19 



And with tlie vanquished host, at Honour's call, 

 Resolv'd to wake their hopes, or share their fall 

 What eye had ever seen beneath the sun. 

 Since he began his daily race to run, 

 A young barbarian's solitary hand, 

 Extort a trophy from the victor band ? 

 Though Rome, exulting, give the Decian name 

 With their sad offering to eternal fame; 

 Though Curtius past the gloomy gulf below. 

 And Mutius' burning hand amaz'd the foe ; 

 Though Codes long maintained the bloody post, 

 And with his single arm repell'd an host ; 

 Though in the ])ass Leónidas was seen. 

 Tinging with Median gore the fatal green ; 

 Since first the world was shook by war's alarms, 

 His equal ne'er was known in deeds of arms. 

 Let Furius, with'Marcellus, join his claim, 

 Fulvius and Quintus with the Sergian name ; 

 Say, of these famous Chiefs can one exceed 

 Or match this young Barbarian's noble deed? 

 Vict'ry for them, her purpose unexplor'd. 

 Tempted by equal chance their happy sword : 

 What risk, what peril, did they boldly meet, 

 Save where Ambition urg'd the splendid feat ; 

 Or mightier Interest fir'd the daring mind. 

 Which makes a Hero of the fearñü Hind ? 

 Many there are who with a brave disdain 

 Face all the perils of the deathful plain, 

 Who, fir'd by hopes of glory, nobly dare. 

 Yet fail the stroke of adverse chance to bear î 

 With animated fire their spirit shines. 

 Till the short splendour of their day declines ; 

 But all their valour, all their strength expires, 

 When fickle Fortune from their side retires. 

 This youthful Hero, when the die was cast. 

 War's dire decree against his country past. 

 Made the stern Power the finish'd cause resume, 

 And finally reverse the cruel doom : 

 And, by his efforts in the dread debate, 

 Forc'd the determined will of adverse Fate. 

 Still round his dauntless form the battle wheel'd, 

 And arms and corses strew'd the sanguine field ; 



