Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 2.djvu/391

 OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 373 but before they could reach, at least before they could CHAP, occupy, their destined habitations, they returned to !_ the banks of the Danube, exaggerating the hardships of their situation, and requesting, with fervent profes- sions of fidelity, that the emperor would grant them an undisturbed settlement within the limits of the Roman provinces. Instead of consulting his own experience of their incurable perfidy, Constantius listened to his flatterers, who were ready to represent the honour and advantage of accepting a colony of soldiers, at a time when it was much easier to obtain the pecuniary con- tributions, than the military sei'vice, of the subjects of the empire. The Limigantes were permitted to pass the Danube ; and the emperor gave audience to the multitude in a large plain near the modern city of Buda. They surrounded the tribunal, and seemed to hear with respect an oration full of mildness and dig- nity ; when one of the barbarians, casting his shoe into the air, exclaimed, with a loud voice, Marha! marha! a word of defiance, which was received as the signal of the tumult. They rushed with fury to seize the person of the emperor; his royal throne and golden couch were pillaged by these rude hands ; but the faithful defence of his guards, who died at his feet, allowed him a moment to mount a fleet horse, and to escape from the confusion. The disgrace which had been in- curred by a treacherous surprise was soon retrieved by the numbers and discipline of the Romans ; and the combat was only terminated by the extinction of the name and nation of the Limigantes. The free Sarma- tians were reinstated in the possession of their ancient seats ; and although Constantius distrusted the levity of their character, he entertained some hopes that a sense of gratitude might influence their future conduct. He had remarked the lofty stature and obsequious de- meanour of Zizais, one of the noblest of their chiefs. He conferred on him the title of king ; and Zizais proved that he was not unworthy to reign, by a sincere and lasting attachment to the interest of his benefactor,