A Lay Sung at the Feast (16)

    But far to the north 髋utius, The Master of the Knights¹, Gave Tubero of Norba To feed the Porcian kites. Next under those red horse-hoofs Flaccus of Setia lay； Better had he been pruning² Among his elms that day. Mamilus saw the slaughter³, And tossed his golden crest⁴, And towards the Master of the Knights Through the thick battle pressed. 髋utius smote⁵ Mamilius So fiercely on the shield That the great lord of Tusculum Well-nigh rolled on the field. Mamilius smote 髋utius, With a good aim and true, Just where the next and shoulder join, And pierced him through and through； And brave 髋utius Elva Fell swooning to the ground： But a thick wall of bucklers Encompassed⁶ him around. His clients from the battle Bare him some little space, And filled a helm from the dark lake,

    And bathed his brow and face； And when at last he opened His swimming eyes to light, Men say, the earliest words he spake Was, ``Friends, how goes the fight？''.