"Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, May well be stopped by three. Now who will stand on either hand, And keep the bridge with me?" Then out spake Spurius Lartius; "I will abide on thy left side, "Horatius," quoth the Consul, "As thou sayest, so let it be." And straight against that great array Forth went the dauntless Three. For Romans in Rome's quarrel Spared neither land nor gold, Nor son nor wife, nor limb nor life, In the brave days of old. Then none was for a party; Then all were for the state; Then the great man helped the poor, Now while the Three were tightening 17 And Fathers mixed with Commons17 Meanwhile the Tuscan army, Came flashing back the noonday light, A peal of warlike glee, As that great host, with measured tread, The Three stood calm and silent, From all the vanguard rose; And forth three chiefs came spurring Before that deep array; To earth they sprang, their swords they drew, To win the narrow way; 17. The Roman people were divided into two classes, the patricians, to whom belonged all the privileges of citizenship, and the plebeians, who were not allowed to hold office or even to own property. Macaulay gives the English name Commons to the plebeians. Aunus from green Tifernum,18 And Seius, whose eight hundred slaves 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 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, The great wild boar that had his den Amidst the reeds of Cosa's fen, And wasted fields, and slaughtered men, 18. A discussion as to who these chiefs were, or as to where the places mentioned were located, would be profitless. The notes attempt to give only such information as will aid in understanding the story. Herminius smote down Aruns: Lartius laid Ocnus low: Right to the heart of Lausulus Horatius sent a blow. "Lie there," he cried, "fell pirate! No more, aghast and pale, From Ostia's walls the crowd shall mark But now no sound of laughter From all the vanguard rose. And for a space no man came forth But hark! the cry is Astur: Comes with his stately stride. Upon his ample shoulders Clangs loud the fourfold shield, And in his hand he shakes the brand Which none but he can wield. He smiled on those bold Romans 19. Campania is another name for the campagna. |