XVI

  But far to north Aebutius,
    The Master of the Knights,
  Gave Tubero of Norba
    To feed the Porcian kites. 
  Next under those red horse-hoofs 305
    Flaccus of Setia lay;
  Better had he been pruning
    Among his elms[45] that day. 
  Mamilius saw the slaughter,
    And tossed his golden crest, 310
  And towards the Master of the Knights
    Through the thick battle pressed. 
  Aebutias smote Mamilius
    So fiercely, on the shield
  That the great lord of Tusculum 315
    Well nigh rolled on the field. 
  Mamilius smote Aebutius,
    With a good aim and true,
  Just where the neck and shoulder join,
    And pierced him through and through; 320
  And brave Aebutius Elva
    Fell swooning to the ground: 
  But a thick wall of bucklers
    Encompassed him around. 
  His clients[46] from the battle 325
    Bare him some little space,
  And filled a helm from the dark lake,
    And bathed his brow and face;
  And when at last he opened
    His swimming eyes to light, 330
  Men say, the earliest word he spake
    Was, “Friends, how goes the fight?”

[The struggle in the centre, where the ancient Tarquin is struck down.  The Latins fight over him as he lies, and Titus kills Valerius, round whose body the struggle waxes hot.]

  XVII

  But meanwhile in the centre
    Great deeds of arms were wrought;
  There Aulus the Dictator 335
    And there Valerius fought. 
  Aulus with his good broadsword
    A bloody passage cleared
  To where, amidst the thickest foes,
    He saw the long white beard. 340
  Flat lighted that good broadsword
    Upon proud Tarquin’s head. 
  He dropped the lance:  he dropped the reins: 
    He fell as fall the dead. 
  Down Aulus springs to slay him, 345
    With eyes like coals of fire;
  But faster Titus[47] hath sprung down,
    And hath bestrode his sire. 
  Latian captains, Roman knights,
    Fast down to earth they spring, 350
  And hand to hand they fight on foot
    Around the ancient king. 
  First Titus gave tall Caeso
    A death wound in the face;
  Tall Caeso was the bravest man 355
    Of the brave Fabian[48] race: 
  Aulus slew Rex of Gabii,
    The priest of Juno’s shrine: 
  Valerius smote down Julius,
    Of Rome’s great Julian line;[49] 360
  Julius, who left his mansion
    High on the Velian hill,[50]
  And through all turns of weal and woe
    Followed proud Tarquin still. 
  Now right across proud Tarquin 365