LVI

  And like a horse unbroken
    When first he feels the rein,
  The furious river struggled hard,
    And tossed his tawny mane, 470
  And burst the curb, and bounded,
    Rejoicing to be free,
  And whirling down, in fierce career,
  Battlement, and plank, and pier,
    Rushed headlong to the sea. 475

  LVII

  Alone stood brave Horatius,
    But constant still in mind;
  Thrice thirty thousand foes before,
    And the broad flood behind. 
  “Down with him!” cried false Sextus, 480
    With a smile on his pale face. 
  “Now yield thee,” cried Lars Porsena,
    “Now yield thee to our grace.”

  LVIII

  Round turned he, as not deigning
    Those craven ranks to see; 485
  Nought spake he to Lars Porsena,
    To Sextus nought spake he;
  But he saw on Palatinus[58]
    The white porch of his home;
  And he spake to the noble river 490
    That rolls by the towers of Rome.

  LIX

  “Oh, Tiber! father Tiber! 
    To whom the Romans pray,
  A Roman’s life, a Roman’s arms,
    Take thou in charge this day.” 495
  So he spake, and speaking sheathed
    The good sword by his side,
  And with his harness on his back,
    Plunged headlong in the tide.

  LX

  No sound of joy or sorrow 500
    Was heard from either bank;
  But friends and foes, in dumb surprise,
  With parted lips and straining eyes,
    Stood gazing where he sank;
  And when above the surges 505
    They saw his crest appear,
  All Rome sent forth a rapturous cry,
  And even the ranks of Tuscany
    Could scarce forbear to cheer.

  LXI

  But fiercely ran the current, 510
    Swollen high by months of rain: 
  And fast his blood was flowing,
    And he was sore in pain,
  And heavy with his armor,
    And spent with changing[59] blows:  515
  And oft they thought him sinking,
    But still again he rose.

  LXII

  Never, I ween,[80] did swimmer,
    In such an evil case,
  Struggle through such a raging flood 520
    Safe to the landing-place: 
  But his limbs were borne up bravely
    By the brave heart within,
  And our good father Tiber
    Bore bravely up his chin. 525

  LXIII

  “Curse on him!” quoth false Sextus,
    “Will not the villain drown? 
  But for this stay, ere close of day
    We should have sacked the town!”
  “Heaven help him!” quoth Lars Porsena, 530
    “And bring him safe to shore;
  For such a gallant feat of arms
    Was never seen before.”

  LXI