Page:Aeneid (Conington 1866).djvu/305

Rh From goblets pour the sacred wine,

And make their peace o'er bleeding swine.

There too was Mettus' body torn

By four-horse cars asunder borne;

Ah, well for thee, had promise sworn,

False Alban, held thee true!

And Tullus dragged the traitor's flesh

Through wild and wood: the briars looked fresh

With sprinkled gory dew.

Porsenna there with pride elate

Bids Rome to Tarquin ope her gate:

With arms he hems the city in:

Æneas' sons stand firm to win

Their freedom with their blood:

Enraged and menacing his air,

That Cocles dares the bridge to tear,

And Clœlia breaks her bonds, bold fair,

And swims across the flood.

There Manlius on Tarpeia's steep

Stood firm, the Capitol to keep:

The ancient palace-roof you saw

New bristling with Romulean straw.

A silver goose in gilded walls

With flapping wings announced the Gauls;

And through the wood the invaders crept,

And climbed the height, while others slept.

Golden their hair on head and chin:

Gold collars deck their milk-white skin:

Short cloaks with colours checked

Shine on their backs: two spears each wields

Of Alpine make; and oblong shields

Their brawny limbs protect.

Luperci here of raiment stripped

And dancing Salii move,

And flamens with their caps wool-tipped,

And shields that fell from Jove;