“Full well I know that no gift can seduce thee, yet be pleased to admire and receive this cloak, woven for thee on no mortal loom by Minerva and myself. Twice together have we dipped the thread that goes to make the cloth in purple dye and interwoven therewith that same gold of which Lachesis has woven the golden centuries that are to be mine beneath thy rule. See here I have prefigured thy destined progeny, those thy children for whom the world prays; soon shalt thou confess me a true prophet and coming fate prove that my embroidery is true.” She spake and drew from her bosom the gift, a consul’s cloak, stiff and heavy with gold. The glorious woof breathes Minerva’s skill. Here is depicted a palace with columns of red marble and Maria’s sacred travail. Lucina eases her labour. On a splendid couch lies the young mother, by her side sits her own mother, pale with anxiety yet happy withal. The flower-crowned Nymphs take up the babe and wash him in a golden basin. Almost could one hear rising from the embroidery the little child’s mingled laughter and wailing. And now the babe * * * * * Page 28 ore ferens patrem: Stilicho maturior aevi Martia recturo tradit praecepta nepoti. parte alia spumis fucantem Serica frena 350 sanguineis primae signatus flore iuventae Eucherius flectebat equum iaculisque vel areu aurea purpureos tollentes cornua cervos aureus ipse ferit. Venus hic invecta columbis tertia regali iungit conubia nexu, 355 pennatique nurum circumstipantur Amores progenitam Augustis Augustorumque sororem. Eucherius trepido iam flammea sublevat ore virginis; adridet retro Thermantia fratri. iam domus haec utroque petit diademata sexu 360 reginasque parit reginarumque maritos. Talibus invitat donis dextraque gerendum diva simul porrexit ebur; sollemnibus urnam commovet auspiciis avibusque incepta secundat. tunc habiles armis umeros iam vestibus ambit 365 Romuleis; Latii sederunt pectore cultus loricaeque locum decuit toga. talis ab Histro vel Scythico victor rediens Gradivus ab axe deposito mitis clipeo candentibus urbem ingreditur trabeatus equis; spatiosa Quirinus 370 frena regit currumque patris Bellona cruentum ditibus exuviis tendens ad sidera quercum praecedit, lictorque Metus cum fratre Pavore barbara ferratis innectunt colla catenis * * * * * Page 29