190 MACAULAY
As that great host, with measured tread, And spears advanced, and ensigns spread,
Rolled slowly towards the bridge's head, Where stood the dauntless Three.
��The Three stood calm and silent,
And looked upon the foes, And a great shout of laughter
From all the vanguard rose : And forth three chiefs came spurring
Before that deep array;
To earth they sprang, their swords they drew, And lifted high their shields, and flew
To win the narrow way;
Aunus from green Tifernum,
Lord of the Hill of Vines; And Seius, whose eight hundred slaves
Sicken in Ilva's mines; And Picus, long to Clusium
Vassal in peace and war, Who led to fight his Umbrian powers From that grey crag where, girt with towers, The fortress of Nequinum lowers
O'er the pale waves of Nar.
Stout Lartius hurled down Aunus
Into the stream beneath: Herminius struck at Seius,
And clove him to the teeth :
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