They obeyed ; it seemed as though the voices were pushing them along ; and through the goldy-brown light on the beech leaves they walked , while Puck between them chanted something like this : ` Cur mundus militat sub vana gloria Cujus prosperitas est transitoria ? Tam cito labitur ejus potentia Quam vasa figuli quæ sunt fragilia . ' They found themselves at the little locked gates of the wood . ` Quo Cæsar abiit celsus imperio ? Vel Dives splendidus totus in prandio ? Dic ubi Tullius -- ' Still singing , he took Dan 's hand and wheeled him round to face Una as she came out of the gate . It shut behind her , at the same time as Puck threw the memory-magicking Oak , Ash and Thorn leaves over their heads . ` Well , you are jolly late , ' said Una . ` Could n't you get away before ? ' ' I did , ' said Dan . ' I got away in lots of time , but -- but I did n't know it was so late . Where 've you been ? ' ` In Volaterrae -- waiting for you . ' ` Sorry , ' said Dan . ` It was all that beastly Latin . ' A BRITISH-ROMAN SONG -LRB- A.D. 406 -RRB- My father 's father saw it not , And I , belike , shall never come , To look on that so-holy spot -- The very Rome -- Crowned by all Time , all Art , all Might , The equal work of Gods and Man , City beneath whose oldest height -- The Race began ! Soon to send forth again a brood , Unshakeable , we pray , that clings , To Rome 's thrice-hammered hardihood -- In arduous things . Strong heart with triple armour bound , Beat strongly , for thy life-blood runs , Age after Age , the Empire round -- In us thy Sons , Who , distant from the Seven Hills , Loving and serving much , require Thee , -- thee to guard ` gainst home-born ills The Imperial Fire ! ON THE GREAT WALL ` When I left Rome for Lalage 's sake By the Legions ' Road to Rimini , She vowed her heart was mine to take With me and my shield to Rimini -- -LRB- Till the Eagles flew from Rimini ! -RRB- And I 've tramped Britain , and I 've tramped Gaul , And the Pontic shore where the snow-flakes fall As white as the neck of Lalage -- -LRB- As cold as the heart of Lalage ! -RRB-
And I 've lost XXXXX , and I 've lost Gaul , ' -LRB- the voice seemed very cheerful about it -RRB- , ` And I 've lost Rome , and , worst of all , I 've lost Lalage ! '
Britain Empire Gaul Lalage Puck Tullius Una fragilia imperio prandio