Ferentino

were ranged the shields of foes, and from the centre loudest the cry of battle rose.

There Tiber marched, Antipedom, beneath proud Tarquin's rule, and Ferentinum of the rock, and Gabii of the pool.

There rode the Volscian suckers, there in a dark stern ring, the Roman exiles gathered close around the ancient king.

Though white as Mount Seracti, when winter nights are long, His beard flowed down over mail and belt.

So flies the spray of Adria, when on the black squall doth blow.

So corn sheaves in the flood time spin down the whirling poe.

False Sextus to the mountains turned first his horse's head, and fast fled Ferentinum, and fast Lanuvium fled.

The horsemen of Namentum spurred hard out of the fray, the footman of Velitre, threw shield and spear away, and underfoot was trampled, amidst the mud and gore, the banner of proud Tusculum, that never stooped before.

But in the centre thickest were ranged the shields of foes, and from the centre loudest the cry of battle rose.

There Tiber marched and Bedam, beneath proud Tarquin's rule, and Ferentinum of the rock and Gabii of the pool.

There rode the Volscian suckers, there in a dark stern ring, the Roman exiles gathered close around the ancient king.

Though white as Mount Seracti, When winter nights are long, His beard flowed down over mail and belt, His heart and hand were strong, Under his hoary eyebrows Still flashed forth quenchless rage, And if the lance shook in his grip, T'was more with hate than age.

Now by our sire, queer Ernest, it was a goodly sight to see the thirty standards swept down the tide of flight.

So flies the spray of Adria, when on the black squall doth glow so corn sheaves in the flood-time spin down the whirling poe.

Volsextus to the mountains turned first his horse's head, and fast fled Ferentinum, and fast Lanuvium fled.

The horsemen of Namentum spurred hard out of the fray, the footmen of Velitre threw shield and spear away, and underfoot was trampled amidst the mud and gore the banner of proud Tusculum that never stooped before.

Never were the church and the world brought into sharper antagonism.

Frederick died at Ferentino on December thirteenth, twelve fifty.

With his death, a new era begins for Italy, one in which purely Italian forces reach their highest activity and development.

This period will form the subject of the present work.