Lays of Ancient Rome

Lays of Ancient Rome is a collection of narrative poems, or lays, by Thomas Babington Macaulay. Four of these recount heroic episodes from early Roman history with strong dramatic and tragic themes, giving the collection its name. Macaulay also included two poems inspired by recent history: Ivry (1824) and The Armada (1832). HoratiusThe first poem, Horatius, describes how Publius Horatius and two companions, Spurius Lartius and Titus Herminius, held the Sublician bridge against the Etruscan army of Lars Porsena, King of Clusium. The three heroes are willing to die in order to prevent the enemy from crossing the bridge, and sacking an otherwise ill-defended Rome. While the trio close with the front ranks of the Etruscans, the Romans hurriedly work to demolish the bridge, leaving their enemies on the wrong side of the swollen Tiber. This poem contains the often-quoted lines: Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate: "To every man upon this earthDeath cometh soon or late. And how can man die betterThan facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his Gods."Lartius and Herminius regain the Roman side before the bridge falls, but Horatius is stranded, and jumps into the river still wearing his full armor. Macaulay writes, And when above the surgesThey saw his crest appear, All Rome sent forth a rapturous cry, And even the ranks of TuscanyCould scarce forbear to cheer.. Thomas Babington Macaulay, 1st Baron Macaulay, FRS FRSE PC (25 October 1800