The Dawn in Britain by Charles M. Doughty |
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 | The Dawn in Britain |  |
Dwelled, at king Wittig's court, had Gaulish Divicos;
Where came, from time to time, the bard Carvilios;
And Thorolf's high heart stirred, against the Romans.
Moreo'er, by high divining art of druids,
Forespake that bard, dark admirable things,
To the young prince; and more than all this was!
That, spirit divine of antique Heremod,
Should take, again, flesh, in great Brennus' house:
Whence his great mood, enflamed with godlike heat,
Is. Then, appeared, in Britain's isle, he hears,
New-bodied spirits of Belinus and great Brennus;
(Belin in council, Brennus in proud arms!)
His father, Wittig, licensed him to sail;
In those self keels he, from the pirates, wan:
Which known, flockt flower of warlike youth, to Thorolf.
Where came, from time to time, the bard Carvilios;
And Thorolf's high heart stirred, against the Romans.
Moreo'er, by high divining art of druids,
Forespake that bard, dark admirable things,
To the young prince; and more than all this was!
That, spirit divine of antique Heremod,
Should take, again, flesh, in great Brennus' house:
Whence his great mood, enflamed with godlike heat,
Is. Then, appeared, in Britain's isle, he hears,
New-bodied spirits of Belinus and great Brennus;
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His father, Wittig, licensed him to sail;
In those self keels he, from the pirates, wan:
Which known, flockt flower of warlike youth, to Thorolf.
Fall their full sails, behold, now, in wide road:
They outwarp anchors. Thorolf, with few lords,
Descends in barge: so rows, to land of Brennus.
He leapt, in sounding arms, to shore; and stood,
Silent: and spread the ethling his armed hands,
To battle-gods, of Brennus, that burned Rome.
So marched he, to the gate of Branodunum;
And seemed himself an army. Of Hiradoc;
Who him beholds, with stupor, in his hall!
He asks a boon; him speed to Verulamion;
To his high kin, the sons of king Cunobelin.
They outwarp anchors. Thorolf, with few lords,
Descends in barge: so rows, to land of Brennus.
He leapt, in sounding arms, to shore; and stood,
Silent: and spread the ethling his armed hands,
To battle-gods, of Brennus, that burned Rome.
So marched he, to the gate of Branodunum;
And seemed himself an army. Of Hiradoc;
Who him beholds, with stupor, in his hall!
He asks a boon; him speed to Verulamion;
To his high kin, the sons of king Cunobelin.
Consents stout Hiradoc: and when his strange guests,
From overseas, have eaten, and drunk mead;
He, in scýthe-cart, lo, the young illustrious Almain
Conveys; and erst towards city of Camulus.
Standing, by Hiradoc, in the rushing chariot;
Who rules, with voice, and rein his teaméd steeds,
Cheruscan Thorolf passeth that tall Briton
In his heroic stature: from whose neck,
Hangs hammer, of fine gold, of Thunor god,
O'ergraven with sacred runes. With strong war-steeds,
They come, the third day's eve, to Camulodunum.
With honour, him, Queen Embla, there, receives:
Of whom, they hear, returned, to Verulam;
(Where sit now Briton kings, in parliament;
Consulting, for the safety of the Isle;)
King Caradoc, unto warlord Togodumnos.
They mount anew. Then early, at second morrow,
At Verulam's royal court, those lords arrive.
From overseas, have eaten, and drunk mead;
He, in scýthe-cart, lo, the young illustrious Almain
Conveys; and erst towards city of Camulus.
Standing, by Hiradoc, in the rushing chariot;
Who rules, with voice, and rein his teaméd steeds,
Cheruscan Thorolf passeth that tall Briton
In his heroic stature: from whose neck,
Hangs hammer, of fine gold, of Thunor god,
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They come, the third day's eve, to Camulodunum.
With honour, him, Queen Embla, there, receives:
Of whom, they hear, returned, to Verulam;
(Where sit now Briton kings, in parliament;
Consulting, for the safety of the Isle;)
King Caradoc, unto warlord Togodumnos.
They mount anew. Then early, at second morrow,
At Verulam's royal court, those lords arrive.
| The Dawn in Britain | |