 | The Dawn in Britain |  |
A light Dumnonian keel, of king Duneda,
Did first, men tell, espy that Roman navy,
Standing towards Britain, with confuséd noise!
To an headland, made those Iscans force of oars;
They tyned, (to that prepared,) there, tarry wood.
Did first, men tell, espy that Roman navy,
Standing towards Britain, with confuséd noise!
To an headland, made those Iscans force of oars;
They tyned, (to that prepared,) there, tarry wood.
Watchmen, on Cantion cliffs, which, to the night,
Look forth, those over-sea red flames discerning,
Kindle their beacons. Answer beacon fires,
Soon burning, on all hills, to farthest Britain.
The sleeping Isle, at midnight, wakes to arms!
Look forth, those over-sea red flames discerning,
Kindle their beacons. Answer beacon fires,
Soon burning, on all hills, to farthest Britain.
The sleeping Isle, at midnight, wakes to arms!
Speeding, already, at dawn, lo, thousand war-carts,
To Cantion cliffs, arrive. From Camulodunum,
Horse and light-runners, with Caratacus,
To ward East shore, rush forth. Towards wide Thames'-mouth,
Archers of Troynovant march, with stout Marunus.
To Cantion cliffs, arrive. From Camulodunum,
Horse and light-runners, with Caratacus,
210
Archers of Troynovant march, with stout Marunus.
Assemble, with great power, proud Catuvelaunians.
In this first night, eight thousand were come in,
To Verulam, armed. And when new morrow breaks,
Them marshals, in Ver meads, forest of spears,
Cunobelin's son, and orders in caterfs.
Sword-men, in front, he sets; and who bear spears,
In the hind ranks. By fifties, then, the chariots,
He squadrons, with their captains, in loose bands.
Druids draw ensigns, from their hallowed groves.
The sun yet young, they march forth from Caer Verulam.
In this first night, eight thousand were come in,
To Verulam, armed. And when new morrow breaks,
Them marshals, in Ver meads, forest of spears,
Cunobelin's son, and orders in caterfs.
Sword-men, in front, he sets; and who bear spears,
In the hind ranks. By fifties, then, the chariots,
He squadrons, with their captains, in loose bands.
Druids draw ensigns, from their hallowed groves.
The sun yet young, they march forth from Caer Verulam.
| The Dawn in Britain | |