Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/87

The German Invasions conquer. Now we pray that thou, who hast conquered others, shouldst conquer thyself. The people have felt thy scourge ; now as suppliants they would feel thy mercy." As Leo said these things Attila stood looking upon his venerable garb and aspect, silent, as if thinking deeply. And lo, suddenly there were seen the apostles Peter and Paul, clad like bishops, standing by Leo, the one on the right hand, the other on the left. They held swords stretched out over his head, and threatened Attila with death if he did not obey the pope's command. Wherefore Attila was appeased by Leo's intercession, he who had raged as one mad. He straightway promised a lasting peace and withdrew beyond the Danube. V. CLOVIS AND THE FRANKS The history of the Franks was written about a cen- tury after the time of Clovis by Gregory, bishop of Tours. The following extracts give some notion of this valuable source, upon which a great part of our knowledge of the Merovingian period rests 1 : At this time [A.D. 486] the army of Clovis pillaged many churches, for he was still sunk in the errors of idolatry. The soldiers had borne away from a church, with all the other ornaments of the holy ministry, a vase of marvelous size and beauty. The bishop of this church sent messengers to the king, begging that if the church might not recover any other of the holy vessels, at least this one might be restored. The king, hearing these things, replied to the messenger: " Follow thou us to Soissons, for there all things that have been acquired are to be divided. If the lot shall give me this vase, I will do what the bishop desires." When he had reached Soissons, and all the booty had been placed in the midst of the army, the king pointed to this vase, and said : " I ask you, O most valiant warriors, not to refuse to me the vase in addition to my rightful part." 1 See below, p. 60. 17. Gregory of Tours and his history of the Franks.