So saying he entered his garden starred with fiery dew, the valley round which runs a river of flame feeding with its bounteous rays the dripping weeds whereon the horses of the sun do pasture. Here he gathers fragrant flowers wherewith he decks the heads, the golden reins, and manes of his steeds. With leaves from hence Lucifer and Aurora entwine their oozy locks. Hard by the golden year, displaying the consul’s name, smiles upon his chariot, and the stars, recommencing their courses, inscribe the name of Stilicho in the annals of the sky. * * * * * Page 38 DE CONSULATU STILICHONIS LIBER TERTIUS PRAEFATIO (XXIII.) Maior Scipiades, Italis qui solus ab oris in proprium vertit Punica bella caput, non sine Pieriis exercuit artibus arma: semper erat vatum maxima cura duci. gaudet enim virtus testes sibi iungere Musas; 5 carmen amat quisquis carmine digna gerit. ergo seu patriis primaevus manibus ultor subderet Hispanum legibus Oceanum, seu Tyrias certa fracturus cuspide vires inferret Libyco signa tremenda mari, 10 haerebat doctus lateri castrisque solebat omnibus in medias Ennius ire tubas, illi post lituos pedites favere canenti laudavitque nova caede cruentus eques. cumque triumpharet gemina Carthagine victa 15 (hanc vindex patri vicerat, hanc patriae), * * * * * Page 39 ON STILICHO’S CONSULSHIP BOOK III PREFACE (XXIII.) The elder Scipio, who single-handed turned the Punic wars back from Italy’s coasts to their own home, fought not his battles unmindful of the Muse’s art; poets were ever the hero’s special care. For valour is always fain to seek alliance with the Muses that they may bear witness to her deeds; he loves song whose exploits deserve the meed of song. Therefore, whether to avenge his sire’s[12] death the young warrior brought into subjection the Spanish seas or embarked upon the Libyan wave his dreadful standards, resolved to break with sure spear the strength of Carthage, the poet Ennius was ever at his side and in all his campaigns followed the trumpet’s call into the midst of the fray. Him after the battle the soldiers loved to hear sing, and the trooper, still dripping with blood, would applaud his verses. When Scipio had triumphed over either Carthage--over the one to avenge his sire, over the other his fatherland--and when at last, after the [12] P. Cornelius Scipio (_cos._ 218 B.C.) was defeated and killed by Hasdrubal in Spain in 211 B.C. The famous P. Cornelius Scipio Africanus was the younger of his two sons. * * * * * Page 40