40 



And thus she spoke, -with soft persuasive grace : 

 Ah ! whither rush ye, blind devoted race ? 

 Turn, while you can, towards your native plain, 

 Nor 'gainst yon city point your arms in vain : 

 For God will guard his faithful Christian band, 

 And give them empire o'er your bleeding land. 

 Since, thankless, false, and obstinate in ill. 

 You scorn submission to his sacred will. 

 Yet shun those walls ; th' Almighty, there ador'd, 

 There arms his people with Destruction's sword. 



So spoke the Vision, with an angel's tongue. 

 And thro' the spacious air to heaven she sprung. 



The Indians, confounded by this miraculous interposition, dis- 

 perse in disorder to their several homes. The Vision is followed by 

 a pestilence and famine among the Indians. They remain inactive 

 during the winter, but assemble again the ensuing spring, in the 

 plains of Arauco, to renew the war. They receive intelligence that 

 the Spaniards are attempting to rebuild the city of Conception, 

 and are requested by the neighbouring tribes to march to their 

 assistance, and prevent that design. Lautaro leads a chosen band 

 on that expedition, hoping to surprize the fort the Spaniards had 

 erected on the ruins of their city ; but the Spanish commander, 

 Al varado, being apprized of their intention, salliesforth to meet the 

 Indian party : a skirmish ensues ; the Spaniards retire to their 

 fort ; Lautaro attempts to storm it ; a most bloody encounter en- 

 sues ; Tucapel signalizes himself in the attack ; the Indians per- 

 severe with the most obstinate valour, and, after a long conflict 

 (described with a considerable portion of Homerick spirit) gain pos- 

 session of the fort ; Alvarado and a few of his followers escape ; 

 they are pursued, and much galled in their flight : a single Indian, 

 named Rengo, barrasses Alvarado and two of his attendants ; the 

 Spanish officer, provoked by the insult, turns with his two com- 

 panions to punish their pursuer ; but the wily Indian secures him- 

 self on some rocky heights, and annoys them with his sling, till^ 

 desparing of revesge, they continue their flight. 



CANTO X. 



THE Indians celebrate their victory with public games ; and 

 prizes are appointed for such as excel in their various martial ex- 



