The Dawn in Britain :: :: University of Virginia Library

(When Julius passed Kent-seas, with conquering legions,)
From sire to son, have all tribes of South Britain.
Also, his grandson, great Cunobelin,
(Who king in Catuvelaunian royal Verulam;)
Now Warden is, and warlord of South Britain.

Caratacus, lo! Cunobelin's other son,
(The elder, Togodumnos, went to Rome,)
Is this tall prince; who, twixt two watchfires, stands,
New kindled, at swift-streaming Severn's strand;
Mongst young lords, lighted from their long-maned steeds,
Now arrived, with him. Hark, then, as day springs,
Loud cry, to the two camps, Cunobelin's heralds!
Caradoc, O kings! Son to the sire Cunobelin,
Word, of the Warlord's mouth, brings from Caer Verulam!
That were observed, on both your armies' parts,
Which would contend, these days, a sacred truce!
Till may be called, and holden parliament,
In the Sun's plain, of all tribes of South Britain!

Came to him six kings, then, each with his druid,

And ward of spears. Caradoc, Strongarm, declares,
Saluting them; how lately word Cunobelin,
Received from Rome; that, this year, should the legions,
As in old days of warlord Cassiobellan,
Pass o'er to Britain. Merchants from the Main,
The like affirm, which lately came to Cantion.
Wherefore Cunobelin, by their common gods,
To amity, adjures all tribes and Britons' lords;
And to let sleep all forepast enmities.

Thus spake, with warlike countenance, and stern voice,
Caradoc; whose stature, and wise warlike worth,
Persuade all hearts. First, rose up king Duneda;
Who, father, prince Caratacus, embraced,
(Son to his ancient friend Cunobelin,) quoth;
He would the hest obey of the Land's Ward!
Uprose Moelmabon, stern Silures' king,
Hoar-haired: and took prince Caradoc, by the hand;
Thereby, assenting to the king Cunobelin.
With these three, joined those other kings right hands,
Two of each part, which came as adversaries.
Drinking together, then, one sacred cup,

Before the gods, kings swear, (one people of Samoth,)
To wage one war, gainst new-invading Romans.

A certain noble bard, with Caradoc, rides,
Of Belges Gauls, Carvilios, far renowned;
Guest now of Britons' lord, in Verulamion.
He, after knit, with solemn feast, accord;
Wherein those kings make common sacrifice,
Touching, with well-taught hand, his golden wires,
Gan warlike lay to chant, with a great voice.
He quoth; Great martial Gaul is thrall to Rome!
Romans, whom oft o'erthrew our fathers old;
And held their town to ransom, Briton Brennus.
What infamy it is, that, now, Gauls serve to Romans,
Their fathers' freedmen! in whose tongues, as women,
And not in warlike deed, lies their most force.
For Romans fight, with wiles, which Gauls despise;
And all in hammered plate, their bodies closed;

And hired men are their soldiers, for base wage:
Gainst whom our naked youth, in vain, contended.
O warlike Brennid kings, O Island Gauls,
What day, embarked Rome's legions, from mainland,
Shall bridge your narrow seas, with thousand keels;
Except all Britons, ready, as one man's sons,
Stand fast in arms, to ward their foster strand;
Look that the like befall this soil of Brennus!
There ceased the Gaulish bard; and Briton lords
Stare on the ground. Sith those six truth-plight kings,
From Hafren's strand, march homeward, with their warriors;
And with Duneda, Caradoc rides to Isca.