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‘‘Herminius！ I have sought thee Through many a bloody day。 One
of us two； Herminius； Shall never more go home。 I will lay on for
Tusculum； And lay thou on for Rome！
XXVIII
All round them paused the battle； While met in mortal fray The
Roman and the Tusculan； The horses black and gray。 Herminius
smote Mamilius Through breast…plate and through breast； And fast
flowed out the purple blood Over the purple vest。 Mamilius smote
Herminius Through head…piece and through head； And side by side
those chiefs of pride； Together fell down dead。 Down fell they dead
together In a great lake of gore； And still stood all who saw them
fall While men might count a score。
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Lays of Ancient Rome
XXIX
Fast； fast； with heels wild spurning； The dark…gray charger fled：
He burst through ranks of fighting men； He sprang o'er heaps of
dead。 His bridle far out…streming； His flanks all blood and foam； He
sought the southern mountains； The mountains of his home。 The
pass was steep and rugged； The wolves they howled and whined；
But he ran like a whirlwind up the pass； And he left the wolves
behind。 Through many a startled hamlet Thundered his flying feet；
He rushed through the gate of Tusculum； He rushed up the long
white street； He rushed by tower and temple； And paused not from
his race Till he stood before his master's door In the stately market…
place。 And straightway round him gathered A pale and trembling
crowd； And when they knew him； cries of rage Brake forth； and
wailing loud： And women rent their tresses For their great prince's
fall； And old men girt on their old swords； And went to man the
wall。
XXX
But； like a graven image； Black Auster kept his place； And ever
wistfully he looked Into his master's face。 The raven…mane that
daily； With pats and fond caresses； The young Herminia washed
and combed； And twined in even tresses； And decked with colored
ribbons From her own gay attire； Hung sadly o'er her father's corpse
In carnage and in mire。 Forth with a shout sprang Titus； And seized
black Auster's rein。 Then Aulus sware a fearful oath； And ran at him
amain。 ‘‘The furies of thy brother With me and mine abide； If one
of your accursed house Upon black Auster ride！'' As on a Alpine
watch…tower From heaven comes down the flame； Full on the neck
of Titus The blade of Aulus came： And out the red blood spouted；
In a wide arch and tall； As spouts a fountain in the court Of some
rich Capuan's hall。 The knees of all the Latines Were loosened with
dismay； When dead； on dead Herminius； The bravest Tarquin lay。
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Lays of Ancient Rome
XXXI
And Aulus the Dictator Stroked Auster's raven mane； With heed
he looked unto the girths； With heed unto the rein。 ‘‘Now bear me
well； black Auster； Into yon thick array； And thou and I will have
revenge For thy good lord this day。''
XXXII
So spake he； and was buckling Tighter black Auster's band；
When he was aware of a princely pair That rode at his right hand。
So like they were； no mortal Might one from other know： White as
snow their armor was： Their steeds were white as snow。 Never on
earthly anvil Did such rare armor gleam； And never did such gallant
steeds Drink of an earthly stream。
XXXIII
And all who saw them trembled； And pale grew every cheek；
And Aulus the Dictator Scarce gathered voice to speak。 ‘‘Say by
what name men call you？ What city is your home？ And wherefore
ride ye in such guise Before the ranks of Rome？''
XXXIV
‘‘By many names men call us； In many lands we dwell： Well
Samothracia knows us； Cyrene knows us well。 Our house in gay
Tarentum Is hung each morn with flowers： High o'er the masts of
Syracuse Our marble portal towers； But by the proud Eurotas
Is our dear native home； And for the right we come to fight Before
the ranks of Rome。''
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Lays of Ancient Rome
XXV
So answered those strange horsemen； And each couched low his
spear； And forthwith all the ranks of Rome Were bold； and of good
cheer： And on the thirty armies Came wonder and affright； And
Ardea wavered on the left； And Cora on the right。 ‘‘Rome to the
charge！'' cried Aulus； ‘‘The foe begins to yield！ Charge for the
hearth of Vesta！ Charge for the Golden Shield！ Let no man stop to
plunder； But slay； and slay； and slay； The gods who live forever
Are on our side to…day。''
XXXVI
Then the fierce trumpet…flourish From earth to heaven arose；
The kites know well the long stern swell That bids the Romans
close。 Then the good sword of Aulus Was lifted up to slay； Then；
like a crag down Apennine； Rushed Auster through the fray。 But
under those strange horsemen Still thicker lay the slain； And after
those strange horses Black Auster toiled in vain。 Behind them
Rome's long battle Came rolling on the foe； Ensigns dancing wild
above； Blades all in line below。 So comes the Po in flood…time
Upon the