Page:Poems David.djvu/79

And I by night alone will give
 The city up to thee."
"It shall be," cried the Sabine chief,
 "Yet only can it be,
When thou shalt this night surrender
 The strongest gate to me!"

That night, when all was silent,
 And at the midnight hour,
When the full moon fell trembling
 On temple, porch, and tower;
It was then to the strongest gateway,
 A figure robed in white
Swiftly past the sleeping guard
 And fled on with footsteps light.

Now backward flies each bolt and bar
 And the portals open wide;
"Now give to me thy golden bands,"
 The fair Tarpeia cried!
"Aye! Lady," said the Sabine chief,
 "Thy golden gift is there;
And every man shall give to thee
 What his left arm doth bear."