[47] Titus.  Son of Tarquin the Proud.

[48] Fabian.  The Fabii were a famous Roman family.

[49] The Julian house claimed to be descended from Iulus, son of Aeneas.

[50] Velian hill.  The Velian hill was not far from the Forum in Rome.

[51] Crest of Flame.  The flaming crest on the helmet of Mamilius.  See l. 434.

[52] From Aufidus to Po.  In all Italy.  Aufidus was a river in the south of Italy; Po, a river in the north.

[53] thy brother.  False Sextus, supposed to be haunted by the furies (the Greek goddesses of Vengeance) for his crime.

[54] Capuan.  Capua was a luxurious city in southern Italy.

[55] Samothracia.  An island in the Aegean, where Castor and Pollux were worshipped.

[56] Tarentum.  A Greek town in the south of Italy.

[57] Syracuse.  An important city in Sicily.

[58] Eurotas.  A river in Greece, flowing past the city of Sparta.

[59] Vesta.  The goddess of the hearth.

[60] Golden Shield.  The shield of Mars which had fallen from heaven during the reign of Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome.

[61] Celtic plain.  The north of Italy, inhabited by Celtic tribes.

[62] Sire Quirinus.  Romulus, the founder of Rome.

[63] The Twelve.  In order to prevent the shield of Mars from being stolen, eleven others were made after the same pattern, and twelve priests were appointed to guard the twelve shields.

[64] High Pontiff.  The chief priest.

[65] Asylum.  Romulus was said to have promised a refuge to all fugitives, in the newly-founded city of Rome.

[66] the fire.  In the temple of Vesta.

[67] Dorians.  The Spartans belonged to the Dorian branch of the Greek people.

[68] Castor and Pollux were the special guardians of sailors at sea.  When, during a thunderstorm, a light played around the masts and sails of the ship, Castor and Pollux were supposed to be present, watching over the fortunes of the vessel.

  THE VISION OF SIR LAUNFAL.

  PRELUDE TO PART FIRST.

  Over his keys the musing organist,
    Beginning doubtfully and far away,
  First lets his fingers wander as they list,
    And builds a bridge from Dreamland for his lay: 
  Then, as the touch of his loved instrument 5
    Gives hopes and fervor, nearer draws his theme,
  First guessed by faint auroral flushes sent
    Along the wavering vista of his dream.[1]

        Not only around our infancy
        Doth heaven with all its splendors lie; 10
        Daily, with souls that cringe and plot,
        We Sinais[2] climb and know it not;
  Over our manhood bond the skies,
    Against our fallen and traitor lives
  The great winds utter prophecies; 15
    With our faint hearts the