56 



endeavours to console her, by repeated promises of all the assist • 

 ance in his power. In the most passionate excess of sorrow, she 

 still entreats him to end her miserable life. — In this distressing 

 scene, our Author is relieved by the arrival of a brother officer, 

 who had been also stationed on the plain, and now informs Ercilla 

 that the time of their appointed watch is expired. They join in 

 comforting the unhappy Mourner, and conduct her into the fort { 

 where they consign her, for the remainder of the night, to the 

 decent care of married women^ to use the chaste ^expression of the 

 generous and compassionate Ercilla. 



CANTO XXI. 



IN pUre affection who has soar'd above 

 The tender pious proof of faithful love, 

 Which thus awak'd our sympathetick care 

 For this unhappy, fond, barbarian Fair ? 



0 that just Fame my humble voice would raise 

 To swell in loudest notes her lasting praise ! 

 To spread her merits, in immortal rhyme, 

 Through every language and through every clime Î 



With pitying females she the night remained, 

 Where no rude step their privacy profan'd ; 

 Though wretched, thankful for their soothing aid, 

 With hopes her duty would at length be paid, 



Soon as the welcome light of morning came. 

 Though soundest sleep had seiz*dmy wearied frame, 

 Though my tir'd limbs were still to rest inclined, 

 Solicitude awak'd my anxious mind. 

 Quick to my Indian Mourner I repair. 

 And still in tears I find the restless Fair ; 

 The varying hours afford her no relief, 

 No transient momentary pause of grief. 

 With truest pity I her pangs assuage ; 

 To find her slaughter'd Lord my word engage ; 

 Restore his corse, and, with a martial band, 

 Escort her safely to her native land. 

 W^ith blended doubt and sorrow, weeping still, 

 My promis'd word she pray*d me to fulfil. 



Assembling now a menial Indian train, 



1 led her to explore the bloody plain : 



