XXVIII. "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, May well be stopped by three. “Horatius,” quoth the Consul, 1 Hold the foe in play: keep them occupied. 2 Strait: narrow. 3 Spu'rius Lar'tius. 4 Ramnian: one of the three ancient patrician or ruling classes of Rome dating from its foundation by Romulus. 5 Hermin'ius. 6 Titian: one of the three ancient tribes of which the Ramnian was the first. 7 Quoth: said. For Romans in Rome's quarrel Spared neither land nor gold, XXXI. Then none was for a party; Then all were for the state; Then the great man helped the poor, XXXII. Now Roman is to Roman More hateful than a foe, And the Tribunes 2 beard the high, 3 And the Fathers grind the low. As we wax hot in faction,4 In battle we wax cold: Wherefore men fight not as they fought XXXIII. Now while the Three were tightening 1 Lands, spoils: the lands and plunder taken in war. 2 Tribunes: officers appointed to protect the interests of the common people of Rome. They could veto any measure they thought harmful. 8 Fathers: see note 4, p. 7. 4 Faction: here, political dissension or discord. 5 Harness: armor. The Consul was the foremost man And Fathers mixed with Commons,1 XXXIV. Meanwhile the Tuscan army, Right glorious to behold, Came flashing back the noonday light, As that great host, with measured tread, XXXV. The Three stood calm and silent, 1 Commons: the common people. 8 Props: it was a wooden bridge. 4 Ensigns: banners. 2 Crow crowbar. See note 10, "Janiculum,” p. 7. 5 Vanguard: the advance guard. To earth they sprang, their swords they drew XXXVI. Aunus1 from green Tifernum,2 And Seius, whose eight hundred slaves. Sicken in Ilva's mines; And Picus,5 long to Clusium Vassal 6 in peace and war, Who led to fight his Umbrian powers From that gray crag where, girt with towers, The fortress of Nequinum lowers O'er the pale waves of Nar.9 8 XXXVII. Stout Lartius hurled down Aunus Into the stream beneath: Herminius struck at Seius, And clove him to the teeth: At Picus brave Horatius Darted one fiery thrust; And the proud Umbrian's gilded arms 1 Au'nus. 2 Tifer num: a town of Umbria, on the Tiber. 8 Seius (Se'yus). 4 I'va: an island (the modern Elba) off the coast of Etruria, once noted for its iron mines. 6 Vassal: a dependent. 5 Pi'cus. 7 Nequi'num: a town of Umbria. 8 Lowers: having a gloomy or threatening look. 9 Nar: a river of Umbria. XXXVIII. Then Ocnus 1 of Falerii 2 Rushed on the Roman Three; The Rover5 of the sea; And Aruns of Volsinium,7 Who slew the great wild boar, And wasted fields, and slaughtered men, XXXIX. Herminius smote down Aruns: Lartius laid Ocnus low: “Lie there,” he cried, "fell 11 pirate î No more, aghast and pale, From Ostia's walls the crowd shall mark 1 Oc'nus. 8 Lausu'lus. 2 Fa-le'ri-i: a town of Etruria. 4 Ur'go: an island off the coast of Etruria. 5 Rover: here used in the sense of pirate and kidnapper. 6 A'runs. 8 Co'sa: a town of Etruria. 10 Albi'nia: a river of Etruria. 7 Volsin'ium: a city of Etruria. 9 Fen: a marsh. 11 Fell: cruel. 12 Campa'nia: a very fertile district of Italy, south of Rome, having Naples as its chief port. 18 Hinds: farm-laborers, peasants. |