[169] See Introduction, p. xv. Judging from this poem Manlius started by being an _advocatus_ in the praetorian prefect’s court, was then _praeses_ of some district in Africa, then governor (_consularis_) of Macedonia, next recalled to Rome as Gratian’s _magister epistularum_, then _comes sacrarum largitionum_ (= ecclesiastical treasurer) and after that praetorian prefect of Gaul (ll. 50-53).
Ipsa quidem Virtus pretium sibi, solaque late Fortunae secura nitet nec fascibus ullis erigitur plausuve petit clarescere vulgi. nil opis externae cupiens, nil indiga laudis, divitiis animosa suis inmotaque cunctis 5 casibus ex alta mortalia despicit arce. attamen invitam blande vestigat et ultro ambit honor: docuit totiens a rure profectus lictor et in mediis consul quaesitus aratris. te quoque naturae sacris mundique vacantem, 10 emeritum pridem desudatisque remotum iudiciis eadem rursum complexa potestas evehit et reducem notis imponit habenis. accedunt trabeae: nil iam, Theodore, relictum, quo virtus animo crescat vel splendor honori.[170] 15 culmen utrumque tenes: talem te protinus anni formavere rudes, et dignum vita curuli traxit iter primaeque senes cessere iuventae. iam tum canities animi, iam dulce loquendi
[170] _honori_ conject. Birt; _honore_ codd.
Virtue is its own reward; alone with its far-flung splendour it mocks at Fortune; no honours raise it higher nor does it seek glory from the mob’s applause. External wealth cannot arouse its desires, it asks no praise but makes its boast of self-contained riches, and unmoved by all chances it looks down upon the world from a lofty citadel. Yet in its own despite importunate honours pursue it, and offer themselves unsought; that the lictor coming from the farm hath ofttimes proved and a consul sought for even at the plough. Thou, too, who wert at leisure to study the mysteries of nature and the heavens, thou who hadst served thy time and retired from the law courts where thou hadst toiled so long, art once more enfolded by a like dignity, which, raising thee aloft, sets in thy returning hands the familiar rein. The consulship now is thine, Theodorus, nor is there now aught left to add to thy virtues or to the glory of thy name. Thou art now at the summit of both; from thine earliest years thy character was thus formed, the whole course of thy life was worthy of the curule chair; thy earliest youth outrivalled age. Even then thy mind was hoar, thy pleasant talk weighty, thy