The Dawn in Britain by Charles M. Doughty |
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 | The Dawn in Britain |  |
In presence of his foes, Caratacus
His glast-stained tribes arrays, in thick caterfs:
Wherein the valour of the great North March
And South shall vie. Are hundred seen their ensigns.
He, twixt the hosts, rides forth, with king Venutios,
Drawn of white-rushing team, in swift scythe-chariot.
His glast-stained tribes arrays, in thick caterfs:
Wherein the valour of the great North March
And South shall vie. Are hundred seen their ensigns.
He, twixt the hosts, rides forth, with king Venutios,
Drawn of white-rushing team, in swift scythe-chariot.
All Briton dukes speed, likewise, in shrill warcarts.
Where they draw rein, they hearten, with rapt speech,
Their nations, to do valiantly, as in view
Of all the army. Ride Moelmabon's sons,
Upon that further part with king Velaunos.
With Kowain Hælion drives; whom king Duneda
His son names, sith fell noble Morag slain.
Where they draw rein, they hearten, with rapt speech,
Their nations, to do valiantly, as in view
Of all the army. Ride Moelmabon's sons,
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With Kowain Hælion drives; whom king Duneda
His son names, sith fell noble Morag slain.
Right worthy prince is this, with martial face,
Who North Dumnonians rules, a kindred folk;
(Though parted, yore,) with those of fair Duffreynt.
Their aspect one, speech, shields, bright arms and ensigns:
Whence, as one people, have they joined their camps.
Is told, when travailled, of old time, Duffreynt
Famine; part of this nation, which fared forth,
Had in North parts, found seats, and livelihood.
Who North Dumnonians rules, a kindred folk;
(Though parted, yore,) with those of fair Duffreynt.
Their aspect one, speech, shields, bright arms and ensigns:
Whence, as one people, have they joined their camps.
Is told, when travailled, of old time, Duffreynt
Famine; part of this nation, which fared forth,
Had in North parts, found seats, and livelihood.
Hark! cries Caratacus: and caused his main voice,
Some aery gods, rebellow from steep clouds,
(Like flitting tents, pitcht in void element;)
If we do fail, to-day, then falls our state:
Kinsmen, expect the Roman servitude!
Be not one household, of our Briton gods,
This island's peoples. As one father's sons,
Then fight all we, gainst strange invading legions.
And ye, from your high seats, O heavenly ones,
Our fathers' gods! with shield and spears, descend,
Into this battle. Stretch, from Camulus' walls,
Our wives, and weeping babes, to us, their hands,
Beseeching, they were not made Romans' thralls!
Some aery gods, rebellow from steep clouds,
(Like flitting tents, pitcht in void element;)
If we do fail, to-day, then falls our state:
Kinsmen, expect the Roman servitude!
Be not one household, of our Briton gods,
This island's peoples. As one father's sons,
Then fight all we, gainst strange invading legions.
And ye, from your high seats, O heavenly ones,
Our fathers' gods! with shield and spears, descend,
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Our wives, and weeping babes, to us, their hands,
Beseeching, they were not made Romans' thralls!
Appeased was all contention, mongst the Britons;
For had their gods sent, with the morning breath,
Before the rising sun, an healing spirit,
Upon their camps. Then spread their swart-sheen wings,
Casting a cry, which every heart amazed,
Those hags took heavy flight. Sith, on iron cart,
Wherein flits shrouded Night, the hag-fiends ride;
To her abysmal deep, beneath the earth.
For had their gods sent, with the morning breath,
Before the rising sun, an healing spirit,
Upon their camps. Then spread their swart-sheen wings,
Casting a cry, which every heart amazed,
Those hags took heavy flight. Sith, on iron cart,
Wherein flits shrouded Night, the hag-fiends ride;
To her abysmal deep, beneath the earth.
Queen Cartismandua, in despiteful grief,
For Vellocatus, cometh then, no more, forth:
Who fights, who falls, she little recks or naught,
Nor Romans fears; her world is Vellocatus.
Lie idly encamped her power, at the town-gates.
For Vellocatus, cometh then, no more, forth:
Who fights, who falls, she little recks or naught,
Nor Romans fears; her world is Vellocatus.
Lie idly encamped her power, at the town-gates.
Stand the great armies, in long opposed ranks,
Still looking on each-other's threatful face.
Are legions confident; but wait Claudius' dukes,
That Britons see, to-day, so much increased,
Upon advantage, to spare Roman blood.
Though ready to rush forth, inconstant Britons;
Are they as tide, which wafts no certain wind.
Still looking on each-other's threatful face.
Are legions confident; but wait Claudius' dukes,
That Britons see, to-day, so much increased,
Upon advantage, to spare Roman blood.
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Are they as tide, which wafts no certain wind.
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