MACAULAY.

HORATIUS.

A LAY MADE ABOUT THE YEAR OF THE CITY CCCLX.

From many a lonely hamlet,

Which, hid by beech and pine,

Like an eagle's nest, hangs on the crest
Of purple Apennine;

IV.

From lordly Volaterræ,

Where scowls the far-famed hold

Piled by the hands of giants

For godlike kings of old;

From seagirt Populonia,

Whose sentinels descry

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Tall are the oaks whose acorns

Drop in dark Auser's rill;

Fat are the stags that champ the boughs

Of the Ciminian hill;

Beyond all streams Clitumnus

Is to the herdsman dear;

Best of all pools the fowler loves

The great Volsinian mere.

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They held a council standing

Before the River-Gate;

Short time was there, ye well may guess,

For musing or debate.

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