With their accustom'd shouts, and greedy toil, 

 Our furious troops now riot in their spoil ; 

 Through the lone village their quick rapine spread, 

 Nor leave unpillag'd e'en a single shed : 

 When, from a tent, that, plac'd on safer ground, 

 The neighbouring hill's uncultur'd summit crown'd, 

 A woman rush'd, who, in her hasty flight. 

 Ran through the roughest paths along the rocky height. 

 A Negro of our train, who mark'd her way, 

 Soon made the hapless fugitive his prey ; 

 For thwarting crags her doubtful steps impede, 

 And the fair form was ill prepared for speed ; 

 For at her breast she bore her huddled son ; 

 To fifteen months the infant's life had run : 

 From Gur brave captive sprung the blooming boy, 

 Of both his parents the chief pride and joy. 

 The Negro carelessly his victim brought, 

 Nor knew th' important prize his haste had caught. 



Our soldiers now, to catch the cooling tide, 

 Had sallied to the murmuring river's side : 

 When the unhappy Wife beheld her Lord, 

 I His strong arms bound with a disgraceful cord, 

 Striptofeach ensign of his past command. 

 And led the pris'ner of our shouting band ; 

 Her anguish burst not into vain complaint, 

 No female terrors her firm soul attaint ; 

 But, breathing fierce disdain, and anger wild, 

 Thus she exclaim'd, advancing with her child : 



The stronger arm that in this shameful band 

 Has tied thy weak effeminated hand. 

 Had nobler pity to thy state exprest 

 If it had bravely pierc'd that coward breast. 

 Wert thou the Warrior whose hcroick worth 

 So swiftly flew around the spacious earth, 

 Whose name alone, umaided by thy arm, 

 Shook the remotest climes with fear's alarm ? 

 Wert thou the Victor whose triumphant strain 

 Promised with rapid sword to vanquish Spain; 

 To make new realms Arauco's power revere. 

 And spread her empire o'er the Arctick sphere ? 

 Wretch that I am ! how was my heart deceiv'd. 

 In all the noble pride with which it heav'd. 

 Vol. II I 



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