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188 MACAULAY 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 yon 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,
 * A Ramnian proud was he:

'Lo, I will stand at thy right hand,
 * And keep the bridge with thee.'

And out spake strong Heminius,
 * Of Titian blood was he:

'I will abide on thy left side,
 * And keep the bridge with thee.'

'Horatius,' quoth the Consul,
 * 'As thou sayest, so let it be.'

And straight against that great array
 * Forth went the dauntless Three.

For Romans in Rome's quarrel
 * Spared neither land nor gold,

Nor son nor wife, nor limb nor life,
 * In the brave days of old.

Then none was for a party;
 * Then all were for the state;

Then the great man helped the poor,
 * And the poor man loved the great: