54. Claudian (iii. Cons. Stilich. 99-119) describes their
trial (tremuit quos Africa nuper, cernunt rostra reos), and
applauds the restoration of the ancient constitution. It is
here that he introduces the famous sentence so familiar to
the friends of despotism:
___Nunquam libertas gratior exstat
Quam sub rege pio.__
But the freedom which depends on royal piety scarcely
deserves that appellation.