A LEGEND OF ANCIENT ROME.
THE early history of Rome, as recorded by Livy and other Latin writers, was probably compiled from legendary poems that had been transmitted from generation to generation, and often rehearsed at the banquets of the great. The historian Macaulay has aimed at reconstructing some of these poetic legends, which he has given to the world under the title of Lays of Ancient Rome . As a specimen of these beautiful and stirring poems, the "Story of Horatius" is here given.
It is stated by all the Latin historians, that, a few years after①the expulsion of the Tarquinsthe neighbouring Etrua cans,
for their despotism and crimes,
to which nation they belonged,
endeavoured to restore the tyrants to power, and came against Rome with an overwhelming force. The Romans, repulsed at first, fled③across a wooden bridge over the Tiber, when the Roman Consulordered the bridge to be destroyed, to prevent the enemy from entering the city. The continuation of the legend is supposed to be narrated by one of the Roman minstrels, at a period one hundred years later than the events recorded: -But the Consul"s brow was sad, And the Consul"s speech was low,And darkly looked he at the wall, And darkly at the foe.
"Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down;And if they once may win the bridge, What hope to save the town?"Then out spake brave Horatius, The captain of the gate:
"To every man upon this Earth Death cometh, soon or late;And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers,And the temples of his gods!
"Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may;I, with two more to help me, Will hold the foe in play.
In you strait path a thousand May well be stopped by three;Now, who will stand on either hand, And keep the bridge with me?"Then out spake Spurius Lartius, -④A Ramnian
proud was he:
"Lo, I will stand at thy right hand, And keep the bridge with thee."And out spake strong Herminius, -Of Titian blood was he:
"I will abide on thy left side,
And keep the bridge with thee."
"Horatius,"quoth the Consul, "As thou say"st, so let it be."And straight against that great array Forth went the dauntless three.
Meanwhile the Tuscan army, Right glorious to behold,Came flashing back the noonday light,Rank behind rank, like surges bright Of a broad sea of gold.
Four hundred trumpets sounded A peal of warlike glee,As that great host, with measured tread, And spears advanced, and ensigns spread, Rolled slowly toward the bridge"s head,Where stood the dauntless three.
The three stood calm and silent, And looked upon the foes,And a great shout of laughter From all the vanguard rose:
And forth three chiefs came spurring Before that mighty mass;To earth they sprang, their swords they drew,And lifted high their shields, and flewTo win the narrow pass.
But the scorn and laughter of the Etruscans were soon changed to wrath and curses, for their chiefs were quickly laid low in the dust at the feet of the "dauntless three."But now no sound of laughter Was heard among the foes.
A wild and wrathful clamour From all the vanguard rose.
Six spears" length from the entrance Halted that mighty mass,And for a space no man came forth To win the narrow pass.
But hark! the cry is "Astur:" And lo! the ranks divide,And the great lord of Luna Comes with his stately stride.
Upon his ample shoulders
Clangs loud the fourfold shield, And in his hand he shakes the brandWhich none but he can wield.
The proud Astur advances with a smile of contempt for the threeRomans, and turns a look of scorn upon the flinching Tuscans.
Then, whirling up his broadsword With both hands to the height,He rushed against Horatius, And smote with all his mightWith shield and blade HoratiusRight deftly turned the blow.
The blow, though turned, came yet too nigh: It missed his helm, but gashed his thigh: The Tuscans raised a joyful cryTo see the red blood flow.
He reeled, and on Herminius
He leaned one breathing-space; Then, like a wild-cat mad with wounds,Sprang right at Astur"s face. Through teeth and skull and helmet,So fierce a thrust he sped,The good sword stood a handbreadth out Behind the Tuscan"s head!