Tarpeia

ONCE round about proud Rome,A Sabine army lay;East and west, north and south,Stretched out their vast array.The people of Crustumenium,And Fidenea too have fled;—Yet the brave hosts of Alba LongaHaste to revenge the dead!

Now the gay sun light dancesOn breastplate, and on shield;On the great towers of Rome,Which ne'er to foe did yield;—Now hail to the great city,The noblest in the world!Who up would give his country,To hated Sabine churls.

But from those walls TarpeiaWith envious eyes looked downOn the rich bands of glittering goldThat round their arms were bound.She longs that she might clasp themAbout her arms so fair!And in her brain an evil thoughtToo quickly doth it bear.

"Tatius, brave Tatius," the fair Tarpeia cried,"Give those glittering bands to me,And I by night alone will giveThe city up to thee.""It shall be," cried the Sabine chief,"Yet only can it be,When thou shalt this night surrenderThe strongest gate to me!"

That night, when all was silent,And at the midnight hour,When the full moon fell tremblingOn temple, porch, and tower;It was then to the strongest gateway,A figure robed in whiteSwiftly past the sleeping guardAnd fled on with footsteps light.

Now backward flies each bolt and barAnd the portals open wide;"Now give to me thy golden bands,"The fair Tarpeia cried!"Aye! Lady," said the Sabine chief,"Thy golden gift is there;And every man shall give to theeWhat his left arm doth bear."

Now at the fair traitoress' lovely feet:Bracelet and shield he flings:—And now too at his biddingThe falling bracelets ring.Down sinks the Roman lady,Struck low by the falling shields;And beneath that iron pile, alas!Her silent breath she yields!