Of Brutus too he loved to hear,

Who set his country free

From cursed Tarquin's cruel yoke

Of galling tyranny.

IV.

Then through his veins a burning fire

Of proud ambition ran :

And he would emulate their fame,

Stand with them in the van.

And if e'er again his country

Should come to such dire need,

He vowed that he would give his life, And for her welfare bleed.

V.

Now there opened in the Forum
A chasm, from whose brink,
In blank dismay and deadly fear,
The stoutest heart might shrink.

I

The augurs with one voice declare,
While fear each breast appals,

'The gaping pit will never close

Till Rome her choicest offering throws

Within its horrid walls.'

VI.

The commons press around the spot From early morn to night:

The fathers look with reverent awe

Upon the wondrous sight:

But, hark! along the crowd is heard.

A murmur of surprise,

As right and left the throng falls back, Like the Red Sea's divided track,

And lifted are all eyes

To where, the eager ranks between,
Mounted upon a noble steed,

That never failed in hour of need, A Roman knight is seen.

VII.

In accents firm the Roman speaks:

'What prize can be more dear

Than one who will give up his life
Without remorse or fear:

Who will yield it for his country,
His native land to save,

And after death to mingle

With the glorious and the brave;

With those who in all ages

For their country's good have died,

And after death have ever been

Their country's chiefest pride?

Great Gods above, and men below,
Bear witness all, I pray,

With what delight I give my life

To succour Rome this day!'

VIII.

No other words he uttered,

No sigh escaped his breast;

His armour fast was girded on

And bright his crested helmet shone,
He held his spear at rest.

He gazed upon the Forum wide
Thronged with an eager crowd,
That to and fro impatient swayed,
With upturned eyes and voices laid,
As when the last sad words are said,

And whispers seem too loud.

IX.

Then turned he to the chasm deep;

With fire his eye was lit ;

He loosed the rein, he spurred the steed

That never failed in hour of need,

And, plunging on at headlong speed,

Sank in the fatal pit.

X.

The chasm broad closed o'er him :

It was a stirring sight,

The fathers waved their hoary hands And cheered with all their might:

The children clapped their little palms, The maidens joyous sang;

The halls and cottages of Rome

With exultation rang.

XI

O Romans, happy Romans!

In having such a son

As Marcus Curtius Lacus,

By whom the deed was done.

Before his day and after

Brave deeds have oft been sung,

And oft the seven hills of Rome,
And the swift Tiber's yellow foam,

With joyful shouts have rung;