repliedtheinflexibleAudoin，\"ofthewisecustomsofourancestors。Whatevermaybehismerit，aprinceisincapableofsittingattablewithhisfathertillhehasreceivedhisarmsfromaforeignandroyalhand。\"Alboinbowedwithreverencetotheinstitutionsofhiscountry，selectedfortycompanions，andboldlyvisitedthecourtofTurisund，kingoftheGepidae，whoembracedandentertained，accordingtothelawsofhospitality，themurdererofhisson。Atthebanquet，whilstAlboinoccupiedtheseatoftheyouthwhomhehadslain，atenderremembrancearoseinthemindofTurisund。\"Howdearisthatplace!howhatefulisthatperson!\"werethewordsthatescaped，withasigh，fromtheindignantfather。HisgriefexasperatedthenationalresentmentoftheGepidae；andCunimund，hissurvivingson，wasprovokedbywine，orfraternalaffection，tothedesireofvengeance。\"TheLombards，\"saidtherudeBarbarian，\"resemble，infigureandinsmell，themaresofourSarmatianplains。\"Andthisinsultwasacoarseallusiontothewhitebandswhichenvelopedtheirlegs。\"Addanotherresemblance，\"repliedanaudaciousLombard；\"youhavefelthowstronglytheykick。
VisittheplainofAsfield，andseekforthebonesofthybrother:theyaremingledwiththoseofthevilestanimals。\"TheGepidae，anationofwarriors，startedfromtheirseats，andthefearlessAlboin，withhisfortycompanions，laidtheirhandsontheirswords。ThetumultwasappeasedbythevenerableinterpositionofTurisund。Hesavedhisownhonor，andthelifeofhisguest；and，afterthesolemnritesofinvestiture，dismissedthestrangerinthebloodyarmsofhisson；thegiftofaweepingparent。Alboinreturnedintriumph；andtheLombards，whocelebratedhismatchlessintrepidity，werecompelledtopraisethevirtuesofanenemy。^8InthisextraordinaryvisithehadprobablyseenthedaughterofCunimund，whosoonafterascendedthethroneoftheGepidae。HernamewasRosamond，anappellationexpressiveoffemalebeauty，andwhichourownhistoryorromancehasconsecratedtoamoroustales。ThekingoftheLombardsthefatherofAlboinnolongerlivedwascontractedtothegranddaughterofClovis；buttherestraintsoffaithandpolicysoonyieldedtothehopeofpossessingthefairRosamond，andofinsultingherfamilyandnation。Theartsofpersuasionweretriedwithoutsuccess；andtheimpatientlover，byforceandstratagem，obtainedtheobjectofhisdesires。Warwastheconsequencewhichheforesawandsolicited；buttheLombardscouldnotlongwithstandthefuriousassaultoftheGepidae，whoweresustainedbyaRomanarmy。And，astheofferofmarriagewasrejectedwithcontempt，Alboinwascompelledtorelinquishhisprey，andtopartakeofthedisgracewhichhehadinflictedonthehouseofCunimund。^9
[Footnote8:PaulWarnefrid，thedeaconofFriuli，deGest。
Langobard。l。i。c。23，24。Hispicturesofnationalmanners，thoughrudelysketchedaremorelivelyandfaithfulthanthoseofBede，orGregoryofTours]
[Footnote9:Thestoryistoldbyanimpostor，Theophylact。