The little superfluous flesh still remaining on his face hung about it like an ill-fitting garment; his tones had become lachrymose; the oratorical gestures, with which he was wont to embellish profusely his former speeches, were all abandoned; nothing remained of the original man but the bombast of his language and the impudent complacency of his self-applause, which now appeared in contemptible contrast to his crestfallen demeanour and his disheartening narrative of degradation and defeat.
'Men of Rome, let each of you exercise in his own person the heroic virtues of a Regulus or a Cato!' the prefect began.

'A treaty with the barbarians is out of our power.

It is the scourge of the empire, Alaric himself, who commands the invading forces! Vain were the dignified remonstrances of the grave Basilius, futile was the persuasive rhetoric of the astute Johannes, addressed to the slaughtering and vainglorious Goth! On their admission to his presence, the ambassadors, anxious to awe him into a capitulation, enlarged, with sagacious and commendable patriotism, on the expertness of the Romans in the use of arms, their readiness for war, and their vast numbers within the city walls.

I blush to repeat the barbarian's reply.

Laughing immoderately, he answered, "The thicker the grass, the easier it is to cut!" 'Still undismayed, the ambassadors, changing their tactics, talked indulgently of their willingness to purchase a peace.