XXIV

  Fast by the royal standard,
    O’erlooking all the war,
  Lars Porsena of Clusium 195
    Sat in his ivory car. 
  By the right wheel rode Mamilius,
    Prince of the Latian name;
  And by the left false Sextus,
    That wrought the deed of shame. 200

  XXV

  But when the face of Sextus
    Was seen among the foes,
  A yell that rent the firmament
    From all the town arose. 
  On the house-tops was no woman 205
    But spat towards him and hissed,
  No child but screamed out curses,
    And shook its little fist.

  XXVI

  But the Consul’s brow was sad,
    And the Consul’s speech was low. 210
  And darkly looked he at the wall,
    And darkly at the foe. 
  “Their van will be upon us
    Before the bridge goes down;
  And if they once may win the bridge, 215
    What hope to save the town?”

  XXVII

  Then out spake brave Horatius,
    The Captain of the Gate: 
  “To every man upon this earth
    Death cometh soon or late, 220
  And how can man die better
    Than facing fearful odds,
  For the ashes of his fathers,
    And the temples of his Gods,

  XXVIII

  And for the tender mother 225
    Who dandled him to rest,
  And for the wife that nurses
    His baby at her breast,
  And for the holy maidens[40]
    Who feed the eternal flame, 230
  To save them from false Sextus
    That wrought the deed of shame?”

  XXIX

  “Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul,
    With all the speed ye may,
  I, with two more to help me, 235
    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?” 240

  XXX

  Then out spake Spurius Lartius;
    A Ramnian[41] proud was he: 
  “Lo, I will stand at thy right hand,
    And keep the bridge with thee.” 
  And out spake strong Herminius; 245
    Of Titian blood was he: 
  “I will abide on thy left side,
    And keep the bridge with thee.”

  XXXI

  “Horatius,” quoth the Consul,
    “As thou sayest, so let it be,” 250
  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, 255
    In the brave days of old.[42]

  XXXII

  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, 260
  Then lands were fairly portioned,
    Then spoils were fairly sold:[43]
  The Romans were like brothers
    In the brave days of old.