h required few
observations, and was not susceptible of any collateral evidence, may be
found in Priscus, p. 49-70. But I have not confined myself to the same
order; and I had previously extracted the historical circumstances,
which were less intimately connected with the journey, and business, of
the Roman ambassadors.]

But the Roman ambassador was ignorant of the treacherous design, which
had been concealed under the mask of the public faith. The surprise
and satisfaction of Edecon, when he contemplated the splendor of
Constantinople, had encouraged the interpreter Vigilius to procure for
him a secret interview with the eunuch Chrysaphius, [48] who governed
the emperor and the empire. After some previous conversation, and a
mutual oath of secrecy, the eunuch, who had not, from his own feelings
or experience, imbibed any exalted notions of ministerial virtue,
ventured to propose the death of Attila, as an important service, by
which Edecon might deserve a liberal share of the wealth and luxury
which he admired. The ambassador of the Huns listened to the tempting
offer; and professed, with apparent zeal, his ability, as well as
readiness, to execute the bloody deed; the design was communicated to
the master of the offices, and the devout Theodosius consented to the
assassination of his invincible enemy. But this perfidious conspiracy
was defeated by the dissimulation, or the repentance, of Edecon; and
though he might exaggerate his inward abhorrence for the treason, which
he seemed to approve, he dexterously assumed the merit of an early and
voluntary confession. If we now review the embassy of Maximin, and the
behavior of Attila, we must applaud the Barbarian, who respected the
laws of hospitality, and generously entertained and dismissed the
minister of a prince who had conspired against his life. But the
rashness of Vigilius will appear still more extraordinary, since
he returned, conscious of his guilt and danger, to the royal camp,
accompanied by his son, and carrying with him a weighty purse of gold,
which the favorite eunuch had furnished, to satisfy the demands of
Edecon, and to corrupt the fidelity of the guards. The interpreter was
instantly seized, and dragged before the tribunal of Attila, where
he asserted his innocence with specious firmness, till the threat
of inflicting instant death on his son extorted from him a sincere
discovery of the criminal transaction. Under the name of ransom, or
confiscation,