The Dawn in Britain by Charles M. Doughty |
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 | The Dawn in Britain |  |
When issue Romans, now, from Winter-camps;
Aulus erst measures long paved street, in Kent,
Which, on that conquered soil, he lays, like yoke!
Blue Britons, all, to servile tasks, unwont,
Labour, in bands, by cruel stripes enforced.
Strange insolent Romans, on them, now impose,
Nigh Samoth's cliffs, hew down their sacred groves!
Aulus erst measures long paved street, in Kent,
Which, on that conquered soil, he lays, like yoke!
Blue Britons, all, to servile tasks, unwont,
Labour, in bands, by cruel stripes enforced.
Strange insolent Romans, on them, now impose,
Nigh Samoth's cliffs, hew down their sacred groves!
Britons, war-captives, must fell holy trees,
Char coal, fire lime, delve clay; burn Roman bricks.
They lay mule-loads, on Briton warriors' necks.
Makes each centurion levy, where he will,
Of the land's youth; and shall those fight, as soldiers,
Beyond the seas, and die a Roman death!
Yet, Britons must endure, in name of tribute,
Grievous exactions, to be sent to Rome:
Or of the quæstor's servants, infamous stripes,
Who cannot pay; and yet it is not debt.
Char coal, fire lime, delve clay; burn Roman bricks.
They lay mule-loads, on Briton warriors' necks.
Makes each centurion levy, where he will,
Of the land's youth; and shall those fight, as soldiers,
Beyond the seas, and die a Roman death!
Yet, Britons must endure, in name of tribute,
Grievous exactions, to be sent to Rome:
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Who cannot pay; and yet it is not debt.
| The Dawn in Britain | |