So spake he, and with Stilicho pressing hard upon him fled in terror before our eagles. With him goes Pallor, black Hunger, Despair with bloodless, wounded countenance and a hellish company of shrieking Diseases. Then the learnèd priest whirls around the sick body[34] the torch of purification [34] _i.e._ the sick body of Italy which has to be purified after the polluting presence of Alaric. With “rore pio spargens” _cf._ Verg. _Aen._ vi. 230, and for the throwing over the head of the purificatory instrument see Verg. _Ec._ viii. 102. * * * * * Page 98 sulphure caeruleo nigroque bitumine fumat, 325 circum membra rotat doctus purganda sacerdos rore pio spargens, et dira fugantibus herbis numina purificumque Iovem Triviamque precatus trans caput aversis manibus iaculatur in Austrum secum rapturas cantata piacula taedas. 330 Acrior interea visendi principis ardor accendit cum plebe patres et saepe negatum flagitat adventum; nec tali publica vota consensu tradunt atavi caluisse per urbem, Dacica bellipotens cum fregerat Ulpius arma 335 atque indignantes in iura redegerat Arctos, cum fasces cinxere Hypanin mirataque leges Romanum stupuit Maeotia terra tribunal. nec tantis patriae studiis ad templa vocatus, clemens Marce, redis, cum gentibus undique cinctam exuit Hesperiam paribus Fortuna periclis. 341 laus ibi nulla ducum; nam flammeus imber in hostem decidit; hunc dorso trepidum fumante ferebat ambustus sonipes; hic tabescente solutus subsedit galea liquefactaque fulgure cuspis 345 canduit et subitis fluxere vaporibus enses. tum contenta polo mortalis nescia teli pugna fuit: Chaldaea mago seu carmina ritu armavere deos, seu, quod reor, omne Tonantis obsequium Marci mores potuere mereri. 350 nunc quoque praesidium Latio non deesset Olympi, deficeret si nostra manus; sed providus aether * * * * * Page 99 with its smoky, odorous flame of blue sulphur and black bitumen; he sprinkles the limbs with holy water and with herbs that banish evil influences and, praying to Jove the Purifier and to Diana, with back-turned hands throws over his head towards the South the torches which are to carry off with them the spells cast over the sick.