1856.] Cincinnatus. 



turbulent and noisy in the mystic chambers of the brain. " Look ! " 

 cried another, "was not that a helmet's sheen I saw?" And Eome, 

 again, was as silent as the expectant sepulcher. A gentle breeze came 

 freshening up from landward toward the sea : it was the messenger that 

 bore to Eome the tidings of her Hero's conquest ! for, laden with the 

 fitful trumpets' notes, it came hurtling on o'er hill and plain to greet the 

 ears of listening Eome ; a moment more, and, rising over a distant hill, 

 the streaming banners with sheen of helmet and shield, of buckler and 

 spear, came gleaming in the mellow light to greet the eyes of tearful 

 Eome. Then went up the shout — " lo Triumphe ! " that made the con- 

 cave welkin ring. 



That moment, from out the advancing column, a horseman galloped 

 swiftly forward, and took his course directly to the city gate. At his 

 approach the massive portal ope'd ; and he, still pressing his gallant 

 charger on, straight proceeded to the Forum to bear his message to the 

 waiting Senate. Arrived there, and vaulting from his steed, he straight- 

 way stood, unhelmeted, with well-suited reverence, before the Conscript 

 Fathers; who, saluting, said: "Hail to thee, Publius ! What tidings 

 bringest thou to Eome?" " Hail, Patres Conscripti ! " Publius replied, 

 " Our noble Cincinnatus hath rescued the Eoman army, and delivered 

 Eome from danger : he hath routed the faithless ^quians, and taken 

 Gracchus Cloelius, with his chieftains, prisoner; whom, after passing 

 under the spear in token of subjugation, he brings bound as captives 

 before his chariot to Eome : And, as those multitudinous huzzas without 

 proclaim, the Dictator, at the head of his victorious troops, even now 

 draws nigh unto our City's walls." When thus informed, the Senators 

 forthwith decreed perpetual power and triumphant entry to Cincinnatus 

 as he returned to Eome. The hurrying thousands, then, with joyous 

 shouts reared triumphal arches, made gay with floral gems, wherewith to 

 honor — and spread along the vocal streets feast-laden tables, wherewith 

 to cheer — the heroic bands that now came marching in. The gayest 

 notes of trump and clarion rang out upon the balmy air. Bearing 

 Eome's delivering Dictator, on the car of Triumph came. At the 

 Forum's arch, with greeting high, the Senate meet the noble Eoman 

 Farmer. In speech of warm laudation they commend his valor and his 

 wisdom ; and in the Eoman nation's name proffer to his hand Eome's 

 regal diadem and sceptre ! Then first the noble Eoman's lordly brow 

 grew dark, and mingled grief and anger sat quivering on his lips. 

 Eising in his chariot, he scornfully put back the ivory globe and golden 

 circlet, saying: "Hear, ye Senators! Hear, ye Eomans ! At Eome's 

 command, and for my country's good, I received this Dictator's sword ; 



