Horatius

[ Cocles ], captain of the bridge-gate over the Tiber. When Por´sĕna brought his host to replace Tarquin on the throne, the march on the city was so sudden and rapid that the consul said, “The foe will be upon us before we can cut down the bridge.” Horatius exclaimed, “If two men will join me, I will undertake to give the enemy play till the bridge is cut down.” Spurius Lartius and Her mini us volunteered to join him in this bold enterprise. Three men came against them and were cut down. Three others met the same fate. Then the lord of Luna came with his brand, “which none but he could wield,” but the Tuscan was also despatched. Horatius then ordered his two companions to make good their escape, and they just cro ed the bridge as it fell in with a crash. The bridge being down, Horatius threw himself into the Tiber and swam safe to shore, amidst the applauding shouts of both armies.—Lord Macaulay, Lays of Ancient Rome (“Horatius,” 1842).