The Dawn in Britain by Charles M. Doughty |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. | BOOK XV |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
 | The Dawn in Britain |  |
119
BOOK XV
120
ARGUMENT
Antethrigus' host is smitten at Thames. Romans march forth then towards Verulam. The dukes of scattered Britons are come together, in a sacred grove.
Caratacus and kings on Kentish cliffs. Good counsel of Dumnoveros. Britons march to Troynovant. Horsemen bring tidings, that Caer Verulam is taken. Generous oath of prince Marunus. The Roman conquest of Verulam. Claudius now marched from Thames' mouth; and Aulus journeys to meet him. Legions with Aulus pass the Lea. They come to Claudius.
Caratacus withdraws the Briton army to Camulodunum. Manannan journeys to Mona. Cartismandua. The North Britons' armed powers, marching with Velaunos, come down to Ouse. Cartismandua is seen approaching to Camulodunum. The next day arrives Velaunos' army. Ergund, lord of Mona.
Briton kings offer sacrifice. Warlike counsel of Cartismandua. She herself goes forth, to beset a woody place: whence her young warriors fall out upon the legions, which are marching by night. Vespasian saves the army. The Romans draw now nigh to Camulodunum. Their wartowers and engines. War-hags summon from hell the demon Wrath. Cartismandua, among the kings, rails on her lord Venutios. Vellocatus protests his innocency: but, gone forth from the council, he slays himself. Found of the watch, he is borne again to the town. Grief of Cartismandua. The kings' sacrifice on the wall.
121
Was Cerix, mongst Silures, sore beset;
Though ward about him hardy champions' shields.
Maglos, uneath, like mighty ram, yet Romans
Rebuts. His brother's peril neither knows;
Nor germain might, of germain, receive aid.
Though ward about him hardy champions' shields.
Maglos, uneath, like mighty ram, yet Romans
Rebuts. His brother's peril neither knows;
Nor germain might, of germain, receive aid.
Rector of war-carts, kinsman of the queen,
Is fallen young Brentyn, from his bloody chariot.
This night-time, had he driven, from fresh leas;
Where, pastured, three days, were his war-worn steeds.
Duke of a thousand, riding in swift scythe-carts,
He, at dawn, drew nigh, to vex the Romans' march.
Is fallen young Brentyn, from his bloody chariot.
This night-time, had he driven, from fresh leas;
Where, pastured, three days, were his war-worn steeds.
Duke of a thousand, riding in swift scythe-carts,
He, at dawn, drew nigh, to vex the Romans' march.
Then glittering seen, this battle afar off,
Led Brentyn mainly forth: and hurled on Romans'
Light-armed, strewed much field with their carcases!
But falling, now, on cohorts of a legion;
There many teams were pierced: and the first chariots,
Being overthrown, was soon, that violent javelin,
Where thickest strife raged, pierced the hero's chest.
And to the mould rushed Brentyn! like as falls
Tall pine, by lightning rent, on wind-scourged cliff;
And lay full still, dead body without breath.
Led Brentyn mainly forth: and hurled on Romans'
Light-armed, strewed much field with their carcases!
But falling, now, on cohorts of a legion;
There many teams were pierced: and the first chariots,
Being overthrown, was soon, that violent javelin,
Where thickest strife raged, pierced the hero's chest.
And to the mould rushed Brentyn! like as falls
122
And lay full still, dead body without breath.
Dungannon, the old, fell, spread his hardy arms,
With bracelets girt of gold, to stay the flight:
Stout lord was this, mongst Kynan's Ordovices.
In that he, father, each, by name, rehearsed
The young men's fathers, he, by Gaulish shaft,
Was pierced. Off-smitten Dungannon's head, a knight
It bare forth, on his lance, ruth to all Britons!
Madron and Berriol, his oath-brother's sons,
Fighting, amongst who foremost, to their aid,
Called their king Kynan; lest were spoiled his corse.
But could not Kynan, Hammeraxe, then break,
Of spears, that hurtling press! They, eftsoon, both
Fell on him slain. Cigfran, with sheeprich lord
Cadoc, and Aerg fell, Demetans, in that place.
With bracelets girt of gold, to stay the flight:
Stout lord was this, mongst Kynan's Ordovices.
In that he, father, each, by name, rehearsed
The young men's fathers, he, by Gaulish shaft,
Was pierced. Off-smitten Dungannon's head, a knight
It bare forth, on his lance, ruth to all Britons!
Madron and Berriol, his oath-brother's sons,
Fighting, amongst who foremost, to their aid,
Called their king Kynan; lest were spoiled his corse.
But could not Kynan, Hammeraxe, then break,
Of spears, that hurtling press! They, eftsoon, both
Fell on him slain. Cigfran, with sheeprich lord
Cadoc, and Aerg fell, Demetans, in that place.
Prince Kondilan, when now certain Rufus Cuspius,
A cohort's first centurion, he had pierced;
In that to gird-off his helmed head, he stoopt,
Him overran the triple-rankéd legion.
Stout duke he was of thousand Western men.
A cohort's first centurion, he had pierced;
In that to gird-off his helmed head, he stoopt,
Him overran the triple-rankéd legion.
Stout duke he was of thousand Western men.
Fell Guelti and Devron, lords of Troynovant,
And Morchel, leading, (white-locked magistrate,)
Young warriors, archers, in his battle-chariot.
Blue Britons, clustered round their reeling ensigns,
Yet turned their face, at shout of Antethrigus!
To strive, again, caterfs, with phalanxed Romans.
They woad-stained, naked, fight, with plate-clad soldiers!
Are those Vespasian's thick-ranked faithful legion.
And Morchel, leading, (white-locked magistrate,)
Young warriors, archers, in his battle-chariot.
Blue Britons, clustered round their reeling ensigns,
123
To strive, again, caterfs, with phalanxed Romans.
They woad-stained, naked, fight, with plate-clad soldiers!
Are those Vespasian's thick-ranked faithful legion.
Then, like as thresher, in the winter moons,
Smites stubble, in a barn, a long-haired warrior,
Gormael; who sometime dwelled, under blood-ban,
(An exile from North parts,) with Antethrigus;
One held in honour, for his matchless force;
Down-leapt, mongst stout Icenians, from shrill warcart;
Helms hews, bursts plate on panting breasts of Romans.
Smites stubble, in a barn, a long-haired warrior,
Gormael; who sometime dwelled, under blood-ban,
(An exile from North parts,) with Antethrigus;
One held in honour, for his matchless force;
Down-leapt, mongst stout Icenians, from shrill warcart;
Helms hews, bursts plate on panting breasts of Romans.
Gainst Flavius' thick-set ranks, another duke,
Trevorion fights, whose dune is in wide heath;
Whence fenny Ouse slides, tardy, to salt deep.
Is fame, could this outstrip the flying hart:
Seemed glittering chariot wheel, his burning glaive.
But, now, on his long heavy bull's-hide shield,
Stumbled the hero's foot; and slides his heel,
In slough of gore. In-thrusting, with strong pulse,
A stout centurion, midst the belly, smote,
With glaive; and pierced the iron the prince's bowels.
He fell, like half-hewed tree, drawn down of ropes.
Casnodin nigh him fell, lord of dune-cliff,
In pleasant summer-land of Durotriges.
Trevorion fights, whose dune is in wide heath;
Whence fenny Ouse slides, tardy, to salt deep.
Is fame, could this outstrip the flying hart:
Seemed glittering chariot wheel, his burning glaive.
But, now, on his long heavy bull's-hide shield,
Stumbled the hero's foot; and slides his heel,
In slough of gore. In-thrusting, with strong pulse,
A stout centurion, midst the belly, smote,
With glaive; and pierced the iron the prince's bowels.
He fell, like half-hewed tree, drawn down of ropes.
124
In pleasant summer-land of Durotriges.
In Antethrigus' arm, is two men's pith.
And Romans he hath slain, from his swift chariot,
In heaps. Yet now he might sustain, uneath;
That Britons fly not, whom gin legions break.
On lofty steed, of Roman Gaul, his hand
Then slew, he mounts; and cries to stout Icenians,
Hold fast! whilst he recomforts the caterfs.
He, wheresoe'er he rides, finds wounded dukes,
Deformed caterfs, uncaptained chariot routs;
Whose lords, he calls, in vain, for are they dead:
Whence all dismayed blue Britons' warlike breasts;
Gin Gauls, with rushing spears, them override.
And Romans he hath slain, from his swift chariot,
In heaps. Yet now he might sustain, uneath;
That Britons fly not, whom gin legions break.
On lofty steed, of Roman Gaul, his hand
Then slew, he mounts; and cries to stout Icenians,
Hold fast! whilst he recomforts the caterfs.
He, wheresoe'er he rides, finds wounded dukes,
Deformed caterfs, uncaptained chariot routs;
Whose lords, he calls, in vain, for are they dead:
Whence all dismayed blue Britons' warlike breasts;
Gin Gauls, with rushing spears, them override.
Returned; when now Icenians he dispersed,
Beholds, by new assault and poise of legions;
He alone, would desperate, then, have hurled on Romans,
So he abhors day's light, so covets death's
Great Night, which should him hide. He would might split
This mould, and hell-deep open, neath his feet
And let him sink, whereas men's bandied spirits,
Have rest, at length! War-druids, with mystic chant,
And prophecy old, (as they allege, of Samoth,
Or Sarron, Star,) allay the hero's mood;
Even whilst, each moment, they convert their faces;
To see, if come not some new course of chariots.
Beholds, by new assault and poise of legions;
He alone, would desperate, then, have hurled on Romans,
So he abhors day's light, so covets death's
Great Night, which should him hide. He would might split
This mould, and hell-deep open, neath his feet
And let him sink, whereas men's bandied spirits,
Have rest, at length! War-druids, with mystic chant,
125
Or Sarron, Star,) allay the hero's mood;
Even whilst, each moment, they convert their faces;
To see, if come not some new course of chariots.
Is broken the East-men's host, into two parts.
In this one, Dibon, gathered main of spears,
Them bound, with hasty oath of up-cast palms!
To turn again, and fight against the Romans.
He, in thick battle-wedge, with knitted shields,
Them leads. And all that cometh to their hands,
Romans, aye and Britons, (those which turn their backs!)
They spare not smite. Thus Britons' cumbered chariots
They save, though many fall. Last, hurled dart, pierced
Dibon, twixt belly and ribs; where mortal is
The bitter stroke. Groaning, he fell down, glorious!
Yet looked that dying champion, from the earth,
Like adder, which some cart-wheel bruised, to death;
And bade, with dying breath, fight on, gainst Romans!
In this one, Dibon, gathered main of spears,
Them bound, with hasty oath of up-cast palms!
To turn again, and fight against the Romans.
He, in thick battle-wedge, with knitted shields,
Them leads. And all that cometh to their hands,
Romans, aye and Britons, (those which turn their backs!)
They spare not smite. Thus Britons' cumbered chariots
They save, though many fall. Last, hurled dart, pierced
Dibon, twixt belly and ribs; where mortal is
The bitter stroke. Groaning, he fell down, glorious!
Yet looked that dying champion, from the earth,
Like adder, which some cart-wheel bruised, to death;
And bade, with dying breath, fight on, gainst Romans!
Swift scythe-carts, those of the third course, which Caradoc
Sent out, to waste before the legions' march;
Yestreen, together, squadroned, by fresh streams,
Where sprouts much tender herb. At morning red,
Beichiad, like Belin, for his shining locks,
Upleapt, in glittering arms, in battle-cart:
And he commands, instincted of a god,
All hastily drive, to ford of Thames, their chariots.
Standing, in war-cart, with aparted feet,
Bowed bodies, o'er their reins, and intent looks;
Behold, of Britain's Isle, the noblest youth,
That manage steeds, and incite, with loud shout!
Steeds that, from plashéd gore, were, lately, washed,
And dust, in the clear brook. On the yoke-beams,
Diffused are their long weld -stained gracious manes.
Sent out, to waste before the legions' march;
Yestreen, together, squadroned, by fresh streams,
126
Beichiad, like Belin, for his shining locks,
Upleapt, in glittering arms, in battle-cart:
And he commands, instincted of a god,
All hastily drive, to ford of Thames, their chariots.
Standing, in war-cart, with aparted feet,
Bowed bodies, o'er their reins, and intent looks;
Behold, of Britain's Isle, the noblest youth,
That manage steeds, and incite, with loud shout!
Steeds that, from plashéd gore, were, lately, washed,
And dust, in the clear brook. On the yoke-beams,
Diffused are their long weld -stained gracious manes.
In every cart, ride two companion-warriors:
And each hath, o'er his warlike shoulders, cast,
Some goodly weed of shining needle-work.
Might seem the young men drave, (so each pair vies
In course, in glittering arms,) to joyous feast!
Yet nigher viewed, bear war-bruised shields the most;
Nor few have hurts: seen fretted are their carts;
And draw them, oft, unlike, and leany steeds.
Nor, (were they numbered,) more than an half-part,
Of them rest, o'er whom captains set king Caradoc!
And each hath, o'er his warlike shoulders, cast,
Some goodly weed of shining needle-work.
Might seem the young men drave, (so each pair vies
In course, in glittering arms,) to joyous feast!
Yet nigher viewed, bear war-bruised shields the most;
Nor few have hurts: seen fretted are their carts;
And draw them, oft, unlike, and leany steeds.
Nor, (were they numbered,) more than an half-part,
Of them rest, o'er whom captains set king Caradoc!
127
Now were they ridden, with jumping wheels, few leagues;
When, seeing much powderous cloud, before the sun,
They, drawn the supple reins up to their breasts,
Halt. Riders, leapt-down, fix their scythes and hooks,
Of glittering bronze. Shouts Beichiad, from his chariot;
Few words. Then put on all, with ivory whips!
When, seeing much powderous cloud, before the sun,
They, drawn the supple reins up to their breasts,
Halt. Riders, leapt-down, fix their scythes and hooks,
Of glittering bronze. Shouts Beichiad, from his chariot;
Few words. Then put on all, with ivory whips!
Now those approaching; with some fugitives meet;
Of whom, they require tidings. Camulus, then,
New force infused, in their young valorous breasts;
And adds new wind, to their well-pastured steeds;
So that, like tempest-driven waves, they rush,
In full career. Uneath, their shrill swift chariots,
Seem touch the mother-bosom of the ground.
Like hawks, they stoop, on thick pursuing Romans.
Outrunning, to the yokes, on their cart-beams,
They hurl down darts; or lightly leapt to ground,
Fighting on foot, they fall, on blood-stained soldiers.
Of whom, they require tidings. Camulus, then,
New force infused, in their young valorous breasts;
And adds new wind, to their well-pastured steeds;
So that, like tempest-driven waves, they rush,
In full career. Uneath, their shrill swift chariots,
Seem touch the mother-bosom of the ground.
Like hawks, they stoop, on thick pursuing Romans.
Outrunning, to the yokes, on their cart-beams,
They hurl down darts; or lightly leapt to ground,
Fighting on foot, they fall, on blood-stained soldiers.
But seeing new cloud arrive of Britons' chariots,
With iron glittering tires and naves of bronze;
Bade sound, recall, duke Aulus! Halt his light
Armed, from pursuing; heavy legions halt.
Yet only, of part, was that commandment heard;
For immeanse din, to heaven, of battle-noise.
With iron glittering tires and naves of bronze;
Bade sound, recall, duke Aulus! Halt his light
Armed, from pursuing; heavy legions halt.
128
For immeanse din, to heaven, of battle-noise.
Great Antethrigus, captain of the Britons,
This seen, assayed, with new grave voice, of warhorns!
To call again, reorder his caterfs.
But they, like wind-cast shocks, in Autumn field,
Lie dead: and scattered, like leaves blowen forth,
And without shields, the rest fly fugitive.
This seen, assayed, with new grave voice, of warhorns!
To call again, reorder his caterfs.
But they, like wind-cast shocks, in Autumn field,
Lie dead: and scattered, like leaves blowen forth,
And without shields, the rest fly fugitive.
He, duke of the woad-stained, on his war-gods;
Which found, at need, no saviours, loud complains.
Dies any, and he were clad in adamant,
Whom Calad smites, his violent renowned glaive;
Which cleaves, in desperate hand, both iron and bronze,
Nor Calad swerved, which now a Roman knight
Slew, and in men's dumb seeing, which shrink, for dread,
Severing the brutish head, clave his steed's nape.
Hurt now by javelin's shot, his own war-steed
Sinks: lights the Icenian duke. In his war-rage,
Roars Antethrigus, like wild bull in forest!
Which found, at need, no saviours, loud complains.
Dies any, and he were clad in adamant,
Whom Calad smites, his violent renowned glaive;
Which cleaves, in desperate hand, both iron and bronze,
Nor Calad swerved, which now a Roman knight
Slew, and in men's dumb seeing, which shrink, for dread,
Severing the brutish head, clave his steed's nape.
Hurt now by javelin's shot, his own war-steed
Sinks: lights the Icenian duke. In his war-rage,
Roars Antethrigus, like wild bull in forest!
In field, is fallen the flower of Briton warriors:
Around great Antethrigus, fall his peers.
For when Gauls' horsemen knew, that he, it was,
(Whom would those fence; whose head, unhelmed, for heat,
Some blossomed bush seems of the island furze!)
Who to-day Britons leads; all hurl their javelins,
Greedy to reave his life. With thick pressed shields,
Those rush, then, in to take the prince, alive.
Around great Antethrigus, fall his peers.
For when Gauls' horsemen knew, that he, it was,
(Whom would those fence; whose head, unhelmed, for heat,
129
Who to-day Britons leads; all hurl their javelins,
Greedy to reave his life. With thick pressed shields,
Those rush, then, in to take the prince, alive.
But seen, from far, his peril, valorous Kynan
Hath, Hammeraxe: and he, though hurt himself;
And lost much of his Ordovices' folk;
With strong extreme effort, of men and scythe-carts,
On gods loud calling! bet back Gauls and soldiers.
Kynan adjures him, hardly snatcht, from death,
Mount hastily in chariot, with him, save his life;
And give not so great vaunt, of war-king's death,
To Romans. Hardly yields duke Antethrigus;
For, erewhiles, these strong lords, in Britons' wars,
Twixt East and West March, had been enemies!
Hath, Hammeraxe: and he, though hurt himself;
And lost much of his Ordovices' folk;
With strong extreme effort, of men and scythe-carts,
On gods loud calling! bet back Gauls and soldiers.
Kynan adjures him, hardly snatcht, from death,
Mount hastily in chariot, with him, save his life;
And give not so great vaunt, of war-king's death,
To Romans. Hardly yields duke Antethrigus;
For, erewhiles, these strong lords, in Britons' wars,
Twixt East and West March, had been enemies!
They twain, now looking towards the Britons' flight;
Behold, how scattered far the armed caterfs,
Now in wide field are spersed, like water-drops,
To the deep woods; and little hope is left,
Gather again blue Britons, to their ensigns.
Nor they, for powder might discern and mist,
How set, on Romans, Beichiad's rushing war-carts;
Nor wherefore legions halt, now, in pursuit.
Behold, how scattered far the armed caterfs,
Now in wide field are spersed, like water-drops,
To the deep woods; and little hope is left,
Gather again blue Britons, to their ensigns.
Nor they, for powder might discern and mist,
How set, on Romans, Beichiad's rushing war-carts;
Nor wherefore legions halt, now, in pursuit.
They grieved, then, drave apart, to a void place;
Where covered thicket-hollow is from view;
Such as, whence wont outrush swift ambushed scythecarts,
Gainst marching legions. There light those great captains,
With drooping looks, and fastened on the ground;
Womb-god, which seems to-day devour her sons!
And drink their blood, which fostered had her paps!
They leaned, on their long spears, and the teams' yokes,
That seem to mourn, hanging their long-maned necks;
And other lords, there now together met;
With few hoarse words, hold hasty parliament.
They stare, each, upon other! and want breath.
130
Such as, whence wont outrush swift ambushed scythecarts,
Gainst marching legions. There light those great captains,
With drooping looks, and fastened on the ground;
Womb-god, which seems to-day devour her sons!
And drink their blood, which fostered had her paps!
They leaned, on their long spears, and the teams' yokes,
That seem to mourn, hanging their long-maned necks;
And other lords, there now together met;
With few hoarse words, hold hasty parliament.
They stare, each, upon other! and want breath.
Of certain druid, which ran by, fugitive,
They hear, (ah! might forfend it holy gods!)
Is fallen the generous son of Moelmabon.
Fell godlike Maglos, in one battle-cart,
With Cerix, who, beside his germain, drave;
When broken, that was never broken erst,
Silures' battle, was by new and last
Assault of shielded men, of Geta's legion.
And Maglos peer was of Caratacus;
Next him, in beauty, esteemed and warlike worth.
Gainst whom, he saw, (cried that distraught wardruid,)
Advance, like to tall ash, strange battle-god,
Whose lance some ship-mast seemed of Troynovant.
Thus hastily spake that druid, and passed forth.
They hear, (ah! might forfend it holy gods!)
Is fallen the generous son of Moelmabon.
Fell godlike Maglos, in one battle-cart,
With Cerix, who, beside his germain, drave;
When broken, that was never broken erst,
Silures' battle, was by new and last
Assault of shielded men, of Geta's legion.
And Maglos peer was of Caratacus;
Next him, in beauty, esteemed and warlike worth.
131
Advance, like to tall ash, strange battle-god,
Whose lance some ship-mast seemed of Troynovant.
Thus hastily spake that druid, and passed forth.
When fell upon the Romans, Beichiad's scythecarts;
They slew men runners, mingled with Gauls' horse
They set then on who foremost expedite cohorts,
Which Britons, on that horn, had turned to flight.
With their hook-wheels; like field of shining corn,
They reaped them down, alive: and, in their midst,
Men that bare ensigns, killed they and centurions.
They slew men runners, mingled with Gauls' horse
They set then on who foremost expedite cohorts,
Which Britons, on that horn, had turned to flight.
With their hook-wheels; like field of shining corn,
They reaped them down, alive: and, in their midst,
Men that bare ensigns, killed they and centurions.
Now dying, o'er the field, the sun divine,
Chariots run hither, as new rushing flood;
Whom Fythiol leads: and these have stayed the flight;
(He valorous seed of the Icenian gods:)
So have they troubled the pursuing Romans.
Smoke, with foam-dripping bits, now, his tired steeds;
They bloody-stained, do, men and teaméd chariots,
Lo, halt, before the great duke Antethrigus!
But woad-stained dead lie, strewed forth, many a league,
Pasture of fowl and beasts of hill and wood.
Great was that victory of the Roman legate!
Chariots run hither, as new rushing flood;
Whom Fythiol leads: and these have stayed the flight;
(He valorous seed of the Icenian gods:)
So have they troubled the pursuing Romans.
Smoke, with foam-dripping bits, now, his tired steeds;
They bloody-stained, do, men and teaméd chariots,
Lo, halt, before the great duke Antethrigus!
But woad-stained dead lie, strewed forth, many a league,
Pasture of fowl and beasts of hill and wood.
Great was that victory of the Roman legate!
132
These things, with sorrow-huskéd voice, had told,
Of comfort, empty, man with war-stained weed;
With travail, lean, and all deformed with grief;
In whom, uneath, rests kindly life and breath:
(But like to one on whom look angry gods,
Is Redoc, named in praise of his swift feet.)
Ere-yester, Redoc ran, from field of fight.
Of comfort, empty, man with war-stained weed;
With travail, lean, and all deformed with grief;
In whom, uneath, rests kindly life and breath:
(But like to one on whom look angry gods,
Is Redoc, named in praise of his swift feet.)
Ere-yester, Redoc ran, from field of fight.
He, the king's smith, at Verulam, and shield-wright,
Was teller, oft, in king Cunobelin's hall,
Of old war-tales, which wont the royal ear,
To please. Whilst hearkened all, to Redoc's voice;
Wax cold the princes' hearts: for that is sooth,
They wot well, which this wearily doth rehearse.
But thou, O Britain's Muse, recite the rest!
Was teller, oft, in king Cunobelin's hall,
Of old war-tales, which wont the royal ear,
To please. Whilst hearkened all, to Redoc's voice;
Wax cold the princes' hearts: for that is sooth,
They wot well, which this wearily doth rehearse.
But thou, O Britain's Muse, recite the rest!
The morrow of that sun, gainst eve, wherein
Britons were vanquished, with much blood, have Romans,
(Buried who fell, and spoiled the island-dead,
Of bracelets, collars, arms and seemly weed,)
At moon-rise marched, which now hath filled her horns;
Towards Catuvelaunian royal Verulam.
Before them, fugitives to Cunobelin's town,
Came in; and entered, with them, Fear of Romans.
Britons were vanquished, with much blood, have Romans,
(Buried who fell, and spoiled the island-dead,
Of bracelets, collars, arms and seemly weed,)
At moon-rise marched, which now hath filled her horns;
Towards Catuvelaunian royal Verulam.
Before them, fugitives to Cunobelin's town,
Came in; and entered, with them, Fear of Romans.
Of dukes, which, that day, were, with Antethrigus:
The more be gathered, to sequestered grove;
Where holy well-bourn is, and sacred holm.
Come the most warlike Britons, to them, there,
Which scaped that overthrow. Behold not dead,
Cerix and Maglos, nurselings of the gods!
But they, sore-wounded, lie. Their servants made
Them have fresh shadows, of sweet hazel boughs:
And, lo, there booths, of other warlike lords.
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Where holy well-bourn is, and sacred holm.
Come the most warlike Britons, to them, there,
Which scaped that overthrow. Behold not dead,
Cerix and Maglos, nurselings of the gods!
But they, sore-wounded, lie. Their servants made
Them have fresh shadows, of sweet hazel boughs:
And, lo, there booths, of other warlike lords.
Hurt be the most; and sorry is the plight
Of all that, lost their wains, find meat uneath.
Halts swart Belerion king, lo, on his spear,
Decet. Him Golam saved, when, (both his steeds
Slain,) on his iron crest, he pight, from cart;
And his bruised trunk leapt, on the gory heath,
His shoulder broke. From midst thick strife, uptook
The swooning king, in his shrill justling chariot,
With hard assay, the lord of Moridunion:
And laid him, borne out of the battle-press,
And bound his wounds, under elm's freshing shade.
Wherefore have swart Belerions crowned his brows,
With holy misselden. Lo, great-statured duke,
Idhig of tawny herdsmen of the hills;
Gored in the side of spear's thrust, Demetan druid
Cures; and his wound foments, with sacred vervain.
Of all that, lost their wains, find meat uneath.
Halts swart Belerion king, lo, on his spear,
Decet. Him Golam saved, when, (both his steeds
Slain,) on his iron crest, he pight, from cart;
And his bruised trunk leapt, on the gory heath,
His shoulder broke. From midst thick strife, uptook
The swooning king, in his shrill justling chariot,
With hard assay, the lord of Moridunion:
And laid him, borne out of the battle-press,
And bound his wounds, under elm's freshing shade.
Wherefore have swart Belerions crowned his brows,
With holy misselden. Lo, great-statured duke,
Idhig of tawny herdsmen of the hills;
Gored in the side of spear's thrust, Demetan druid
Cures; and his wound foments, with sacred vervain.
Though wounded early, of shaft-shot, Marunus,
In his shield-arm, he ceased not fight, in chariot:
A leech, with certain salves, it mollifies;
Murmuring his idle spells, in the wind's ears.
This eve, Marunus will to Troynovant, ride;
To meet with Thorolf. Iddon, of great Verulam,
Old warlike lord, who late returned from Rome,
Lies wounded, in the hip, of javelin-cast;
When had he bet back, thrice, the Gaulish horse;
Leading strong band of old men warriors,
In his own cart; that would not cede to Romans.
But in the battle, was not noble Kowain.
He holds the seas, in king Duneda's ships.
Three oak-crowned warriors laid there, newly dead,
Behold: one, (omen strange!) on his helmed face,
Gin bury moldwarps, in the leafy earth.
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A leech, with certain salves, it mollifies;
Murmuring his idle spells, in the wind's ears.
This eve, Marunus will to Troynovant, ride;
To meet with Thorolf. Iddon, of great Verulam,
Old warlike lord, who late returned from Rome,
Lies wounded, in the hip, of javelin-cast;
When had he bet back, thrice, the Gaulish horse;
Leading strong band of old men warriors,
In his own cart; that would not cede to Romans.
But in the battle, was not noble Kowain.
He holds the seas, in king Duneda's ships.
Three oak-crowned warriors laid there, newly dead,
Behold: one, (omen strange!) on his helmed face,
Gin bury moldwarps, in the leafy earth.
Under oak-bough, upon wild mighty stone,
Of some old hero's tomb, sits Antethrigus;
Like to great drooping erne. For little slept
The hero hath, and tasted little meat;
And hang his beard uncombed and yellow locks,
Sith day of battle rout. By Britons' duke,
White-headed Dulas, this grove's sacred druid,
Stands; ready, lay swift hand, on the lord's mouth;
Should he, in woodness of his mind's amaze,
As they unrighteous were, blaspheme high gods.
Of some old hero's tomb, sits Antethrigus;
Like to great drooping erne. For little slept
The hero hath, and tasted little meat;
And hang his beard uncombed and yellow locks,
Sith day of battle rout. By Britons' duke,
White-headed Dulas, this grove's sacred druid,
Stands; ready, lay swift hand, on the lord's mouth;
Should he, in woodness of his mind's amaze,
As they unrighteous were, blaspheme high gods.
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Nor Moelmabon, nor divine Manannan,
Were in that field. Both ridden to Durovernium,
Were, from Thames' ford, consult with Dumnoveros.
And many hold, through lacking their wise read,
That journey lost. And who, a young lord dead,
Yonder, lies, under shield, in Almain weed,
Was Friedemund; dead on his comely face!
Cheruscan earl, of the great house of Brennus,
Kinsman of Thorolf; for whose love he sailed,
With his own prows, five keels, to island Britain;
Seeking war-praise, abroad, in his first arms.
Were in that field. Both ridden to Durovernium,
Were, from Thames' ford, consult with Dumnoveros.
And many hold, through lacking their wise read,
That journey lost. And who, a young lord dead,
Yonder, lies, under shield, in Almain weed,
Was Friedemund; dead on his comely face!
Cheruscan earl, of the great house of Brennus,
Kinsman of Thorolf; for whose love he sailed,
With his own prows, five keels, to island Britain;
Seeking war-praise, abroad, in his first arms.
Mild-hearted warrior; and for such, held dear
Earl Friedemund was, of all duke Thorolf's Almains.
Parting, him, sick, had left that prince, mongst Britons;
With twelve-score spears of his, by Thames' green brinks;
And him commended, to the island kings.
Earl Friedemund was, of all duke Thorolf's Almains.
Parting, him, sick, had left that prince, mongst Britons;
With twelve-score spears of his, by Thames' green brinks;
And him commended, to the island kings.
Rose Friedemund up, from bed of languishment,
In fatal day, when led forth Antethrigus.
Nor the ethling valiant stroke, for Land of Brennus,
Might smite: nor, walling their stiff shields him round;
His champions and house carles might long defend,
Though stout, their lord, gainst weight of rushing soldiers.
A Gaulish shaft pierced Friedemund, in the bowels.
He yet drew breath; when Almains saved him forth,
Borne on his targe. Last, in well-pit, they cast,
(When might they not thence scape,) Friedemund's warm corse!
Which sith uptook his servants; and have brought,
Hither; in their land's wise, when this sun sets,
To bury. O'er him make Almains, now, lament;
Who sacred, (weapon-slain,) to Woden god.
In fatal day, when led forth Antethrigus.
Nor the ethling valiant stroke, for Land of Brennus,
Might smite: nor, walling their stiff shields him round;
His champions and house carles might long defend,
Though stout, their lord, gainst weight of rushing soldiers.
A Gaulish shaft pierced Friedemund, in the bowels.
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Borne on his targe. Last, in well-pit, they cast,
(When might they not thence scape,) Friedemund's warm corse!
Which sith uptook his servants; and have brought,
Hither; in their land's wise, when this sun sets,
To bury. O'er him make Almains, now, lament;
Who sacred, (weapon-slain,) to Woden god.
Much confused voice, is, in that sacred grove;
Where men, of many tribes, of unlike speech,
And painted shields and warlike ensigns, lodge.
Now washed with water of that holy well,
The most, with gathered herbs, cure their green wounds;
(Comfrey and orpine, healing setewell,
Valerian, golden rods and galingale.)
Men sleep, in shadow laid of antique boughs,
Numbed with cold juice of darnel, kex and dwale;
Wound-worts, best gifts of the immortal gods!
Where men, of many tribes, of unlike speech,
And painted shields and warlike ensigns, lodge.
Now washed with water of that holy well,
The most, with gathered herbs, cure their green wounds;
(Comfrey and orpine, healing setewell,
Valerian, golden rods and galingale.)
Men sleep, in shadow laid of antique boughs,
Numbed with cold juice of darnel, kex and dwale;
Wound-worts, best gifts of the immortal gods!
Sits, on hoar-headed windy cliff of Kent,
Which looketh forth towards Gaul, Caratacus,
In the wind and the rain. His lords, hold; o'er whom hangs
Immane new cloud of ruin! parliament:
And, with dark grief, astonished are all hearts,
And void of read. He gazes on grey waves,
As one on whose soul weighs dark direful dream!
Few proffer speech: nor hope nor comfort is,
By sea or land. Of Britons' warlike youth,
Men sigh; were, in Thames' battle, half-part lost!
And tarries yet to send, in aid, North March.
Which looketh forth towards Gaul, Caratacus,
In the wind and the rain. His lords, hold; o'er whom hangs
Immane new cloud of ruin! parliament:
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And void of read. He gazes on grey waves,
As one on whose soul weighs dark direful dream!
Few proffer speech: nor hope nor comfort is,
By sea or land. Of Britons' warlike youth,
Men sigh; were, in Thames' battle, half-part lost!
And tarries yet to send, in aid, North March.
Ah! and nów, stroke upon stroke! the warlord hears,
Romans' rife sails have entered, in Thames' mouth.
Before him, panting, lo, those messengers stand!
Romans' rife sails have entered, in Thames' mouth.
Before him, panting, lo, those messengers stand!
King Dumnoveros, in the midst, uprose;
Whose joints stiff, with old aches, and like is his
Courbe shoulder to bent bow: the word, nathless,
In day of trouble, weighs of his ripe lips,
With a caterf. Send, Dumnoveros reads,
Now chosen lords, on speedy wheels of chariots,
Enquire; Why come not yet Velaunos' powers.
Thereto consents divine Manannan's voice;
Consent all hearts, and king Caratacus.
Whose joints stiff, with old aches, and like is his
Courbe shoulder to bent bow: the word, nathless,
In day of trouble, weighs of his ripe lips,
With a caterf. Send, Dumnoveros reads,
Now chosen lords, on speedy wheels of chariots,
Enquire; Why come not yet Velaunos' powers.
Thereto consents divine Manannan's voice;
Consent all hearts, and king Caratacus.
Cadoc, Dumnonian, Verulam lord, Ruellan;
These two, on whom then lot, among them, falls,
They send from Dover cliffs. Each, with his druid,
Eftsoons, parts forth: for whom, lifting their hands,
Make Britons their fond vows, shut-up their hearts,
To heavenly gods! Then, hastily, levied camps;
The warlord leads, with loud trumps, forth, Kent's scythe-carts.
His foot, from those white windy cliffs, remove,
To march back, day and night, with cumbered hearts;
Till Thames' wide ford, by Troynovant, they might pass.
These two, on whom then lot, among them, falls,
They send from Dover cliffs. Each, with his druid,
Eftsoons, parts forth: for whom, lifting their hands,
Make Britons their fond vows, shut-up their hearts,
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The warlord leads, with loud trumps, forth, Kent's scythe-carts.
His foot, from those white windy cliffs, remove,
To march back, day and night, with cumbered hearts;
Till Thames' wide ford, by Troynovant, they might pass.
The third eve, to that river's bank, arriving;
They, nightlong, in thick battles, overwade.
Is hardly the sun risen, when warlord Caradoc
Offers swart bull, an whole burned sacrifice,
At old grave-mound, of Corwen and great Brennus:
Omen of ill! uneath, might kindle priests,
Their cloven, hastily laid up, dewy, wood!
They, nightlong, in thick battles, overwade.
Is hardly the sun risen, when warlord Caradoc
Offers swart bull, an whole burned sacrifice,
At old grave-mound, of Corwen and great Brennus:
Omen of ill! uneath, might kindle priests,
Their cloven, hastily laid up, dewy, wood!
In that were seen, disordinately, to approach,
Three horsemen, like as who flee forth for life!
Each, on his steed's mane droops, for weariness.
Men help them, soon, from trembling steeds, to light,
Before the kings. The men are Catuvelaunians;
Which cry, with little left in them, of voice;
Is taken great Verulam! and there failed their breath.
Three horsemen, like as who flee forth for life!
Each, on his steed's mane droops, for weariness.
Men help them, soon, from trembling steeds, to light,
Before the kings. The men are Catuvelaunians;
Which cry, with little left in them, of voice;
Is taken great Verulam! and there failed their breath.
King Caradoc, pluckt the garland from his head,
And the wreathed gold, from off his royal neck;
And bracelets strewed forth, on the meadow's grass!
Nathless, by reason of their former jars,
(Heard that cold tiding,) covert pleasance creeps,
In some lords' breasts! But leapt, eftsoons, Marunus,
To chariot, generous, in his sounding harness;
And, like a god, upstanding, the hurt prince,
(So comely he is,) above much Britons' press;
His word spake to king Caradoc, with great voice;
And were, with spears of only Troynovant,
He would redeem Caer Verulam, from strange Romans!
Likewise sware Golam, and the prince of Almains.
And the wreathed gold, from off his royal neck;
And bracelets strewed forth, on the meadow's grass!
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(Heard that cold tiding,) covert pleasance creeps,
In some lords' breasts! But leapt, eftsoons, Marunus,
To chariot, generous, in his sounding harness;
And, like a god, upstanding, the hurt prince,
(So comely he is,) above much Britons' press;
His word spake to king Caradoc, with great voice;
And were, with spears of only Troynovant,
He would redeem Caer Verulam, from strange Romans!
Likewise sware Golam, and the prince of Almains.
Hark! as not blown of mortals, sound iron throats,
Of warhorns. At that portent, warriors' hearts
Leap in their breasts. Lords run to the caterfs.
And, lo, those which came, weary, from long march,
Stand ready, impatient, in tall battailous ranks!
Of warhorns. At that portent, warriors' hearts
Leap in their breasts. Lords run to the caterfs.
And, lo, those which came, weary, from long march,
Stand ready, impatient, in tall battailous ranks!
To royal chariot, leaps Caratacus;
Strong of a spirit which inspire the gods.
That seen, his captains mount. To Camulodunum,
Fenced with banks and towered gates, the warlord leads;
(City inexpugnable, in old Britons' wars.)
Wide, follow their kings forth, the blue caterfs.
Strong of a spirit which inspire the gods.
That seen, his captains mount. To Camulodunum,
Fenced with banks and towered gates, the warlord leads;
(City inexpugnable, in old Britons' wars.)
Wide, follow their kings forth, the blue caterfs.
In four-wheel wains, are borne those wayworn wights,
Scaped out of Verulam. Come again their spirits,
Yet trembling, bleak of hew, to warlord Caradoc,
Their king, who, with them, questions, in the way;
They answer make, how cast victorious legions,
Their vallum, by slow-streaming Ver, and trenched
It deep and wide. Soldiers, then, having crates
Wrought and bound faggots; under knitted shields,
Approached, Cunobelin's dyke, by night-time, filled:
And, hewed down alders, in the river's mead,
They timbered mighty towers. At third day's end,
Those over-looked already the dune walls.
Were most-part striplings left therein, in arms,
With old spent wights: all men of likely age,
As known unto the king, in the king's wars,
Being then in field. Those rammed-up Verulam gates,
Nathless, did man, wide-round, the city walls;
And many sieging Romans slew, beneath.
Scaped out of Verulam. Come again their spirits,
Yet trembling, bleak of hew, to warlord Caradoc,
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They answer make, how cast victorious legions,
Their vallum, by slow-streaming Ver, and trenched
It deep and wide. Soldiers, then, having crates
Wrought and bound faggots; under knitted shields,
Approached, Cunobelin's dyke, by night-time, filled:
And, hewed down alders, in the river's mead,
They timbered mighty towers. At third day's end,
Those over-looked already the dune walls.
Were most-part striplings left therein, in arms,
With old spent wights: all men of likely age,
As known unto the king, in the king's wars,
Being then in field. Those rammed-up Verulam gates,
Nathless, did man, wide-round, the city walls;
And many sieging Romans slew, beneath.
But come fifth dawn, in twilight and thick mist,
Blown from the river meads, with ladders, soldiers
Made sudden assault; and taken was, in a moment,
The wall. Descended Romans, in the town,
There cruel slaughter made, of age and youth;
Killing all whom they met: sith Verulam's streets,
They put to sack, till eve. Young men and maids,
All which they saved, were bound then to be sold.
(Permitted, and had longtime promised Aulus,
Spoil of the royal dune, unto his cohorts.)
Blown from the river meads, with ladders, soldiers
Made sudden assault; and taken was, in a moment,
The wall. Descended Romans, in the town,
There cruel slaughter made, of age and youth;
Killing all whom they met: sith Verulam's streets,
They put to sack, till eve. Young men and maids,
All which they saved, were bound then to be sold.
(Permitted, and had longtime promised Aulus,
Spoil of the royal dune, unto his cohorts.)
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When the long baleful light, of that day's sun,
Was ended; drunken of the Britons' mead,
Soldiers reeled, with lewd songs, in Verulam streets.
They yelled, like wolves! Shrieks then of wives and maids,
Outraged, by their own burning thresholds' light!
And wretched Britons, dying, cursed their gods;
So rich in heaven, that offerings of poor wights,
Despise; nor heed men's immense miseries!
Was ended; drunken of the Britons' mead,
Soldiers reeled, with lewd songs, in Verulam streets.
They yelled, like wolves! Shrieks then of wives and maids,
Outraged, by their own burning thresholds' light!
And wretched Britons, dying, cursed their gods;
So rich in heaven, that offerings of poor wights,
Despise; nor heed men's immense miseries!
Sounded the last repair, gainst midnight, Romans:
But not ere few remained, yet hidden, Britons,
In their foul luxury and drunkenness, had oppressed
Many abhorréd Roman legionaries.
In the night's dread, those die an enemy's death!
Was, in the market place, and murk cross streets,
Then set strong watch; and standing at the gates,
Did tall Batavians keep Cunobelin's court;
For Aulus so commanded, as wherein
Were all their chiefest captives stived that night,
Under the tower of the king's treasure-house.
But not ere few remained, yet hidden, Britons,
In their foul luxury and drunkenness, had oppressed
Many abhorréd Roman legionaries.
In the night's dread, those die an enemy's death!
Was, in the market place, and murk cross streets,
Then set strong watch; and standing at the gates,
Did tall Batavians keep Cunobelin's court;
For Aulus so commanded, as wherein
Were all their chiefest captives stived that night,
Under the tower of the king's treasure-house.
At day, and when now portsale should begin,
Of comely young men, virgins, noble wives;
Cast up the bronze-dight, great nailed, oaken doors,
Whereas, since yester, were those captives pent;
Behold, all lacking needful nourishment,
Languished: mongst whom were lying many dead!
For not few striplings, not few noble maids,
Beating their golden heads, on the flint stones,
Slew themselves, that night; and so scaped from Romans.
Of comely young men, virgins, noble wives;
Cast up the bronze-dight, great nailed, oaken doors,
Whereas, since yester, were those captives pent;
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Languished: mongst whom were lying many dead!
For not few striplings, not few noble maids,
Beating their golden heads, on the flint stones,
Slew themselves, that night; and so scaped from Romans.
And now hath Claudius journeyed from Thames' frith,
Two days; but foundered, in the fenny reeds,
Were two, his great Numidic, elephants lost.
Gauls have and Roman knights, lost, likewise, steeds.
Now, from short march, he measured his third camp;
Will wait, there, coming of his legate Aulus.
Two days; but foundered, in the fenny reeds,
Were two, his great Numidic, elephants lost.
Gauls have and Roman knights, lost, likewise, steeds.
Now, from short march, he measured his third camp;
Will wait, there, coming of his legate Aulus.
And he, left Roman sick, in conquered Verulam,
With garrison; is marched forth, to meet with Claudius;
Who, in Thames' mouth, he hears, now gone to land.
Lo, glittering trains of his victorious legions!
But, for the field lies open, where they pass;
Nor wots he, where became Caratacus;
He, each eve, lodged, fenced with a nine-foot bank,
(Which, stranger scars, yet, in our soil, remain!)
With garrison; is marched forth, to meet with Claudius;
Who, in Thames' mouth, he hears, now gone to land.
Lo, glittering trains of his victorious legions!
But, for the field lies open, where they pass;
Nor wots he, where became Caratacus;
He, each eve, lodged, fenced with a nine-foot bank,
(Which, stranger scars, yet, in our soil, remain!)
Then, to vast salty tide, his army arrives;
Whence merchant Troynovant, beyond, appears;
Which, he omitting, pitched, at poplar grove,
That sanctuary is of Lud, the river's god:
Place, where discern the heavens, in age to come,
Be built, the Mart of men, another Rome.
Whence merchant Troynovant, beyond, appears;
Which, he omitting, pitched, at poplar grove,
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Place, where discern the heavens, in age to come,
Be built, the Mart of men, another Rome.
Thence, to wide fleet, Rome's legions be come down;
Where flows out, shole, to Thames, soft-streaming Lea,
Bordered with sallows, whose deep fenny brinks.
And, lo, a remnant of blue scattered Britons,
Of Antethrigus, hold that further shore!
And though this Summer day be young, blows Aulus
Halt; till to-morrow, here should rest his cohorts.
But fallen the night, he sends out tall Batavians,
Well-nigh five hundred men, to overswim
That oozy sound, on udders, with their arms:
And promised meed, if ford, of them, were found;
Where might, at low ebb, pass his heavy cohorts.
Where flows out, shole, to Thames, soft-streaming Lea,
Bordered with sallows, whose deep fenny brinks.
And, lo, a remnant of blue scattered Britons,
Of Antethrigus, hold that further shore!
And though this Summer day be young, blows Aulus
Halt; till to-morrow, here should rest his cohorts.
But fallen the night, he sends out tall Batavians,
Well-nigh five hundred men, to overswim
That oozy sound, on udders, with their arms:
And promised meed, if ford, of them, were found;
Where might, at low ebb, pass his heavy cohorts.
Those enter, with their floats, at the moonrise,
(Encouraging, in Almain tongue, each other,)
The stream. To Britons, that keep watch, beyond;
Those seemed some harts, that wont, from Epping forest,
By night-time, overswim, in Summer season.
But, angry, river-gods, send water-sprites;
Them to confound. Following whose flickering brands,
The most, on shelves, fell unwares and vast flats;
Whereas, their fellows calling, long, in vain,
Their limbs stick fast; and drencheth them, ere dawn,
Inflowing tide. Being few, like worms, crept forth,
From slough; those found, then, of fierce ambushed wights,
Were slain; and left, in stinking weeds, to rot.
(Encouraging, in Almain tongue, each other,)
The stream. To Britons, that keep watch, beyond;
Those seemed some harts, that wont, from Epping forest,
By night-time, overswim, in Summer season.
But, angry, river-gods, send water-sprites;
Them to confound. Following whose flickering brands,
The most, on shelves, fell unwares and vast flats;
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Their limbs stick fast; and drencheth them, ere dawn,
Inflowing tide. Being few, like worms, crept forth,
From slough; those found, then, of fierce ambushed wights,
Were slain; and left, in stinking weeds, to rot.
Upward, in forest, thence, his guides lead Aulus;
Where, marshal of his camps, Primitius, such
An hasty bridge devised, as they might pass.
He laid hewed-alders on great cables, stretcht,
Twixt the two brinks; and bavin strewed and earth,
Thereon. Armed Romans, by the moon's lamp, march
Beyond; holding now drift-way of the Britons,
Which leads to the imperial camp forthright.
Where, marshal of his camps, Primitius, such
An hasty bridge devised, as they might pass.
He laid hewed-alders on great cables, stretcht,
Twixt the two brinks; and bavin strewed and earth,
Thereon. Armed Romans, by the moon's lamp, march
Beyond; holding now drift-way of the Britons,
Which leads to the imperial camp forthright.
Wide-dawning ray, lo, utters in the East,
Chacing night's cheerless murk; and seen is gleam,
Of arms and ensigns, of approaching legions,
From the imperial vallum. When now Aulus
Views, from his horse, the castra and Cæsar's tents;
He with chief captains, præfects of his legions,
Rides forth, upon the spur, to salute Claudius.
Chacing night's cheerless murk; and seen is gleam,
Of arms and ensigns, of approaching legions,
From the imperial vallum. When now Aulus
Views, from his horse, the castra and Cæsar's tents;
He with chief captains, præfects of his legions,
Rides forth, upon the spur, to salute Claudius.
With knops of gold, lo, shines, towards them, borne forth;
Nodding, with purple and pall, the imperial litter.
(Soldiers, irreverent, gibe, Is Cæsar's corse!)
Which ward, lo, round, three hundred spears, of Almains,
With knights of Rome and glittering Gaulish horse.
Being come to a stone's cast, dismounted Claudius;
And gravely on foot, towards those that light to earth,
Cæsar advanced; and giving his right hand,
Salutes, by name; and calls them fellow-soldiers!
And Claudius communes with them; he extolls
Their conduct of this war: and in this sense,
Will he, from point to point, write to the Senate.
Nodding, with purple and pall, the imperial litter.
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Which ward, lo, round, three hundred spears, of Almains,
With knights of Rome and glittering Gaulish horse.
Being come to a stone's cast, dismounted Claudius;
And gravely on foot, towards those that light to earth,
Cæsar advanced; and giving his right hand,
Salutes, by name; and calls them fellow-soldiers!
And Claudius communes with them; he extolls
Their conduct of this war: and in this sense,
Will he, from point to point, write to the Senate.
Sith Cæsar viewed those four, now marshalled, legions,
The squalid looks admires, of his proud soldiers!
That stand, unshorn, in lean, war-wasted, ranks:
And the army salute Claudius, Imperator!
The squalid looks admires, of his proud soldiers!
That stand, unshorn, in lean, war-wasted, ranks:
And the army salute Claudius, Imperator!
Warlord of Britain, enters Camulodunum
Caratacus; where keepeth well queen Embla,
The walls; and watch the city's magistrates.
The sire sends word, then, to all tribes and lords;
They, here, with him, gainst Cæsar and the Romans,
The Foster-land defend, with all their powers;
And that in view of divine Camulus!
God of their Father Brennus, which burned Rome.
But the East-men's magistrate, strong Antethrigus,
Whom gods, in so extreme infortune, cast;
Hath sworn, no more, to see the face of Caradoc,
Till he himself might smite intruding Romans.
Kynan and Idhig, gathered their spersed warriors,
With Moelmabon's sons, have Northward marched;
And now is word, they wait, at Ouse, in arms,
Velaunos' coming, with the Northern powers.
Caratacus; where keepeth well queen Embla,
The walls; and watch the city's magistrates.
The sire sends word, then, to all tribes and lords;
They, here, with him, gainst Cæsar and the Romans,
The Foster-land defend, with all their powers;
And that in view of divine Camulus!
God of their Father Brennus, which burned Rome.
But the East-men's magistrate, strong Antethrigus,
Whom gods, in so extreme infortune, cast;
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Till he himself might smite intruding Romans.
Kynan and Idhig, gathered their spersed warriors,
With Moelmabon's sons, have Northward marched;
And now is word, they wait, at Ouse, in arms,
Velaunos' coming, with the Northern powers.
Divine Manannan, wisdom of the Britons,
Hath sick lain, many days, at Durovernium,
But heard, the royal dune of Verulamion
Was taken and burned, and Antethrigus' army
Perished; and Cæsar's navy come to land;
Nor longer able to support disease,
(Heavy with years,) of march, and daily camps;
He journeys now, with wains, in Watling street.
And will he dwell, henceforth, in dim Isle Mona;
Where Samoth's god, with daily sacrifice,
He may entreat, for this afflicted nation!
Hath sick lain, many days, at Durovernium,
But heard, the royal dune of Verulamion
Was taken and burned, and Antethrigus' army
Perished; and Cæsar's navy come to land;
Nor longer able to support disease,
(Heavy with years,) of march, and daily camps;
He journeys now, with wains, in Watling street.
And will he dwell, henceforth, in dim Isle Mona;
Where Samoth's god, with daily sacrifice,
He may entreat, for this afflicted nation!
Thorolf, next after king Caratacus,
Most valiant prince of all that live on ground,
Continually misleads in isle of Brennus,
Some hostile god; where time is not yet ripe,
Of the stout Almain heirs of Heremod,
Of Fridia and Brennus' blood. And lest stout Thorolf,
By his only valiance, break the god's decree;
They, night-time, sending to him lying visions,
And daily, with false soothsays, him deceive,
And neighings, strange, of his white battle-steed;
That might he ne'er be nigh, to aid of Britons.
Most valiant prince of all that live on ground,
Continually misleads in isle of Brennus,
Some hostile god; where time is not yet ripe,
Of the stout Almain heirs of Heremod,
Of Fridia and Brennus' blood. And lest stout Thorolf,
By his only valiance, break the god's decree;
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And daily, with false soothsays, him deceive,
And neighings, strange, of his white battle-steed;
That might he ne'er be nigh, to aid of Britons.
His vow to accomplish, which the hero spake,
In hearing of the Britons' princes, late;
When sacrificed at merchant Troynovant,
By tiding Thames, was, to the hero Brennus;
He ready makes, to march, with spears of Almains,
Eight thousand, to reconquer royal Verulam.
Swells his great heart, impetuous, to achieve,
So notable high emprise, gainst enemy Romans.
In hearing of the Britons' princes, late;
When sacrificed at merchant Troynovant,
By tiding Thames, was, to the hero Brennus;
He ready makes, to march, with spears of Almains,
Eight thousand, to reconquer royal Verulam.
Swells his great heart, impetuous, to achieve,
So notable high emprise, gainst enemy Romans.
To Caradoc, marching are, with king Velaunos,
The Northern powers, in aid now of South Britons.
Long was their tarrying; chiefly, and that by cause
Of Cartismandua, who, Brigantine queen,
Infamed is, for disloyalty to Venutios,
Her noble spouse; lot-chosen of their gods,
Next to Velaunos, captain, in these wars.
The Northern powers, in aid now of South Britons.
Long was their tarrying; chiefly, and that by cause
Of Cartismandua, who, Brigantine queen,
Infamed is, for disloyalty to Venutios,
Her noble spouse; lot-chosen of their gods,
Next to Velaunos, captain, in these wars.
Her sire, great warrior-king, was Cunobal,
Of the blue-shield Brigantes; but Venutios,
Though a king's son, was of a subject tribe.
Yet he all noble youth, in Cunobal's hall,
Did far, in every warlike skill, excell.
Wherefore that king, young valiant prince Venutios,
Advanced, to stand, by him, in battle-chariot;
And bear the royal shield, before his face.
Of the blue-shield Brigantes; but Venutios,
Though a king's son, was of a subject tribe.
Yet he all noble youth, in Cunobal's hall,
Did far, in every warlike skill, excell.
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Advanced, to stand, by him, in battle-chariot;
And bear the royal shield, before his face.
Ere well his beard was sprung, this prince's breast
Was seen, with glorious scars, in his lord's wars,
Adorned, like magic signs, which in their flesh;
With pen of ivory imbrued with woad, prick druids.
Last, token of his love and high regard,
His daughter gave king Cunobal, to his squire.
But she more fair, bright Cartismandua,
Than good, usurped, deceased her glorious sire,
All sovereignty; even his leadership in this war.
Was seen, with glorious scars, in his lord's wars,
Adorned, like magic signs, which in their flesh;
With pen of ivory imbrued with woad, prick druids.
Last, token of his love and high regard,
His daughter gave king Cunobal, to his squire.
But she more fair, bright Cartismandua,
Than good, usurped, deceased her glorious sire,
All sovereignty; even his leadership in this war.
In these late days, when coming heard of Claudius,
She, whelmed, on her fair head, had star-bright morion,
Like goddess sheen; and fenced with scaly brass,
Her froward chest, upleapt, in emailled war-cart:
Like as some serpent, which in tawny brakes,
Pastured of cankered herbs, her slough offcast,
Now, in the sun, displays her glittering boughts.
She, whelmed, on her fair head, had star-bright morion,
Like goddess sheen; and fenced with scaly brass,
Her froward chest, upleapt, in emailled war-cart:
Like as some serpent, which in tawny brakes,
Pastured of cankered herbs, her slough offcast,
Now, in the sun, displays her glittering boughts.
And by her beauty, enflamed, the younger sort;
Then followed her much pomp, of noble youth,
To Roman warfare, on shrill wheels of war-carts.
Nor wonder, when feel even relent old wights,
At Cartismandua's view, their frozen hearts.
With silver gingling bits, and barded steeds,
Her people shouting; from king Cunobal's dune,
Isurium, then the royal pomp holds forth.
Then followed her much pomp, of noble youth,
To Roman warfare, on shrill wheels of war-carts.
Nor wonder, when feel even relent old wights,
At Cartismandua's view, their frozen hearts.
With silver gingling bits, and barded steeds,
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Isurium, then the royal pomp holds forth.
The same eve, marched Velaunos, with caterfs,
From hill, whence triple fires have flamed five nights;
Appointed place, where lords of the North March,
Assembled their caterfs: with mighty sound
Of trumps and shout, they wend, and noise of chariots.
From hill, whence triple fires have flamed five nights;
Appointed place, where lords of the North March,
Assembled their caterfs: with mighty sound
Of trumps and shout, they wend, and noise of chariots.
Are the Brigantine ensigns diverse shapes
Of beasts and birds. parisii first remove;
And ride their war-wont lords, in iron scythe-carts.
Round the Fair-havens, are this nation's seats;
Whereto, is fame, arrived their sires, in ships:
Like to the people of Samoth, they from Gaul's
Mainland o'erfared; but in a later age.
Of beasts and birds. parisii first remove;
And ride their war-wont lords, in iron scythe-carts.
Round the Fair-havens, are this nation's seats;
Whereto, is fame, arrived their sires, in ships:
Like to the people of Samoth, they from Gaul's
Mainland o'erfared; but in a later age.
Next them Novantæ march; whose border is
Nith's shining stream. By kinships, then, armed throngs,
Segantians; little statured are whose steeds.
From wide Segeia's flood, these take their name.
Voluntii follow, woad-stained naked warriors;
Save of some hanging goat's hide, from their napes;
Which they, shield from the cold, turn to the wind;
And, for an harness, serves them in the wars.
Nith's shining stream. By kinships, then, armed throngs,
Segantians; little statured are whose steeds.
From wide Segeia's flood, these take their name.
Voluntii follow, woad-stained naked warriors;
Save of some hanging goat's hide, from their napes;
Which they, shield from the cold, turn to the wind;
And, for an harness, serves them in the wars.
Next them, Selgovians, hunters, whose quaint speech,
To few, is couth. Clubbed staves and herdmen's slings,
Bear these; and spears, with rattling knops of brass,
To affray their enemies. Fence they on their heads,
Have all, of red-stained great upbounden glibs.
And delved pits are their bowers, in the waste heaths;
And caves, in cliffs. Their young men, the ureox
Hunt, on wild hills, and slay, with stedfast heart,
For meat. Then, of the lordships of Velaunos,
Men march; and of Venutios, glast-stained host,
Following, thick spears and ensigns, their lord's chariots.
Beside whom, yet another power doth pass;
Whom leads stout Hælion, a young comely prince.
Are these Dumnonian tribesfolk, of North March;
Kin to Dumnonian dwellers in Duffreynt.
Their warlike bands come glittering, with long spears.
They hurl-stones bear, in bosoms of their shields.
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Bear these; and spears, with rattling knops of brass,
To affray their enemies. Fence they on their heads,
Have all, of red-stained great upbounden glibs.
And delved pits are their bowers, in the waste heaths;
And caves, in cliffs. Their young men, the ureox
Hunt, on wild hills, and slay, with stedfast heart,
For meat. Then, of the lordships of Velaunos,
Men march; and of Venutios, glast-stained host,
Following, thick spears and ensigns, their lord's chariots.
Beside whom, yet another power doth pass;
Whom leads stout Hælion, a young comely prince.
Are these Dumnonian tribesfolk, of North March;
Kin to Dumnonian dwellers in Duffreynt.
Their warlike bands come glittering, with long spears.
They hurl-stones bear, in bosoms of their shields.
Warlord Velaunos, as they neighbours ride,
Hath prayed the, now grey-headed, lord Venutios,
Master of war, to mount, with him, in war-cart.
Venutios numbers, (passing with swift wheels,
Before this host,) of peoples of the North,
Fifty, upon the fingers of his palms,
Caterfs of foot-folk; are five hundred spears,
In every one. Follows-on, great trimarch,
Of the North parts, five squadrons; and, in each,
Eight score of steeds. And lords, in their own marches,
Are all who on them sit. Two hinds, afoot,
Hath every lord, each leading a third horse.
Hath prayed the, now grey-headed, lord Venutios,
Master of war, to mount, with him, in war-cart.
Venutios numbers, (passing with swift wheels,
Before this host,) of peoples of the North,
Fifty, upon the fingers of his palms,
Caterfs of foot-folk; are five hundred spears,
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Of the North parts, five squadrons; and, in each,
Eight score of steeds. And lords, in their own marches,
Are all who on them sit. Two hinds, afoot,
Hath every lord, each leading a third horse.
And Cadoc and Ruellon, with them ride.
And, lo, receive them there Moelmabon's sons;
(That languish, yet, of wounds;) and Hammeraxe,
And Demetan Idhig, with war-wasted powers.
And Briton lords thus met, from far-off coasts,
Gaze, each-one, inwardly, on the others' looks,
And arms and warriors! To the warlord, Caradoc,
When the new morrow springs, shall all fare forth.
First of the Northern powers, from Camulus' walls,
In blue emailléd cart, with gilded moons,
Drawn of white steeds, is Cartismandua seen.
In proud career, o'er her steeds' flying croups,
She shakes the reins and lifts bright ivory whip.
Her famous wind-born steeds, whose horny hooves,
Glittering, with plate of gold, spurn the wild clod;
Come fleckt with foam, as whiteness of sea flood;
And follows her, bright train of steeds and chariots.
Is like to changeful rainbow, this queen's weed.
In blue emailléd cart, with gilded moons,
Drawn of white steeds, is Cartismandua seen.
In proud career, o'er her steeds' flying croups,
She shakes the reins and lifts bright ivory whip.
Her famous wind-born steeds, whose horny hooves,
Glittering, with plate of gold, spurn the wild clod;
Come fleckt with foam, as whiteness of sea flood;
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Is like to changeful rainbow, this queen's weed.
She nighing now the town, the royal morion,
Which shone on her fair head, for heat, hath doffed:
Whence loosed, that sunbeams seem, her amber locks
Flow backward in the wind. Is this queen's countenance,
Hardy and free; manlike is her mailed stature.
To look, in her steep eyes, were deadly feast!
Which shone on her fair head, for heat, hath doffed:
Whence loosed, that sunbeams seem, her amber locks
Flow backward in the wind. Is this queen's countenance,
Hardy and free; manlike is her mailed stature.
To look, in her steep eyes, were deadly feast!
But he who stands, in Cartismandua's chariot,
And bears, like the horned moon, nigh to her full,
Her silver shield, wherein of Morrigu goddess,
Be effigied the eyes, great heaven's queen,
Turning to stone hearts of her enemies,
Prince of the noble youth, is Vellocatus.
She bridle eftsoon draws, abasht, somewhat,
Her witches heart! to see, (of doubtful omen!)
Tower ravens o'er yond Camulus'-city walls.
And bears, like the horned moon, nigh to her full,
Her silver shield, wherein of Morrigu goddess,
Be effigied the eyes, great heaven's queen,
Turning to stone hearts of her enemies,
Prince of the noble youth, is Vellocatus.
She bridle eftsoon draws, abasht, somewhat,
Her witches heart! to see, (of doubtful omen!)
Tower ravens o'er yond Camulus'-city walls.
Straight, rides to meet this queen, Caratacus;
With pomp of war-bruised chariots, from the town.
How measure her false eyes king Caradoc's stature!
When he, her warlike hard right hand, receives,
In his; and of her welfare, courteous, asks;
And if she come not, weary, from long voyage?
He, warlord, then, with worship, brings her forth.
With pomp of war-bruised chariots, from the town.
How measure her false eyes king Caradoc's stature!
When he, her warlike hard right hand, receives,
In his; and of her welfare, courteous, asks;
And if she come not, weary, from long voyage?
He, warlord, then, with worship, brings her forth.
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Passed the tower-gate, they mount up, by paved street;
Amongst fast-thronging people of this town.
And lighting, soon, the warlike Northern queen;
Her, Embla, issuing, midst her noble women,
With gentle looks, receives; and, by the hand,
To royal bower upleads, prepared for her,
On the town wall; whence she the camps of warriors,
Pitched in fair meads of sliding Colne, may read.
Was that day lateward, when arrived her army.
Amongst fast-thronging people of this town.
And lighting, soon, the warlike Northern queen;
Her, Embla, issuing, midst her noble women,
With gentle looks, receives; and, by the hand,
To royal bower upleads, prepared for her,
On the town wall; whence she the camps of warriors,
Pitched in fair meads of sliding Colne, may read.
Was that day lateward, when arrived her army.
At morrow's noon, approach Velaunos' powers;
With whom great drifts of beves and thousand wains.
To welcome them, outrides, anew, the king;
With lords and captains, and shrill pomp of warcarts.
Now ben they met; and touch those Northern lords,
Loud naming their lands' gods, his hand and glaive!
With whom great drifts of beves and thousand wains.
To welcome them, outrides, anew, the king;
With lords and captains, and shrill pomp of warcarts.
Now ben they met; and touch those Northern lords,
Loud naming their lands' gods, his hand and glaive!
King Caradoc looking forth, from Camulus' walls,
Sees raised, in river meads, ten thousand bowers,
Of men of war, new lodged in their caterfs!
And feels, with hope of victory, again refreshed
His royal heart: and looks on that trimarch,
Which vanquished Roma, in old days of Brennus!
Sees raised, in river meads, ten thousand bowers,
Of men of war, new lodged in their caterfs!
And feels, with hope of victory, again refreshed
His royal heart: and looks on that trimarch,
Which vanquished Roma, in old days of Brennus!
And hath Duneda sent new bands of warriors,
With hundred wains of victual, beves and flocks;
And Kowain leads stout mariners of his ships,
Expert with ropes, and nimble of their feet,
To climb on rocking masts: and those are wont
To travaillous and so strait sea-faring life,
That, seems them holiday, war upon dry land.
With hundred wains of victual, beves and flocks;
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Expert with ropes, and nimble of their feet,
To climb on rocking masts: and those are wont
To travaillous and so strait sea-faring life,
That, seems them holiday, war upon dry land.
And comes a lord of Mona, at afternoon,
To horse; one known from far, with shining greaves,
Ergund. But for his sire, to Moelmabon,
Was foe; from that king's sons, he goes apart,
To lodge. In force and stature, doth exceed
This prince all Britons come to Camulodunum.
Men say, he assails, as sudden storm from heaven!
Six hundred footmen, he, to Caradoc, leads.
Persuaded him Manannan, to the war.
To horse; one known from far, with shining greaves,
Ergund. But for his sire, to Moelmabon,
Was foe; from that king's sons, he goes apart,
To lodge. In force and stature, doth exceed
This prince all Britons come to Camulodunum.
Men say, he assails, as sudden storm from heaven!
Six hundred footmen, he, to Caradoc, leads.
Persuaded him Manannan, to the war.
Kings, captains, white-stoled druids, on his wide walls,
To Camulus offer solemn sacrifice!
To them, comes Cartismandua queen, anon,
With jewelled neck, and jetting like to dove;
And tyred her broidered locks, with fret of gold,
Wherein the plume, is seen, of a grey erne.
Issuing from her dune-gates, to Roman war,
In battle-cart, is told, it fell, upon her.
To Camulus offer solemn sacrifice!
To them, comes Cartismandua queen, anon,
With jewelled neck, and jetting like to dove;
And tyred her broidered locks, with fret of gold,
Wherein the plume, is seen, of a grey erne.
Issuing from her dune-gates, to Roman war,
In battle-cart, is told, it fell, upon her.
She harnessed is; lo, on her warlike breast,
Shines plate of bronze, with dragons, wreathed, embossed;
And silver moons. Beside Caratacus,
She sits: and when had all declared their minds,
Opens this queen her lips. With a stern voice,
She reads; stop all nigh ways, before this town,
With great felled trees; and weave the woods around.
With trench and pit, (wherein sharp stakes be set,)
Cumber the plain: so that the enemies' horse
Were broken, nor might soldiers keep their ranks;
Wherein much lies, she hears, the Romans' force.
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And silver moons. Beside Caratacus,
She sits: and when had all declared their minds,
Opens this queen her lips. With a stern voice,
She reads; stop all nigh ways, before this town,
With great felled trees; and weave the woods around.
With trench and pit, (wherein sharp stakes be set,)
Cumber the plain: so that the enemies' horse
Were broken, nor might soldiers keep their ranks;
Wherein much lies, she hears, the Romans' force.
Labraid, who pilot of Duneda's ships,
Upspake then, and persuades; with cables, knit
The caterfs' ranks; that they, with mighty brunt,
Might strew Rome's cohorts. Cries the Northern queen,
She would, alone, set on the marching legions!
For tiding now is brought, of their approach.
Upspake then, and persuades; with cables, knit
The caterfs' ranks; that they, with mighty brunt,
Might strew Rome's cohorts. Cries the Northern queen,
She would, alone, set on the marching legions!
For tiding now is brought, of their approach.
Was then, when kings and captains well have supped;
And they had poured, to Camulus, the brown mead;
Queen Cartismandua, in bower, her ready made.
She, on hér white shoulders, cast a spotted pilch,
Of wolf-whelps' hide; who fenced, with a ringed harness,
Hath her lithe flanks. Then high, upon her shanks,
She buskins laced, with tinny scales, beset.
Sith Leddiad, the victorious glaive, renowned,
Of Cunobal, on her luxurious loins,
Fair Cartismandua binds. On her bright locks,
She morion set, and silver shield embraced.
And they had poured, to Camulus, the brown mead;
Queen Cartismandua, in bower, her ready made.
She, on hér white shoulders, cast a spotted pilch,
Of wolf-whelps' hide; who fenced, with a ringed harness,
Hath her lithe flanks. Then high, upon her shanks,
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Sith Leddiad, the victorious glaive, renowned,
Of Cunobal, on her luxurious loins,
Fair Cartismandua binds. On her bright locks,
She morion set, and silver shield embraced.
When now the moon is rising, she descends,
To Embla's court; where, ready made, her warcart;
And stand, beneath the yoke, two high-necked steeds,
Long-maned, whose generous chests, to battle, pant.
Calls Cartismandua on Morrigu, witches' goddess,
Great queen of heaven, in that she leaps to chariot!
With Cartismandua, ascénds young Vellocatus.
To Embla's court; where, ready made, her warcart;
And stand, beneath the yoke, two high-necked steeds,
Long-maned, whose generous chests, to battle, pant.
Calls Cartismandua on Morrigu, witches' goddess,
Great queen of heaven, in that she leaps to chariot!
With Cartismandua, ascénds young Vellocatus.
Now by dim street her wheels, and her team's hooves,
Resound. Open the porters, to her, gate
Of Camulus; and, with cry, the queen speeds forth!
Being come to her Brigantine camp, without;
Follow her all the power of her young men;
Which, ready in arms her wait, in this moonlight.
Resound. Open the porters, to her, gate
Of Camulus; and, with cry, the queen speeds forth!
Being come to her Brigantine camp, without;
Follow her all the power of her young men;
Which, ready in arms her wait, in this moonlight.
To Camulus' dune, descending from the North,
Had Cartismandua a certain thicket place,
Thence, Eastward, marked; whereas deep drift-way passed,
Twixt two, which crown dark cedars, opposed banks.
Had Cartismandua a certain thicket place,
Thence, Eastward, marked; whereas deep drift-way passed,
Twixt two, which crown dark cedars, opposed banks.
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There, is, these, marched few silent leagues, now wait;
Whereby, the queen looks, Romans soon must pass:
Nor fails her forecast. Levied camp had Claudius:
Before him tread the elephants; and enclose,
The imperial litter, band of Almain spears.
Therein he slumbers, midst his trains of soldiers.
Whereby, the queen looks, Romans soon must pass:
Nor fails her forecast. Levied camp had Claudius:
Before him tread the elephants; and enclose,
The imperial litter, band of Almain spears.
Therein he slumbers, midst his trains of soldiers.
Is heard, in clear moonshine, now in night's wind,
Mules' gingling bells, that bear the Romans' stuff!
Approach the legions: they, few furlongs passed,
Gin enter in this wood. Then yells of Britons,
Sound, súdden, out, to dim night-stars, on both parts!
Mules' gingling bells, that bear the Romans' stuff!
Approach the legions: they, few furlongs passed,
Gin enter in this wood. Then yells of Britons,
Sound, súdden, out, to dim night-stars, on both parts!
The queen's young men of war, from bushments, rise.
Bliss they it count, of heaven, feast of war-gods,
To die even, in beholding of her eyes!
So makes her aspect drunken their young hearts.
Five thousand, mainly, and hurling darts, outrush.
Body to body, as hunters that slay beasts,
They thrust with spears; with bronze long knives, slay Romans.
Bliss they it count, of heaven, feast of war-gods,
To die even, in beholding of her eyes!
So makes her aspect drunken their young hearts.
Five thousand, mainly, and hurling darts, outrush.
Body to body, as hunters that slay beasts,
They thrust with spears; with bronze long knives, slay Romans.
Queen Cartismandua, (is springing now dim dawn,)
Romans behold, amazed, in glittering war-cart;
Like to that huntress goddess of the night,
(Neath whose swift wheels, is fame, our Britain lies.)
In chariot sheen, like Cynthia crowned, she drives!
Seems the new moon shine, in her broidered hair:
And glisters, on her front, as the day-star.
And that tall young man, fighting beside her,
They gin, from mouth to mouth, Endymion! name.
Romans behold, amazed, in glittering war-cart;
Like to that huntress goddess of the night,
(Neath whose swift wheels, is fame, our Britain lies.)
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Seems the new moon shine, in her broidered hair:
And glisters, on her front, as the day-star.
And that tall young man, fighting beside her,
They gin, from mouth to mouth, Endymion! name.
Is none so hardy, who dúrst hurl, ágainst her
His javelin; whiles she by them shining drives!
And terrible beams seem lighten, from her eyes:
So that, on her, gaze confused, Roman soldiers!
Which hear, above the din, her cry, divine!
His javelin; whiles she by them shining drives!
And terrible beams seem lighten, from her eyes:
So that, on her, gaze confused, Roman soldiers!
Which hear, above the din, her cry, divine!
But after-marching Romans', warlike, trains;
Heard tumult in the va'ward, yet unwist
The cause, press forward. Then, in the blind night,
Cohorts rebutted of the former legion,
Recoil, and trouble their well-ordered ranks.
Heard tumult in the va'ward, yet unwist
The cause, press forward. Then, in the blind night,
Cohorts rebutted of the former legion,
Recoil, and trouble their well-ordered ranks.
Romans, in derne wood-path, contend with Romans.
Nor perished few, by their own fellows' glaives;
Ere might, who friends, be known, who enemies.
And, whom, air-riding spirits, the Morrigu sends,
In the tree-tops, quench the few beams of stars.
There fall stout soldiers, one on other, slain;
With their centurions: fell Marcellus, tribune.
Nor perished few, by their own fellows' glaives;
Ere might, who friends, be known, who enemies.
And, whom, air-riding spirits, the Morrigu sends,
In the tree-tops, quench the few beams of stars.
There fall stout soldiers, one on other, slain;
With their centurions: fell Marcellus, tribune.
Waked Claudius, trembling, quoth, He was a-cold!
And would, had he found heart, have slain himself,
Looking for dreadful altars of the druids,
If him mishapped. But eftsoon war-wont Flavius,
Prickt, with few valorous Gauls and Roman knights;
Restores the troubled orders of his legion.
And would, had he found heart, have slain himself,
Looking for dreadful altars of the druids,
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Prickt, with few valorous Gauls and Roman knights;
Restores the troubled orders of his legion.
He erects, then, double acies, of three ranks,
Facing to ambushed enemies, on both parts:
Behind whose backs, holding above their heads,
Their shields, on whom, from wood, falls sleet of darts,
As in a lane, the trains might, safely, pass.
Whilst, then, by clarion's sound, the rearward halt,
He hastes bring forth next after-marching cohorts;
And them, beyond, enranged he in like sort.
Facing to ambushed enemies, on both parts:
Behind whose backs, holding above their heads,
Their shields, on whom, from wood, falls sleet of darts,
As in a lane, the trains might, safely, pass.
Whilst, then, by clarion's sound, the rearward halt,
He hastes bring forth next after-marching cohorts;
And them, beyond, enranged he in like sort.
Thus hath great Flavius saved, this night, the army;
Mongst whom, seen Claudius riding on his feet!
Who quitted, for faint heart, had a knight's horse,
Which erst he mounted; and his cloak had cast;
And, men say, cast his shield! Trode cohorts' press
The imperial purple! Cæsar, as he passed,
(Now issued the armed trains, to open ground,)
Calls Flavius, Father! There the Britons cease,
Being few, with onset, to provoke the legions.
But many are wounded seen, among the soldiers:
Who slain, were left, unburied, in dim grove.
Mongst whom, seen Claudius riding on his feet!
Who quitted, for faint heart, had a knight's horse,
Which erst he mounted; and his cloak had cast;
And, men say, cast his shield! Trode cohorts' press
The imperial purple! Cæsar, as he passed,
(Now issued the armed trains, to open ground,)
Calls Flavius, Father! There the Britons cease,
Being few, with onset, to provoke the legions.
But many are wounded seen, among the soldiers:
Who slain, were left, unburied, in dim grove.
Shrink the clear stars, those watchfires of high gods,
In vast night-camp of heaven: and cometh forth, soon,
Veiléd with grace, and amber her bright weed,
Broidered with pearl; (for she, glad-eyed and mild,
Is maiden heavenly pure,) the sacred Dawn.
Whilst, forth, her goddess feet do gently trace:
Her crystal front, and long, ringed, golden locks,
The Graces, like to virgin bride, have crowned;
With rosebuds pluckt from garden of the gods.
In vast night-camp of heaven: and cometh forth, soon,
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Broidered with pearl; (for she, glad-eyed and mild,
Is maiden heavenly pure,) the sacred Dawn.
Whilst, forth, her goddess feet do gently trace:
Her crystal front, and long, ringed, golden locks,
The Graces, like to virgin bride, have crowned;
With rosebuds pluckt from garden of the gods.
Legions then march, of Rome, in wide waste heath,
Gilded with budded brooms and whin-flowers sweet,
Where drink the early bees their morrow's mead.
Blithe partridge-cock pipes, on that bent; the hare
Scuds, startled, from the powdered feet of soldiers;
Whose war-wont, swart, Italic face is set,
Towards Trinobantine city of Camulus.
Gilded with budded brooms and whin-flowers sweet,
Where drink the early bees their morrow's mead.
Blithe partridge-cock pipes, on that bent; the hare
Scuds, startled, from the powdered feet of soldiers;
Whose war-wont, swart, Italic face is set,
Towards Trinobantine city of Camulus.
Lo, where that great dune, built on an hill's breast;
With river's fence, and walled of rampires round!
Whose field, beneath, shines full of barbare arms;
Each nation, by itself, caterfs and ensigns.
Fearing some hardy assay of Britons' war-carts,
Claudius, whose va'ward now arrived, commands,
His castrum mete, at distance of a league;
Whose trench-breadth shall be fifteen feet, the depth
Twelve; so assault he fears of hardy Britons.
Britons have breastwork heaped, beyond their stream!
Whereon, long gazing, drivelling Claudius;
Gins call this, with his solemn toothless chaps,
Scamander; he names yond towered dune, high Ilion!
With river's fence, and walled of rampires round!
Whose field, beneath, shines full of barbare arms;
Each nation, by itself, caterfs and ensigns.
Fearing some hardy assay of Britons' war-carts,
Claudius, whose va'ward now arrived, commands,
His castrum mete, at distance of a league;
Whose trench-breadth shall be fifteen feet, the depth
Twelve; so assault he fears of hardy Britons.
Britons have breastwork heaped, beyond their stream!
Whereon, long gazing, drivelling Claudius;
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Scamander; he names yond towered dune, high Ilion!
Sith, Cæsar charged slay beasts; and to every soldier,
Mete rate of Gaulish wine, fetched in his ships.
Cure they, to-day, their bodies, prepare arms;
To-morrow, look to fight. Chat weary soldiers,
That pitch their leathern booths, and say; should Claudius,
The third day, give them spoil of yond good town;
And sith, to winter-camps, withdraw the legions.
Mete rate of Gaulish wine, fetched in his ships.
Cure they, to-day, their bodies, prepare arms;
To-morrow, look to fight. Chat weary soldiers,
That pitch their leathern booths, and say; should Claudius,
The third day, give them spoil of yond good town;
And sith, to winter-camps, withdraw the legions.
Lo, where wide-stretched the imperial pavilion,
Of purple silk of Seres, ceiled with line,
Azure, with silver stars! midst legions' camp.
Therein now Claudius sits, midst Roman dukes.
In skill, he deems, of battles, they excell;
But he in arts: witness this ordinance, which
His youth devised, of tower-machines; that charged,
On wagons, (great squared beams,) now, with the legions,
Arrive; and build his shipwrights, in the plain.
Of purple silk of Seres, ceiled with line,
Azure, with silver stars! midst legions' camp.
Therein now Claudius sits, midst Roman dukes.
In skill, he deems, of battles, they excell;
But he in arts: witness this ordinance, which
His youth devised, of tower-machines; that charged,
On wagons, (great squared beams,) now, with the legions,
Arrive; and build his shipwrights, in the plain.
Archers and slingers shall, on those machines,
Stand; wherein are, of steel, stringed mighty engines,
On stages; that hurl beams, with dreadful din;
And stones of poise, each able a caterf,
To pierce. And tower, by tower, will station Claudius,
On his two wings, and longs his middle front.
He trusts well; should the headlong Britons' chariots,
Rushing to battle, thereby be repressed.
Stand; wherein are, of steel, stringed mighty engines,
On stages; that hurl beams, with dreadful din;
And stones of poise, each able a caterf,
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On his two wings, and longs his middle front.
He trusts well; should the headlong Britons' chariots,
Rushing to battle, thereby be repressed.
Standing the elephants, longs his battle-face,
Well-fenced with scales of impierceable brass,
The beasts' huge breasts, bearing their castled chines
Numidian archery, (and in each tower, five soldiers,)
Him thinks, should needs be broken, by their force,
The forward running of loose blue caterfs.
Well-fenced with scales of impierceable brass,
The beasts' huge breasts, bearing their castled chines
Numidian archery, (and in each tower, five soldiers,)
Him thinks, should needs be broken, by their force,
The forward running of loose blue caterfs.
And, lo, queen Cartismandua is come again,
With war-song, and loud vaunt of her young men;
And spoil of arms, and bloody polls of Romans!
And, from their camps, all Britons, where they pass,
Clapping their hands, those young Brigantine warriors
Applaud! In this, they plash through shallow ford,
Of streaming Colne; and go up, where their ward,
Is, under gate of Camulus, to lodge.
With war-song, and loud vaunt of her young men;
And spoil of arms, and bloody polls of Romans!
And, from their camps, all Britons, where they pass,
Clapping their hands, those young Brigantine warriors
Applaud! In this, they plash through shallow ford,
Of streaming Colne; and go up, where their ward,
Is, under gate of Camulus, to lodge.
Druids have warned, which read the sacred omens,
The island-kings, to fight, in this day's sun;
Wherefore, left their teamed carts, without, they sit
To watch, on Camulus' toweréd gate: and thence
Those new great camps behold of sea-borne soldiers;
The tower-machines, and strange huge buffle-elephants!
Which druids deemed, some river-gods of Rome.
The island-kings, to fight, in this day's sun;
Wherefore, left their teamed carts, without, they sit
To watch, on Camulus' toweréd gate: and thence
Those new great camps behold of sea-borne soldiers;
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Which druids deemed, some river-gods of Rome.
And seen that come not legions, but they rest,
In four-square vallum; captains of the Britons
Contain their warriors, in the camps at Colne.
Blue Britons, chanting, whet, on wild whin-stones,
Glaives, and broad brazen heads of their long spears.
Some fret, at fires, and supple sinewed bows.
Pasture, with much white grain, the charioteers,
Beside the carts, and comb their long-maned steeds.
In four-square vallum; captains of the Britons
Contain their warriors, in the camps at Colne.
Blue Britons, chanting, whet, on wild whin-stones,
Glaives, and broad brazen heads of their long spears.
Some fret, at fires, and supple sinewed bows.
Pasture, with much white grain, the charioteers,
Beside the carts, and comb their long-maned steeds.
Bare-footed, brazen-girt, in vestures white,
Now druids offer solemn sacrifice,
Of beasts, with gilded horns, to battle-gods:
To whom they vow all preys. (Soothsayers, priests,
Are those, whose foaming bloody mouths, the flesh
Of victims chaw; and who yond sacred fires
O'erleap; and that chant magic spells!) Till eve,
None certain answer have vouchsafed the gods.
Last, kings departing, in the evening red;
Each turns, with heavy heart, to his caterfs.
Now druids offer solemn sacrifice,
Of beasts, with gilded horns, to battle-gods:
To whom they vow all preys. (Soothsayers, priests,
Are those, whose foaming bloody mouths, the flesh
Of victims chaw; and who yond sacred fires
O'erleap; and that chant magic spells!) Till eve,
None certain answer have vouchsafed the gods.
Last, kings departing, in the evening red;
Each turns, with heavy heart, to his caterfs.
Two ravens stooped, then, from the twilight loft;
And, on stiff creaking wings, the camps o'erflit.
Wrying their carrion necks, with serpents' eyes,
They surview Britons, that to sup now sit.
Then, on war-wain, they lighted; with crude beaks,
And crooked claws, each other rend to blood.
And, on stiff creaking wings, the camps o'erflit.
Wrying their carrion necks, with serpents' eyes,
They surview Britons, that to sup now sit.
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And crooked claws, each other rend to blood.
Are war-hags those, whose impious carrion breath,
Doth taint the evening wind. To gore-swart cloud,
Forerunner of murk night, which nigheth fast,
They called have Wrath; who, fame is, once burned heaven:
(Wherefore him thunder-thrilled the gods, and cast,
To earth;) him promising, to-morrow, drink,
(To slake his entrails' ever-burning thirst,)
His fill, much reek of young men's lukewarm blood.
Doth taint the evening wind. To gore-swart cloud,
Forerunner of murk night, which nigheth fast,
They called have Wrath; who, fame is, once burned heaven:
(Wherefore him thunder-thrilled the gods, and cast,
To earth;) him promising, to-morrow, drink,
(To slake his entrails' ever-burning thirst,)
His fill, much reek of young men's lukewarm blood.
In place, where sinks sun's chariot down, to light
The under-world, in crooked valley-steeps,
Like to some monstrous newt, mongst blind black rocks,
Exiled from heaven's fair face, sleeps demon Wrath.
Sprawling, enrolled in long loose spotted boughts;
There, in swart tide, his train, for boiling sweat,
He hangs. Drips venim from his poisonous jaws;
And like black stinking reek, ascends his breath.
There his loath maw, he thrings, twixt two sharp cliffs;
And else his carrion snaky ribs should burst,
For cankered hate, and swelling inward fret.
Leaving the scaly horror of his corse,
Then, on those drossy banks, expired his spirit,
Uprose, in the moist winds, the damnéd fiend.
The under-world, in crooked valley-steeps,
Like to some monstrous newt, mongst blind black rocks,
Exiled from heaven's fair face, sleeps demon Wrath.
Sprawling, enrolled in long loose spotted boughts;
There, in swart tide, his train, for boiling sweat,
He hangs. Drips venim from his poisonous jaws;
And like black stinking reek, ascends his breath.
There his loath maw, he thrings, twixt two sharp cliffs;
And else his carrion snaky ribs should burst,
For cankered hate, and swelling inward fret.
Leaving the scaly horror of his corse,
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Uprose, in the moist winds, the damnéd fiend.
Britons feel grow then lean their warlike breasts.
Men sit, at watchfires, with distempered looks;
Some blame their captains, in the war with Romans:
Some, desperate, plain them even of the land's gods!
Britons sore dread, what shall betide to-night.
Neath their long shields men lie; and cannot sleep.
Men sit, at watchfires, with distempered looks;
Some blame their captains, in the war with Romans:
Some, desperate, plain them even of the land's gods!
Britons sore dread, what shall betide to-night.
Neath their long shields men lie; and cannot sleep.
The warlord calls, anew, on Camulus' walls,
The kings to council. But come Cartismandua;
She scornful queen, now, on her lord, so rails,
(Though all eyes her upbraid,) that ache men's ears:
As strings, being toucht amiss, alwere the harp
Of gold, mis-sound. And Gorran vainly, then,
Mingles new mead, and noble youth bear round;
Mongst Briton kings, descended from the gods.
Amidst the council, rose up and went forth,
Then, from among them, the Brigantine queen.
The kings to council. But come Cartismandua;
She scornful queen, now, on her lord, so rails,
(Though all eyes her upbraid,) that ache men's ears:
As strings, being toucht amiss, alwere the harp
Of gold, mis-sound. And Gorran vainly, then,
Mingles new mead, and noble youth bear round;
Mongst Briton kings, descended from the gods.
Amidst the council, rose up and went forth,
Then, from among them, the Brigantine queen.
It Vellocatus is, who enters soon.
Combed and perfumed, comes this, seems, from the queen!
Gold-wreathed his noble neck. He, the high gods,
(Prickt to the very soul, before them all,)
To witness calling, much protests the prince,
His perfect loyalty unto his lord Venutios:
But, silent, captains gaze, on him, reproof.
Venutios turns from him his royal face.
Combed and perfumed, comes this, seems, from the queen!
Gold-wreathed his noble neck. He, the high gods,
(Prickt to the very soul, before them all,)
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His perfect loyalty unto his lord Venutios:
But, silent, captains gaze, on him, reproof.
Venutios turns from him his royal face.
When Vellocatus, to the night, outgoeth,
Is hell in his proud looks. From Camulus' gate,
Passed forth; he, in sullen, dark, disparted place,
(Come nigh to tiding Colne,) drawn his glaive forth,
Smote deadly his chest; and wallowed in dank grass!
Towards midwatch, haply, of the sacred night,
Of certain was he found; which kept that path;
And bruit, as groaning, in the silent murk,
Heard; for not dead, but as in trance, this lieth.
Is hell in his proud looks. From Camulus' gate,
Passed forth; he, in sullen, dark, disparted place,
(Come nigh to tiding Colne,) drawn his glaive forth,
Smote deadly his chest; and wallowed in dank grass!
Towards midwatch, haply, of the sacred night,
Of certain was he found; which kept that path;
And bruit, as groaning, in the silent murk,
Heard; for not dead, but as in trance, this lieth.
Put-to his light, then, rude man of the round;
(Quoth he,) Who, lies here, slain, in so fair weed?
Whose this bleak face? Be'th not, another saith,
It, fellows, he whom loves the Northern queen,
That prince, that daily arides with her, in chariot?
A man might silver win, bearing this in,
Here, bleeding corse, to her. Ha, a sikes, a breathes!
A nis not dead! How's all black-run a's blood,
In this moonshine! Heave we him, on our shields.
(Quoth he,) Who, lies here, slain, in so fair weed?
Whose this bleak face? Be'th not, another saith,
It, fellows, he whom loves the Northern queen,
That prince, that daily arides with her, in chariot?
A man might silver win, bearing this in,
Here, bleeding corse, to her. Ha, a sikes, a breathes!
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In this moonshine! Heave we him, on our shields.
Those rude wights, rugged shoulders, undersetting,
Him bearing forth; return, with matchéd steps:
And passed the porters of the gate of Camulus;
They mount now up, to lodging of the queen.
Him bearing forth; return, with matchéd steps:
And passed the porters of the gate of Camulus;
They mount now up, to lodging of the queen.
Sleeps Cartismandua armed; and in her dream,
Is vext her sense, of some familiar spirit.
Her rumour wakes of arms, and tread of feet,
In the paved court, beneath! She, anon, upleapt;
And as she was, is come forth to the porch.
She now descries, by flickering dim watchlight,
Ah! shield-borne body, of her loved Vellocatus.
All is he bloody, and seemeth dead corse, alas!
Is vext her sense, of some familiar spirit.
Her rumour wakes of arms, and tread of feet,
In the paved court, beneath! She, anon, upleapt;
And as she was, is come forth to the porch.
She now descries, by flickering dim watchlight,
Ah! shield-borne body, of her loved Vellocatus.
All is he bloody, and seemeth dead corse, alas!
With bosom loosely knit and untressed locks;
She, amongst them, is run down to the queen's court;
Nor more keeps measure, in her woman's tongue;
Nor more dissembles love, nor hides her grief.
Him, upborne to her bower, she them commanded,
All softly to lay down, on her own bed;
That yet is warm, where she herself was laid:
So gives them, hastily, meed. But those, fared forth,
Now sparred the door; she maketh, ah, so loud moan,
That heard the queen's complaint is, in the street!
She lifts, as would she lull him in her arms;
Now foldeth her bright limbs, upon him cold.
She waxed nigh mad; and fall her tears, like rain,
On his wan face; more pale than his, her face.
And oft her lily hands she winds, and shrikes!
Lamenting much, that her untimely speech.
She, amongst them, is run down to the queen's court;
Nor more keeps measure, in her woman's tongue;
Nor more dissembles love, nor hides her grief.
Him, upborne to her bower, she them commanded,
All softly to lay down, on her own bed;
That yet is warm, where she herself was laid:
So gives them, hastily, meed. But those, fared forth,
Now sparred the door; she maketh, ah, so loud moan,
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She lifts, as would she lull him in her arms;
Now foldeth her bright limbs, upon him cold.
She waxed nigh mad; and fall her tears, like rain,
On his wan face; more pale than his, her face.
And oft her lily hands she winds, and shrikes!
Lamenting much, that her untimely speech.
Then kissed she, thousand sithes, his parted lips;
Which like to those twinned shells the falling tide,
Leaves on some silver sand, of sea's salt shore;
Which seeming dead, therein as pearls appear.
Which like to those twinned shells the falling tide,
Leaves on some silver sand, of sea's salt shore;
Which seeming dead, therein as pearls appear.
Swooned the queen's heart; but when, at length, gan mark
Her blubbered eyes, that staunched the clottered blood;
She rose and called to her, her wandering mind.
With cunning fingers, she, in leechdoms, skilled,
Now searcheth every part: with waters warm,
(Wherein night-gathered herbs, in the full moon!)
Foments his hurt. Then whispering healing spell,
She binds, with salve of baume and sleepy morel.
Her blubbered eyes, that staunched the clottered blood;
She rose and called to her, her wandering mind.
With cunning fingers, she, in leechdoms, skilled,
Now searcheth every part: with waters warm,
(Wherein night-gathered herbs, in the full moon!)
Foments his hurt. Then whispering healing spell,
She binds, with salve of baume and sleepy morel.
Now is the hour, when most, twixt eve and morn,
Men wont to slumber: but taste Britons, yet,
No kindly rest, in camps of their caterfs;
And cause are fiends, that, baleful, fly to-night.
War-hag, stands nemon, in terrific vision!
O'er woad-stained warrior, mongst the Trinobants;
Commanding show, what he of living wights,
Alone, hath known of Togodumnos' death!
Men wont to slumber: but taste Britons, yet,
No kindly rest, in camps of their caterfs;
And cause are fiends, that, baleful, fly to-night.
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O'er woad-stained warrior, mongst the Trinobants;
Commanding show, what he of living wights,
Alone, hath known of Togodumnos' death!
He rose up, trembling, from cold dream; and drave
Him the hag-fiend, to council of the kings;
That, yet, with Caradoc, sit in Camulodunum:
For, on them, heavy is of public cares,
The weight and hourly conduct of this war.
Him the hag-fiend, to council of the kings;
That, yet, with Caradoc, sit in Camulodunum:
For, on them, heavy is of public cares,
The weight and hourly conduct of this war.
Before them standing, soon, the recreant wretch,
With faltering knees and dazing brain, at length,
Beknew the sooth of Togodumnos' death.
His neighbour Trugon had he, dying, found,
He tells, past knowing man, cast in a bush,
And heard him, (knowledging his treason,) breathe
Out last words, to the gods. He prayed those gods'
Forgiveness, which are judges of the dead!
With faltering knees and dazing brain, at length,
Beknew the sooth of Togodumnos' death.
His neighbour Trugon had he, dying, found,
He tells, past knowing man, cast in a bush,
And heard him, (knowledging his treason,) breathe
Out last words, to the gods. He prayed those gods'
Forgiveness, which are judges of the dead!
Kings feel, as a cold spear smote through their loins:
Thrice, sighed the warsire king Caratacus.
Upleapt, impetuous, Cadern's son Marunus!
And, by the throat-bole, caught, in his first heat;
Would slay, with glaive, that man of Troynovant:
But white-stoled druids did interpose their rods!
And yet gin hands slide down, of kings and lords,
Whilst fail men's hearts, to handles of their swords.
Thrice, sighed the warsire king Caratacus.
Upleapt, impetuous, Cadern's son Marunus!
And, by the throat-bole, caught, in his first heat;
Would slay, with glaive, that man of Troynovant:
But white-stoled druids did interpose their rods!
And yet gin hands slide down, of kings and lords,
Whilst fail men's hearts, to handles of their swords.
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Those demon-hags confounded have to-night,
All divination of the land's pale druids.
Then sent Caratacus, as bade Verulam's priest,
Mempricios, for a swart-haired bull; that brought
Before them, kings and captains lay their hands,
To purge the guilt of Togodumnos' death,
Upon the victim's head, between his horns:
Which slay, on Camulus' walls, then, the king's druids.
In pan of gold, received the gurgling blood,
Mempricios touched their foreheads, all, therewith.
All divination of the land's pale druids.
Then sent Caratacus, as bade Verulam's priest,
Mempricios, for a swart-haired bull; that brought
Before them, kings and captains lay their hands,
To purge the guilt of Togodumnos' death,
Upon the victim's head, between his horns:
Which slay, on Camulus' walls, then, the king's druids.
In pan of gold, received the gurgling blood,
Mempricios touched their foreheads, all, therewith.
Parted, the kings sleep weary, under shields;
Save the strong arm of war, Caratacus;
With whom wakes, yet, Velaunos and Venutios:
For they dispose them, send forth the trimarch,
At day-star; which, a compass having fetched,
Should lay a wait; that when is battle joined,
They might fall suddenly out, on the legions' backs.
Save the strong arm of war, Caratacus;
With whom wakes, yet, Velaunos and Venutios:
For they dispose them, send forth the trimarch,
At day-star; which, a compass having fetched,
Should lay a wait; that when is battle joined,
They might fall suddenly out, on the legions' backs.
One come in, to the supreme lord, contends,
(Tasgetus, prince of strange Selgovian nation,)
That chief place were, to his young men, assigned,
To-morrow, in fight, against the elephants.
Hunters, in their wild hills, of the ureox;
They, boldly upleaping, sinews of his nape,
Wont thrill behind his bowéd threatful horns,
With their long crooked knives of whetted bronze.
So that the roarers sudden start to ground!
In such wise, also, in sight of all the Britons,
Will they slay those Rome's monstrous snout-head beasts.
This their request, grants king Caratacus.
(Tasgetus, prince of strange Selgovian nation,)
That chief place were, to his young men, assigned,
To-morrow, in fight, against the elephants.
Hunters, in their wild hills, of the ureox;
They, boldly upleaping, sinews of his nape,
Wont thrill behind his bowéd threatful horns,
171
So that the roarers sudden start to ground!
In such wise, also, in sight of all the Britons,
Will they slay those Rome's monstrous snout-head beasts.
This their request, grants king Caratacus.
Then, unto Decet's warriors, (wont to frame
Scaffolds, with ladders, in deep tinny mines,)
The warlord king permits, stand next in place;
Beside Dumnonians of Duneda's ships,
Over against the towered machines of Romans.
Scaffolds, with ladders, in deep tinny mines,)
The warlord king permits, stand next in place;
Beside Dumnonians of Duneda's ships,
Over against the towered machines of Romans.
King Caradoc, looking on night's starry watch,
Sees little now, to Summer's dawn, remains:
So laid him down, on splayed elk hide, was gift
Of noble Thorolf: and, with hundred spears,
Their lord around, wake valiant men-at-arms.
Then slumbers Britons' warsire, soon, and sleeps!
Sees little now, to Summer's dawn, remains:
So laid him down, on splayed elk hide, was gift
Of noble Thorolf: and, with hundred spears,
Their lord around, wake valiant men-at-arms.
Then slumbers Britons' warsire, soon, and sleeps!
| The Dawn in Britain | |