THE FORESTERS. 37 



From right to left, where'er the prospect led, 



The reddening forest like a carpet spread, 



Beyond, immense, to the horizon's close, 



Huge amphitheatres of mountains rose. 



Charmed with this spot, our knapsacks we resigned, 



And here, like Gods, in airy regions dined ; 



Like gods of old the cordial cup we quaffed, 



Sung songs to liberty, and joked and laughed ; 



Huzza' d aloud — then listened from on high 



If haply slumbering Echo would reply. 



A long dead pause ensued — at once the sound 



In tenfold shouts from distant hills rebound ; 



Not Polyphemus' self e'er louder roared, 



When burning goads his monstrous visage gored. 



Huzza! huzza! the echoing mountains cry ; 



Huzza! huzza! more distant hills reply, 



And still more distant till the faint huzza, 



In lessening shouts, successive, died away. 



Surprised, astonished ! heedless of our meal 



We seized our muskets for a nobler peal, 



Filled their dark bowels with the glistening grain. 



And, facing, pointed to the extended scene, 



Then at the word their fiery thunders poured, 



That through the wide expanse impetuous roared. 



Deep silence hung — The loud returning roar 



From bellowing mountains thunders o'er and o'er; 



Peal after peal successive bursts away, 



And rolls tremendous o'er the face of day ; 



From hill to hill the loud responses fly, 



And in the vast horizon lessening die.(24) 



Thus from Olympus, o'er a prostrate world, 



