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Attila
invited both parties of us to dine with him about three o'clock that
afternoon. We waited for the time of the invitation, and then all
of us, the envoys from the Western Romans as well, presented ourselves
in the doorway facing Attila. In accordance with the national custom
the cupbearers gave us a cup for us to make our libations before we
took our seats. When that had been done and we had sipped the wine,
we went to the chairs where we would sit to have dinner. All the seats
were ranged down either side of the room, up against the walls. In
the middle Attila was sitting on a couch with a second couch behind
him. Behind that a few steps led up to his bed, which for decorative
purposes was covered in ornate drapes made of fine linen, like those
which Greeks and Romans prepare for marriage ceremonies. I think that
the more distinguished guests were on Attila's right, and the second
rank on his left, where we were with Berichos, a man of some renown
among the Scythians, who was sitting in front of us. Onegesios was
to the right of Attila's couch, and opposite him were two of the king's
sons on chairs. The eldest son was sitting on Attila's own couch,
right on the very edge, with his eyes fixed on the ground in fear
of his father.
When all were
sitting properly in order, a cupbearer came to offer Attila an ivy-wood
bowl of wine, which he took and drank a toast to the man first in
order of precedence. The man thus honored rose to his feet and it
was not right for him to sit down again until Attila had drunk some
or all of the wine and had handed the goblet back to the attendant.
The guests, taking their own cups, then honored him in the same
way, sipping the wine after making the toast. One attendant went
round to each man in strict order after Attila's personal cupbearer
had gone out. When the second guest and then all the others in their
turn had been honored, Attila greeted us in like fashion in our
order of seating.
After everyone
had been toasted, the cupbearers left, and a table was put in front
of Attila and other tables for groups of three or four men each.
This enabled each guest to help himself to the things put on the
table without leaving his proper seat. Attila's servant entered
first with plates full of meat, and those waiting on all the others
put bread and cooked food on the tables. A lavish meal, served on
silver trenchers, was prepared for us and the other barbarians,
but Attila just had some meat on a wooden platter, for this was
one aspect of his self-discipline. For instance, gold or silver
cups were presented to the other diners, but his own goblet was
made of wood. His clothes, too, were simple, and no trouble was
taken except to have them clean. The sword that hung by his side,
the clasps of his barbarian shoes and the bridle of his horse were
all free from gold, precious stones or other valuable decorations
affected by the other Scythians. When the food in the first plates
was finished we all got up, and no one, once on his feet, returned
to his seat until he had, in the same order as before, drunk the
full cup of wine that he was handed, with a toast for Attila's health.
After this honor had been paid him, we sat down again and second
plates were put on each table with other food on them. This also
finished, everyone rose once more, drank another toast and resumed
his seat.
As twilight
came on torches were lit, and two barbarians entered before Attila
to sing some songs they had composed, telling of his victories and
his valor in war. The guests paid close attention to them, and some
were delighted with the songs, others excited at being reminded
of the wars, but others broke down and wept if their bodies were
weakened by age and their warrior spirits forced to remain inactive.
After the songs a Scythian entered, a crazy fellow who told a lot
of strange and completely false stories, not a word of truth in
them, which made everyone laugh. Following him came the Morr, Zerkon,
totally disorganized in appearance, clothes, voice and words. By
mixing up the languages of the Italians, with those of the Huns
and Goths, he fascinated everyone and made them break out in uncontrollable
laughter, all that is except Attila. He remained impassive, without
any change of expression, and neither by word or gesture did he
seem to share in the merriment except that when his youngest son,
Ernas, came in and stood by him, he drew the boy towards him and
looked at him with gentle eyes. I was surprised that he paid no
attention to his other sons, and only had time for this one. But
the barbarian at my side, who understood Italian and what I had
said about the boy, warned me not to speak up, and said that the
seers had told Attila that his family would be banished but would
be restored by this son. After spending most of the night at the
party, we left, having no wish to pursue the drinking any further.
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