A Lay Sung at the Feast (40)

    And all the people trembled, And pale grew every cheek； And Sergius the High Pontiff Alone found voice to speak： ``The gods who live forever Have fought for Rome to-day！ These be the Great Twin Brethren To whom the Dorians pray. Back comes the chief in triumph, Who, in the hour of fight, Hath seen the Great Twin Brethren In harness on his right. Safe comes the ship to haven, Through billows and through gales, If once the Great Twin Brethren Sit shining on the sails. Wherefore they washed their horses In Vesta's holy well, Wherefore they rode to Vesta's door, I know, but may not tell. Here, hard by Vesta's temple, Build we a stately dome Unto the Great Twin Brethren Who fought so well for Rome. And when the months returning Bring back this day of fight, The proud Ides of Quintilis, Marked evermore with white, Unto the Great Twin Brethren Let all the people throng, With chaplets and with offerings, With music and with song；

    And let the doors and windows Be hung with garlands all, And let the knights be summoned To Mars without the wall： Thence let them ride in purple With joyous trumpet-sound, Each mounted on his war-horse, And each with olive crowned； And pass in solemn order Before the sacred dome, Where dwell the Great Twin Brethren Who fought so well for Rome.''