cer named Valdivia; with an intimation that his negligence in his 

 new dominion gave birth to those important exploits which the 

 Poet proposes to celebrate. 



CANTO II. 



MANY there are who, in this mortal strife, 

 Have reach'd the slippery heights of splendid life : 

 For Fortune's ready hand its succour lent ; 

 Smiling she rais'd them up the steep ascent, 

 To hurl them headlong from that lofty seat 

 To which she led their unsuspecting feet ; 

 E'en at the moment when all fears disperse, 

 And their proud fancy sees no sad reverse. 

 Little they think, beguil'd by fair success. 

 That Joy is but the herald of Distress : 

 The hasty wing of Time escapes their sight, 

 And those dark evils that attend his flight : 

 Vainly they dream, with gay presumption warm, 

 Fortune for them will take a steadier form ; 

 She, unconcern'd at what her victims feel, 

 Turns with her wonted haste her fatal wheel. 



The Indians first, by novelty dismay'd, 

 As Gods rever'd us, and as Gods obey'd ; 

 But when they found we were of woman born, 

 Their homage turn'd to enmity and scorn : 

 Their childish error when our weakness show'd, 

 They blush 'd at what their ignorance bestow'd; 

 Fiercely they burnt with anger and with shame, 

 To see their masters but of mortal frame. 

 Disdaining cold and cowardly delay, 

 They seek atonement, on no distant day : 

 Prompt and resolv'd, in quick debate they join, 

 To form of deep revenge their dire design. 

 Impatient that their bold decree should spread. 

 And shake the world around with sudden dread, 

 Th' assembling Chieftains led so large a train. 

 Their ready host o'erspread th' exteniive plain. 

 No summons now the soldier's heart requires 

 The thirst of battle every breast inspires ; 



