"Rimini"
WHEN I left Rome for Lalages sake
By the Legions Road to Rimini,
She vowed her heart was mine to take
With me and my shield to Rimini
(Till the Eagles flew from Rimini)
And Ive tramped Britain, and Ive tramped Gaul,
And the Pontic shore where the snow-flakes fall
As white as the neck of Lalage
(As cold as the heart of Lalage!)
And Ive lost Britain, and Ive lost Gaul,
And Ive lost Rome and, worst of all,
Ive lost Lalage!

When you go by the Via Aurelia,
As thousands have travelled before,
Remember the Luck of the Soldier
Who never saw Rome any more!
Oh dear was the sweetheart that kissed him
And dear was the mother that bore,
But his shield was picked up in the heather
And he never saw Rome any more!

And he left Rome, etc.

When you go by the Via Aurelia
That runs from the City to Gaul,
Remember the Luck of the Soldier
Who rose to be master of all!
He carried the sword and the buckler,
He mounted his guard on the Wall,
Till the Legions elected him C›sar,
And he rose to be master of all!

And he left Rome, etc.

Its twenty-five marches to Narbo,
Its forty-five more up the Rhone,
And the end may be death in the heather
Or life on an Emperors throne.
But whether the Eagles obey us,
Or we go to the Ravensalone,
Id sooner be Lalages lover
Than sit on an Emperors throne!

Weve all left Rome for Lalages sake, etc.