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

And chosen hath Britons' warlord, Togodumnos,
This place wherein he would abide the Romans.
There fenceth his left hand, dark beechen wold;
Upon his right, lie fenny pools; his front,
Ordered like bow, and chariots on the wings;
Whereby he hopes close-in his enemies.

Not to join battle, reads divine Manannan,
Ere Caradoc, with the East-men, be come in.
The sire too old, though, nourished of a god,
His age, to stand in battle-cart; hath bound,
(Gift of his father Lîr, the blue sea-god,)

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His divine hauberk, which no dint may pierce,
Of bronze, nor steel, before the warlord's breast,
With his own hands; hands which, with sacrifices,
He lifted hath, unto the unborn gods!

Romans, with their allies, and the armed servants;
And who adventure follow of the legions,
In Britain, are as fifty thousand glaives,
More, twice-told, than hath warlord Togodumnos.
Aulus, the Romans' front, in triple ranks,
Ordains. Stands, furlong-wide, each glittering legion,
All ready to run forth. He duke and tribunes,
With guard, outride, to view blue Britons' army.

To Dobuni and Catuvelaunians, kindred tribes,
Stout Belges Atrebats be joined, in arms.
Chief of the Belges warriors, bear mailed thongs,
With scaly brass, on their large warlike chests.
Are hand-breadths of waved iron, the sheen sharp heads
Of their stiff spears. On nigh hill-ground stand druids;
Whose magic chant borne on the wavering wind.

The sitting Britons clash their arms, and chant
Hoarse songs of antique wars and battle-gods;
When cease they to hear words of Togodumnos;
Whose fiery wheels draw three renowned fleet steeds;

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White-locks, with Gold-hoof, and, their dam, Blue-mane.
His upper garment girds that shining belt,
Of strength; whence, in his flesh, the warlord feels
New virtue, infused, of Britons' battle-gods.