19. They held a council standing Short time was there, ye well may guess, "The bridge must straight go down; For, since Janiculum is lost, Naught else can save the town." 20. Just then a scout came flying, All wild with haste and fear: On the low hills to westward 21. And nearer fast and nearer Doth the red whirlwind come; And louder still and still more loud, From underneath that rolling cloud, Is heard the trumpet's war-note proud, The trampling and the hum. And plainly and more plainly Now through the gloom appears, In broken gleams of dark-blue light, 22. spears. And plainly and more plainly, Of twelve fair cities shine; But the banner of proud Clusium The terror of the Gaul. 23. And plainly and more plainly There Cilnius of Arretium On his fleet roan was seen ; And Astur of the fourfold shield, Girt with the brand none else may wield, And dark Verbenna from the hold 24. Fast by the royal standard, By the right wheel rode Mamilius, And by the left false Sextus, That wrought the deed of shame. 25. But when the face of Sextus 26. But the Consul's brow was sad, And darkly looked he at the wall, "Their van will be upon us 27. Then out spake brave Horatius, 28. "And for the tender mother To save them from false Sextus 29. "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, 30. Then out spake Spurius Lartius, "Lo, I will stand on thy right hand, "I will abide on thy left side, And keep the bridge with thee." 31. "Horatius," quoth the Consul, 32. Then none was for a party; Then all were for the state; 33. Now Roman is to Roman More hateful than a foe, And the Tribunes beard the high, And the Fathers grind the low. As we wax hot in faction, In battle we wax cold; Wherefore men fight not as they fought In the brave days of old. 34. Now, while the Three were tightening The Consul was the foremost man And Fathers mixed with Commons VOL. IV.-25 35. Meanwhile the Tuscan army, Came flashing back the noonday light, As that great host, with measured tread, 36. The Three stood calm and silent, From all the vanguard rose : Before that mighty mass; To earth they sprang, their swords they drew, And lifted high their shields, and flew To win the narrow pass; 37. Aunus from green Tifernum, And Seius, whose eight hundred slaves And Picus, long to Clusium Vassal 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. 38. Stout Lartius hurled down Aunus Herminius struck at Seius, And clove him to the teeth; |