So spake he, and rising yet farther out of the stream he loudly summoned the rivers of Liguria and Venetia. These raise their dripping heads from among their leafy banks, fair Ticinus, blue Addua, swift Athesis, slow Mincius, and Timavus with his nine mouths. All mock at the fugitive and recall the happy flocks to the now peaceful meadows; Lycaean Pan is bidden to return and the Dryads and Fauns, gods of the countryside. Thou too, Verona,[31] didst add no small makeweight to Rome’s victory over the Getae; not even Pollentia nor the walls of avenging Hasta did more for the salvation of Italy. Here, as once again he breaks his bond, and driven by his losses risks all in the attempt to change his present fortune, Alaric learned that his mad treachery availed him nothing and that change of place changes not destiny. The vultures fed on the countless bodies of his slain, and Athesis, carrying down the corpses of Rome’s enemies in its stream, turned the waters of the Ionian sea into blood. The treaty violated, Stilicho with all eagerness grasped at the conflict proffered where Rome was now far away from danger and Padus flowed between witnessing the strife. He rejoices that now opportune treachery has broken out in rebellious risings and, setting an example of endurance, he shirks neither fiery sun nor scorching dust. Himself he is everywhere with dreadful arm; he stations troops [31] The chroniclers do not mention this battle. It is probably to be attributed to the summer of 403. * * * * * Page 90 instruit arma locis et qua vocat usus ab omni parte venit. fesso si deficit agmine miles, utitur auxiliis damni securus, et astu debilitat saevum cognatis viribus Histrum 220 et duplici lucro committens proelia vertit in se barbariem nobis utrimque cadentem. ipsum te caperet letoque, Alarice, dedisset, ni calor incauti male festinatus Alani dispositum turbasset opus; prope captus anhelum 225 verbere cogis equum, nec te vitasse dolemus. i potius genti reliquus tantisque superstes Danuvii populis, i, nostrum vive tropaeum. Non tamen ingenium tantis se cladibus atrox deicit: occulto temptabat tramite montes, 230 si qua per scopulos subitas exquirere posset in Raetos Gallosque vias. sed fortior obstat cura ducis. quis enim divinum fallere pectus possit et excubiis vigilantia lumina regni? cuius consilium non umquam repperit hostis 235 nec potuit texisse suum. secreta Getarum nosse prior celerique dolis occurrere sensu. Omnibus exclusus coeptis consedit in uno colle tremens; frondesque licet depastus amaras arboreo figat sonipes in cortice morsus 240 et taetris collecta cibis annique vapore * * * * *