BOOK THE EIGHTH.
281
Keeping their impulse even in the wound,
Whirl as they pierce the victim. Some fall crush'd
Beneath the ponderous fragment that descends 385
The heavier from its height: some, the long lance
Impetuous rushing on its viewless way,
Transfix'd. The death-fraught cannon's thundering roar
Convulsing air; the soldier's eager shout;
And Terror's wild shriek echo o'er the plain 390
In dreadful harmony.
Meantime the Chief,
Who equall'd on the bridge the rampart's height,
With many a well-aim'd javelin dealing death,
Made thro' the throng his passage: he advanced
In wary valor o'er his slaughtered foes, 395
On the blood-reeking wall. Him drawing near,
Two youths, the boldest of the English host
Prest on to thrust him from that perilous height;
At once they rush'd upon him: he, his axe
Dropping, the dagger drew: one thro' the throat 400
He pierced, and swinging his broad buckler round,
Whirl as they pierce the victim. Some fall crush'd
Beneath the ponderous fragment that descends 385
The heavier from its height: some, the long lance
Impetuous rushing on its viewless way,
Transfix'd. The death-fraught cannon's thundering roar
Convulsing air; the soldier's eager shout;
And Terror's wild shriek echo o'er the plain 390
In dreadful harmony.
Meantime the Chief,
Who equall'd on the bridge the rampart's height,
With many a well-aim'd javelin dealing death,
Made thro' the throng his passage: he advanced
In wary valor o'er his slaughtered foes, 395
On the blood-reeking wall. Him drawing near,
Two youths, the boldest of the English host
Prest on to thrust him from that perilous height;
At once they rush'd upon him: he, his axe
Dropping, the dagger drew: one thro' the throat 400
He pierced, and swinging his broad buckler round,
Dash'd
