198 MACAULAY
And heavy with his armour,
And spent with changing blows:
And oft they thought him sinking, But still again he rose.
Never, I ween, did swimmer,
In such an evil case, Struggle through such a raging flood
Safe to the landing-place : But his limbs were borne up bravely
By the brave heart within, And our good father Tiber
Bare bravely up his chin.
'Curse on him! ' quoth false Sextus;
'Will not the villain drown? But for this stay ere close of day
We should have sacked the town ! ' 'Heaven help him! ' quoth Lars Porsena,
'And bring him safe to shore; For such a gallant feat of arms
Was never seen before.'
And now he feels the bottom;
Now on dry earth he stands; Now round him throng the Fathers
To press his gory hands; And now with shouts and clapping,
And noise of weeping loud, He enters through the River-Gate,
Borne by the joyous crowd.
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