16
PHARSALIA
Book I
'Stain once the lips with blood, no other meal
'They shall enjoy. And shall there be no end
'Of these long years of power and of crime? 380
'Nay, this one lesson, e'er it be too late,
'Learn of thy gentle Sulla—to retire!
'Of old his victory o'er Cilician thieves
'And Pontus' weary monarch gave him fame,
'By poison scarce attained. His latest prize
'Shall I be, Cæsar, I, who would not quit
'My conquering eagles at his proud command?
'Nay, if no triumph is reserved for me,
'Let these at least of long and toilsome war
''Neath other leaders the rewards enjoy. 390
'Where shall the weary soldier find his rest?
'What cottage homes their joys, what fields their fruit
'Shall to our veterans yield? Will Magnus say
'That pirates only till the fields alight?
'Unfurl your standards; victory gilds them yet,
'As through those glorious years. Deny our rights!
'He that denies them makes our quarrel just.
'Nay! use the strength that we have made our own.
'No booty seek we, nor imperial power.
'This would-be ruler of subservient Rome 400
'We force to quit his grasp; and Heaven shall smile
'On those who seek to drag the tyrant down.'
Thus Cæsar spake; but doubtful murmurs ran
Throughout the listening crowd, this way and that
Their wishes urging them; the thoughts of home
And household gods and kindred gave them pause:
But fear of Cæsar and the pride of war
Their doubts resolved. Then Lælius, who wore
The well-earned crown for Roman life preserved,
The foremost Captain of the army, spake: 410
'O greatest leader of the Roman name,
'They shall enjoy. And shall there be no end
'Of these long years of power and of crime? 380
'Nay, this one lesson, e'er it be too late,
'Learn of thy gentle Sulla—to retire!
'Of old his victory o'er Cilician thieves
'And Pontus' weary monarch gave him fame,
'By poison scarce attained. His latest prize
'Shall I be, Cæsar, I, who would not quit
'My conquering eagles at his proud command?
'Nay, if no triumph is reserved for me,
'Let these at least of long and toilsome war
''Neath other leaders the rewards enjoy. 390
'Where shall the weary soldier find his rest?
'What cottage homes their joys, what fields their fruit
'Shall to our veterans yield? Will Magnus say
'That pirates only till the fields alight?
'Unfurl your standards; victory gilds them yet,
'As through those glorious years. Deny our rights!
'He that denies them makes our quarrel just.
'Nay! use the strength that we have made our own.
'No booty seek we, nor imperial power.
'This would-be ruler of subservient Rome 400
'We force to quit his grasp; and Heaven shall smile
'On those who seek to drag the tyrant down.'
Thus Cæsar spake; but doubtful murmurs ran
Throughout the listening crowd, this way and that
Their wishes urging them; the thoughts of home
And household gods and kindred gave them pause:
But fear of Cæsar and the pride of war
Their doubts resolved. Then Lælius, who wore
The well-earned crown for Roman life preserved,
The foremost Captain of the army, spake: 410
'O greatest leader of the Roman name,
