Then, like a blast, away they passed,

And no man saw them more.

XL.

And all the people trembled,

And pale grew every cheek;

And Sergius the High Pontiff

Alone found voice to speak:

"The Gods who live for ever

Have fought for Rome to-day! These be the Great Twin Brethren

To whom the Dorians pray. Back comes the Chief in triumph,

Who, in the hour of fight,

Hath seen the Great Twin Brethren

In harness on his right.

Safe comes the ship to naven,

Through billows and through gales

If once the Great Twin Brethren

Sit shining on the sails.

Wherefore they washed their horses

In Vesta's holy well,

Wherefore they rode to Vesta's door,

I know, but may not tell.

Here, hard by Vesta's temple,
Build we a stately dome

Unto the Great Twin Brethren

Who fought so well for Rome And when the months returning

Bring back this day of fight, The proud Ides of Quintilis,

Marked evermore with white,
Unto the Great Twin Brethren

Let all the people throng,
With chaplets and with offerings,
With music and with song;
And let the doors and windows

Be hung with garlands all,
And let the Knights be summoned
To Mars without the wall:
Thence let them ride in purple

With joyous trumpet-sound,
Each mounted on his war-horse,

And each with olive crowned;

And pass in solemn order

Before the sacred dome,

Where dwell the Great Twin Brethren

Who fought so well for Rome."