HORATIUS
And heavy with his armour.
And spent with changing blows :
And oft they thought him sinking,
But still again he rose.
Never, I ween, did swimmer,
In such an evil case.
Struggle through such a raging flood
Safe to the landing-place ;
But his limbs were borne up bravely
By the brave heart within, 10
And our good father Tiber
Bare bravely up his chin.
cc Curse on him ! " quoth false Sextus ;
" Will not the villain drown ?
But for this stay, ere close of day
We should have sacked the town ! "
*e Heaven help him 1 " quoth Lars Porsena,
ec And bring him safe to shore ;
For such a gallant feat of arms
Was never seen before." 20
And now he feels the bottom ;
Now on dry earth he stands ;
Now round him throng the Fathers
To press his gory hands ;
And now, with shouts and clapping,
And noise of weeping loud,
He enters through the River-Gate,
Borne by the joyous crowd.
And still his name sounds stirring
Unto the men of Rome, 30
As the trumpet-blast that cries to them
To charge the Volscian home ;
23