Or the far-striding, swift emu.
To thee, Muntookan, fate decreed
The former choice, when most thy need
Demands the safeguard of thy spear.
Thou, blind to fate! might'st thou not fear
From thine own inroad's vile success
That fortune might thy rival bless?
Yes ! he e'en now, from that near height
Marks with a proud and fierce delight
The course thy comrades with thee take
Though tending to his recent track;
Though, of thy five companions, two
Armed with the quivering javelin go.
XII.
Now, while with careless step and eye
From tree to tree at ease thou'rt turning
(Like some fond bird, that joyously
Carols in the light of morning)
Thine enemy notes thee ; so the snake,
Extended latent in the brake.
With glance fire-darting marks its prey
Which flutters on the o'erhanging spray:
