Caudine Forks

No demi-gods in England; everyone has to pass through the Caudine Forks of criticism.

The Romans never saw but one Caudine Forks in their whole history.

The Samnites had not forgotten a former Pontius, who had sent a Roman army under the Caudine Forks, and had been cruelly murdered in the Capitol They thundered on the Colline Gate.

Ah! happy we of later days, Who 'scape those Caudine Forks of praise!

The poet had passed under the Caudine Forks; he sang for an army visiting the tomb of its old renown, with arms reversed; and sang not of victory, but of death.