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

To Kynan also, king of Ordovices,
(Whose seats, most valiant nation of the hills,
Twixt the two Dees; which, from nigh sacred wells,
Flow down, with hasting foot, to opposed part;)
Called Hammer-axe, his word sent Caradoc;
Asking, at Uriconium, him to meet.

And, straight, that valiant king, by signal fires,
Answers in his high hills. The Demetans' king,
Eftsoon arrived: king Caradoc, sith, takes leave,
Of Moelmabon and his warlike sons.
Come the sixth eve, he lights at Uriconium.
There Hammer-axe, in giving faithful hands,
Sware to that new accord and common bond;
Which is of all South Briton kings, gainst Romans.

Last, after many days, return their chariots,
When ripe, already, stands the Britons' corn,

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In wide Icenian fields. Stout Antethrigus
Sallies to meet them; (that chief magistrate,
Which expulsed Bericos; who, The-bane-of-Britain,
Hereafter named, dwells exile, now, in Rome.)
To Gunt, his city walled, that stands by Yare,
For potters' wares of name, mongst all East Britons,
He brings them forth, with pomp of battle-chariots.
There, two days, council holden is; and rest
Manannan, weary, and king Caratacus.

They speed, to Branodunum, sith, and Thorolf.
Come before Hiradoc's town, they view war-keels,
Riding at anchor, of that royal Almain;
Whose summer booths stand, yonder, on waste heath.
And there, behold, is Thorolf, fleet of foot;
Running, with champions, in a shining harness.
So swift, is told, the ethling, in first youth,
Was; that, both harts in hills of Wittig's march,
And hinds, he hent: and, (tamed by his great force;)
Them herded, like a flock! Strive with the strong,
Is the hero's wont: all martial exercises,
(His puissant limbs, to furbish, from loathed rust,)
He daily useth forth. Seen arrive strangers,
He, in míd-course, stays: lo, cometh, then, anon!

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Holding in his high hand, (that he, for heat,
Hath doffed,) his glancing helm, with gilt boar-crest.
And to his shoulders large, raught, low adown;
That seemed, of ringed red gold, his royal locks.
His fierce eyes shine, like this steep summer heaven.

Now are the princes met, right hands they knit.
And when those young kings make exchange of arms,
Almains, beholding, in their war-camps, shout!
They cry out all impatient to warfield;
Because, already, Summer draws to end.
Ween their young hearts, leading these Brennid dukes,
As Balder fair, not able to withstand,
Were, the whole world, their spears' victorious force!

Now, after supper, mounts Caratacus,
With sire Manannan; and, with hasty steeds,
Towards Camulodunum, guides, in dim moonlight.
So his heart yearns, to look on the loved face,
Again, of Embla. In month, they parted forth,
Of cuckoo's voice; when, on the budded bough,
Hangs the new leaf; and, three times, kine to pail,
Go home, from the fresh mead; and, nightlong, chants,
Beside the Colne, the blissful nightingale.

How leaps the heart of noble Caradoc;

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When he, now dawn, descries above the wood,
That tower of Camulus! Then, with whip, with voice,
Yet more the prince incites his flying steeds.
How pleasant is this heath, full of sweet bees;
Which gather honey, for the winter mead,
That source of strength, to kings and warriors:
(But, who shall taste it, wot the only gods!
For cometh dark homicide war, on the White Isle.)

Enters the city's gate, Cunobelin's son;
Under that sounding tower of Camulus.
Goes up, loud joyful crying, in the town!
Rattle, on the flint stones, his horses' hooves.
Rumble, bronze-shod, his wayworn nimble wheels.
All hail, with merry throat, Caratacus!
In that he, hastily, at his own royal court,
Arrives; from threshold issues of his house,
Clear as bright shepherd's star, the vertue and grace
Of Embla his spouse, with whom are magistrates;
For wends the queen, to visit round the walls.

Daughter of kings, she noble Britoness,
In absence of her lord, so doth, as hath
She seen in Rome. The rampire she from gate,
To gate, repaired; and gathers corn and arms.
And daily her citizens, she, with glaives and spears,

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Leads forth, by Colne, to warlike exercises.
Tarries Caratacus, three days; sith, repairs
He, to Caer Verulam, with the sire Manannan:
Impatient give account, to Togodumnos,
How all South Britons' kings and magistrates,
Have, on the altars of their sacrifices,
Together sworn, gainst Rome's invading threat!
And laud all men the wisdom of Manannan.

Wroxeter.

Brancaster, in Norfolk.