Page:15 decisive battles of the world Vol 1 (London).djvu/268

252 TWO CHORUSES.

And the third came ... the cry was, "Flight, or Death!" Flight left they not for them who'd make them slaves — Men who stab children! — flight for them! ... no! graves "'T was their last day." TWO BARDS.

Yet spared they messengers: — they came to Rome - How drooped the plume — the lance was left to trail Down in the dust behind — their cheek was pale — So came the messengers to Rome. High in his hall the imperator sate — Octavianus Cæsar Augustus sate. They filled up wine-cups, wine-cups filled they up For him the highest — wine-cups filled they up For him the highest, Jove of all their state. The flutes of Lydia hushed before their voice, Before the messengers — the "Highest" sprung— The god against the marble pillars, wrung By the dread words, striking his brow, and thrice Cried he aloud in anguish — "Varus! Varus! Give back my legions, Varus!" — And now the world-wide conquerors shrunk and feared For fatherland and home, The lance to raise; and 'mongst those false to Rome The death-lot rolled, and still they shrunk and feared; "For she her face hath turned The victor goddess," cried those cowards— (for aye Be it!) — "from Rome and Romans, and her day Is done," — and still he mourned,