XXXIII

  Now Roman is to Roman 265
    More hateful than a foe,
  And the Tribunes[44] beard[45] the high,
    And the Fathers grind the low. 
  As we wax hot in faction,
    In battle we wax cold:  270
  Wherefore men fight not as they fought
    In the brave days of old.

  XXXIV

  Now while the Three were tightening
    Their harness[46] on their backs,
  The Consul was the foremost man 275
    To take in hand an axe: 
  And Fathers mixed with Commons
    Seized hatchet, bar, and crow,
  And smote upon the planks above,
    And loosed the props below. 280

  XXXV

  Meanwhile the Tuscan army,
    Right glorious to behold,
  Came flashing back the noonday light,
  Rank behind rank, like surges bright
    Of a broad sea of gold. 285
  Four hundred trumpets sounded
    A peal of warlike glee,
  As that great host, with measured tread,
  And spears advanced, and ensigns spread,
  Rolled slowly towards the bridge’s head, 290
    Where stood the dauntless Three.

  XXXVI

  The Three stood calm and silent,
    And looked upon the foes,
  And a great shout of laughter
    From all the vanguard rose; 295
  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; 300

  XXXVII

  Aunus from green Tifernum,[47]
    Lord of the Hill of Vines;
  And Seius, whose eight hundred slaves
    Sicken in Ilva’s[48] mines;
  And Picus, long to Clusium 305
    Vassal in peace and war,
  Who led to fight his Umbrian powers
    From that gray crag where, girt with towers,
  The fortress of Nequinum[49] lowers
    O’er the pale waves of Nar. 310

  XXXVIII

  Stout Lartius hurled down Aunus
    Into the stream beneath: 
  Herminius struck at Seius,
    And clove him to the teeth: 
  At Picus brave Horatius 315
    Darted one fiery thrust;
  And the proud Umbrian’s gilded arms
    Clashed in the bloody dust.

  XXXIX

  Then Ocnus of Palerii[50]
    Rushed on the Roman Three; 320
  And Lausulus of Urgo,[51]
    The rover of the sea;[52]
  And Aruns of Volsinium,
    Who slew the great wild boar,
  The great wild boar that had his den 325
  Amidst the reeds of Cosa’s[53] fen
  And wasted fields, and slaughtered men,
    Along Albinia’s[54] shore.

  XL