Monday, July 13, 2026

27.01.27: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [9] (5)

HORĀTIUS COCLES (5)

Cīvēs Rōmānī intereā pontem summīs vīribus excīdunt. Mox pontem in flūmen prōsternent. Tum Lartius et Herminius hastās in hostem iaciunt, et summīs vīribus per pontem in tūtum locum ruunt. Horātius autem adhūc in extrēmō ponte stat, et sōlus in Etrūscōs ferōciter pugnat.

Rōmānī autem, iam terrōris plēnī, "Ō Horātī retrō," exclāmant, "retrō – nunc tūta est via; mox nūllus pōns trāns flūmen erit, et hostēs tē vincent et necābunt." Sed magnō fragōre pōns in flūmen cecidit, et inter undās spūmōsās omnia ad pontum natābant.

[i]

vīs, vīs [3/f]: force; (plural) vīrēs, -ium: (overwhelming) force, strength; summīs vīribus:  with all one’s strength

[ii]

iaciō, -ere [3-iō]: I throw

[iii]

spūmōsus, -a, -um: foamy

tūtus, -a, -um: safe

[iv]

retrō: back, backward

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The Roman citizens meanwhile are cutting down the bridge with all their strength. Soon they will cast the bridge into the river. Then Lartius and Herminius throw their spears at the enemy, and with all their strength rush across the bridge to a safe place. But Horatius still stands at the end of the bridge, and alone he is fighting fiercely against the Etruscans.

But the Romans, now full of fear, cry out: “O Horatius, go back! Go back – now the way is safe; soon there will be no bridge across the river, and the enemy will defeat and kill you.” But with a great crash the bridge fell into the river, and among the foaming waves everything was floating toward the sea.

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