disappointed; paladin.

KEEPING THE BRIDGE

BY THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY

Ancient Rome stood on seven hills on the south shore of the Tiber 5
River, which formed a part of the inner defensive works of the city.
Only one bridge--a wooden affair--spanned the river. Across the
Tiber was the Janiculum, a hill fortified as an outer post of defense.

When Lars Porsena (P[)o]r's[)e] na), king of Etruria, declared sudden
war on Rome, he marched on the city so rapidly that the Janiculum
was carried by storm. Nothing stood between him and the City of
the Seven Hills--unless the bridge were destroyed. 10

Horatius and two others elected to hold the bridgehead opposite
the city against Porsena's entire army while the Romans cut down
the bridge. The best of the Etruscan warriors came against the powerful
three, only to be slain. Just before the bridge fell into the river,
Horatius sent his two comrades back across the bridge to safety.
He held his foes at bay single-handed till the structure fell into the 15
water. Then he plunged into the Tiber with his heavy fighting gear
on, and swam to the Roman side. Thus was the city saved.

Out spake the Consul roundly:
"The bridge must straight go down;
For since Janiculum is lost, 20
Naught else can save the town."
Then out spake brave Horatius, 5
The Captain of the Gate:
"To every man upon this earth
Death cometh soon or late.
And how can man die better 25
Than facing fearful odds, 10
For the ashes of his fathers
And the temples of his gods?

"Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul,
With all the speed ye may;
I, with two more to help me,
Will hold the foe in play.
In yon strait path a thousand 5
May well be stopped by three.
Now, who will stand on either hand,
And keep the bridge with me?"

Then out spake Spurius Lartius,--
A Ramnian proud was he: 10
"Lo, I will stand on thy right hand,
And keep the bridge with thee."
And out spake strong Herminius,--
Of Titian blood was he:
"I will abide on thy left side, 15
And keep the bridge with thee."