tion would
propitiate the Deity, and his servants: and the Christian hero, darting
his battle-axe with a skilful and nervous band, "There, (said he,) on
that spot where my Francisca, [47] shall fall, will I erect a church
in honor of the holy apostles." This ostentatious piety confirmed
and justified the attachment of the Catholics, with whom he secretly
corresponded; and their devout wishes were gradually ripened into
a formidable conspiracy. The people of Aquitain were alarmed by the
indiscreet reproaches of their Gothic tyrants, who justly accused them
of preferring the dominion of the Franks: and their zealous adherent
Quintianus, bishop of Rodez, [48] preached more forcibly in his exile
than in his diocese. To resist these foreign and domestic enemies, who
were fortified by the alliance of the Burgundians, Alaric collected
his troops, far more numerous than the military powers of Clovis. The
Visigoths resumed the exercise of arms, which they had neglected in
a long and luxurious peace; [49] a select band of valiant and robust
slaves attended their masters to the field; [50] and the cities of Gaul
were compelled to furnish their doubtful and reluctant aid. Theodoric,
king of the Ostrogoths, who reigned in Italy, had labored to maintain
the tranquillity of Gaul; and he assumed, or affected, for that purpose,
the impartial character of a mediator. But the sagacious monarch dreaded
the rising empire of Clovis, and he was firmly engaged to support the
national and religious cause of the Goths.

[Footnote 46: Gregory of Tours (l. ii. c. 37, in tom. ii. p. 181)
inserts the short but persuasive speech of Clovis. Valde moleste fero,
quod hi Ariani partem teneant Galliarum, (the author of the Gesta
Francorum, in tom. ii. p. 553, adds the precious epithet of optimam,)
camus cum Dei adjutorio, et, superatis eis, redigamus terram in ditionem
nostram.]

[Footnote 47: Tunc rex projecit a se in directum Bipennem suam quod est
Francisca, &c. (Gesta Franc. in tom. ii. p. 554.) The form and use of
this weapon are clearly described by Procopius, (in tom. ii. p. 37.)
Examples of its national appellation in Latin and French may be found in
the Glossary of Ducange, and the large Dictionnaire de Trevoux.]

[Footnote 48: It is singular enough that some important and authentic
facts should be found in a Life of Quintianus, composed in rhyme in the
old Patois of Rouergue, (Dubos, Hist. Critique, &c., tom. ii. p. 179.)]

[Footnote 49: Qua