186

THE DECLINE AND FALL

CHAP.

XIX.

the title of Caesar, to reign over the countriesbeyond the Alps . h

Although the order which recalled him tocourt was probably accompanied by some inti-mation of his approaching greatness, he appealsto the people of Athens to witness his tears ofundissembled sorrow, when he was reluctantlytorn away from his beloved retirement . 1 Hetrembled for his life, for his fame, and even forhis virtue; and his sole confidence was derivedfrom the persuasion, that Minerva inspired allhis actions, and that he was protected by aninvisible guard of angels, whom for that pur-pose she had borrowed from the sun and moon.He approached with horror the palace of Mi-lan: nor could the ingenuous youth conceal hisindignation, when he found himself accostedwith false and servile respect by the assassinsof his family. Eusebia, rejoicing in the suc-cess of her benevolent schemes, embraced himwith the tenderness of a sister; and endeavour-ed, by the most soothing caresses, to dispel histerrors, and reconcile him to his fortune. Butthe ceremony of shaving his beard, and his awk-ward demeanour, when he first exchanged thecloak of a Greek philosopher for the militaryhabit of a Roman prince, amused, during a fewdays, the levity of the imperial court . 11

6 Ammiamis, 1. xv, c. 8. Zosimus , 1. iii, p. 137, 138.

1 Julian, ad s. p. q. a. p. 275, 270. Libanius , Orat. x, p. 208. Ju-lian did not yield till the gods had signified their will by repeated vi-sions and omens. His piety then forbade him to resist.

k Julian himself relates (|>. 274), with some humour, the circumstances of Uis own metamorphosis, bis downcast looks, and bis perplexity

at