THE BATTLE OF THERMOPYLÆ.

Xerxes-Persian King Lacedemonia-Sparta Sparta-in South Greece Thebes-in North Greece manhood-virtue; valour issue-come out

inconvenience-trouble

valiant-brave

incredible-not to be be-
lieved

Arcadia-state in South
Greece

Mantinca-city in South
Greece

After such time as Xerxes had transported the army over the Hellespont, and landed in Thrace (leaving the description of his passage along that coast, and how the river of Lissus was drunk dry by his multitudes, and the lake near to Pissyrus by his cattle, with other accidents in his marches towards Greece), I will speak of the encounters he had, and the shameful and incredible overthrows which he received. As first at Thermopylæ, a narrow passage of half an acre of ground, lying between the mountains which divide Thessaly from Greece, where sometime the Phocians had raised a wall with gates, which was then for the most part ruined. At this entrance, Leonidas, one of the kings of Sparta, with 300 Lacedæmonians, assisted with 1000 Tegeate and Mantineans, and 1000 Arcadians, and other Peloponnesians, to the number of 3100 in the whole; besides 100 Phocians, 400 Thebans, 700 Thespians, and all the forces (such as they were) of the bordering Locrians, defended the passage two whole days together against that huge army of the Persians. The valour of the Greeks appeared so excellent in this defence, that, in the first day's fight, Xerxes is said to have three times leaped out of his throne, fearing the destruction of his army by one handful of those men whom not long before he had utterly despised; and

when the second day's attempt upon the Greeks had proved vain, he was altogether ignorant how to proceed further, and so might have continued, had not a runagate Grecian taught him a secret way, by which part of his army might ascend the ledge of mountains, and set upon the backs of those who kept the straits. But when the most valiant of the Persian army had almost enclosed the small forces of the Greeks, then did Leonidas, king of the Lacedæmonians, with his 300, and 700 Thespians, which were all that abode by him, refuse to quit the place which they had undertaken to make good, and with admirable courage, not only resist that world of men which charged them on all sides, but, issuing out of their strength, made so great a slaughter of their enemies, that they might well be called vanquishers, though all of them were slain upon the place. Xerxes having lost in this last fight, together with 20,000 other soldiers and captains, two of his own brethren, began to doubt what inconvenience might befall him by the virtue of such as had not been present at these battles, with whom he knew that he shortly was to deal. Especially of the Spartans he stood in great fear, whose manhood had appeared singular in this trial, which caused him very carefully to enquire what numbers they could bring into the field. It is reported of Diences, the Spartan, that when one thought to have terrified him by saying that the flight of the Persian arrows was so thick as to cover the sun, he answered thus-'It is very good news, for then we shall fight in the cool shade."

HOME AND CLASS WORK.

Learn the spellings and meanings at the top of the page; and write sentences containing these words.

grace-favour

HORATIUS.

craven-cowardly harness-armour crest-top of helmet forbear-keep from fathers-senators Algidus-a mountain

deign-condescend Palatinus-Hill in Rome

surge-wave

rapturous-joyful

ween-deem; guess; think comitium-meeting place shuttle-for weaving

Alone stood brave Horatius,

But constant still in mind;

Thrice thirty thousand foes before,

And the broad flood behind.

Down, with him!" cried false Sextus,
With a smile on his pale face,

"Now yield thee," cried Lars Porsena,
"Now yield thee to our grace."

Round turned he, as not deigning
Those craven ranks to see:
Nought spake he to Lars Porsena,
To Sextus nought spake he;
But he saw on Palatinus

The white porch of his home;
And he spake to the noble river
'That rolls by the towers of Rome:-

"O Tiber! Father Tiber!

To whom the Romans pray,
A Roman's life, a Roman's arms,

Take thou in charge this day."

Horatius Cocles, with two other Romans, kept a whole army from Rome, by defending the entrance of a wooden bridge.

B

So he spake, and speaking, sheathed
The good sword by his side,
And with his harness on his back,
Plunged headlong in the tide.

No sound of joy or sorrow

Was heard from either bank; But friends and foes in dumb surprise. With parted lips and straining eyes, Stood gazing where he sank; And when above the surges, They saw his crest appear,

All Rome sent forth a rapturous cry, And even the ranks of Tuscany Could scarce forbear to cheer.

But fiercely ran the current,
Swollen by months of rain;
And fast his blood was flowing,
And he was sore in pain,
And heavy with his armour,

And spent with changing blows;
And oft they thought him sinking,
But still again he rose.

Never, I ween, did swimmer,
In such an evil case,

Struggle through such a raging flood
Safe to the landing place:
But his limbs were borne up bravely
By the brave heart within,
And our good Father Tiber
Bare bravely up his chin.

And now he feels the bottom;

Now on dry earth he stands!

Now round him throng the Fathers
To press his gory hands ;

And now with shouts and clapping,
And noise of weeping loud,
He enters through the River-gate,
Borne by the joyous crowd.

They gave him of the corn-land,
That was of public right,
As much as two strong oxen
Could plough from morn till night;
And they made a molten image,
And set it up on high;

And there it stands unto this day
To witness if I lie.

It stands in the Comitium,
Plain for all folks to see-

Horatius in his harness,

Halting upon one knee:
And underneath is written,
In letters all of gold,

How valiantly he kept the bridge
In the brave days of old.

And in the nights of winter,

When the cold north winds blow,
And the howling of the wolves
Is heard amidst the snow;
When round the lonely cottage
Roars loud the tempest's din,
And the good logs of Algidus,
Roar louder yet within;