And a mournful group of kingly captives, dusty, drooping low,
Followed, fettered to his chariot, gracing his triumphal show;
Augurs and soothsayers, flamen, tribunes, lictors bearing rods,
And gray-bearded priests, with olive boughs and statues of the gods,
Shaking from their brazen censers clouds of incense to the skies,
Leading lowing steers, in wreaths and garlands decked, to sacrifice.
Sacred nymphs from temples near, in spotless white, and vestal throngs
Followed solemn, dancing mystic dances, singing choral songs.
Cohorts of the Roman soldiers conquering legions marched behind,
With their burnished armor shining and their banners on the wind;