When I left Rome for Lalage's sake, <br />By the Legions' Road to Rimini, <br />She vowed her heart was mine to take <br />With me and my shield to Rimini-- <br />(Till the Eagles flew from Rimini--) <br />And I've tramped Britain, and I've tramped Gaul <br />And the Pontic shore where the snow-flakes fall <br />As white as the neck of Lalage-- <br />(As cold as the heart of Lalage!) <br />And I've lost Britain, and I've lost Gaul, <br />And I've lost Rome and, worst of all, <br />I've lost Lalage! <br /> <br />When you go by the Via Aurelia <br />As thousands have traveled before <br />Remember the Luck of the Soldier <br />Who never saw Rome any more! <br />Oh, dear was the sweetheart that kissed him, <br />And dear was the mother that bore; <br />But his shield was picked up in the heather, <br />And he never saw Rome any more! <br /> <br />And he left Rome, etc. <br /> <br />When you go by the Via Aurelia <br />That runs from the City to Gaul, <br />Remember the Luck of the Soldier <br />Who rose to be master of all! <br />He carried the sword and the buckler, <br />He mounted his guard on the Wall, <br />Till the Legions elected him Caesar, <br />And he rose to be master of all! <br /> <br />And he left Rome, etc. <br /> <br />It's twenty-five marches to Narbo, <br />It's forty-five more up the Rhone, <br />And the end may be death in the heather <br />Or life on an Emperor's throne. <br />But whether the Eagles obey us, <br />Or we go to the Ravens--alone, <br />I'd sooner be Lalage's lover <br />Than sit on an Emperor's throne! <br /> <br />We've all left Rome for Lalage's sake, etc.<br /><br />Rudyard Kipling<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/rimini-2/
