AfterdrainingmanycapaciousbowlsofRhaetianorFalernianwine，hecalledfortheskullofCunimund，thenoblestandmostpreciousornamentofhissideboard。ThecupofvictorywasacceptedwithhorridapplausebythecircleoftheLombardchiefs。\"Fillitagainwithwine，\"exclaimedtheinhumanconqueror，\"fillittothebrim:carrythisgoblettothequeen，andrequestinmynamethatshewouldrejoicewithherfather。\"
Inanagonyofgriefandrage，Rosamondhadstrengthtoutter，\"Letthewillofmylordbeobeyed!\"and，touchingitwithherlips，pronouncedasilentimprecation，thattheinsultshouldbewashedawayinthebloodofAlboin。Someindulgencemightbeduetotheresentmentofadaughter，ifshehadnotalreadyviolatedthedutiesofawife。Implacableinherenmity，orinconstantinherlove，thequeenofItalyhadstoopedfromthethronetothearmsofasubject，andHelmichis，theking\'sarmor—bearer，wasthesecretministerofherpleasureandrevenge。Againsttheproposalofthemurder，hecouldnolongerurgethescruplesoffidelityorgratitude；butHelmichistrembledwhenherevolvedthedangeraswellastheguilt，whenherecollectedthematchlessstrengthandintrepidityofawarriorwhomhehadsooftenattendedinthefieldofbattle。Hepressedandobtained，thatoneofthebravestchampionsoftheLombardsshouldbeassociatedtotheenterprise；butnomorethanapromiseofsecrecycouldbedrawnfromthegallantPeredeus，andthemodeofseductionemployedbyRosamondbetrayshershamelessinsensibilitybothtohonorandlove。ShesuppliedtheplaceofoneofherfemaleattendantswhowasbelovedbyPeredeus，andcontrivedsomeexcusefordarknessandsilence，tillshecouldinformhercompanionthathehadenjoyedthequeenoftheLombards，andthathisowndeath，orthedeathofAlboin，mustbetheconsequenceofsuchtreasonableadultery。InthisalternativehechoserathertobetheaccomplicethanthevictimofRosamond，^21whoseundauntedspiritwasincapableoffearorremorse。Sheexpectedandsoonfoundafavorablemoment，whentheking，oppressedwithwine，hadretiredfromthetabletohisafternoonslumbers。Hisfaithlessspousewasanxiousforhishealthandrepose:thegatesofthepalacewereshut，thearmsremoved，theattendantsdismissed，andRosamond，afterlullinghimtorestbyhertendercaresses，unboltedthechamberdoor，andurgedthereluctantconspiratorstotheinstantexecutionofthedeed。Onthefirstalarm，thewarriorstartedfromhiscouch:hissword，whichheattemptedtodraw，hadbeenfastenedtothescabbardbythehandofRosamond；andasmallstool，hisonlyweapon，couldnotlongprotecthimfromthespearsoftheassassins。ThedaughterofCunimundsmiledinhisfall:hisbodywasburiedunderthestaircaseofthepalace；andthegratefulposterityoftheLombardsreveredthetombandthememoryoftheirvictoriousleader。
[Footnote21:TheclassicalreaderwillrecollectthewifeandmurderofCandaules，soagreeablytoldinthefirstbookofHerodotus。ThechoiceofGyges，mayserveastheexcuseofPeredeus；andthissoftinsinuationofanodiousideahasbeenimitatedbythebestwritersofantiquity，Graevius，adCiceron。
Orat。proMilouec。10]
ChapterXLV:StateOfItalyUnderTheLombards。