Boethius, Ancius (Ancius Boethius)

Nec speres aliquid nec extimescas,
exarmaueris impotentis iram;
at quisquis trepidus pauet uel optat,
quod non sit stabilis suique iuris,
abiecit clipeum locoque motus
nectit qua ualeat trahi catenam.

If first you rid yourself of hope and fear
You have dismayed the tyrant's wrath:
But whosoever quakes in fear or hope,
Drifting and losing his mastery,
Has cast away his shield, has left his place,
And binds the chain with which he will be bound.
-- Ancius Boethius