quod dominis speratur avus?” 240 Tum flava repexo Gallia crine ferox evinctaque torque decoro binaque gaesa tenens animoso pectore fatur: “qui mihi Germanos solus Francosque subegit, cur nondum legitur fastis? cur pagina tantum nescit adhuc nomen, quod iam numerare decebat? 245 usque adeone levis pacati gloria Rheni?” Inde Caledonio velata Britannia monstro, ferro picta genas, cuius vestigia verrit caerulus Oceanique aestum mentitur amictus: “me quoque vicinis pereuntem gentibus” inquit 250 “munivit Stilicho, totam cum Scottus Hivernen movit et infesto spumavit remige Tethys. illius effectum curis, ne tela timerem Scottica, ne Pictum tremerem, ne litore toto prospicerem dubiis venturum Saxona ventis.” 255 Tum spicis et dente comas inlustris eburno et calido rubicunda die sic Africa fatur: “sperabam nullas trabeis Gildone perempto nasci posse moras. etiam nunc ille repugnat et tanto dubitat fasces praebere triumpho, 260 qui mihi Maurorum penitus lacrimabile nomen ignorare dedit?” Post has Oenotria lentis vitibus intorquens hederas et palmite largo vina fluens: “si vos adeo Stilichone curules augeri flagratis” ait “quas sola iuvare 265 fama potest, quanto me dignius incitat ardor, * * * * * Page 21 Rome with a dynasty? That he is looked to as the ancestor of kings?” Then warlike Gaul, her hair combed back, a rich necklace about her neck, and javelins twain in her hands, thus spake with kindling heart: “Why is his title not yet read in the annals of Rome, who by his own might o’ercame for me the Germans and the Franks? Why is the page of history still ignorant of a name that by now should have been inscribed therein so often? Is, then, bringing peace to the Rhine so light a title to fame?” Next spake Britain clothed in the skin of some Caledonian beast, her cheeks tattooed, and an azure cloak, rivalling the swell of ocean, sweeping to her feet: “Stilicho gave aid to me also when at the mercy of neighbouring tribes, what time the Scots roused all Hibernia against me and the sea foamed to the beat of hostile oars. Thanks to his care I had no need to fear the Scottish arms or tremble at the Pict, or keep watch along all my coasts for the Saxon who would come whatever wind might blow.” Then up spake Africa, her hair gay with wheat ears and an ivory comb and her face all sun-burned: “I hoped that after Gildo’s death no obstacle could prevent Stilicho’s acceptance of the consulship. Does he even yet refuse and hesitate to honour with the fasces so great a triumph--he who has enabled me utterly to forget the tearful name of Moor?”