CANTO THE SECOND XV |
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CANTO THE SECONDXV
Commanding, aiding, animating all,
Where foe appear`d to press, or friend to fall,
Cheers Lara`s voice, and waves or strikes his steel,
Inspiring hope himself had ceased to feel.
None fled, for well they knew that flight were vain,
But those that waver turn to smite again,
While yet they find the firmest of the foe
Recoil before their leader`s look and blow;
Now girt with numbers, now almost alone,
He foils their ranks, or reunites his own;
Himself he spared not — once they seem`d to fly —
Now was the time, he waved his hand on high,
And shook — Why sudden droops that plumed crest?
The shaft is sped — the arrow`s in his breast!
That fatal gesture left the unguarded side,
And Death hath stricken down yon arm of pride.
The word of triumph fainted from his tongue;
That hand, so raised, how droopingly it hung!
But yet the sword instinctively retains,
Though from its fellow shrink the falling reins;
These Kaled snatches: dizzy with the blow,
And senseless bending o`er his saddle-bow
Perceives not Lara that his anxious page
Beguiles his charger from the combat`s rage:
Meantime his followers charge and charge again;
Too mix`d the slayers now to heed the slain!
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