BOOK THE EIGHTH.
291
One of less daring valor. "Tho' they point
Their engines here, our archers not in vain
Speed their death-doing shafts. Let the strong walls
First by the foe be won; 'twill then be time
To meet them in the battle man to man, 570
When these shall fail us."
Scarcely had he spoke,
When full upon his breast a ponderous stone
Fell fierce impell'd, and drove him to the earth,
All shattered. Horror the spectators seiz'd!
For as the dreadful weapon shivered him, 575
His blood besprinkled round, and they beheld
His mangled lungs lie quivering!
"Such the fate
Of those who trust them to their walls defence."
Again exclaim'd the soldier: "thus they fall,
Betrayed by their own fears. Courage alone 580
Can save us.”
Nor to draw them from the fort
Now needed eloquence; with one accord
Their engines here, our archers not in vain
Speed their death-doing shafts. Let the strong walls
First by the foe be won; 'twill then be time
To meet them in the battle man to man, 570
When these shall fail us."
Scarcely had he spoke,
When full upon his breast a ponderous stone
Fell fierce impell'd, and drove him to the earth,
All shattered. Horror the spectators seiz'd!
For as the dreadful weapon shivered him, 575
His blood besprinkled round, and they beheld
His mangled lungs lie quivering!
"Such the fate
Of those who trust them to their walls defence."
Again exclaim'd the soldier: "thus they fall,
Betrayed by their own fears. Courage alone 580
Can save us.”
Nor to draw them from the fort
Now needed eloquence; with one accord
They
