 | The Dawn in Britain |  |
Now, by foot-runners, tiding out of Kent,
Caratacus, from lord Dumnoveros, hath;
Lies, these days gathered, in all river-mouths,
Of Gaul's mainland, a new great Roman navy,
Ready to embark soldiers: and is Claudius
Cæsar now looked for, to arrive from Rome.
Caratacus, from lord Dumnoveros, hath;
Lies, these days gathered, in all river-mouths,
Of Gaul's mainland, a new great Roman navy,
Ready to embark soldiers: and is Claudius
Cæsar now looked for, to arrive from Rome.
The port Trigemina, Claudius passed, with pomp
Of purpled magistrates, and great Rome's proud Senate:
And hopes return triumphing, clad in weed
Of gold, with glorious laurel in his hand!
Of purpled magistrates, and great Rome's proud Senate:
And hopes return triumphing, clad in weed
Of gold, with glorious laurel in his hand!
Embarked at Ostia; he, with guard of soldiers,
That eve, sailed forth. The fourth night of their voyage,
Bellowed swart heavens; and fell a mighty tempest,
O'er wild waves waste. Cæsar's great trireme ship,
Rowed under land; and labouring, with bruised oars;
Wind-buffeted, twixt coast and roaring billows;
Was like be cast on a lee shore, and perish!
That eve, sailed forth. The fourth night of their voyage,
Bellowed swart heavens; and fell a mighty tempest,
O'er wild waves waste. Cæsar's great trireme ship,
Rowed under land; and labouring, with bruised oars;
Wind-buffeted, twixt coast and roaring billows;
Was like be cast on a lee shore, and perish!
70
Rome's emperor hath, unprofitable Claudius,
Being hardly saved, under Ligurian coast;
Now entered in small haven, Antipolis:
Whence riding, many days, by mountain paths;
To rich Massilia, he is reached, at length.
Thence, by paved street, which through all Gaul, upleads,
He journeys forth, in wains, with guard of horse.
Yet partly Claudius, as in Summer heat,
Swift streaming Rhone, in gilded barge, ascends.
Being hardly saved, under Ligurian coast;
Now entered in small haven, Antipolis:
Whence riding, many days, by mountain paths;
To rich Massilia, he is reached, at length.
Thence, by paved street, which through all Gaul, upleads,
He journeys forth, in wains, with guard of horse.
Yet partly Claudius, as in Summer heat,
Swift streaming Rhone, in gilded barge, ascends.
| The Dawn in Britain | |