When the shrill trumpet sudden sounds alarms, The throng divides, the herald calls to arms; Swift o'er the plain the thund'ring courser flies, And Cadwall stands before their wond'ring eyes. Across his dazzling armour's silver light, A baldric flam'd with glowing crimson bright; From the proud helmet, and the polish'd shield, Portentous splendour blazes on the field, And as he moves, and shakes his plumy crest, Unusual horror seizes every breast. As when the Greek the Dardan prince pursu'd, His conq'ring lance just lifted for the blow, Surpriz'd, but undismay'd, he quits the prize. Then to the rest his beamy lance applies, And full of fury from the barrier flies. VOL. II. N Nor less impatient to the dreadful course While the loud surges lash the lab'ring mast, Encounter. Such the shock. Erect, unmov'd, His strength, and courage, each brave warrior prov'd; In fragments round the shiver'd lances fly; Upon the plain the flound'ring coursers lie. Now the brave youths their shining falchions wield, And bear before their manly breasts the shield. The batter'd mail resounds, the combat grows, From ev'ry limb the painful moisture flows, Thick from their arms the fiery sparkles fly, Like the sad meteors of th' autumnal sky, Ill brooks the knight, for hardy deeds renown'd, Fierce Cadwall rushes on with dreadful cries, Till low in dust the golden eagle lies. } The heralds now the joyful victor lead, Where his brave hands receive the prize decreed. While her fair cheek with warmer blushes glows. As in that season soft when April showers Have loos'd the pregnant glebe, and wak'd the flowers, Sweet summer by his warm caresses won, First meets the genial radiance of the sun; Now spreads her glowing charms, now sudden shrouds Her timid beauties in a veil of clouds: The gentle virgin feels the pleasing fire, And checks, but checks in vain, the fond desire. In Cadwall's breast while new emotions rise, Amidst triumphal shouts, the vanquish'd victor sighs. Which rescu'd fair Melissa from his pow'r, With anguish burn'd. And now he lifts on high His wand of force to rend with storms the sky, 1 He chants the dreadful verse, whose thrilling sound Appals the spirits of th' abyss profound. As when, beneath some close concealment pent, The strengthen'd fires now struggle for a vent, First the light fumes in fleecy volumes rise, Then spreading blacken, and involve the skies; Pale horror glares, and wildly shrieks affright; Then burst the flames. Obedient to the spell, Thus swarm the dreadful progeny of hell. In crowded ranks around the seer they stand; Trembling the spectres stand. In thought profound His careful eyes he fixes on the ground; Then, for the mighty mischief he intends, A chosen spirit at his call attends. As when a tiger at the close of day Discerns, mid rustling boughs, th' approaching prey; |