University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
The Dawn in Britain

by Charles M. Doughty

collapse section 
collapse section 
 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 IV. 
 V. 
 VI. 
 VII. 
 VIII. 
 IX. 
 X. 
 XI. 
 XII. 
 XIII. 
collapse sectionXIV. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 XV. 
 XVI. 
expand sectionXVII. 
 XVIII. 
 XIX. 
 XX. 
 XXI. 
 XXII. 
 XXIII. 
 XXIV. 

Lo, Thames' wide ford, where Caradoc now arrives,
Is streaming shoulder-high of his tall Britons,
As after rain. Swimming their chariot steeds,
The army hardly o'erpass. Caratacus
To certain slade, withdraws, then, his caterfs;
Twixt that ford's head, lies open and hill-woods:
Whereas, in doom-ring, of great unhewed stones,
Stand altars, hallowed of all neighbour tribes.
Wont Briton lords lead, with them, their chief druids:
And was, behight, now, druids; In this place,
Be holden, three days, solemn sacrifice;
To memory of kíng, warsire, dead Togodumnos.

71

When this have runners published, in nigh march;
From hundred wattle-hamlets, and from cotes,
Much people wend; even from Caer Verulam hearths.
By valley and hill, when time of night, they pass;
Or journeying, in day's light, hold forest paths;
For fear, (nor they armed folk,) to be cut-off:
So far in field, have Romans sent out horse.
 

An open ground in woodland; A. Sax. slæd, a valley.