hi propagandi ruerant pro limite regni;

hic stabat Romana salus. ibi tempora tuto

traxerunt dilata moras; hic vincere tarde 375

vinci paene fuit. discrimine Roma supremo

inter supplicium populi deforme pependit;

et tantum Libyam fructu maiore recepit

quam peperit, quantum graviorem amissa dolorem

quam necdum quaesita movent. quis Punica gesta,

[391]

made more deadly by the poisoned arrow of Ethiopia nor thick hail of javelins nor clouds of horsemen can withstand Latin spears. The cowardly Nasamonian troops are scattered, the Garamantian hurls not his spears but begs for mercy, the swift-footed Autololes fly to the desert, the terror-stricken Mazacian flings away his arms, in vain the Moor urges on his flagging steed. The brigand flees in a small boat and driven back by the winds met with his just fate in the harbour of Tabraca, discovering that no element offered refuge, Stilicho, to thine enemies. There he was destined to undergo the insults of the overjoyed populace and to bow his guilty head before a lowly judgement-seat.