inst all danger from
the violence of the current, and is still safe and strong.

5. Joyful and exulting in this success, the emperor, perceiving that the
weather and the season of the year did not allow him any other
occupation, like a good and active prince began to apply his attention
to the general affairs of the republic. And thinking the time very
proper for completing one work which he had been meditating, he began
with all speed to raise a fortification on the other side of the Rhine,
on Mount Piri, a spot which belongs to the barbarians. And as rapidity
of action was one great means of executing this design with safety, he
sent orders to the Duke Arator, through Syagrius, who was then a
secretary, but who afterwards became prefect and consul, to attempt to
make himself master of this height in the dead of the night.

6. The duke at once crossed over with the secretary, as he was
commanded; and was beginning to employ the soldiers whom he had brought
with him to dig out the foundations, when he received a successor,
Hermogenes. At the very same moment there arrived some nobles of the
Allemanni, fathers of the hostages, whom, in accordance with our treaty,
we were detaining as important pledges for the long continuance of the
peace.

7. And they, with bended knees entreated him not to let the Romans, with
an improvident disregard of all safety (they whose fortune their
everlasting good faith had raised to the skies), now be misled by a base
error to trample all former agreements under foot, and attempt an act
unworthy of them.

8. But since it was to no purpose that they used these and similar
arguments, as they were not listened to, and finding that they had no
chance of a conciliatory answer, they reluctantly returned, bewailing
the loss of their sons; and when they were gone, from a secret
hiding-place in a neighbouring hill a troop of barbarians sprang forth,
waiting, as far as was understood, for the answer which was to be given
to the nobles; and attacking our half-naked soldiers, who were carrying
loads of earth, drew their swords and quickly slew them, and with them
the two generals.

9. Nor was any one left to relate what had happened, except Syagrius,
who, after they were all destroyed returned to the court, where by the
sentence of his offended emperor he was dismissed the service; on which
he retired to his own home; being judged by the severe decision of the
prince to have deserved this sentence