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53

V. SONNET.

[The hero, dauntless, on war's crimson plain]

The hero, dauntless, on war's crimson plain
Hears shouts of joy proclaim the foe's success:
Soon fiercely-rushing myriads round him press—
No coward fears his rapid steps restrain;
With tenfold fury fir'd, he breathes disdain,
Riots in blood, and struggling with distress,
As dangers thicken, heeds the peril less;
Till faint, he falls by matchless numbers slain:
Thus He who long unpitied pour'd his sighs,
Or wept in fruitless grief the hours away;
Tho' scarce one cloud of early passion flies,
Tho' deepen'd shades obscure the passing day;
Yet feels mid frequent storms new courage rise:
His spirit strengthens, while his hopes decay.