26 



T'lie hot incursion of our deadly foes, 

 While I, at Elicura's pass dispose 

 My powers, the hostile squadrons to engage, 

 If haply there they mean to point their rage." 



All prais'd the generous boon, so well bestow 'd, 

 The new made Chief with grateful ardour glow'd : 

 Envy, the darkest demon of the mind, 

 Was mute, if envy there a place could find. 

 The Chief, as laws ordain'd in days of yore, 

 Fi-om his redundant locks a ringlet shore ; 

 This simple mark of delegated sway 

 'i'he tribes were long accustom'd to obey. 



This meed the youth obtain'd, his country's shield,, 

 In counsel wise, and fearless in the field : 

 Yet mild, and gentle in the peaceful shade, 

 He only seem'd for social pleasure made ; 

 But when his country's callinspir'd his soul. 

 His fiery spirit flam'd above controul. 

 Not large of limb, but with collected might. 

 And lion nerve, he turn'd the tide of fight ; 

 His swelling muscles, his capacious chest. 

 And shoulders bx'oad, transcendent force confcst. 

 The choice, and presence of this guest renown'd, 

 Prolong'd the feast, while oft the sun went round. 

 The rivals in the course, the wrestlers riag. 

 The sinewy champion, who with active spring 

 Out-leap'd his peers, employ'd the jocund day. 

 But, when pale Cynthia shed her silver ray 

 Along the solemn wood, the dance and song 

 Varied the pleasures of the qiartial throng : 

 Not equal feasts adorn'd, in days of yore, 

 'J'lic plains of Argos or Scamander's shore: 

 When long-protracted joys, with honours due, 

 Paid the long labours of tlie gallant crew. 



But o'er th' assembly soon a cloud was cast, 

 When thro' the forest, breathless, pale, aghast, 

 OV-rtoil'd, and smcar'd with dust, a Courier came, 

 And thus was heard his tidings to proclaim : 

 " To arms, great Chief! to arms, ye tribes renown'd, 

 The deadly Foe hasforc'd the guarded bound. 

 Your ambuscade is bi'oke, your chamj)ions slain, 

 Xono but the troops that fled the field remain, 



