Page:The Pharsalia of Lucan; (IA cu31924026485809).pdf/72

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48
PHARSALIA
Book II
And all the billows follow in its track:Then, by the Storm-king smitten, should the earthSet Eurus free upon the swollen deep,It shall not yield to him, though cloud and skyConfess his strength; but in the former windStill find its master. But their fears prevailed,And Cæsar's fortune, o'er their wavering faith. 520For Libo fled Etruria; Umbria lostHer freedom, driving Thermus[1] from her bounds;Great Sulla's son, unworthy of his sire,Feared at the name of Cæsar: Varus soughtThe caves and woods, when smote the hostile horseThe gates of Auximon; and Spinther drivenFrom Asculum, the victor on his track,Fled with his standards, soldierless; and thou,Scipio, did'st leave Nuceria's citadelDeserted, though by bravest legions held 530Sent home by Cæsar for the Parthian war;[2]Whom Magnus earlier, to his kinsman gaveA loan of Roman blood, to fight the Gaul.But brave Domitius held firm his post[3]Behind Corfinium's ramparts; his the troopsWho newly levied kept the judgment hallAt Milo's trial.[4] When from far the plainRolled up a dusty cloud, beneath whose veilThe sheen of armour glistening in the sun,Revealed a marching host. "Dash down," he cried, 540
  1. ↑ Thermus, to whom Iguvium had been entrusted by the Senate, was compelled to quit it owing to the disaffection of the inhabitants. (Merivale, chapter xiv.) Auximon in a similar way rose against Varus.
  2. ↑ After Cæsar's campaign with the Nervii, Pompeius had lent him a legion. When the Parthian war broke out and the Senate required each of the two leaders to supply a legion for it, Pompeius demanded the return of the legion which he had sent to Gaul; and Cæsar returned it, together with one of his own. They were, however, retained in Italy.
  3. ↑ See Book VII., 695.
  4. ↑ Book I., 368.
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