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And saw where Leucoton inaintain*d the fight 

 Against proud Lamas with Reynoso's knight. 

 Nought could the Spaniard's double force prevail, 

 And still the battle hung in even scale ; 

 But when Valdivia to the combat drew 

 Such fearful odds, the Araucanians flew 

 Their friend to aid ; again the battle rag*d. 

 And Spanish Knights and Indian Chiefs engag'd 

 With equal might, while. to the vaulted sky 

 From plate and mail the steely sparkles fly. 

 Thus veer'd the tide of fight, by fortune driven, 

 While the rude sound of onset rose to Heaven. 

 Here many a gasping Chief resign 'd his breath, 

 Disdaining flight, and proud of glorious death ; 

 While some with hostile arms embrace the foe, 

 And speed with daggers keen, the mortal blow. 



'Twas not enough that Gudiel ne'er had seen 

 An equal wrestler on the sylvan green ; 

 But kindling with ill-omen'd thirst of fame. 

 He now resolv'd to try the dang'rous game. 

 Strong Guaticol he challeng'd to the field, 

 A youth, yet never known the palm to yield ; 

 They meet ; they grapple long with fruitless toil, 

 While drops of sweat bedew the dusty soil ; 

 But to his brother's aid bold Puron flew. 

 And with insidious hand a dagger drew ; 

 Then ripp'd with cruel stroke the Spaniard's side 

 And life came floating in a purple tide. 

 Faint with the loss of blood, and deadly wan 

 With staggering step brave Villaroel ran 

 Among his foes a speedy fate to find ; 

 With him the noble heir of Pennas join'd 

 Oozing in gory drops his life away. 

 And both at once provoke the mortal fray ; 

 And not in vain : for soon, combin'd in death, 

 They sink together, and resign their breath. 



Our ranks grew thin, and still the bravest fell, 

 While still the hostile numbers seem'd to swell. 

 Scarce sixty gallant combatants remain*d. 

 Who with undaunted hearts the fight maintain'd : 

 And Fortune, wav'ring in her fickle mood. 

 The part she favour'd late, with rage pursu'd ; 



