Meanwhile the Tuscan army, Came flashing back the noonday light, Four hundred trumpets sounded As that great host, with measured tread, The three stood calm and silent, And forth three chiefs came spurring Before that mighty mass; To earth they sprang, their swords they drew, And lifted high their shields, and flew To win the narrow pass. But now no sound of laughter And for a space no man came forth But hark! the cry is "Astur:" And lo! the ranks divide, And the great lord of Luna Comes with his stately stride. Upon his ample shoulders Clangs loud the fourfold shield, And in his hand he shakes the brand Which none but he can wield. Then, whirling up his broadsword And smote with all his might. The blow, though turned, came yet too nigh; It missed his helm, but gashed his thigh: The Tuscans raised a joyful cry To see the red blood flow. He reeled, and on Herminius He leaned one breathing space; The good sword stood a handbreadth out And the great lord of Luna The giant arms lie spread; But meanwhile axe and lever And now the bridge hangs tottering "Come back, come back, Horatius!" "Back, Lartius! back, Herminius! Back, ere the ruin fall !” Back darted Spurius Lartius; And as they passed, beneath their feet But with a crash like thunder And, like a dam, the mighty wreck "Oh, Tiber! father Tiber! No sound of joy or sorrow 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 beneath the surges They saw his crest appear, All Rome sent forth a rapturous cry, And even the ranks of Tuscany Could scarce forbear to cheer. But fiercely ran the current, And spent with changing blows: "Curse on him!" quoth false Sextus, We should have sacked the town!""Heaven help him!" quoth Lars Porsena, "And bring him safe to shore; For such a gallant feat of arms Was never seen before." And now he feels the bottom; Now on dry earth he stands; When the good-man mends his armour, How well Horatius kept the bridge In the brave days of old. By permission of Messrs Longman & Co. BERNARDO DEL CARPIO. (MRS HEMANS.) [The celebrated Spanish champion, Bernardo del Carpio, having made many ineffectual efforts to procure the release of his father, the Count Saldana, who had been imprisoned by King Alfonso of Asturias, almost from the time of Bernardo's birth, at last took up arms in despair. The war which he maintained proved so destructive, that the men of the land gathered round the king, and united in demanding Saldana's liberty. Alfonso accordingly offered Bernardo immediate possession of his father's person, in exchange for his castle at Carpio. Bernardo, without hesitation, gave up his stronghold, with all his captives, and being assured that his father was then on his way from prison, rode forth with the king to meet him. "And when he saw his father approaching, he exclaimed," says the ancient chronicle, "Oh! God, is the Count Saldana indeed coming?" "Look where he is," replied the cruel king, "and now go and greet him, whom you have so long desired to see."-The remainder of the story will be found related in the ballad. The chronicles and romances leave us nearly in the dark as to Bernardo's future history after this event, with the exception of the final interview in which he renounced his allegiance to the king.] The warrior bowed his crested head, and tamed his heart of fire, And sued the haughty king to free his long-imprisoned sire; "I bring thee here my fortress-keys, I bring my captive train, I pledge thee faith, my liege, my lord!-Oh! break my father's chain !" 66 'Rise, rise! even now thy father comes, a ransomed man this day: Mount thy good horse; and thou and I will meet him on his way." Then lightly rose that loyal son, and bounded on his steed, And urged, as if with lance in rest, the charger's foamy speed. And lo from far, as on they pressed, there came a glittering band, With one that 'midst them stately rode, as a leader in the land; "Now haste, Bernardo, haste! for there, in very truth, is he, The father whom thy faithful heart hath yearned so long to see." |