POEMS OLD AND NEW
" Their van will be upon us
Before the bridge goes down ;
And if they once may win the bridge,
What hope to save the town ? "
Then out spake brave Horatius,
The Captain of the Gate :
" To every man upon this earth
Death cometh soon or late.
And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds, i<:
For the ashes of his fathers.
And the temples of his Gods?**
" Hew down the bridge. Sir Consul,
With all the speed ye may ;
I, with two more to help me,
Will hold the foe in play.
In yon strait path a thousand
May well be stopped by three.
Now who will stand on either hand.
And keep the bridge with me ? " 2c
Then out spake Spurius Lartius ;
A Ramnian proud was he :
" Lo, I will stand at thy right hand,
And keep the bridge with thee."
And out spake strong Herminius ;
Of Titian blood was he :
" I will abide on thy left side,
And keep the bridge with thee."
" Horatius," quoth the Consul,
" As thou sayest, so let it be." 3c
And straight against that great array
Forth went the dauntless Three.
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