lays of ancient rome(古罗马方位)-第18部分
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refinements of life； were the best soldiers on the face of the earth。 Their
arms； their gradations of rank； their order of battle； their method of
intrenchment； were all of Latin origin； and had all been gradually brought
near to perfection； not by the study of foreign models； but by the genius
and experience of many generations of great native commanders。 The first
words which broke from the king； when his practised eye had surveyed the
Roman encampment； were full of meaning： ‘‘These barbarians；'' he said；
‘‘have nothing barbarous in their military arrangements。'' He was at first
victorious； for his own talents were superior to those of the captains who
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were opposed to him； and the Romans were not prepared for the onset of
the elephants of the East； which were then for the first time seen in Italy
moving mountains； with long snakes for hands。 But the victories of the
Epirotes were fiercely disputed； dearly purchased； and altogether
unprofitable。 At length； Manius Curius Dentatus； who had in his first
Consulship won two triumphs； was again placed at the head of the Roman
Commonwealth； and sent to conquer the invaders。 A great battle was
fought near Beneventum。 Pyrrhus was completely defeated。 He repassed
the sea； and the world learned； with amazement； that a people had been
discovered who； in fair fighting； were superior to the best troops that had
been drilled on the system of Parmenio and Antigonus。
The conquerors had a good right to exult in their success； for their
glory was all their own。 They had not learned from their enemy how to
conquer him。 It was with their own national arms； and in their own
national battle array； that they had overcome weapons and tactics long
believed to be invincible。 The pilum and the broadsword had vanquished
the Macedonian spear。 The legion had broken the Macedonian phalanx。
Even the elephants； when the surprise produced by their first appearance
was over； could cause no disorder in the steady yet flexible battalions of
Rome。 It is said by Florus； and may easily be believed； that the triumph
far surpassed in magnificence any that Rome had previously seen。 The
only spoils which Papirius Cursor and Fabius Maximus could exhibit were
flocks and herds； wagons of rude structure； and heaps of spears and
helmets。 But now； for the first time； the riches of Asia and the arts of
Greece adorned a Roman pageant。 Plate； fine stuffs； costly furniture； rare
animals； exquisite paintings and sculptures； formed part of the procession。
At the banquet would be assembled a crowd of warriors and statesmen；
among whom Manius Curius Dentatus would take the highest room。 Caius
Fabricius Luscinus； then； after two Consulships and two triumphs； Censor
of the Commonwealth； would doubtless occupy a place of honor at the
board。 In situations less conspicuous probably lay some of those who were；
a few years later； the terror of Carthage： Caius Duilius； the founder of the
maritime greatness of his country； Marcus Atilius Regulus； who owed to
defeat a renown far higher than that which he had derived from his
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victories； and Caius Lutatius Catalus； who； while suffering from a
grievous wound； fought the great battle of the 芶 tes； and brought the First
Punic War to a triumphant close。 It is impossible to recount the names of
these eminent citizens； without reflecting that they were； without
exception； Plebeians； and would； but for the ever memorable struggle
maintained by Caius Licinius and Lucius Sextius； have been doomed to
hide in obscurity； or to waste in civil broils； the capacity and energy which
prevailed against Pyrrhus and Hamilcar。
On such a day we may suppose that the patriotic enthusiasm of a Latin
poet would vent itself in reiterated shouts of ‘‘Io triumphe；'' such as were
uttered by Horace on a far less exciting occasion； and in boasts resembling
those which Virgil put into the mouth of Anchises。 The superiority of some
foreign nations； and especially of the Greeks； in the lazy arts of peace；
would be admitted with disdainful candor； but pre 雖 inence in all the
qualities which fit a people to subdue and govern mankind would be
claimed for the Romans。
The following lay belongs to the latest age of Latin ballad…poetry。 N 鎣
is and Livius Andronicus were probably among the children whose
mothers held them up to see the chariot of Curius go by。 The minstrel who
sang on that day might possibly have lived to read the first hexameters of
Ennius； and to see the first comedies of Plautus。 His poem； as might be
expected； shows a much wider acquaintance with the geography； manners；
and productions of remote nations； than would have been found in
compositions of the age of Camillus。 But he troubles himself little about
dates； and having heard travellers talk with admiration of the Colossus of
Rhodes； and of the structures and gardens with which the Macedonian
king of Syria had embellished their residence on the banks of the Orontes；
he has never thought of inquiring whether these things existed in the age
of Romulus。
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The Prophecy of Capys
A Lay Sung at the Banquet in the Capitol； on the
Day Whereon Manius Curius Dentatus； a Second
Time Consul； Triumphed Over King Pyrrhus and the
Tarentines； in the Year of the City CCCCLXXIX
I
Now slain is King Amulius； Of the great Sylvian line； Who
reigned in Alba Longa； On the throne of Aventine。 Slain is the
Ponfiff Camers； Who spake the words of doom： ‘‘The children to
the Tiber； The mother to the tomb。''
II
In Alba's lake no fisher His net to…day is flinging； On the dark
rind of Alba's oaks To…day no axe is ringing； The yoke hangs o'er
the manger； The scythe lies in the hay： Through all the Alban
villages No work is done to…day。
III
And every Alban burgher Hath donned his whitest gown； And
every head in Alba Weareth a poplar crown； And every Alban door…
post With boughs and flowers is gay； For to…day the dead are living；
The lost are found to…day。
IV
They were doomed by a bloody king； They were doomed by a
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lying priest； They were cast on the raging flood； They were tracked
by the raging beast； Raging beast and raging flood Alike have
spared the prey； And to…day the dead are living； The lost are found
to…day。
V
The troubled river knew them； And smoothed his yellow foam；
And gently rocked the cradle That bore the fate of Rome。 The
ravening she…wolf knew them； And licked them o'er and o'er； And
gave them of her own fierce milk； Rich with raw flesh and gore。
Twenty winters； twenty springs； Since then have rolled away； And
to…day the dead are living： The lost are found to…day。
VI
Blithe it was to see the twins； Right goodly youths and tall；
Marching from Alba Longa To their old grandsire's hall。 Along their
path fresh garlands Are hung from tree to tree： Before them stride
the pipers； Piping a note of glee。
VII
On the right goes Romulus； With arms to the elbows red； And in
his hand a broadsword； And on the blade a head A head in an iron
helmet； With horse…hair hanging down； A shaggy head； a swarthy
head； Fixed in a ghastly frown The head of King Amulius
Of the great Sylvian line； Who reigned in Alba Longa； On the
throne of Aventine。
VIII
On the left side goes Remus； With wrists and fingers red； And
in his hand a boar…spear； And on the point a head A wrinkled head
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and aged； With silver beard and hair； And holy fillets round it；
Such as the pontiffs wear The head of ancient Camers； Who spake
the words of doom： ‘‘The children to the Tiber；
