38 



precipitate flight, and, after twelve days of confusion and fatigue, 

 reach the city of Santiago, in the valley of M^pocho. Lautaro ar- 

 rives in the mean time before the walls they had deserted : — and 

 the Poet concludes his canto with a spirited description of the bar- 

 baric fury with which the Indians entered the abandoned city, and 

 destroyed by fire the rich and magnificent mansions of their 

 Spanish oppressors. 



CANTO VIII. 



LAUTARO is recalled from his victorious exploits, to assist at 

 a general assembly of the Indians, in the valley of Arauco. The 

 different Chieftains deliver their various sentiments concerning the 

 war, after their leader Caupolican has declared his design to pur- 

 sue the Spaniards with unceasing vengeance. The veteran Colo- 

 cólo proposes a plan for their military operations. An ancient 

 Augur, named Puchecalco, denounces ruin on all the projects of 

 his countrymen, in the name of the Indian Demon Eponamon. H© 

 recites the omens of their destruction. The fierce Tucapel, pro- 

 voked to frenzy by this gloomy prophet, strikes him dead in the 

 midst of his harangue, with a sudden blow of his mace. Caupolican 

 orders the murderous Chieftain to be led to instant death. He de- 

 fends himself with success against numbers who attempt to seize 

 him. Lautaro, pleased with this exertion of his wonderful force and 

 valour, intreats the General to forgive what had passed ; and, at 

 his intercession, Tucapel is received into favour. Lautaro then 

 closes the business of the assembly, by recommending the plan pro- 

 posed by Colocólo, and intreating that he may himself be entrusted 

 with a detached party of five hundred Indians, with which he en- 

 gages to reduce the city of Santiago. His proposal is accepted. 

 The Chieftains, having finished their debate, declare their resolu- 

 tions to their people ; and, after their usual festivity, Caupolican, 

 with the main army, proceeds to attack the city of Imperial. 



CANTO IX. 



WHEN to the city's weak defenceless wall 

 Its foes were rushing, at their trumpet's call, 

 The air grew troubled with portentous sound, 

 And moûrnful omens multiplied around ; 



