The Story of Rome, From the Earliest Times to the Death of Augustus, Told to Boys and Girls

by Mary Macgregor

There were not lacking Romans to answer the brave challenge:—

‘“Lo, I will stand at thy right hand,

And keep the bridge with thee,”’

cried Spurius Lartius, one of Rome’s strongest warriors, while the voice of another brave soldier, named Herminius, rang out clear above the noise of arms:—

‘“I will abide on thy left side,

And keep the bridge with thee,”

For Romans in Rome’s quarrel

Spared neither land nor gold,

Nor son, nor wife, nor limb, nor life,

In the brave days of old.’