Might cross him, he withdrew his troops from France, And in all quarters musters men for Rome. They by Lemannus' nook forsook their tents; They whom[620] the Lingones foil'd with painted spears, Under the rocks by crookËd Vogesus; And many came from shallow Isara, 400 Who, running long, falls in a greater flood, And, ere he sees the sea, loseth his name; The yellow Ruthens left their garrisons; Mild Atax glad it bears not Roman boats,[621] And frontier Varus that the camp is far, Sent aid; so did Alcides' port, whose seas Eat hollow rocks, and where the north-west wind Nor zephyr rules not, but the north alone Turmoils the coast, and enterance forbids; And others came from that uncertain shore 410 Which is nor sea nor land, but ofttimes both, And changeth as the ocean ebbs and flows; Whether the sea roll'd always from that point Whence the wind blows, still forcËd to and fro; Or that the wandering main follow the moon; Or flaming Titan, feeding on the deep, Pulls them aloft, and makes the surge kiss heaven; Philosophers, look you; for unto me, Thou cause, whate'er thou be, whom God assigns This great effect, art hid. They came that dwell 420 By Nemes' fields and banks of Satirus,[622] Where Tarbell's winding shores embrace the sea; The Santons that rejoice in CÊsar's love;[623] Those of Bituriges,[624] and light Axon[625] pikes; And they of Rhene and Leuca,[626] cunning darters, And Sequana that well could manage steeds; The Belgians apt to govern British cars; Th' A[r]verni, too, which boldly feign themselves The Roman's brethren, sprung of Ilian race; The stubborn Nervians stain'd with Cotta's blood; 430 And Vangions who, like those of Sarmata, Wear open slops;[627] and fierce Batavians, Whom trumpet's clang incites; and those that dwell By Cinga's stream, and where swift Rhodanus Drives Araris to sea; they near the hills, Under whose hoary rocks Gebenna hangs; And, Trevier, thou being glad that wars are past thee; And you, late-shorn Ligurians, who were wont In large-spread hair to exceed the rest of France; And where to Hesus and fell Mercury[628] 440 They offer human flesh, and where Jove seems Bloody like Dian, whom the Scythians serve. And you, French Bardi, whose immortal pens Renown the valiant souls slain in your wars, Sit safe at home and chant sweet poesy. And, Druides, you now in peace renew Your barbarous customs and sinister rites: In unfell'd woods and sacred groves you dwell; And only gods and heavenly powers you know, Or only know you nothing; for you hold 450 That souls pass not to silent Erebus Or Pluto's bloodless kingdom, but elsewhere