Page:What cheer, or, Roger Williams in banishment (1896).pdf/116

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A headless reptile;—all its hues of gold
  And diamond deadened in its life's decay;
Whilst the foiled wizard looked upon the slain,
And choked and yelled, then choked with rage again.


XLVII.

The crowds looked on 'twixt terror and surprise;
  They gazed—they gaped with fixed astonishment;
Their serpent manit braved—ay, slaughtered lies!
  Is it Awanux that is prevalent?
But when they gave full credence to their eyes,
  Wild wondering clamors through the masses went,
Which closed in shouts that through the forest rolled,
"The wizard conquered by the Yengee bold!"


XLVIII.

Ill could that juggler a white victor brook,
  And Hell's dark passions boiled through all his blood;
His eyes shot fire, and from his belt he took
  His deadly dart,—and in stern silence viewed
Its poisoned barb, whose short and horrid crook
  The jaws of seseks armed,—jaws all imbued
With the keen venom gathered from the fangs
Of such as died by self-inflicted pangs.


XLIX.

Nothing he spake, but with a hideous yell,
  Raised his long dart, and, backward as he bent,
From starting eye-balls shot the light of Hell;
  At Williams' breast the vengeful glance was sent,
But as his muscles did the barb impel,
  Red Waban's grasp obstructed their descent;—
On earth the weapon falls and pants for blood;
The lifted arm still threatening vengeance stood.