Lays of Ancient Rome: Epic Poems

I have not read all of the lays, but Horatius at the Bridge stirs me in ways that I cannot explain. What a deeply moving, inspirational poem. This should be required reading in every school in America. And required to be memorized in every service academy.

THE GIFT THE AUTHOR HAS TELLING ME OF HORATIUS IS BEAUTIFUL. THE WORDS THAT HE USES BECOME A SCENIC PICTURE THT ENTRANCES MY MIND AND CAPTURES MY SENSES. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE LAND THAT HE SPEAKS OF AND FEEL AS IF I HAVE BEEN THERE IN MY MIND. HE IS ELOQUANT AND POETIC AND EVEN THE HORRIBLE BATTLES ARE BEAUTIFUL!

Then out spake brave Horatius,/ The Captain of the Gate:/ ``To every man upon this earth/ Death cometh soon or late./ And how can man die better/ Than facing fearful odds,/ For the ashes of his fathers,/ And the temples of his gods/ ... Then none was for a party;/ Then all were for the state;/ Then the great man helped the poor,/ And the poor man loved the great:/ Then lands were fairly portioned;/ Then spoils were fairly sold:/ The Romans were like brothers/ In the brave days of old./ Now Roman is to Roman/ More hateful than a foe,/ And the Tribunes beard the high,/ And the Fathers grind the low./ As we wax hot in faction,/ In battle we wax cold:/ Wherefore men fight not as they fought/ In the brave days of old./