University of Virginia Library

V.

Upon yon green hill's sunny brow
Flashes a gleaming blaze—
It shoots adown the dark sward now
Upon the eager gaze;
It is his glittering armour flings
Reflected day afar—
It is his coal-black steed that springs
Fleet as that day's high car!
And now he gains the circling bound
Where swarming vassals clos'd around;
In many a swell tumultuous thrown,
They scatter'd as his steed dash'd on;—
As when the billowy mists above
Down the veil'd mountain trembling move—
Successive rolls each mingling host,—
So, till that foaming courser crost
The barrier, from his ardent side
The severing myriads wild divide.