Chapter 1 No.1

Ho, trumpets, sound a war-note!

Ho, lictors,[4] clear the way!

The Knights[5] will ride, in all their pride,

Along the streets to-day,

To-day the doors and windows 5

Are hung with garlands all,

From Castor[6] in the forum,[7]

To Mars without the wall.

Each Knight is robed in purple,

With olive each is crowned, 10

A gallant war-horse under each

Paws haughtily the ground.

While flows the Yellow River,[8]

While stands the Sacred Hill,[9]

The proud Ides of Quintilis, 15

Shall have such honour still.

Gay are the Martian Kalends:[10]

December's Nones[11] are gay:

But the proud Ides, when the squadron rides,

Shall be Rome's whitest[12] day. 20