And thou, Apollo, crownest with a wreath Thy great avenger. The polluted lips Of fierce barbarians now no more defile Castalia's fountain, and the hallow'd stream 10 The tide of slaughter down his lucid waves, And redden'd Sicily's triumphant seas, While distant Arethusa's azure stream, Distain'd with blood, the recent conquest knew. Now let the toil and dangers of the field Be changed for grateful ease; yield to the lyre Thy lofty mind, O Stilicho, nor scorn Awhile to listen to the gentle Muse : 15 L Lo, oft victorious Mars, with battles tired, Lays his unconquer'd limbs on Thracian snows, In calmed mood, forgetful of his state, And to Pierian songs inclines his ear. 20 RUFINUS. Book II. Now ow were the Alpine regions and the plains Of rich Hesperia won; removed above, Th' imperial victor graced the starry heav'ns ; And to thy care, O Stilicho, devolved The pow'r of Rome, the guidance of the state, 5 Of either court. And now Rufinus seeks Once more to vex the world with horrid war; His heart endures not peace, nor can his hand 10 "How shall I now protect my threaten'd life ? "How stem the overwhelming flood? alas! "The snares of hatred compass me around, "And circling foes eventful deeds prepare! "How then escape? no armed force is mine, 15 "No prince befriends my cause; each hour matures "My danger; and the hov'ring sword of fate "Now glitters o'er my head. What then remains "But that some great destruction I contrive, "And crush the guiltless nations in my fall? 66 My vengeful soul could taste delight in death, "'Mid gen'ral doom; the ruin of the world "Shall yield a solace in that bitter need. 20 "Till then endure, my fate! and be my pow'r "With life alone extinct."-Resolved he speaks. 25 And as swift Eolus unchains the winds To bluster through the air, so he lets loose The nations, and dissolves the bonds of peace.. No region is secure, o'er all he pours The tide of slaughter, Some to battle rush 30 |