By the right wheel rode Mamilius, Prince of the Latian name; And by the left false Sextus, That wrought the deed of shame. But when the face of Sextus But the Consul's brow was sad, Before the bridge goes down; Then out spake brave Horatius, Death cometh soon or late. Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers And the temples of his Gods? "And for the tender mother Who dandled him to rest, And for the wife who nurses And for the holy maidens Who feed the eternal flame, To save them from false Sextus That wrought the deed of shame! "Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, Then out spake Spurius Lartius; "I will abide on thy left side, And keep the bridge with thee." "Horatius," quoth the Consul, "As thou sayest, so let it be." Then none was for a party; Then all were for the state; Then the great man helped the poor, Now, Roman is to Roman 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. Now while the Three were tightening The Consul was the foremost man Meanwhile, the Tuscan army, Came flashing back the noonday light, As that great host, with measured tread, The Three stood calm and silent, And a great shout of laughter From all the vanguard rose: And forth three chiefs came spurring Before that deep array; To earth they sprang, their swords they drew, And lifted high their shields, and flew To win the narrow way; Aunus, from green Tifernum, And Seius, whose eight hundred slaves Sicken in Ilva's mines; And Picus, long to Clusium Vassal in peace and war, Who led to fight his Umbrian powers O'er the pale waves of Nar. Stout Lartius hurled down Aunus And clove him to the teeth : At Picus brave Horatius Darted one fiery thrust, And the proud Umbrian's gilded arms Clashed in the bloody dust. Then Ocnus of Falerii Rushed on the Roman Three; And Lausulus of Urgo, The rover of the sea; And Aruns of Volsinium, Who slew the great wild boar, And wasted fields, and slaughter'd men, Herminius smote down Aruns: Lartius laid Ocnus low: |