In battle vanquish'd in a foreign land! Or had at least more fav'ring gods assign'd To her the common ruin of her race! Had war's remorseless hand, in one sad day, Mix'd with the sire's the daughter's virgin blood, Ere in the secret shade, with guilty joy, I listen'd to thy tender tale of love, And with fond rapture prest thee to my heart, With kinder gesture now, and look benignant, He whispers soft forgiveness in my ear. of woe Sudden the scene is chang'd. The cry I see thee stretch'd before me, pale and lifeless, And pierc'd with wounds, and stiff with clotted blood." VOL. II. Would'st thou forget our loves?" the hero cried: "No; when these black ideas haunt thy fancy, Bid fond remembrance dwell on ev'ry kiss, Each stolen rapture, and each soft endearment. Pleas'd would his martial hand bestow thy beauty She rais'd her streaming eyes, and smil'd in tears. So, from the region of the sultry South, When dark collected vapours rolling on, Have quench'd the radiance of the summer morn, And the loud thunder growls, and rain descends, She beats her wretched breast, entreats his stay, Exhausted now, she faints. The gentle Sabra With milder action presses with her lips His hand, while from her eyes the trickling moisture Falls silent: he, though firm of soul, not proof 'Gainst human feelings, turns his face to hide The tear he checks in vain, and hastes away. Expect their leader. He with joy surveys Their numerous files, and marks their bold demeanour. Nor less elate, they with admiring eyes Beheld their graceful chief. He seem'd a god. Such to their fathers, by the sacred wave Of their ador'd Scamander, when the foe To mortal eyes, the dreadful god of war Flam'd in the foremost battle. Fear and flight Precede. Wild horror seiz'd each Grecian heart. "Ye brave assertors of your country's rights, Ye genuine sons of Troy," the hero cried, "Whence is this mighty nation, whose bold arms Insult our frontiers, and provoke our wrath? Are these the matchless warriors, they who late Suppliant, with outstretch'd arms, implor'd our aid, When the rude natives from their cloudy hills Scourg'd back the weak invaders, who but ill Sustain'd their aspect fierce, and giant strength, When, loos'ning from their seats the rooted rocks, They hurl'd th' enormous ruin on their foe? Then, suppliant, they implor'd our aid, and wag'd Successful war, with forces not their own. Presumptuous! they who would our country seize Have none but by our gift. Advance, my friends, Advance your ensigns, lift your shining arms. They view our fertile plains with envious eyes; Those fertile plains superior valour won, Superior valour guards. Hence let them fly 'Midst rugged rocks, and desert caves, to seek A refuge from our wrath." He spoke; at once A thousand banners float upon the air; At once they march: a thousand instruments Sound forth their martial strains, and as they move Loud rings the brazen armour. Neighing steeds Whirl o'er the smoking plain the scythed cars; Earth shakes, and heav'n's wide-echoing arch resounds. Upon their dancing plumes, and glitt'ring helms, Sits Confidence. Elate with hope they move, And eager for the war: some god deceives Their dazzled sense, and urges on to ruin. |