'Men of Rome, let each of you exercise in his own person the heroic
virtues of a Regulus or a Cato!' the prefect began. 'A treaty with the
barbarians is out of our power. It is the scourge of the empire, Alaric
himself, who commands the invading forces! Vain were the dignified
remonstrances of the grave Basilius, futile was the persuasive rhetoric
of the astute Johannes, addressed to the slaughtering and vainglorious
Goth! On their admission to his presence, the ambassadors, anxious to
awe him into a capitulation, enlarged, with sagacious and commendable
patriotism, on the expertness of the Romans in the use of arms, their
readiness for war, and their vast numbers within the city walls. I
blush to repeat the barbarian's reply. Laughing immoderately, he
answered, "The thicker the grass, the easier it is to cut!"
'Still undismayed, the ambassadors, changing their tactics, talked
indulgently of their willingness to purchase a peace. At this proposal,
his insolence burst beyond all bounds of barbarous arrogance.
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