Ossa tonat pulsoque fragor geminatur Olympo.

intumuit virtus et lucis prodigus arsit

impetus; haud illos rupes, haud alta vetarent

flumina: praecipiti stravissent omnia cursu. 185

Si tunc his animis acies collata fuisset,

prodita non tantas vidisset Graecia caedes,

oppida semoto Pelopeia Marte vigerent,

[71]

hosts fairly between the two brothers, and do thou not be heir to the sceptre only but to thy forces. But if thou neglect to come to mine aid and make not ready to prevent my death, this head of mine shall not fall alone—by the dead and the stars I swear it. The blood of another shall be mingled with mine. I will not go unaccompanied to the waters of Styx nor shall the victor be free to exult in my death.”

So saying he dictates a treasonable letter and sends therewith an emissary to bear the message extorted from the emperor’s unwilling lips.