Now when Attila learned of the retreat of the Goths, 218
he thought it a ruse of the enemy,--for so men are wont
to believe when the unexpected happens--and remained
for some time in his camp. But when a long silence followed
the absence of the foe, the spirit of the mighty
king was aroused to the thought of victory and the anticipation
of pleasure, and his mind turned to the old oracles
of his destiny.

[Sidenote: THORISMUD 451-453]

Thorismud, however, after the death of his father on
the Catalaunian Plains where he had fought, advanced in
royal state and entered Tolosa. Here although the throng
of his brothers and brave companions were still rejoicing
over the victory he yet began to rule so mildly that no one
strove with him for the succession to the kingdom.

[Sidenote: THE SIEGE AND FALL OF AQUILEIA 452]

XLII But Attila took occasion from the withdrawal 219
of the Visigoths, observing what he had often desired
that his enemies were divided. At length feeling secure,
he moved forward his array to attack the Romans. As
his first move he besieged the city of Aquileia, the metropolis
of Venetia, which is situated on a point or tongue
of land by the Adriatic Sea. On the eastern side its walls
are washed by the river Natissa, flowing from Mount
Piccis. The siege was long and fierce, but of no avail, 220