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174
ELEGY THE THIRD.
Yet are ye Hercules' unconquer'd race—
Remand, heroic tribe, your spirit lost!
Not yet all-seeing Jove averts his face;
Then meet without a fear the thronging host.
Remand, heroic tribe, your spirit lost!
Not yet all-seeing Jove averts his face;
Then meet without a fear the thronging host.
175
Each to the foe his steady shield oppose,
Accoutred to resign his hateful breath:
The friendly sun a mild effulgence throws
On valour's grave, tho' dark the frown of death.
Accoutred to resign his hateful breath:
The friendly sun a mild effulgence throws
On valour's grave, tho' dark the frown of death.
Yes! ye have known the ruthless work of war!
Yes! ye have known its tears—its heavy woe;
When, scattering in pale flight, ye rush'd afar,
Or chas'd the routed squadrons of the foe.
Yes! ye have known its tears—its heavy woe;
When, scattering in pale flight, ye rush'd afar,
Or chas'd the routed squadrons of the foe.
176
Of those who dare, a strong compacted band,
Firm for the fight their warriour-spirits link,
And grapple with the foeman, hand to hand,
How few, thro' deadly wounds expiring, sink.
Firm for the fight their warriour-spirits link,
And grapple with the foeman, hand to hand,
How few, thro' deadly wounds expiring, sink.
They, foremost in the ranks of battle, guard
The inglorious multitude that march behind;
While shrinking fears the coward's step retard,
And dies each virtue in the feeble mind.
The inglorious multitude that march behind;
While shrinking fears the coward's step retard,
And dies each virtue in the feeble mind.
But 'tis not in the force of words to paint
What varied ills attend the ignoble troop,
Who trembling on the scene of glory faint,
Or wound the fugitives that breathless droop.
What varied ills attend the ignoble troop,
Who trembling on the scene of glory faint,
Or wound the fugitives that breathless droop.
Basely the soldier stabs, with hurried thrust,
The unresisting wretch, that shieldless flies!
At his last gasp dishonour'd in the dust
(His back transfix'd with spears) the dastard lies!
The unresisting wretch, that shieldless flies!
At his last gasp dishonour'd in the dust
(His back transfix'd with spears) the dastard lies!
177
Thus then, bold youth, the rules of valour learn:
Stand firm, and fix on earth thy rooted feet;
Bite with thy teeth thy eager lips; and stern
In conscious strength, the rushing onset meet:
Stand firm, and fix on earth thy rooted feet;
Bite with thy teeth thy eager lips; and stern
In conscious strength, the rushing onset meet:
And shelter with thy broad and bossy shield
Thy thighs and shins, thy shoulders and thy breast;
The long spear ponderous in thy right-hand wield,
And on thy head high nod the dreadful crest.
Thy thighs and shins, thy shoulders and thy breast;
The long spear ponderous in thy right-hand wield,
And on thy head high nod the dreadful crest.
Mark well the lessons of the warlike art,
That teach thee, if the shield with ample round
Protect thy bosom, to approach the dart,
Nor chuse with timid care the distant ground.
That teach thee, if the shield with ample round
Protect thy bosom, to approach the dart,
Nor chuse with timid care the distant ground.
But, for close combat with the fronting foe,
Elate in valorous attitude draw near;
And aiming, hand to hand, the fateful blow,
Brandish thy temper'd blade or massy spear.
Elate in valorous attitude draw near;
And aiming, hand to hand, the fateful blow,
Brandish thy temper'd blade or massy spear.
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Yes! for the rage of stubborn grapple steel'd,
Grasp the sword's hilt, and couch the long-beat lance;
Foot to the foeman's foot, and shield to shield,
Crest ev'n to crest, and helm to helm, advance.
Grasp the sword's hilt, and couch the long-beat lance;
Foot to the foeman's foot, and shield to shield,
Crest ev'n to crest, and helm to helm, advance.
But ye light-arm'd, who, trembling in the rear,
Bear smaller targets, at a distance, throw
The hissing stone, or hurl the polisht spear,
(Plac'd nigh your panoply) to mar the foe.
Bear smaller targets, at a distance, throw
The hissing stone, or hurl the polisht spear,
(Plac'd nigh your panoply) to mar the foe.
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