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Rut after many a proof of matchless might, 

 They fell successive in th' unfiiiish'd fight ; 

 Mangled with wounds, the noble youths resign 'd 

 Their souls, but vengeance v/as not left behind. 

 For e'er they fell themselves, their deadly blades 

 Sent their destroyers to the Stygian shades. 

 But now the dreadful trump of Spain afar 

 Pour d on the startled ear the blast of war ; 

 With vizors clos'd, and every lance in rest, 

 The hardy Spaniards to the combat prest. 

 In four light squadrons form'd, the gallant van 

 Springing in full career, the fight began ; 

 Backward recoil'd the battle of the foe, 

 And soon barbarian blood was seen to flow. 

 Lopp'd arms, and mangled limbs, their triumphs told. 

 And heads and headless trunks at random roll'd : 

 Nor stood the foe agliast, but soon return'd 

 In force, and o'er the field the battle burn'd. 

 Nov/ van to van they meet with mortal blows. 

 And Death alternate feasts on friends and foes ; 

 Yet each disdains a thought of dastard flight, 

 And on his single arm relies in fight : 

 The meadows, late in cheerful green array'd, 

 To the sad eyes a sanguine tint display'd ; 

 Still the dii'e clang of arms incessant rung, 

 And Death above his sable ensign hung ; 

 Viewing v/ith horrid glee the shatter'd brain, 

 Or the v/arm bowels gushing on the plain ; 

 Or gory head, that, as it roU'd alongé 

 Scem'd with convulsive glare to view the throng, 

 Rolling in blood its ghastly eyes around, 

 V'/hilc the fallen body sj>ura'd the sanguine ground. 

 'Í "!ic blood-stain'd sabres, glancing to and fro, 

 füeam'd like red lightning o'er the field below ; 

 And oft as vigour fail'd, by steadfast hate 

 Inspired, they still prolong'd the stern debate. 

 None situnn'd, nor wibh'dtoshmi, his deadly doom. 

 Nor sought repose butin the yawning tomb; 

 Even co-ñ:ards feit their fear to frenzy ch:mg'd. 

 And only wislî'd to die, but die reveng'd. 



But fierce desire of blood, and scorn of pain, 

 With tenfold rage cnfiam'd the .sons of Spain ; 



