Builder Of The Bridge

Builder Of The Bridge
© Surazeus
2025 05 08

Rain drenches seven rugged hills of Rome 
when thunderstorm rolls in volatile rage 
with lightning bolts Jove hurls at trembling Earth 
from Apennine Mountains to Alban Hills, 
flushing torrents of water between banks 
that cause the Tiber River to swell huge. 

Herding frightened villagers in large cave, 
where Lupa suckled lost twin sons of Mars, 
Numa Marcius binds large leather hide 
that blocks fierce winds to shelter them from harm, 
holding end tight with strong courageous hands 
as guard who protects his people with care. 

After fierce thunderstorm of divine rage 
blusters far over silver swirling sea, 
Numa organizes strong eager men 
to haul large logs on rafts across the stream 
where they ram pine trunks deep in river mud 
to erect foundation for the sturdy bridge. 

Building supportive bridge of sturdy logs 
to span the swift-flowing Albula River, 
where Alban King Tiberinus had drowned, 
Numa connects hostile communities 
to reconcile their bitter differences 
when he hosts feast on its center platform. 

Sedent nobly on throne in sheltering fane 
at center of the town-connecting bridge 
that spans the brightly-flashing Tiber River, 
Numa guards flow of traffic every day 
by checking every person with sharp eyes 
to ascertain intentions of their hearts. 

Parading in large wagon with four wheels, 
pulled by four white horses with long manes, 
Numa Pompilius, wise King of Rome, 
accompanied by nymph Egeria, 
arrives before his wooden vatic throne 
where Numa Marcius welcomes his friend. 

Placing new laurel wreath on his bowed head, 
Pompilius proclaims before large crowd 
that he appoints loyal Numa Marcius 
as Pontifex, bold Builder of the Bridge, 
with duties to maintain with honest care 
all roads and bridges that connect their towns. 

While Picus and Faunus chant prophecies, 
Pompilius places Wand of Mercurius 
in hand of Numa Marcius with pomp, 
who vows with speech before the reverent crowd 
to tend with care of the Star Messenger, 
ensuring roads and bridges are well kept.