39 



With furious shock the elements engage, 

 And all the winds contend in all their rage. 



From clashing clouds the mingled torrents gush; 

 And rain and hail with rival fury rush. 

 Bolts of loud thunder, floods of lightning rend 

 The opening skies, and into earth descend. 



O'er the vast army equal terrors spread ; 

 No mind escapes the universal dread ; 

 Ko breast, tho* arm'd with adamantine power, 

 Holds its firm vigour in this horrid hour ; 

 For now the fierce Eponamon appears. 

 And in a Dragon's form augments their fears ; 

 Involving flames around the Demon swell, 

 Who speaks his mandate in a hideous yell : 

 He bids his votaries with haste invest 

 The trembling city, by despair deprest. 

 Where'er th' invading squadrons force their way. 

 He promises their arms an easy prey. 

 " Spare not (hecry'd) in the relentless strife, 

 One Spanish battlement, one Christian lifel" 

 He spoke, and, while the host his will adore, 

 Melts into vapour, and is seen no more. 



Quick as he vanish'd Nature's struggles cease j 

 The troubled elements are sooth'd to peace : 

 The winds no longer rage with boundless ire, 

 But hush'd in silence, to their caves retire : 

 The clouds disperse, restoring as they fly 

 The unobstructed sun and azure sky : 

 Fear only held its place, and still pessest 

 Usurp'd dominion o'er the boldest breast. 



The tempest ceas'd, and heaven, serenely bright 

 Array 'd themoisten'd earth in joyous light ; 

 When, poised upon a cloud that swiftly flew, 

 A female form descended to their view. 

 Clad in the radiance of so rich a veil. 

 As made the sun's meridian lustre pale ; 

 For it outshone his golden orb as far 

 As his full blaze outshines the twinkling star. 

 Her sacred features banished all their dread, 

 And o'er the host reviving comfort shed. 

 An hoary Elder by her side appear'd. 

 For age and sanctity of life rcver'd ; 



