18 



Now turn, while Fame and Victory invite, 

 While prosp'rous Fortune calis you to the fight j 

 Or yet a moment cease, O cease to fly, 

 And for our country learn of me to die 1" 



Exclaiming thus, among the crowd he prest, 

 And aim'd hisjavelin at Valdivia's breast ; 

 Profuse of life, to fire his kindred band 

 By the atchievements of a single hand, 

 Bounding among the levell'd spears he flew, 

 While death around his steely circle drew ; 

 As when, in summer's glow, a panting deer, 

 Seeks the cool solace of the waters clear, 

 And sports amid the waves in wanton play, 

 So sped the warrior thro' the thick array. 

 One he o'erturns ; another warrior's side 

 Feels through his ribs the deadly weapon glide, 

 Though long and large ; then lancing through the throng, 

 He turns and winds at will, or darts along ; 

 Now springing to the blow, a soldier's thigh 

 He pierc'd, as on his steed he past him by ; 

 The shock, as o'er the field his courser flew, 

 With headlong fury snapt the beam in two ; 

 In his strong hand remain'd the shatter'd wood, 

 Fixt in the lawn the pointed truncheon stood. 

 Flinging the fragments of his spear away, < 

 An huge two-handed mace, with furious sway, 

 Caught from the field, around the warrior swung. 

 And fell'd the bravest of the fighting throng. 

 Before the tempest of his arm afar 

 At distance due retir'd the baflled war ; 

 But rallying soon the martial tide returns, 

 And round his dauntless head the battle burns. 

 No more they pour upon the flying crew, 

 But 'gainst a single youth the fight renew. 

 W^ith active bound he shuns the levell'd lance, 

 Keen falchions round his helm innocuous glance, 

 Through tilting spears, and many a random blow, 

 He vaults, or springs aloof, or lurks below ; 

 And like a Demon, in the shades of night, 

 Eludes the touch, though visible to sight. 

 What far-fam'd ages ever yetsupply'd 

 A name like his, who left the victor's side, 



