The Dawn in Britain :: :: University of Virginia Library

But when Ostorius Scapula, Aulus hears,
(Whom Cæsar sends, new legate, into Britain,)
To Dubris is arrived, with fleet, and soldiers:
He in Verulam, (town which newly arms of Flavius
Reconquered,) now, disceding from his Province;
In Galba's hand, lieutenant of Ostorius,
His late high charge deposed. He sith to Gaul,
O'ersailed, returns, then private man, to Rome.

And being Ostorius entered in his office;
Though lateward now the year, when Roman captains,
Were wont, to Winter-camps, withdraw their legions;
This duke, into the field, recalls his soldiers.
He made recension, in the stative camps,
(Where those come to him,) nigh to Troynovant,

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Of Roman arms; then leads, past Thames, West forth;
Horse, new light-armed, with train and fourteen cohorts.

Warned by hill fires, caterfs, which late dispersed,
Tumultuously return. Behold, in field;
As two night-stealing sullen beasts of forest,
Whose prey is murdered blood, that chance to meet,
In some strait place: anon, with hellish heart,
And staring hairs, and roaring open throat,
And eyes aflame, the other each defies,
Eager to rend his adversary's corse;
So in night-watch, now cohorts and caterfs;
Approaching, one to other, in vast wood.

Lo, rising up the moon, in Romans' faces,
Britons' long, fearful, barbare shadows casts!
Seem flickering stars dance, iron light of arms,
Omen of victory, on whose thicket spears.

Archers of Andred shoot, from Britons' part.
Their shafts pierce Romans' plate: who, sudden yells,
Thrown up into the skies, of ambushed enemies;
And blowing bloody noise of Britons' trumps,
(That from steep clouds, rebellow in murk forest!)
Sustain uneath. Lifting the huntress goddess,
Her crystal shield, surviews strange Romans' deaths!

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Icenians, which in Caradoc's forward, march,
Like rushing steers, then hurl forth. Antethrigus!
They furious shout. Who foremost, to hand-strokes,
Be come; when, ah, gins heaven's night-queen, (eclipst!)
Withdraw, her light. Withholds religion then,
On both parts, fierce strong hands, of warlike men.
Romans recoil; but when, nigh dawn, Ostorius,
Kindling green boughs and holm, and raised wide smoke;
(Which blows the night wind forth, towards Britons' faces,)
Issues, as from pursuit, by other paths.

Caterfs new marching, with Caratacus,
Grown to great host, the third day, impetuous make
Assault on Romans, weary with long march;
In cumbered ground. Their yells, mongst thicket rocks,
Which sound; did seem proceed, from neath the earth.
Their onset hardly endured Ostorius' trains,
Till eve; then cast a vallum, in their midst,
In little space, and that behind their backs;
They, night-time, without fire or water, pass.

But come the morrow, Ostorius leads without
Their castrum; and enranged, in haste, his soldiers.

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Blaming their yester's faintness, he gave sign!
And they ashamed, with shout, rush forth; and cast
Thick javelins! and with glaives and their shields' pikes,
To-day, rebut the barbare arms of Britons.

Riding, mongst his caterfs, on Virius' horse,
Behold Caratacus; who, hark! with great voice,
His blue youth comforts, to renew the fight.
Esteem each one of weapons, which he bears,
As the arms those were of his saviour gods!