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And know what lives ^vere lavislj'd to subdue. 

 And bend beneath our laws the savage crew : 

 When Fortune led us en, with conqu'iing arn.s, 

 Thro' paths of deadly guile, and fierce ahirnis, 

 This ground was often drunk with hostile gore, 

 That bought our triumphs on this fatal bhoi c : 

 But dangers new our sagest counsels claim, 

 To guard the glories of the Spavii.sh name. 

 Inveterate Hate, by habit nurst, you know. 

 And scorn of life inspires the savage foe ; 

 And, should we fail, their pride, despising bound, 

 Would Hame defiance to the world around. 

 This gives me pause, nor can my anxious ey 

 The safer path in this dilemma spy." 



Fermenting courage in eachboscm flam'd 

 Of those bold youths, by evil yet untam'd, 

 And native valour beam'd in every eye : 

 " Let us but see them once," aloud they cry ; 

 " Let ten of us be nam'd to face the foe, 

 W^e'll force the post, and lay their standard low. 

 We know not fear, nor be it ever told 

 That dastard dread our inborn worth controU'd ; 

 Our taintless honour deprecates the thought, 

 That, by retreat, a moment's life Avere bought. 

 One faltering motion, one retiring pace, 

 Would shade our long renown with deep disgrace. 

 No, let us with undaunted march proceed. 

 We dare to follow, if you choose to lead." 

 Valdivia's burning cheek the pangs confest 

 Of shame and honour, struggling in his breast. 

 Ill-fated Chief! the dire effect ycu saw 

 Of youthful rage that spurn'd at Reason's law ; 

 The keen and venom'd shaft of causeless blame, 

 You, like a Warrior, felt with honest shame ; 

 False honour o'er your better sense prevail'd. 

 The Soldier triumph'd, but the General fail'd: 

 You rather wish'd to sink among the slain, 

 Than soil your honour with the sliglitesi stain ! 



While thus revenge and war the soldier» vow'd, 

 A friendly Indian, from the martial crowd 

 Sprung forth, and to Valdivia thus exclaim'd: 

 " O mighty Chief, in many a combat fam'd,. 



