“Let us praise our famous fathers, let their glory be recorded, On Minerva’s mighty mantle consecrated and embroidered. That with many a naval action, and with infantry by land, Still contending, never ending, strove for empire and command. When they met the foe, disdaining to compute a poor account Of the number of their armies, of their muster and amount: But whene’er at wrestling matches they were worsted in the fray, Wiped their shoulders from the dust, denied the fall, and fought away. Then the generals never claimed precedence, or a separate seat, Like the present mighty captains, or the public wine or meat. As for us, the sole pretension suited to our birth and years, Is with resolute intention, as determined volunteers, To defend our fields and altars, as our fathers did before; Claiming as a recompense this easy boon, and nothing more: When our trials with peace are ended, not to view us with malignity, When we’re curried, sleek and pampered, prancing in our pride and dignity.”[12]--(F.) From these praises of themselves--the Knights--they pass on, in pleasant banter, to the praises of their horses,--who, as the song declares, took a very active part in the late expedition against Corinth, in which the cavalry, conveyed in horse-transports, had done excellent service. “Let us sing the mighty deeds of our illustrious noble steeds: They deserve a celebration for their service heretofore,-- Charges and attacks,--exploits enacted in the days of yore: These, however, strike me less, as having been performed ashore. But the wonder was to see them, when they fairly went aboard, With canteens, and bread, and onions, victualled and completely stored, Then they fixed and dipped their oars, beginning all to shout and neigh, Just the same as human creatures,--‘Pull away, boys! pull away! Bear a hand there, Roan and Sorrel! Have a care there, Black and Bay!’ Then they leapt ashore at Corinth; and the lustier younger sort Strolled about to pick up litter, for their solace and disport: And devoured the crabs of Corinth, as a substitute for clover, So that a poetic _Crabbe_[13] exclaimed in anguish--‘All is over! What awaits us, mighty Neptune, if we cannot hope to keep From pursuit and persecution in the land or in the deep?’” --(F.)