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Not hunters, when the starting hare they see 



Stretching, with tim'rous speed, along the lea, 



More transport feel, than each Iberian breast, 



At the first prospect of the foe confest. 



Instant, their thund'ring steeds they spurr'd along, 



Eager to plunge amid the hostile throng. 



Of flinty-headed pikes the Indians drew 



A line before to foil the Christian crew ; 



Yet, at their force, the Christians nought dismay*d, 



Dismist the boldest to the Stygian shade ; 



And spears and spearmen, helms andbatter'd shields. 



In various havock spread the fatal fields. 



With active hands, but hopeless hearts, they fought, 



For still fresh numbers hemm'd the fatal spot. 



Two squadrons, in a circle wide, surround 



The fatal wood; the third maintains its ground 



Against their foes : their foes in close array 



Come on with levell'd spears, or break away. 



And now in deadly tournament they join, 



And with fierce inroad part the lengthen'd line. 



Again their rallying foes and legions meet, 



And force them back to find a safe retreat. 



Now back to back they fight : now side by side, 



And chace their wounded foes along the forest wide. 



Soon other foes, assembling in the rear, 



Laugh at the lightening of the lifted spear. 



Thus twice with desperate rage to force their way, 



They strove, as oft the Indians firm array 



At every pass their furious course withstood 



Among the mazes of the faithless wood. 



Then facing to the long defile that led 



Where Casafuerte rais'd its awful head 



Of old, to right, to left the warriors wheel'd. 



But still the thronging Indians fill'd the field, 



And mingling boldly with the gallant band 



Provok'd th' unequal conflict hand to hand. 



At length from that sad vale a pass they found. 



By mining waters thro* the lofty mound 



Open'd of old, where now the sinking soil 



Promis*d a seeming respite to their toil ; 



So narrow was the way, that as they past 



Along the path by shelving hills embrac*d, 



