128 FLORAL CEREMONIES. 



" Ho, trumpets, sound a war-note ! 



Ho, lictors clear the way ! 

 The knights will ride, in all their pride, 



Along the streets to-day. 

 To-day the doors and windows 



Are hung with garlands all 

 From Castor, in the Forum, 



To Mars, without the wall. 

 Each knight is robed in purple, 



With olive each is crowned; 

 A gallant war-horse under each 



Paws haughtily the ground. 



On ride they to the Forum, 

 While laurel-boughs and flowers, 



From house-tops and from windows, 

 Fall on their crests in showers. 



Unto the Great Twin Brethren, 



Lo ! all the people throng, 

 With chaplets and with offerings, 



With music and with song. 

 While flows the Yellow River, 



While stands the Sacred Hill, 

 The proud Ides of Quintilis 



Shall have such honor still." 



LAYS OP ANCIENT ROME. 



On the subject of chaplets and garlands so 



