For centuries you've stood there,
And gazed upon the Swiss;
Yet never have withstood there
An enemy like this.
The misery of seeking,
The agony of doubt
Of who on earth is speaking,
And what 'tis all about."
"Now he had planned an action,
And brought his forces round;
But--well, there rose a faction,
And ran the thing aground.
And--their offence was heinous,
Yet Caesar had his will;
And Titus Labienus
Was stationed on a hill.
"'Then the Helvetii rallied,
To save themselves from wrack,
And from the towns they sallied,
And drove the Romans back.
The land was quite mounTAINous,
Yet they were put to flight;
And Titus Labienus
Was stationed on a height.