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

Privily, in his father's ear, of Dumnoveros:
Was, Dumnoveros, with them in their voyage;
And how his daughter is that noble maid.
And of the dear accord made, twixt them both.
And how his soul loves Embla, above all being.

And, still, made Caradoc semblant, as that were,
Those lingered yet in Gaul. Cease Caradoc's lips
Then speak; for yearns, within him, brother's heart,
Speed, with armed band, and war-team and scythechariot,
To field, anon; in aid of Togodumnos!

But comes, with rushing steeds, lo, early, at morrow,
That prince again; in their sire's bronze-axed scythecart.
Follow his army, afoot, more slowly on.
Hath, noble bard, (Cunobelin's guest,) Carvilios,
Riding, from tribe to tribe, twixt hostile camps,
Prevailed, with Briton lords, for Britain's peace:
All, now, shall turn their hostile arms, gainst Rome.
Omens announce nigh coming of the legions.

How joys each prince, then, see his brother's face!
Caradoc sith Togodumnos draws apart;
To tell him his heart's hope. The elder went
In, to their father, prays, even for his sake,
Restore the Cantion isles to Dumnoveros.

128

And well it were, all breaches to be healed,
Amongst the tribes, ere coming of Rome's legions.
Should not strong aid send well-affectioned Kent,
Of thousand matchless scythe-wheel chariots?

The like, Gaul's noble bard persuades, Carvilios;
With words, which on his tongue, inspire the gods.
Cunobelin grants, that would, before his death,
See stablished, his loved son, Caratacus:
Alwere, is, from old days, in his heart, left,
A little wrath, gainst Cantion Dumnoveros!

Bring-in then the king's sons, as newly arrived
Wayfaring guests, that king and royal maid.
That those are noble, under simple weed,
Their very countenance showeth. Before Cunobelin,
Father of her loved prince, Caratacus,
Lo, Embla kneels, those kingly hands, to kiss.
But that stern lord, when he beheld her face,
So like the hew of Guenthia, his spouse-love,
Deceased; and whose chaste womb did bear his sons,
Loved Caradoc, and, ere, martial Togodumnos;
Being inly moved, covered with his two palms,
Awhile, his brows! then, stooping, kissed her cheeks.
He greets, sith, Trinobantine Dumnoveros;
Whose long constraint, even in his enemy's court,

129

Now ended is. Ends sadness in all hearts;
And each looks, gladly, upon the other's face!

Come the twelfth night of the new moon, from this,
In Catuvelaunian royal Verulamion;
Prince Caradoc, son of great Cunobelin,
And Embla of Dumnoveros were made one;
With gladness of all hearts and bridal feast:
And all the people, dancing in her streets,
Whose brows, with guirlands deckt, them loudly bless.
Pomp of his men-of-war, leads Togodumnos,
With blowing joyful trumps and martial shows.
The warlike bard of Gaul, Carvilios, chants,
His forehead crowned with holy misselden,
Whose leaves, (the old king's gift,) of beaten gold,
The berries are fair pearls of Island Britain;
(Gracing their bridal, sleeps his sterner note,)
Lays of sweet love, to-night, in the king's hall.
And seemed his words, (heard mongst cups of sweet mead;)
That fall, on listful ears, a chain of gold.