oft Victorious as they fought Fierce Alpine Allobrogs with slaughter fed In Snows and everlasting Winter bred Men of stupendous Bulk pamper'd and cloy'd With Blood of Nations which their Arms destroy'd Arm'd with broad flaming Swords and mighty Spears Their Caps were Wolves their Coats rough Skins of Bears Who stretcht on Beds did n'er their Limbs repose But from the naked ground still vig'rous rose Of Aspect terrible their squallid Face Thick matted Beards with bristly Terrour grace None e'er escap'd that did their Arms provoke They Mow whole Squadrons with a single stroke This monstrous Kind of Men did Fame invent And Arthur's Troops so dreadful represent To raise the Britons Hearts before deprest And strike a Terrour thro' the Saxon's Breast With Joy transported all for Arms declare And all the Accoutrements of War prepare The Shepherds on the Hills forsake their Flocks And leave their brouzing Goats upon the Rocks Instead of Crooks that did their Flocks command Long warlike Spears they brandish in their Hand The British Youth their Courage rais'd rejoyce To see the Banners fly and hear the Trumpet 's Voice The Farmers leave the Hopes their Field afford To reap fresh Laurels with their Conquering Sword The noise of War does from the Hills rebound And midst the Miners Eccho's under ground Who straight alarm'd at nobler Labour Sweat And into Swords their glowing Metal beat Their Forges Anvils and wide Bellows breath Are all employ'd in various kinds of Death Some shape the Halbert and broad Fauchion's Blade And Darts by some and Arrows Heads are made Some forming Battle-Axes heave the Sledge Some into Shields strike out a flaming Wedge To fashion Helmets some the Hammer ply Some labour Pieces for the Leg and Thigh With Lances arm'd some their hot Coursers rein And to the War Curvet along the Plain Some with their clenching Gauntlets grasp the Shield Shake their long Spears and rush into the Field Across their Shoulders some their Quivers hung Their Arrows trim'd and Bows for Death new strung As when black Clouds dark'ning the Summer Sky Loaded with Crystal Tempests slowly fly Th' Artillery discharg'd with mighty Sound Th' exploded Hailstones leap upon the ground Thunder amidst the Woods and from the Hills rebound So with the Britons all the Region swarms So thick their Troops so loud the noise of Arms. The groaning Earth complains and trembling feels The trampling Hoofs and Chariots fervid Wheels In order now Celestial Muse declare What Troops and who those ancient Britons were Who for their Country's Liberty combin'd And their Brigades with Arthur's Forces joyn'd From Time's dark Prisons set the Hero's free And may their glorious Names Immortal be First warlike Cadwall the Dimetians Head His Forces from the neighbouring Region led Their Troops advance from the bleak Northern Shore On which the Hybernian Sea's loud Billows roar And where Octopitarum thro' the Waves Wedging his Way the opposing Ocean braves Fair Maridunum pours her Squadrons forth Where the fam'd Sorc'rer Merlin had his Birth They came who dwelt round high Plinlimmon's Sides Where Stuccia flows and swift Turobius glides King Meridoe the Oordovican leads Down from the British Alps whose snowy Heads Imaus like stand towring in the Air And midst the Stars eternal Winter bear And from the Soil lav'd by Conovius Flood And Menai's Banks where then Segontium stood Great Numbers swarm'd from Mona's noble Isle Deform'd for Aspect but of fertile Soil Where once in shady Groves erected stood The Druids Altars stain'd with humane Blood The Troops their March from Mediolanum take From Helen's Way and the Tegeian Lake Thro' which fair Deva's Streams so swiftly pass They uncorrupted shun th' impure Embrace Here the sublime Mervinian Mountains rise And with sharp-pointed Tops transfix the Skies Next Morogan the bold Silures brought None for their Country's Freedom better fought They bravely Valens and his Troops withstood And dy'd Sabrina's Streams with Roman Blood With like Success Veranius they defeat And forc'd his vanquish'd Eagles to retreat This cause as much their Courage did provoke To free their Country from the Saxon Yoke They take in hast their Swords and Bucklers down And march to meet the Prince from every Town From all the Cities on the verdant side Of Nidus and on Loghor's Crystal Tyde They march from Bovium and the neighboring Shore Thick as the Waves that there insulting roar Down from the Hilly Lands the Britons came Which now th' Inhabitants Brechinia name Where the black Mount stands lofty in the Air And forky Peak since call'd great Arthur's Chair They march from Bulleum Haga and the Lake Where when broad Sheets of Ice dissolving crack The ratling Noise rebounds from Neighb'ring Hills And with loud Thunder all the Region fills From Ariconium and the flowry Space VVhich wanton Vaga's winding Arms embrace Where Lugus his transparent Bosom spreads And where Liddenus murmurs thro' the Meads Where thick Hesperian Woods with Apples crown'd Of golden Hue enrich the Fields around Which the most generous British Wine produce Ausonia scarce affords a nobler Juice They leave the Fields fam'd for the purest Corn And the rich Plains that Wooly Flocks adorn Which bless the Farmer with a nobler Fleece Than what Apulia boasts or fertile Greece They leave the golden Vale and happy Ground Which Dorus laves and lofty Woods surround The warlike Youth from Venta came and those That Muno's Flood and Isca's Streams inclose With those that round the Oazy Moor are bred And near the Golden Rocks refulgent Head Out from her Gates her Youth fair Isca pours Crown'd with gilt Spires rich Domes and lofty Towers Where Golden Roofs and checker'd Floors abound Deep Vaults and spacious Chambers under ground A stately Theater the Town o'erlooks And noble Works convey the neighb'ring Brooks By Conquering Romans built that far from home They might enjoy the Sports and Pomp of Rome Such was the ample City's ancient Fame Now worn by time it scarce preserves its Name Those from Gobanium march a Town that stood On Isca's and Gevini's confluent Flood In cheerful Troops the stout Cornavians came From the rich Soil we now Salopia name From either side of fair Sabrina's Tyde Whose silver Streams the fruitful Land divide From Usocona end the Towns that lay On the fam'd Roman Military way From Uriconium yet a Noble Town And old Rutunium then of good Renown Galbut their Leader at their Head appears A lovely Youth and Wise above his Years Descended from a Noble ancient Race Of Heros who the British Annals grace He by Forefathers Beams Illustrious shone Great by their Deeds but greater by his own Zeal for his Country and the British Cause The generous Youth to glorious Danger draws For this he crost the Ocean to implore Prince Arthur's Arms their Freedom to restore The Prince embrac'd him as his Fav'rite Friend And did his Zeal and Vigilance commend He staid the dear Companion of his Toil Both on the Seas and on th' Armorick Soil And when
steers his end 's attain'd By uncouth means with greater wonder gain'd Sometimes his high permission leaves opprest The Men most like him and that serve him best But still their Sufferings and severer Fate Prepare them for some glorious future state Invited by sad Britain's Prayers and Tears To save her State and ease her deadly Fears VVe arm'd depos'd Religion to enthrone T' enlarge the Christian Empire not our own VVe arm'd thus to restore in Hell's despight To Heav'n its VVorship and to Men their Right Resume your Courage then it can't be true That Heav'ns Revenge should Heav'n's own Cause pursue These Evils are not in displeasure meant Heav'n is too Just and you too Innocent Success and Triumph will our Arms attend And these rough ways lead to a glorious End VVith Pleasure we hereafter shall relate These suff'rings that will greater Joys create He said and all his anxious Cares supprest And kept conceal'd his trouble in his Breast VVith looks compos'd 'twixt pleasure and despair Grave but serene he bids them all repair Their strength exhausted with much toil and care Of Meats and Fruits part of their Naval Store That with them from their Ship they brought ashore Their weary Limbs repos'd beneath the shade Of well spread Trees a grateful Meal they made Rich VVine of Burgundy and choice Champaigne Relieve the toil they suffer'd on the Main But what more chear'd them than their Meats and VVine VVas wise Instruction and Discourse Divine From God-like Arthur's Mouth by Heav'n inspir'd That all their Breasts with sacred Passions fir'd Great were his Thoughts strong and sublime his Sense Of Heav'n's Decrees Foreknowledge Providence He reason'd deep of Heav'n's mysterious Ends And made stern Justice and fair Mercy Friends How high he soar'd how Noble was his flight Speaking of Truth divine and VVisdom infinite He opens all the Magazins above Of boundless Goodness and Eternal Love From these rich Stores of Heav'n these sacred Springs Of everlasting Joy and Peace he brings Ambrosial Food and rich Nectarean VVine That chear pure Souls and nourish Life Divine He then compar'd this transient mortal state To the fierce Tempest they escap'd so late That here is every great and good Mans Fate If God-like Men for Heav'n embark and stand Their Course direct to make the blissful Land Strait Hell the bloody signal gives to Arm Cain's cruel offspring takes the dire alarm And potent Fiends by Sea their Forces joyn T' obstruct their way and break their brave design All with consummate Malice furious Rage Against th' adventurous Voyagers engage Through all the Sky they raise outrageous Storms And Death stands threat'ning in a thousand Forms Clouds charg'd with loud Destruction drown the day And airy Daemons in wild VVhirlwinds play Thick Thunderclaps and Lightning's livid glare Disturb the Sky and trouble all the Air. Outrage Distraction Clamour Tumult Reign Through the Dominions of the unquiet Main The labouring Bark with Heav'nly Treasure fraught Now almost sunk now up in Tempests caught Near Sands and Rocks rides on the dark Abyss Long beaten off from the bright Coasts of Bliss At last calm Day succeeds this stormy Night And the glad Voyagers find in their sight The Realms of Peace and the blest Shores of Light Here they arrive and find a safe Retreat And all their pain and labours past forget There was a Cave hard by that Nature made In the hard Rock and cover'd with the shade Of spreading Trees that Day could not invade Hither the Pious British Prince retires To offer Praises up and pure desires Here rapt'rous Converse he with Heav'n maintains And aided by Devotion 's purest strains Combates Almighty Power and Conquest gains Devotion that oft binds th' Almighty's Arms And with her Prayers and Tears her powerful charms Of all its Thunder his right hand disarms She passes quick Heav'n's lofty Crystal Walls And the high Gates fly open when she calls The charming Goddess of Divine Address Has to th' Almighty's Presence free Access Her Power can sentenc'd Criminals Reprieve Judgment Arrest and bid the Rebel live Her Charms did once the Sun 's swift Chariot stay And on the Verge of Heav'n held back the falling Day She makes contentious Winds forget their Strife And calls back to the Dead departed Life Charm'd by her Voice Rivers have stop'd their Course And the chill'd Fire laid down its burning Force Such is Devotion 's Power which Arthur knew And when distress'd still to this Refuge flew Much to his Conduct he much to his Arms But more he trusted to Devotion 's Charms Of Triumph and Success he rarely fail'd For those on Earth and these in Heav'n prevail'd Now in the silent shady Cave retir'd He with her sacred Fury lay inspir'd The Prince being thus entranc'd a Heav'nly Light Shoots smiling through the Wood with silent flight The Trees admire the Glory on them shed And seem'd to start and humbly bow their Head When fresh arriv'd on Earth with Heav'n's Commands Great Raphael's glorious Form by Arthur stands Celestial Sweetness Mild and God-like Grace Ineffable sat on his blooming Face His Cheeks such Beauty shew'd such Light and Joy his Eyes As from full Bliss fresh Youth and Strength immortal rise The purest piece of Heav'n's Etherial Blue In a rich Mantle from his Shoulders flew Celestial Linnen finely Spun and Wove On Looms Divine by all the Skill above Bleach'd on th' Empyreal Plains till White as Snow Made the long Robe that to his Feet did flow Immortal Gold Illustrious as the Morn And dazling Gemms by high Arch Angels worn With pond'rous Pearl from Heav'n's bright Eastern Shore Adorn the shining Garments that he wore A Purple Girdle from the Morning Sky New rent does round his Starry Vesture tye Thus he appear'd and with the Light he gave And unknown Fragrancy fill'd all the Cave Then thus he spake Hail mine and Heav'n's kind Care Hither I come drawn by thy powerful Prayer Know Righteous Prince th' Almighty does approve Your firm Adhesion and unshaken Love Ends Great and Wise lodg'd in his secret Breast Obstruct your Wishes and your Course molest Yet still pursue your great and just Intent No Force or Arts shall your Design prevent Propitious Heav'n Decrees your wish'd Event You on these Coasts for happy Ends are thrown And after this expect the British Crown Your Friends and Navy on the Ocean lost Are all arriv'd safe on th' Armorie Coast By the impetuous Tempest beaten back But Men and Ships sav'd from the threaten'd Wreck You 're cast on Hoel's Lands amidst your Foes That hate your Cause and your just Arms Oppose But fear not Hoel's Power though now your Foe By Hell incens'd he will not long be so Go then directly to his Court for there A Glorious Work demands your Pious Care That said with outstretcht Wings he soars upright And through the Winds vast Empire takes his flight He cuts the Clouds and by the Planets flies Up the steep Crystal Mountains of the
the Saxon and the British Fleet A dreadful day did on the Ocean meet By Arthur's side upon the Deck he stood Distain'd with scatter'd Brains and reeking Blood The Youth at danger unconcern'd appear'd And nothing but his Country's Suff'rings fear'd He leap'd out first on the Dimetian Strand And welcom'd Arthur to his Native Land Where taking leave he to his Country came To Head his Men and win yet greater Fame Devana sends brave Troops a noble Town For lofty Works and splendid Structures known Where once the Roman Conquerours did reside And envy'd not Italia's Wealth and Pride The bold Inhabitants on Deva's Bank And they who Danus and Merseia drank With those that had their Seats along the Soil Which Briny Riches gives with easie Toil Draw out and Muster on the Neighb'ring Plain Resolv'd the British Honour to regain Bothan their Captain was a Warlike Knight A brave Asserter of his Country's Right A noble but ungovernable Fire Such is the Hero's did his Breast inspire His honest Rage his Friends could scarcely Rule Hot for the Camp but not for Counsel Cool Fit to assist to pull a Tyrant down But not to please the Prince that mounts the Throne Impatient of Oppression still he stood His Country's Mounds against th' invading Flood Impetuous as a Tempest in its Course He not to Conduct trusted but to Force Unskill'd in Court Intreagues on which the wise And crafty Statesman as his strength relies He still expected that a loud Applause Should follow Brav'ry and a Righteous Cause His Country prais'd him no Britannick Lord Was as his People's Patron more ador'd And Now in Arms they throng about their Head None to the Prince such numerous Forces led The Coritanians that the Soil possest By fair Darventio's fruitful Waters blest And Repandunum where clear Trenta's Tide Do's into Dovo's silver Bosome glide Those near high Peak in heavenly Waters drown'd And in the Dale which craggy Rocks surround Their Zeal and Courage rais'd by loud Alarms Forsook their Seats and Fields and flew to Arms. These valiant Men that Fame and Freedom sought To join the Prince's Arms Canvallo brought Noble Canvallo who did with him bring The Majesty and Presence of a King Of lofty Stature and a graceful Air By 's own Sex fear'd and favour'd by the Fair. Th' Inglorious Pleasures of the wanton Court That drain'd his Wealth did not the Patriot hurt Fit for the Camp or Business of the State But soft Enjoyments Love to both abate Alarm'd with Publick Danger he arose Like a rous'd Lyon from his long Repose Arm'd and equip'd with gaeat Magnificence He mounts his fiery Turk bought at a vast Expence His princely Train and splendid Equipage Wher'ere he past the Eyes of all engag'd The Atrebatians From the happy Land Which then sublime Gallena did command Where winding Thamisis does bless the Soil The Wealth and Glory of the British Isle In War-like Bands advance to Arthur's Aid And rich Bertudor as their Head obey'd Who still against the Pagan Interest strove Rich in Possessions and his People's Love His happy Tenants and the Farmers round His Hospitable House still open found Each Week ten Oxen from the Stall he drew A hundred Sheep and forty Swine he slew Fat Venison Fowl and Fish an endless Store To feed his Guests his Servants and the Poor He to the Woods and Forrests was inclin'd To hunt the Fox and chase the flying Hind Pleas'd with his Friends and with his rural Sport He wisely shun'd the Dangers of the Court But for the Christian Cause and publick Peace He quits the Forrests and his Wealth and Ease His Helmet brac'd and on his Arm his Shield He march'd before his Troops into the Field And that my Verse may to his Name be just Of all the Lords Bertudor was the first That to the Camp his valiant Forces brought Tho' not inur'd to War and tho' remote The Durotriges from the western Coast Where the Britannick Ocean's Waves are tost Their Troops assembled for the Prince declare And march from all the Towns to meet the War From Dornavaria and the Seats that stand On Froma's Stream and wealthy Blackmoor Land From Vendogladia and the Tow'rs that rose On the fat Glebe where pleasant Stourus flows Sakil their Leader an Illustrious Peer Was to his Prince and to his Country dear He their Maecenas cheers the British Bards Learns them to Sing and then their Songs rewards So Heav'n to makes Men good does Grace bestow And then rewards them for their being so Him as their Head the Athenian Sons adore The Muses Fav'rite but the People's more To form great Men his Palace was the School His Life good Breeding's and good Nature's Rule To him the needy Men of Wit resort And find a Friend in an unletter'd Court The Poets Nation did Obsequious wait For the kind Dole divided at his Gate Laurus amidst the meagre Crowd appear'd An old revolted unbelieving Bard Who throng'd and shov'd and prest and would be heard Distinguish'd by his louder craving Tone So well to all the Muses Patrons known He did the Voice of modest Poets drown Sakil's high Roof the Muses Palace rung With endless Cries and endless Songs he sung To bless good Sakil Laurus would be first But Sakil's Prince and Sakil's God he curst Sakil without distinction threw his Bread Despis'd the Flatt'rer but the Poet fed His Sword the Muses great Defender draws T' assert Britannia's and Religion's Cause Orson their Head the bold Brigantes brings Subject of late to the North-Saxon Kings Now for their Liberty they boldly speak And thro' the Foe to joyn Prince Arthur break Osron's Example all the Region fir'd With noble Heats and Martial Thoughts inspir'd None in the Field did greater Courage show Whither he charg'd or else sustain'd the Foe Yet none more fit in Council to preside And in a Storm the lab'ring State to guide A mighty Genius of uncommon Mould As Caesar Eloquent as Caesar Bold He could th' unstable People's Tumults stop And a declining Kingdom underprop Matur'd by Age and business of the State The hoary Oracle in Council sate Where he the British Nestor was esteem'd And all his Language Inspiration seem'd This finish'd Statesman did the Prince perswade To pass the Seas the Saxon to invade And at his Landing quick Assistance brought And for his Country none more bravely fought The farthest Western Soil which with their Wave The British and Hibernian Oceans lave From Isca's Noble Stream far as the Shore Where round Bolerium's Head the Billows roar By the Danmonian Britons was possest And with King Cador's temperate Empire blest This war-like People at their King's Command Now take up Arms and muster thro' the Land The good King Cador worn with War and Age No longer does the Foe in Arms engage Macor his Son supply'd the Father's Place Whose Virtues equal'd his Illustrious Race To serve Prince Arthur and his righteous Cause His Sword the brave Danmonian Hero draws A beauteous
Words and potent Verse Th' infernal Charms all Nature did affright The waning Moon straight sickned at the Sight The Hill with Horror trembled and around With howling Wolves the neighb'ring Woods resound Then Storms of Rain ensue swift Lightnings fly And dreadful Thunderclaps torment the Sky Spectres and Ghosts break from their hollow Tomb And glaring round the Necromancer come All Hell was mov'd the Powers drawn from their Seats Arise while Merlin his dire words repeats Whom with his Charms he labours to engage Against the Britons and excites their Rage His powerful Arts incline them to employ United force their Army to destroy But Hell and all its Friends vain Rage express And Curse in vain when Heav'n desires to Bless Merlin his impious Ceremonies done Returns to Octa with the rising Sun Before the Saxon Lords he stood prepar'd To Curse their Foes and merit his Reward When the Magician's Breast an unknown Fire Laps'd from above did suddenly inspire A warmth Divine his Spirits did invade And once a Sorcerer a Prophet made The Heav'nly Fury Merlin did constrain To Bless whom he to Curse design'd in vain How Beautiful the Briton's Tents appear What goodly Heads his Tabernacles Rear As the rich Vales they spread their verdant Pride Or flowry Gardens by the Rivers side As shady Aloes in th' Arabian Woods Or lofty Cedars planted by the Floods Indulgent Heav'n upon the Briton pours Prolifick Dews and sweet refreshing Showers His Seed shall flourish midst surrounding Streams Blest with mild Air and pure reviving Beams His Prince's Glory shall his People's Love And Neighbour Monarchs Fear and Envy move He like a fearless Unicorn shall stand Sure of his strength and all the Fields command Those hostile Nations who oppose his Power He with resistless Fury shall devour He 'll break their crashing Bones his Bow he 'll bend And thro' their Flesh his piercing Arrows send He couches like a Lyon on the Sand Like a vast Lyon in a Desart Land Stretching his fearful Limbs at Ease he lies What Creature dares provoke him to arise Bless him and be of happy Men the first Curse him and thou thy self shalt be accurst He ceas'd King Octa tho incens'd supprest His Trouble and Displeasure in his Breast And to the Sorcerer thus himself addrest By solemn Execrations to devote The Britons to Destruction you were sought But you this impious Nation chuse to Bless And all your Words presage their Arms success Withdraw a second time perhaps you 'll find The Gods by your Enchantments more inclin'd Perhaps some Errour might at first displease A second Essay will the Powers appease The Sorcerer a second time retreats And all his potent Charms with Care repeats He added ev'ry poisonous Juice and Spell He knew had force to shake the Realms of Hell Merlin his impious Rites perform'd returns And acted by Satanick Fury burns All Hell within shook the Magician's Breast But by a Power Divine straight dispossest Th' affrighted Demons fled and in their stead A pure Celestial Spirit did succeed Transports Divine his lab'ring Soul engage And thus he spake mov'd with Prophetick Rage In vain with Divination we assail The Christian Arms where all Enchantments fail Our Curses by the powerful Breath of Heav'n Back on our Heads with fatal Force are driv'n Those God has blest no Guards nor Bulwarks need Nor can their Arms whom he has curst succeed Unchangeably he 's on his Purpose bent Nor do's he like unstable Man repent The Christian Army will prevail that said Observing Octa's Fury rise he fled The King incens'd cry'd curst Magician fly Spite of thy Charms and thee shall Victory And Triumph on the Saxon Arms attend Against such Troops what Signs can ill portend Thy impious Tongue Propitious Heav'n belies And for the Britons forges Prophecies Thy self of British Blood the British Cause Stronger than Wrongs or ev'n Religion draws So oft poor Slaves who to a neighbr'ing State Fly for Protection from a Tyrants Hate If he does War against those Neighbours wage And with his Arms upon their Frontiers rage Joy at th' Oppressor's Conquests and Success Against their own Protector 's they express Octa at this Defeat with Fury burn'd And to his Army with his Lords return'd Amidst his Troops he rode and thus he spoke His Voice high rais'd their Courage to provoke Saxons you now to certain Conquest go To glean the Reliques of a ruin'd Foe The Gods do loudly for your cause declare And call you but to finish their own War Think on the Deeds by your great Nation done The Towns they took their glorious Battels won And the Rich Countries by their Arms o'er run From this fair Island shall the Britons chase From these sweet Fields great Odin's warlike Race From these sweet Fields for which our Leaders fought Which with the noblest Saxon Blood were bought Shall we with ignominious Flight retreat O'er the rough Main to seek some milder Seat Or shall we back to our cold Region go To hide in Caves and dwell in Hills of Snow Can my victorious Friends the Britons dread Who from your conquering Arms so oft have fled A vanquish'd Nation by an Exile led Appear like Saxons add this Conquest more To all th' immortal Laurels won before Thus you 'll the Grounds of lasting Empire lay And still the Briton shall your Laws obey Vain with Success at Sea they draw their Swords And for Dominion strive with us their Lords Let now your Arms chastise their wanton Pride And then in unmolested Peace abide He said and brandish'd high his threatning Launce And springing forward bids his Men advance Now from the Hills th' embattel'd Saxon Swarms And covers all the Plain with hostile Arms. As when the great Commanders Orders give To quit the straight Dominions of their Hive The Bees pour out a numerous Colony From their sweet Cells the busie Youth on high Wheel in the Air and darken all the Sky While brazen Pans charm and compose their Heat In some tall neighb'ring Tree they fix their Seat Thither th' unnumber'd Vulgar straight resort And clustring Crowds surround their Monarch's Court. So thick the Saxons on the Field appear Following their Leader with an endless Rear The gloomy Throngs look terrible from far Disclosing slow the horrid Face of War The thick Battalions move in dreadful Form As lowring Clouds advance before a Storm So when the Sea grown black the hazy Sky And rising Winds foretel a Tempest nigh Th' experienc'd Mariners with hasty care Furl their spread Sails and for a Storm prepare Straight in the black Horizon to the Skies The dusky Billows threat'ning Heads arise Th' unnumber'd Troops upon each others throng And with a gloomy Aspect march along Advancing they their boundless Front extend O'er all the Main and fearful Wreck portend The Saxon Host thus in its March appears And where it came thick Groves of bristling Spears Broad Iron Backs and Breast-plates brazen Shields Mail-Coats and burnish'd Helms o'erspread the