HORATIUS

HORATIUS
THEY held a council standing
Before the River-Gate ;
Short time was there, ye well may guess,
For musing or debate.
Out spake the Consul roundly :
cc The bridge must straight go down ;
For, since Janiculum is lost.
Nought else can save the town."
Just then a scout came flying.
All wild with haste and fear : 10
ee To arms ! to arms ! Sir Consul :
Lars Porsena is here."
On the low hills to westward
The Consul fixed his eye,
And saw the swarthy storm of dust
Rise fast along the sky.
And nearer fast and nearer
Doth the red whirlwind come ;
And louder still and still more loud,
From underneath that rolling cloud, 20
Is heard the trumpet's war-note proud,
The trampling, and the hum.
And plainly and more plainly
Now through the gloom appears,
Far to left and far to right,
In broken gleams of dark-blue light,
The long array of helmets bright,
The long array of spears.
But the Consul's brow was sad,
And the Consul's speech was low, 30
And darkly looked he at the wall,
And darkly at the foe.