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 356 THE DECLINE AND FALL [Chap, xli Return and After the second victory of Belisarius, envy again whispered, B^iisarius Justinian listened, and the hero was recalled. « The remnant of the Gothic war was no longer worthy of his presence; a gracious sovereign was impatient to reward his services, and to consult his wisdom ; and he alone was capable of defending the East against the innumerable armies of Persia." Belisarius understood the suspicion, accepted the excuse, embarked at Kavenna his spoils and trophies; and proved, by his ready obedience, that such an abrupt removal from the government of Italy was not less unjust than it might have been indiscreet. The emperor received, with honourable courtesy, both Vitiges and his more noble consort ; and, as the king of the Goths conformed to the Athanasian faith, he obtained, with a rich inheritance of lands in Asia, the rank of senator and patrician. 126 Every spectator admired, without peril, the strength and stature of the young Barbarians ; they adored the majesty of the throne, and promised to shed their blood in the service of their bene- factor. Justinian deposited in the Byzantine palace the trea- sures of the Gothic monarchy. A flattering senate was sometimes admitted to gaze on the magnificent spectacle ; but it was enviously secluded from the public view; and the conqueror of Italy renounced, without a murmur, perhaps without a sigh, the well-earned honours of a second triumph. His glory was indeed exalted above all external pomp ; and the faint and hollow praises of the court were supplied, even in a servile age, by the respect and admiration of his country. Whenever he appeared in the streets and public places of Constantinople, Belisarius attracted and satisfied the eyes of the people. His lofty stature and majestic countenance fulfilled their expectations of an hero ; the meanest of his fellow-citizens were emboldened by his gentle and gracious demeanour; and the martial train which attended his footsteps left his person more accessible than in a day of battle. Seven thousand horse- men, matchless for beauty and valour, were maintained in the service, and at the private expense, of the general. 127 Their 126 Vitiges lived two years at Constantinople, and imperatoriB in affectu convictus (or conjunotus) rebus excessit humaniB. His widow, Mathasuenta, the wife and mother of the patrioians, the elder and younger Germanus, united the streams of Anioian and Amali blood (Jornandes, c. 60, p. 221, in Muratori, torn. i.). 127 Procopius, Goth. 1. iii. o. 1. Aimoin, a French monk of the xith century, who had obtained, and has disfigured, some authentic information of Belisarius,