9^2.4, ANNUAL REGISTER, 1804. 



Eyeing the backAvard lawns, lest hostile glance 

 Observe my footsteps, while each rustling leaf, 

 Stirr'd by the gentle gale, alarms my fears ; 

 Then, parch'd beneath the burning heats of noon, 

 1 plunge into the limpid stream, that laves 

 The silent vale, or on its gras«iy banks, 

 Beneath some oak's majestic shade, recline; 

 Envying the vagrant fishes, as they pass. 

 Their boon of freedom ; till the distant sound 

 Of tolling curfew warns me to depart. 



Thus, under tyrant power, I groan, oppressed 

 . With woi-se than slav'rj^ ; yet my free-born soul 

 Her native warmth forgets not, nor will brook 

 Menace or taunt from proud insulting peer j 

 But summon to the field the doughty foe, 

 In single combat, 'midst th' impartial throng. 

 There, to decide our fate. Oft, too, indam'd 

 With mutual rage, two rival armies meet 

 Of youthful warriors ; kindling at the sight, 

 My soul is fir'd with vast heroic thoughts, 

 Trusting, in martial glory to surpass » 

 Roman or Grecian chief; instant with shouts. 

 The mingling sq\iadrons join the horrid fray ; 

 No need of cannon, or the murd'rous steel, 

 Wide-wasting ; nature, rage, our arms supply. 

 Fragments of rocks are hurl'd, and show'rs of stones 

 Obscure the day ; nor less the brawny arm 

 Of knotted club nvaU : high in the midst, 

 Are seen the mighty chiefs, thro' hosts of foes, 

 Mowing their way ; and now, with tenfold rage. 

 The combat burns ; full many a sanguine stream 

 Distains the field, and many a vet'ran brave 

 Lies prostrate ; loud triumphant shouts ascend 

 By turns from either host ; each claims the palm 

 Of glorious conquest ; nor till night's dun shades 

 Involve the sky, the doubtful conflict ends. 

 Thus, Avhen rebellion shook the thrones of heav'n, 

 And all the eternal pow'rs in battle met, 

 Jfigh o'er the rest, with vast gigantic strides, 

 The godlike leaders, on th' embattled plain 

 Came tow'riug, breathing forth revenge and fate; 

 Nor less terrific join'd th' inferior hosts 

 Of angel warriors, when encount'ning hills 

 Tore the rent concave ; — flashing with the blaze 

 Of fiery arms, and lightnings not of Jove ; 

 All heaven resounded, and the astonish'd deeps 

 Of Chaos bellow'd with the monstrous roar I 



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