Page:The Pharsalia of Lucan; (IA cu31924026485809).pdf/43
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Book I
THE CROSSING OF THE RUBICON
19
Those who kept watch beside the western shoreHave moved their standards home; the happy GaulRejoices in their absence; fair GaronneThrough peaceful meads glides onward to the sea.And where the river broadens, neath the cape 480Her quiet harbour sleeps. No outstretched armExcept in mimic war now hurls the lance.No skilful warrior of Seine directsThe scythed chariot 'gainst his country's foe.Now rest the Belgians, and th' Arvernian raceThat boasts our kinship by descent from Troy;And those brave rebels whose undaunted handsWere dipped in Cotta's blood, and those who wearSarmatian garb. Batavia's warriors fierceNo longer listen for the bugle call, 490Nor those who dwell where Rhone's swift eddies sweepSaone to the ocean; nor the mountain tribesWho dwell about its source. Thou, too, oh Treves,Rejoicest that the war has left thy bounds.Ligurian tribes, now shorn, in ancient daysFirst of the long-haired nations, on whose necksOnce flowed the auburn locks in pride supreme;And those who pacify with blood accursedSavage Teutates, Hesus' horrid shrines,And Taranis' altars cruel as were those 500Loved by Diana,[1] goddess of the north;All these now rest in peace. And you, ye Bards,Whose martial lays send down to distant timesThe fame of valorous deeds in battle done,Pour forth in safety more abundant song.
- ↑ This Diane was worshipped by the Tauri, a people who dwelt in the Crimea; and, according to legend, was propitiated by human sacrifices. Orestes on his return from his expiatory wanderings brought her image to Greece, and the Greeks identified her with their Artemis. (Compare Book VI., 93.}