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Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, "Tarquin the Proud," was the seve and last king of Rome. His rule was so tyrannical, and the deeds his son Sextus were so wicked, that the whole family was expelled fr the city. Tarquin and his two sons took refuge in the country Etruria, to the north of Rome and west of the river Tiber. found a friend in Lars Por'sena, the king of the Etruscan city Clu'si um, with whom they made an alliance. In 509 B.C. Lars Pors marched with a great army to the gates of Rome to replace Tarquin the throne. The following poem tells how the Etruscans were vented from entering the city, even after gaining a victory outside walls.

And saw the swarthy storm of dust
Rise fast along the sky.

And nearer fast and nearer

Doth the red whirlwind come; And louder still and still more loud, From underneath that rolling cloud, Is heard the trumpet's war note proud, The trampling and the hum. And plainly and more plainly

Now through the gloom appears,
Far to left and far to right,

In broken gleams of dark-blue light,
The long array of helmets bright,
The long array of spears.