Page:The Palace of Pleasure, Volume 1 (1890).djvu/121

 ROMANES AND ALBANES. 1 9

common thraldome of both the cities, and that was the future fortune, whiche they did trie and proue. So sone as the clafhing armoure did sound at their first incountrie, and their glittering fwordes did fhine, an incredible horror and feare perced the be holders, and hope inclining to either partes, their voyce and myndes were whift and lilent. But after they were clofed together, not onely the mouing of their bodies, and doubtfull welding and hand ling of their weapons, but bloudye woundes appeared, two of the Romaines falling downe ftarke dead one vppon an other: But besore the three Albanes were sore hurt. Whereat the Albane hofte fhouted for ioye. The Romaine Legions were voyde of hope, amazed to fee but one remayne against three : It chaunced that hee that liued whyche as hee was but one alone (an vnmeete matche for the rest) so he was fierce, and thought himselfe good enough for them all. Theresore to feparate their fight, he flede backe, meaning thereby to geue euery of them their welcome as they sollowed. When he was retired a good space from the place wher they sought, loking back, he fawe them sollowe some diftance one from an other, and as one of them approched, he let driue at him with great violence. And whiles the Albane hofte cried out vpon the Curiatij, to helpe their brother, Horatius had killed his enemie, and demaunded for the seconde battaile. Then the Romaines incouraged their champion with acclamations and fhoutes, as fearefull men be wont to do vpon the sodaine, and Horatius fpedeth himselfe to the fight. And besore the other could ouertake him, which was not farre off, hee had killed an other of the Curiatij. Nowe were they equally matched one to one, but in hope and ftrengthe vnlike. for the one was free of wounde or hurte : cruell and fierce by reason of double vi&orie, the other faint for lofTe of bloud, and wearie of running, and who with panting breath, difcomfited for his brethrens (laughter, flaine besore him, is now obie&ed to fight with his victorious enemy. A match altogether vnequall. Horatius reioyfing fayd, two of thy brethren I haue difpatched, the thirde, the cause of this battaill, I will take in hand : that the Romaines maye bee lordes of the Albanes. Curiatius not able to sustaine his blowe, fell downe, and lying vpon his backe, he thruft him into the throte with his sworde,

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