Theprudence，however，ofStilicho，hisaversiontocivilwar，andhisperfectknowledgeoftheweaknessofthestate，maycountenancethesuspicion，thatdomesticpeace，ratherthanforeignconquest，wastheobjectofhispolicy；andthathisprincipalcarewastoemploytheforcesofAlaricatadistancefromItaly。ThisdesigncouldnotlongescapethepenetrationoftheGothicking，whocontinuedtoholdadoubtful，andperhapsatreacherous，correspondencewiththerivalcourts；whoprotracted，likeadissatisfiedmercenary，hislanguidoperationsinThessalyandEpirus，andwhosoonreturnedtoclaimtheextravagantrewardofhisineffectualservices。FromhiscampnearAemona，^102ontheconfinesofItaly，hetransmittedtotheemperoroftheWestalongaccountofpromises，ofexpenses，andofdemands；calledforimmediatesatisfaction，andclearlyintimatedtheconsequencesofarefusal。Yetifhisconductwashostile，hislanguagewasdecentanddutiful。HehumblyprofessedhimselfthefriendofStilicho，andthesoldierofHonorius；
offeredhispersonandhistroopstomarch，withoutdelay，againsttheusurperofGaul；andsolicited，asapermanentretreatfortheGothicnation，thepossessionofsomevacantprovinceoftheWesternempire。
[Footnote100:—ComitatureuntemPallor，etatrafames；etsaucialividusoraLuctus；etinfernostridentesagminemorbi。
Claudianinvi。Cons。Hon。821，&c。]
[Footnote101:ThesedarktransactionsareinvestigatedbytheCountdeBualHist。desPeuplesdel\'Europe，tom。vii。c。iii。—