When the Sun rested upon the spacious threshold of this cavern dame Nature ran to meet him and the old man bent a hoary head before his proud rays. The adamantine door swung open of its own accord and revealed the vast interior, displaying the house and the secrets of Time. Here in their appointed places dwell the ages, their aspect marked by varying metals: there are piled those of brass; here those of iron stand stiff; there the silver ones gleam bright. In a fairer part of the cave, shy of contact with the earth, stood the group of golden years; of these Phoebus chooses the one of richest substance to be marked with the name of Stilicho. Then, bidding the rest follow behind him, he addresses them thus as they pass. “Lo! the consul is at hand for whom we have delayed an age of nobler ore. Go ye, years long prayed for by man, bring back virtue; let genius flourish once more; may Bacchus give you joy and fruitful Ceres bless you. Let not the constellation of the Serpent breathe forth too icy an air from between the two Ploughing Oxen nor the Bear vent his excessive * * * * * Page 36 non toto fremat ore[11] Leo, nec brachia Cancri 460 urat atrox aestas, madidae nec prodigus urnae semina praerupto dissolvat Aquarius imbre. Phrixeus roseo producat fertile cornu ver Aries, pingues nec grandine tundat olivas Scorpius; autumni maturet germina Virgo, 465 lenior et gravidis adlatret Sirius uvis.” Sic fatus croceis rorantes ignibus hortos ingreditur vallemque suam, quam flammeus ambit rivus et inriguis largum iubar ingerit herbis, quas Solis pascuntur equi; flagrantibus inde 470 caesariem sertis et lutea lora iubasque subligat alipedum. gelidas hinc Lucifer ornat, hinc Aurora comas iuxtaque adludit habenis aureus et nomen praetendit consulis Annus: inque novos iterum revoluto cardine cursus 475 scribunt aetheriis Stilichonem sidera fastis. [11] _ore_ Π; the other MSS. give _igne_. But _ore_ better corresponds with _brachia_. * * * * * Page 37 cold; let not the Lion rage with his gaping maw nor pitiless summer inflame the claws of Cancer. Let not Aquarius, too prodigal of his rainy urn, flood the young seedlings with sudden storms. Let Phrixu’s ram, his horns twined with roses, extend the fertile spring and let not the Scorpion beat down the ripe olives with his hail. Let the Virgin mature the fruits of Autumn and the Dog-star, more gentle than his wont, refrain from barking at the heavy grape-clusters.”