Was none who would be foremost
To lead such dire attack;
But those behind cried, "Forward!"
And those before cried, "Back!" 420
And backward now and forward
Wavers the deep array;
And on the tossing sea of steel,
To and fro the standards reel;
And the victorious trumpet-peal 425
Dies fitfully away.


LI

Yet one man for one moment
Stood out before the crowd;
Well known was he to all the Three,
And they gave him greeting loud. 430
"Now welcome, welcome, Sextus!
Now welcome to thy home!
Why dost thou stay, and turn away?
Here lies the road to Rome."


LII

Thrice looked he at the city; 435
Thrice looked he at the dead
And thrice came on in fury,