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

Then license Geta asks, to lead his cohorts,
About yond hills, to-night; to fall, at dawn,
On Britons' backs. Prescribes much, also, Aulus,
To captains of the allies, Gauls and Batavians;
All, only, in battle seek they Togodumnos.
Great should be his reward, whose hand should take,
The Britons' duke; or bring his off-hewed head.

Now shrouds night darkness, both the hostile armies,
In their fenced camps. Neath oak's wide-spreading arms,
Shelter from dew, with martial Togodumnos,
Sit dukes of thousands, captains of caterfs,
Glast-stained; whose necks, with red wreathed gold, are dight.
Mongst many swart-hewed, stern-browed warriors' faces,

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Which, with the warlord, sit; and whereon gleams
Red light of watchfires, some white bounteous looks
Be seen of noble women. To war-field,
In four-wheel wains, these followed have their lords;
And gaze their pupils, as who, to high heavens,
Make devout vows! And warlike Britons deem,
Oft moves, in women, a divining spirit,
As were instinction of some heavenly gods.
Bear bows, the most of their white gracious hands.

Erst, of Manannan, asks the Verulam king,
His counsel: who makes answer, Gaul have Romans,
Subdued, by only skill of arms, and sleight
Of dukes, and plate before their soldiers' breasts.
Wherefore our young men bind, to battle, armed,
Their bratts, before their chests: so fight they, vowed
All warlike spoils, to bloody Camulus.
Spake, likewise, Iddon, late returned from Rome.