64. Vita 28 (Geerlings, 82–84); trans. Muller and Deferrari, FOTC 15:108–10.
The Bishop 121 came also to besiege the city of the Hippo-Regians, which so far had maintained its position. At this time the defense of the city was in the charge of the former Count Boniface63 and an army of allied Goths. For almost fourteen months the enemy blockaded and besieged the city, cutting off even its seacoast with their blockade. We and other fellow bishops from the neighborhood had taken refuge there, and were present during the entire siege. Therefore, we frequently conversed with each other and considered the dreadful judgments of God, which were placed before our eyes, saying: "You are just, O Lord, and Your judgment is right" (Ps 118:137). In our common grief, with groans and tears we prayed to the Father of mercies and the Lord of all consolation to deign to help us in this tribulation.64
63. "Count Boniface": Boniface was, in Augustine's final years, the top military commander in North Africa. He had contemplated, after the death of his first wife, retiring from the military and becoming a monk, but both Augustine and Alypius dissuaded him, arguing that he better served the Church by protecting the Empire's borders against barbarian incursions. Boniface rose through the ranks as the years went on, but his morals, in Augustine's view, went downhill. In ep. 220, Augustine confronted him on violating his marriage vows by sleeping with concubines and on neglecting military duties. His soldiers were so busy extorting valuables from villagers that they failed in their military mission of halting barbarian incursions. Later, Boniface used his army to wage a successful civil war against imperial authorities, but failed against the invading Vandal armies.
64. Vita 28 (Geerlings, 82–84); trans. Muller and Deferrari, FOTC 15:108–10.