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Show HORATIOUS AT BRIDGE. Lars Porsena of Clusium, By the Grand Slam he swore That he and haughty Tarquin Could make the best bridge score. By the Grand Slam he swore it, And sent a herald forth To challenge two great players From out the South and North. I Unto the Rock Tarpean These rival heroes came Horatius and Herminius p Both adepts at the game! J Stern as in camp or Senate These toga'd Romans played, While cheered the dauntless populace d And pallid augurs prayed. The dawn was slowly gilding Imperial Caesar's "home," As they played the final rubber, Amid the cheers of Rome. Each score was eight and twenty Horatius took the pack, And dealt himself four kings, four queens, Four aces and one jack. I "No trump s " echoes sounded Beyond the Appian Way, While Tarquin and Lars Porsena Seemed too depressed to play. What need for invocation To Father Tiber then? A Roman's skill in dealing cards Had outdone two brave men. And often at the Forum, I Beneath the eagle's gold, - r And sometimes at the circus, Where press the townfolk bold, 'Mid listening guards and tribunes Still is the story told, How keen Horatius won at bridge In the brave days of old. Margaret Ridgley Schott in Life. |