice minaces defluxere iubae; fractos inglorius armos supposuit, servile gemens; iniectaque vincla 365 unguibus et subitae collo sonuere catenae. nunc etiam paribus secum certare tropaeis hortator me cogit avus. quonam usque remoti cunctamur? decuit pridem complere biremes et pelagi superare moras. transmittere primus 370 ipse paro; quaecumque meo gens barbara nutu stringitur, adveniat: Germania cuncta feratur * * * * *