* * * * *
[Footnote 1: Alluding to the armour of the Romani.]
[Footnote 2: The Britons fought in low chariots, which they could leave
and re-ascend at pleasure.]
[Footnote 3: The shield being their only armour, when held out to
protect a wounded or dying friend, left them defenceless.]
[Footnote 4: The groves were consecrated to the celebration of religious
mysteries.]
[Footnote 5: The Roman standard.]
[Footnote 6: The Druids are said to have preached the doctrine of
transmigration, in order to inspire their warriors with the greater
contempt of death.]
[Footnote 7: The practice of staining themselves with blue was common
among the Britons.]
[Footnote 8: The people, excepting the priests, shaved off all the hair
from their faces, but what grew on the upper lip.]
[Footnote 9: This equivocal manner of speech may be supposed natural
enough in one of this order of priests, who, it is said, held a more
refined idea of a future state than they preached to the people.]
* * * * *
Alas! no more that joyous morn appears
That led the tranquil hours of spotless fame;
For I have steep'd a father's couch in tears,