Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire vol 3 (1897).djvu/466

446 CHAPTER XXXV

Invasion of Gaul by Attila — He is repulsed by Aetius and the Visigoths — Attila invades and evacuates Italy — The deaths of Attila, Aetius, and Fnlentinian the Third

t was the opinion of Marcian that war should be avoided, as loiig as it is possiblc to preserve a secure and honourable peace

but it was likewise his opinion that peace cannot be honourable or secure if the sovereign betrays a pusillanimous aversion to war. This temperate courage dictated his reply to the demands of Attila, who insolently pressed the payment of the annual tribute. The emperor signified to the Barbarians that they must no longer insult the majesty of Rome, by the mention of a tribute ; that he was disposed to reward with becoming liberality the faiithful friendship of his allies ; but that if they presumed the public peace, they should feel that he possessed to vio ^ h^ arms, and resolution, to repel their attacks. The troops, ^ >u.^^^ Gvtn in the camp of the Huns, was used by his same lan^^^c ^ p^Honius, whose bold refusal to deliver the pre- ambassa ^^^ Sjj^ad been admitted to a personal interview, dis- sents, 1 ^^^^^^ of dignity, and a contempt of danger, which playec c ^.-epared to expect from the degenerate Ro- Attila was not p»„ r,. , . ^i, ^ r i^i 1 He threatened to chastise the rash successor oi Iheo- mans. ^^^^ ^^^ l^^sitated whether he should first direct his n^ arms ao-ainst the Eastern or the estern empire invincible aims a^>^ .. i, • j •. ,.1 c ^ u Wbl mankind awiuted his decision with awful suspense, ht I ^ eaual defiance to the courts of Ravenna and Constanti- sen an 1 ^^^^ n^inis.ers saluted the two emperors with the '^."^ T' haughty declantion. "Attila, my Lord, and thy lord, ^'^^^ ig ^y^.Q to provide a palace for his immediate recep- comm.^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ B.rbarian despised, or affected to despise, ^f ^Mp^ndrian or' PascU Chronicle, which introduces this haughty raes- " A • o- the hfetime of Th^dosius. may have anticipated the date ; but the sage a^ "8/"^„ inciuableof venting the original and genuine style of Attila. f-^K^y isS nSned by.hn xfalalas.]