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 344 THE DECLINE AND FALL [Chap, xli your obedience Sicily, Campania, and the city of Rome; but the loss of these conquests will be more disgraceful than their acquisition was glorious. Hitherto we have successfully fought against the multitude of the Barbarians, but their multitudes may finally prevail. Victory is the gift of Providence, but the reputation of kings and generals depends on the success or the failure of their designs. Permit me to speak with freedom : if you wish that we should live, send us subsistence ; if you desire that we should conquer, send us arms, horses, and men. The Romans have received us as friends and deliverers; but, in our present distress, they will be either betrayed by their confidence or we shall be oppressed by their treachery and hatred. For myself, my life is consecrated to your service : it is yours to re- flect, whether my death in this situation will contribute to the glory and prosperity of your reign." Perhaps that reign would have been equally prosperous, if the peaceful master of the East had abstained from the conquest of Africa and Italy ; but, as Justinian was ambitious of fame, he made some efforts, they were feeble and languid, to support and rescue his victorious general. A reinforcement of sixteen hundred Sclavonians and Huns was led by Martin and Valerian ; and, as they had re- posed during the winter season in the harbours of Greece, the strength of the men and horses was not impaired by the fatigues of a sea-voyage ; and they distinguished their valour in the first sally against the besiegers. About the time of the summer [fist day of solstice, Euthalius landed at Terracina with large sums of April! 537J money for the payment of the troops ; he cautiously proceeded along the Appian way, and this convoy entered Rome through the gate Capena, 105 while Belisarius, on the other side, diverted the attention of the G-oths by a vigorous and successful skirmish. These seasonable aids, the use and reputation of which were dexterously managed by the Roman general, revived the courage, or at least the hopes, of the soldiers and people. The historian Procopius was dispatched with an important commission, to collect the troops and provisions which Campania could furnish or Constantinople had sent ; and the secretary of Belisarius 105 The old Capena was removed by Aurelian to, or near, the modern gate of St. Sebastian (see Nolli's plan). That memorable spot has been consecrated by the Egerian grove, the memory of Numa, triumphal arches, the sepulchres of the Scipios, Metelli, &c.