... In three generations
prosperity and a warm climate had dissolved the hardy virtue
of the Vandals, who insensibly became the most luxurious of
mankind. In their villas and gardens, which might deserve
the Persian name of Paradise, they enjoyed a cool and
elegant repose, and after the daily use of the bath, the
barbarians were seated at a table profusely spread with the
delicacies of the land and sea. Their silken robes, loosely
flowing after the fashion of the Medes, were embroidered
with gold, love and hunting were the labours of their life,
and their vacant hours were amused by pantomimes,
chariot-races, and the music and dances of the theatre.
"In a march of twelve days the vigilance of Belisarius was
constantly awake and active against his unseen enemies, by
whom in every place and at every hour he might be suddenly
attacked. An officer of confidence and merit, John the
Armenian, led the vanguard of three hundred horse. Six
hundred Massagetae covered at a certain distance the left
flank, and the whole fleet, steering along the coast, seldom
lost sight of the army, which moved each day about twelve
miles, and lodged in the evening in strong camps or in
friendly towns.
Pages:
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227