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The Dawn in Britain

by Charles M. Doughty

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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;

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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.
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.