They found themselves at the little locked gates of the wood.

’Quo Caesar abiit celsus imperio? 
Vel Dives splendidus totus in prandio? 
Dic ubi Tullius——­’

Still singing, he took Dan’s hand and wheeled him round to face Una as she came out of the gate.  It shut behind her, at the same time as Puck threw the memory-magicking Oak, Ash and Thorn leaves over their heads.

‘Well, you are jolly late,’ said Una.  ‘Couldn’t you get away before?’

‘I did,’ said Dan.  ’I got away in lots of time, but—­but I didn’t know it was so late.  Where’ve you been?’

‘In Volaterrae—­waiting for you.’

‘Sorry,’ said Dan.  ‘It was all that beastly Latin.’

A BRITISH-ROMAN SONG (A.D. 406)

My father’s father saw it not,
  And I, belike, shall never come,
To look on that so-holy spot—­
                 The very Rome—­

Crowned by all Time, all Art, all Might,
  The equal work of Gods and Man,
City beneath whose oldest height—­
                 The Race began!

Soon to send forth again a brood,
  Unshakeable, we pray, that clings,
To Rome’s thrice-hammered hardihood—­
                 In arduous things.

Strong heart with triple armour bound,
  Beat strongly, for thy life-blood runs,
Age after Age, the Empire round—­
                 In us thy Sons,

Who, distant from the Seven Hills,
  Loving and serving much, require
Thee,—­thee to guard ’gainst home-born ills
                 The Imperial Fire!

ON THE GREAT WALL

’When I left Rome for Lalage’s sake
  By the Legions’ Road to Rimini,
She vowed her heart was mine to take
  With me and my shield to Rimini—­
  (Till the Eagles flew from Rimini!)
    And I’ve tramped Britain, and I’ve tramped Gaul,
    And the Pontic shore where the snow-flakes fall
  As white as the neck of Lalage—­
  (As cold as the heart of Lalage!)
    And I’ve lost Britain, and I’ve lost Gaul,’

(the voice seemed very cheerful about it),

    ’And I’ve lost Rome, and, worst of all,
      I’ve lost Lalage!’

They were standing by the gate to Far Wood when they heard this song.  Without a word they hurried to their private gap and wriggled through the hedge almost atop of a jay that was feeding from Puck’s hand.

‘Gently!’ said Puck.  ‘What are you looking for?’

‘Parnesius, of course,’ Dan answered.  ’We’ve only just remembered yesterday.  It isn’t fair.’

Puck chuckled as he rose.  ’I’m sorry, but children who spend the afternoon with me and a Roman Centurion need a little settling dose of Magic before they go to tea with their governess.  Ohe, Parnesius!’ he called.

‘Here, Faun!’ came the answer from Volaterrae.  They could see the shimmer of bronze armour in the beech crotch, and the friendly flash of the great shield uplifted.