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And know what lives were lavish 'd to subdue, 

 And bend beneath our laws the savage crew : 

 When Fortune led us on, with conqu'ring arms, 

 Thro' paths of deadly guile, and fierce alarms. 

 This ground was often drunk with hostile gore. 

 That bought our triumphs on this fatal shore í 

 But dangers new our sagest counsels claim, 

 To guard the glories of the Spanish name. 

 Inveterate Hate, by habit nurst, you know. 

 And scorn of life inspires the savage foe ; 

 And, should we fail, their pride, despising bound, 

 Would flame defiance to the world around. 

 This gives me pause, nor can my anxious eye 

 The safer path in this dilemma spy." 



Fermenting courage in each bosom flam'd 

 Of those bold youths, by evil yet untam'd. 

 And native valour beam'd in every eye : 



Let us but see them once," aloud they cry ; 

 " Let ten of us be nam'd to face the foe. 

 We'll force the post, and lay their standard low. 

 We know not fear, nor be it ever told 

 That dastard dread our inborn worth controU'd ; 

 Our taintless honour deprecates the thought, 

 That, by retreat, a moment's life were bought. 

 One faltering motion, one retiring pace, 

 Would shade our long renown with deep disgrace. 

 No, let us with undaunted march proceed, 

 We dare to follow, if you choose to lead." 

 Valdivia's burning cheek the pangs confest 

 Of shame and honour, struggling in his breast. 

 Ill-fated Chief ! the dire eíFect you saw 

 Of youthful rage that spurn'd at Reason's law ; 

 The keen and venom 'd shaft of causeless blame. 

 You, like a W^arrior, felt with honest shame ; 

 False honour o'er your better sense prevaii'd. 

 The Soldier triumph'd, but the General fail'd : 

 You rather wish'd to sink among the slain, 

 Than soil your honour with the slightest stain Î 



While thus revenge and war the soldiers vow'd, 

 A friendly Indian, from the martial crowd 

 Sprung forth, and to Valdivia thus exclaim'd : 

 " O mighty Chief, in many a combat fam'd, 



