The frightened Rutulians call on their companions. The camp is aroused; they arm, they come forth on all sides. A company of Hirpins advance to surround Leo, while a squadron of the Volsci proceed to cut off his way to Rome. Leo stops. Camilla is near him, and covers him with the celestial shield. Thus far they had faced the Rutulians and Hirpins, when suddenly, making a detour, they gained the Tiber. The enemies, thinking his destruction now certain, put up shouts of joy. They contract the semicircle which they had formed around him, and step by step they approach nearer, till finally they press the fugitives between their lances and the river. Leo, standing upon a rock which jutted over the bank of the river, with stalwart arm hurls his club and the axe of Aulus across the stream. He takes Camilla in his arms, and casting a fierce look upon his enemies, plunges into the midst of the water, and in spite of the arrows of the Volsci, under cover of the sacred shield, he reaches the opposite shore, resumes his arms, and continues his march towards Rome.

Scarcely is he out of danger, when this terrible hero again becomes a tender lover. "Pardon me, my dear Camilla, pardon me that I should conceal from you any purpose. Your love has sufficiently punished me. I have exposed, without your consent, my life, which belonged only to you. You have made me tremble for yours, and my crime is fully expiated."

"Ingrate," replied Camilla; "you supposed that I should wait your return. You thought that my affection would be content with vain tears. The soldiers, less cruel than yourself, showed me your way, and opened the same gate through which you escaped. Alone, in dark

ness, and by an enemy's camp, I felt no fear, except that I should not be able to find you again."

Such were the reproaches of these tender lovers: the dangers which they had passed through increased, if possible, the sentiment which united them. The seizure of the golden buckler added to their felicity. They entered Rome at early morn, and waited the rising of Numa, to present him the celestial ægis. What were the transports of Numa! He could neither contain nor express them. He embraced Leo a thousand times, and fell on his knees before Camilla. "What do I not owe to you?" said he. "You have saved my throne and my glory. My throne is yours, and my heart also: 'tis for you to reign in Rome, as you reign over Numa.”

Immediately he assembled his people, to show them the sacred ancile, and to make known to them what Leo had done. He declared him upon the open camp of the Roman troops. At the instant that a thousand acclamations confirmed this worthy choice, the sentinels upon the ramparts announced the Marsian army. The young Astor had decieved the enemy, cended the Tiber, which he crossed near its source, and by a skilful march had reached the walls of Rome on the side of Etruria; the only one of which the besiegers were not in possession.

and as

Numa orders the gates to be opened, and goes forth to meet his allies. Astor enters the city at the head of ten thousand men. He had no sooner seen the king than he advances to meet him, and swears to him allegiance and friendship. The king embraces him, and the people put up cries of joy. While Numa conducts the young Astor

to his palace, each citizen presses forward to receive a Marsian warrior, and to treat him as a brother.

Meanwhile, Hersilia and Aulus, furious at seeing this army enter Rome on the other side of the Tiber, without being able to annoy their march, ashamed and humiliated that a solitary warrior should have come and snatched from one his axe, and from the other the sacred shield Hersilia and Aulus, inspired with an equal desire of vengeance, are eager for the assault, and cry, "To arms! Ye Volsci, Hirpini, Rutuli, Vestini, and Campanians, attend."

Immediately the troops sally from the camp, form battalions, and carrying their long ladders, advance towards the ramparts, preceded by engines and catapults.

Numa, forewarned of this attack, felt in no danger. As tranquil in the moment of battle as when he sacrificed to the gods, he orders Leo to go forth on the plain at the head of the Romans. Astor receives the same orders.

Numa wishes that the king of Campania shall be in the midst of the battalions of the Marsi; and that the beautiful Camilla should occupy the centre of the Roman battalions. He positively forbids his generals to let an arrow be lanched.

The king of Rome then decks himself in his regalia, covers his head with a diadem; in one hand he holds his sceptre, and in the other an olive branch; and, preceded by his lictors, he marches in the midst of the two armies.

The enemies, surprised at this spectacle, remain drawn up in battle array, and waiting the Romans. The Romans, having reached the portals of the passage, form a front nearly equal to that of their adversaries. And now,