“Celerina’s father has won every title that a warrior may. Step by step he has reached the highest of all ranks, that of commander-in-chief; it is he who dispenses titles of honour, settles the garrisons of the provinces, unites the scattered forces of the empire, and checks the disposition of its troops. He decides the defences of Sarmatia and the legions that are to face the wild Getae or keep Saxon and Scot in subjection. He knows how many cohorts fringe the shore of Ocean, how great an army maintains peace along the banks of the Rhine. In the family of Celerina is to be found unspotted [84] Carus was struck by lightning (or murdered) during his Persian campaign, A.D. 283; (_cf._ Sidon. Apol. c. 23. 91). * * * * * Page 212 casta domus, sincera fides, industria sollers. elegit Stilicho; nihil ultra laudibus addi iudiciove potest. tali nubente puella nonne tibi cessare nefas? duc protinus omnes, 95 duc age. marcentes cupio quassare coronas et vibrare faces et noctem ducere ludo. haec quoque non vilem iam fistula commodat usum responsura choris.” Vix haec Hymenaeus; at illa fontibus abluitur gelidis legemque capillo 100 reddit et ornatum formae prelisque solutae mira Dioneae sumit velamina telae. floribus extruitur currus; iuga floribus halant; florea purpureas adnectunt frena columbas. undique concurrunt volucres, quaecumque frementem permulcent Athesin cantu, quas Larius audit, 106 quas Benacus alit, quas excipit amne quieto Mincius: ereptis obmutuit unda querellis. Eridani ripas et raucae stagna Padusae diffugiens nudavit olor. laetantur Amores 110 frenatisque truces avibus per nubila vecti ostentant se quisque deae magnoque tumultu confligunt pronique manus in verbera tendunt atque impune cadunt: lapsus meliore volatu consequitur vincitque suos auriga iugales. 115 Ut thalami tetigere fores, tum vere rubentes desuper invertunt calathos largosque rosarum imbres et violas plenis sparsere pharetris collectas Veneris prato, quibus ipse pepercit * * * * * Page 213 virtue, unfeigned loyalty, and diligence guided by knowledge. She is Stilicho’s choice; to such choice and judgement no praise can be added. It were a shame, Venus, shouldst thou not be present at the marriage of such a maid. Come, bring all thy train. Fain would I shake the withering wreaths, brandish the torches, and devote the night to pleasure. Now even this my pipe gives no dishonoured service answering the choirs’ songs.”