After these came Italy, pliant vine and ivy interlacing on her head, pressing the wine from plentiful ripe grapes. Said she: “If you are thus eager that Stilicho should augment the dignity of the curule chair, you to whom the mere report can bring delight, how much more rightly does a longing * * * * * Page 22 ut praesente fruar conscendentemque tribunal prosequar atque anni pandentem claustra salutem?” Talibus alternant studiis Romamque precantes, pro cunctis, hortantur, eat. nec segnius illa 270 paruit officio, raptis sed protinus armis ocior excusso per nubila sidere tendit. transvehitur Tuscos Appenninusque volatu stringitur. Eridanus clipei iam fulgurat umbra; constitit ante ducem tetrica nec Pallade vultum 275 deterior nec Marte minor. tremit orbe corusco iam domus et summae tangunt laquearia cristae: tum prior attonitum gratis adfata querellis: “Servatas, Stilicho, per te, venerande, curules, ornatas necdum fateor. quid profuit anni 280 servilem pepulisse notam? defendis honorem quem fugis, et spernis tota quem mole tueris? respuis oblatum, pro quo labente resistis? quae iam causa morae? quo me cunctabere rursus ingenio? nullus Boreae metus, omnis et Austri 285 ora silet: cecidit Maurus, Germania cessit et Ianum pax alta ligat. te consule necdum digna feror? titulumne levem parvique nitoris credimus, Augusti quo se decorare fatentur, sub iuga quo gentes captivis regibus egi? 290 “Non, si prodigiis casus natura futuros signat, polluimur macula. quod reris, Eois * * * * * Page 23 inspire me to enjoy his presence, to attend him as he mounts his seat and to salute his opening of the new year’s course?”