River TIBER of ROMANS

  History of city of Rome is equally  the history of  the river that winds its way through her, River Tiber.

 

While visitors to Rome cross over this river several times on sightseeing trips, they rarely give much importance to the river herself. { for Romans the river is father- Tiber} For me the  river has much significance because of one poetry we were taught in the Pre- Degree class etched deep impression of an ancient hero of Rome - Horatius. Horatius saved Rome and its people from Tuscan (Northern Italian area) invaders. Macaulay has written long a poem on this story, part of which was taught by Prof. Monica, who was quite new to her job. But she was so good that  the story of Horatius and Tiber lived with me. 

Please read the story I found in a children's book and then the poetry as Macaulay is a bit hard to relish. 

Brave Horatius

Once The King of Tuscany sent his troops to attack Rome. When the Tuscan marched towards Rome, the Romans were taken by surprise...

Thousands of years ago, Rome was a small but prosperous city. The Romans were brave people who were skilled in the art of warfare.

Once The King of Tuscany sent his troops to attack Rome. When the Tuscan marched towards Rome, the Romans were taken by surprise, as they were not prepared for a battle.

The Tuscans had to cross the bridge across the river Tiber to reach Rome. The chief of the Roman army called his men and said, "The enemy troops are approaching the bridge. We must not let them cross at any cost. We must break down the bridge to prevent their entry to Rome."

So the Romans began to demolish the wooden bridge. But before they could pull it down completely, the enemy had reached the bridge.

Just then a young Roman soldier called Horatius came forward. He said to his comrades, "You go ahead with your job of cutting down the bridge, at this end. I will go to the other end of the bridge, and stop the enemy there. I shall not let a single Tuscan soldier cross over." He raised his sword in defiance of the Tuscans and ran to the other end of the bridge. Two young Roman followed him.

So, while the others were busy hacking down the bridge, Horatius and his two companions stood at the end of the bridge nearest to the enemy soldiers.

Horatius shouted to the Tuscan commander: "We shall not let you cross the bridge. We will fight you to our last breath."

The Tuscan commander was amused to see the three Romans challenging his mighty Tuscan army. He laughed at them and said:

"Young Romans don't be foolish. You three cannot stop us. Go back and live to see another day."

But the brave Romans refused to move an inch. Horatius replied: "We are Romans not Tuscans, we shall fight you to the bitter end, come what may."

At this, the Tuscans were very angry and rushed at Horatius and his companions. But Horatius and his friends fought bravely and killed scores of Tuscans. And while they held the bridge and blocked the advance of the Tuscan soldiers, the other Romans were busy cutting down the bridge.

Soon the bridge was nearly cut in two and about to fall. The Romans shouted to Horatius to run back. But Horatius did not leave his post. He was injured but he kept on fighting. To Him, his country's security was far more important than his own life.

Suddenly the bridge crashed into the river with a great noise. Horatius quickly turned back and jumped into the river, his two companions also followed him. The river was in flood but they swam safely across the river to the Rome.

Horatius' patriotic mission was successful. The Tuscans could not enter Rome, now that there was no bridge there. Horatius had saved Rome and its people by an act of extraordinary courage and bravery. He became the national hero of Rome. Years later, the Romans built a big statue of this brave warrior to perpetuate his memory.

Horatius

Thomas Macaulay.

   കവിതയുടെ  അന്ത്യ ഭാഗത്ത്‌  ഹോരയ്ശ്യുസ്  കലിതുള്ളുന്നനദിയിലേക്ക്  ചാടുന്നു

LVIX

'Oh, Tiber! Father Tiber!
To whom the Romans pray,
A Roman's life, a Roman's arms,
Take thou in charge this day!'

So he spake, and speaking sheathed [ഉറയിലിട്ടു ]

The good sword by his side,
And with his harness on his back,
Plunged headlong in the tide.

LX

No sound of joy or sorrow
Was heard from either bank;  [ഇരുവശത്തും നിശബ്ദത ]
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, [തല ]
All Rome sent forth a rapturous cry, 

And even the ranks of Tuscans

Could scarce forbear to cheer.  [ശത്രുക്കള്‍  പോലും ആര്പ്പുവിളിച്ചുപോയി ]

LXI

But fiercely ran the current,
Swollen high by months of rain:
And fast his blood was flowing;
And he was sore in pain,
And heavy with his armor,
And spent with changing blows:

And oft they thought him sinking, 

But still again he rose.

LXII

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.

LXIII

'Curse on him!' quoth false Sextus;
'Will not the villain drown?
But for this stay, ere close of day
We should have sacked the town!'
'Heaven help him!' quoth Lars Porsena
'And bring him safe to shore;
For such a gallant feat of arms
Was never seen before.'

LXIV

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.

LXV

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 is stands unto this day
To witness if I lie.

LXVI

It stands in the Comitium
Plain for all folk 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.

There is a wide walk way along the Tiber used by pedestrians and cyclists.