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Poems original and translated

By John Herman Merivale ... A new and corrected edition with some additional pieces

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THIRD CENTURY.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

THIRD CENTURY.

Four years in Britain's isle the conqueror remain'd,
Completed Hadrian's bulwark mound, and many victories gain'd;
Made famous York his seat; then closed his aged eyes:
Whose monster son with brother's blood achieved the imperial prize.
Nigh fourscore winters more, with slow and silent pace,

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Crept on, and of their peaceful lapse scarce left a dubious trace;
Then Caros, “king of ships,” unfurl'd his “wings of pride,”
And dared with Rome's acknowledged lords the sceptre to divide.
Seven years the shores of Britain confess'd his sovereign sway;
Then, beat at Boulogne, he at York by traitors murder'd lay.
Constantius well avenged his fate, and soon was made
Joint emperor, and Italy with Gaul and Britain sway'd—
A true and valiant prince, who, summon'd to resign
By death, his peaceful sceptre left to chosen Constantine.