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The Dawn in Britain

by Charles M. Doughty

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Tombed the great warlord Catuvelaunian king,
Before the towered high gate of Verulamion,
Mongst concourse of South Britons' lords and druids;
Standing Cunobelin's sons, at the grave-mound,
Caradoc, and, (warlord,) martial Togodumnos;
Joined their right hands, the kingdom they divide,
Betwixt them, as disposed their sire, before;
Whereof bare record Verulam's chief estates.
Shall Togodumnos, rule, o'er Catuvelaunians;

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Whose city is this great Verulam, upon Ver,
The royal tribe. East from whose marches, gave
Old Trinobantine soil, with Camulodunum,
(The conquered march and dune of Eppilos,)
Cunobelin, to his son Caratacus.
Shall be that flood their border, which runs down,
To Thames, by London hythe. And heir is Embla,
Of Cantion, after Dumnoveros' death.
In the king's hall, all drink, then, funeral mead.
But come Duneda and kings, from the Sun's plain;
To Togodumnos, who now lord in Verulam:
Reads Duffreynt's king; were published that war-ban,
Which was in days of antique Cassiobellan;
Since must be, to the death, this war with Rome:
When war-flame, on the beacon hills, is seen,
Rise valiant youth! repair, with arms and victual,
Unto your commotes' lords. What man is, then,
Last to arrive, shall be an hilding named;
And may, before his people, be put to death!
These things determined, part Caratacus,
And gentle Embla; with great train and honour:
Albe, in mourning stole, for the king's death.
With pomp they ride of horse, and shining chariots,

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Two days, to city on Colne, of Camulus.
There they arriving, the town's magistrates,
And joyful citizens, greet them, at the gates;
Whence, twixt ranged throngs, they bring king Caradoc, forth,
To mead-hall; where prepared is royal feast.