Theloadedwagons，whichhadfollowedtheirmarch，affordedarichbooty；andthevirgin—bride，withherfemaleattendants，submittedtothenewlovers，whowereimposedonthembythechanceofwar。Thisadvance，whichhadbeenobtainedbytheskillandactivityofAetius，mightreflectsomedisgraceonthemilitaryprudenceofClodion；butthekingoftheFrankssoonregainedhisstrengthandreputation，andstillmaintainedthepossessionofhisGallickingdomfromtheRhinetotheSomme。^24
Underhisreign，andmostprobablyfromthetheeenterprisingspiritofhissubjects，histhreecapitals，Mentz，Treves，andCologne，experiencedtheeffectsofhostilecrueltyandavarice。
ThedistressofColognewasprolongedbytheperpetualdominionofthesameBarbarians，whoevacuatedtheruinsofTreves；andTreves，whichinthespaceoffortyyearshadbeenfourtimesbesiegedandpillaged，wasdisposedtolosethememoryofherafflictionsinthevainamusementsoftheCircus。^25ThedeathofClodion，afterareignoftwentyyears，exposedhiskingdomtothediscordandambitionofhistwosons。Meroveus，theyounger，^26waspersuadedtoimploretheprotectionofRome；hewasreceivedattheImperialcourt，astheallyofValentinian，andtheadoptedsonofthepatricianAetius；anddismissedtohisnativecountry，withsplendidgifts，andthestrongestassurancesoffriendshipandsupport。Duringhisabsence，hiselderbrotherhadsolicited，withequalardor，theformidableaidofAttila；
andthekingoftheHunsembracedanalliance，whichfacilitatedthepassageoftheRhine，andjustified，byaspeciousandhonorablepretence，theinvasionofGaul。^27
[Footnote16:RegesCrinitossecreavissedeprima，etutitadicamnobiliorisuorumfamilia，Greg。Turon。l。ii。c。9，p。