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The hot incursion of our deadly foes, 

 While I, at Elicura's pass dispose 

 My powers, the hostile squadrons to engage, 

 If haply there they mean to point their rage." 



All prais'd the generous boon, so well bestow 'd. 

 The new made Chief with grateful ardour glow'd : 

 Envy, tlie darkest demon of the mind, 

 Was mute, if envy there a place could find. 

 The Chief, as laws ordain'd in days of yore, 

 From his redundant locks a ringlet shore ; 

 This simple mark of delegated sway 

 The tribes were long accustom 'd «to obey. 



This meed the youth obtained, his country's shield, 

 In counsel wise, and fearless in the field : 

 Yet mild, and gentle in the peaceful shade, 

 He only seem'd for social pleasure made ; 

 But when his country's callinspir'd his soul, 

 His fiery spirit flam'd above controul. 

 Not large of limb, but with collected might. 

 And lion nerve, he turn'd the tide of fight ; 

 His swelling muscles, his capacious chest. 

 And shoulders broad, transcendent force confest. 

 The choice, and presence of this guest renown'd, 

 Prolong'd the feast, while oft the sun went round. 

 The rivals in the course, the wrestlers ring. 

 The sinewy champion, who with active spring 

 Out-leap'd his peers, employ'd the jocund day, 

 But, when pale Cynthia shed her silver ray 

 Along the solemn wood, the dance and song 

 Varied the pleasures of the ijiartial throng : 

 Not equal feasts adorn 'd, in days of yore. 

 The plains of Argos or Scamander's shore : 

 When long-protracted joys, with honours due. 

 Paid the long labours of the gallant crew. 



But o*er th' assembly soon a cloud was cast. 

 When thro' the forest, breathless, pale, aghast, 

 O'ertoil'd, and smear'dwith dust, a Courier came, 

 And thus was heard his tidings to proclaim : 

 " To arms, great Chief! to arms, ye tribes renown'd, 

 The deadly Foe has forc'd the guarded bound. 

 Your ambuscade is broke, your champions slain, 

 None but the troops that fied the field remain, 



