16 



But after many a proof of matchless might, 

 They fell successive in th' unfinish'd fight ; 

 Mangled with wounds, the noble youths resigned 

 Their souls, but vengeance was not left behind, 

 For e'er they fell themselves, their deadly blades 

 Sent their destroyers to the Stygian shades. 



But now the dreadful trump of Spain afar 

 Pour'd on the startled ear the blast of war ; 

 With vizors clos'd, and every lance in rest. 

 The hardy Spaniards to the combat prest. 

 In four light squadrons form*d, the gallant van 

 Springing in full career, the fight began ; 

 ' Backward recoil'd the battle of the foe, 

 And soon barbarian blood was seen to flow. 

 Lopp'd arms, and mangled limbs, their triumphs told^ 

 And heads and headless trunks at random roU'd : 

 Nor stood the foe aghast, but soon returned 

 In force, and o'er the field the battle burn'd. 

 Now van to van they meet with mortal blows, 

 And Death alternate feasts on friends and foes f 

 Yet each disdains a thought of dastard flight. 

 And on his single arm relies in fight : 

 The meadows, late in cheerful green array'd, 

 To the sad eyes a sanguine tint display*d ; 

 Still the dire clang of arms incessant rung, 

 And Death above his sable ensign hung ; 

 Viewing with horrid glee the shatter'd brain, 

 Or the warm bowels gushing on the plain ; 

 Or gory head, that, as it roU'd along, 

 Seem'd with convulsive glare to view the throng, 

 Rolling in blood its ghastly eyes around, 

 While the fallen body spurn'd the sanguine ground. 

 The blood-stain'd sabres, glancing to and fro, 

 Gleam'd like red lightning o'er the field below ; 

 And oft as vigour fail'd, by steadfast hate 

 Inspir'd, they still prolong'd the stern debate. 

 None shunn'd, nor wish'd to shun, his deadly doom^ 

 Nor sought repose but in the yav/ning tomb ; 

 Even cowards fel?their fear to frenzy chang*d, 

 And only wish'd to die, but die reveng'd. 



But fierce desire of blood, and scorn of pain, 

 With tenfold rage enfiam'd the sons of Spain ; 



