220 MOORISH BULL-FIGHT. 



X. 



Dark is his hide on either side, but the blood within doth 

 boil, 



And the dun hide glows, as if on fire, as he paws to the tur- 

 moil. 



His eyes are jet, and they are set in crystal rings of snow; 



But now they stare with one red glare of brass upon the foe. 



XI. 



Upon the forehead of the bull the horns stand close and 



near, 

 From out the broad and wrinkled skull, like daggers they 



appear ; 



His neck is massy, like the trunk of some old knotted tree, 

 Whereon the monster's shagged mane, like billows curl'd, 



ye see. 



XII. 

 His legs are short, his hams are thick, his hoofs are black 



as night, 



Like a strong flail he holds his tail in fierceness of his might ; 

 Like something molten out of iron, or hewn from forth the 



rock, 

 Harpado of Xarama stands, to abide the Alcayde*s shock. 



XIII. 



Now stops the drum close, close they come thrice meet, 



and thrice give back ; 

 The white foam of Harpado lies on the charger's breast of 



black 



The white foam of the charger on Harpado's front of dun- 

 Once more advance upon his lance once more, thou fearless 



one ! 



XIV. 

 Once more, once more ; in dust and gore to ruin must thou 



reel- 

 In vain, in vain thou tearest the sand with furious heel- 

 In vain, in vain, thou noble beast, I see, I see thee stagger 

 Now keen and cold thy neck must hold the stern Alcayd<f s 



dagger ! 



