Page:Moyarra- An Australian Legend in Two Cantos, 1891.djvu/88

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82
MOYARRA

Now cleaves, but cleaves in vain, the parted air:—
The uplifted club diverts the forceful blow,
Then, whirled on high, descends and, crashing, rends
The cowering front which, ere its coming bends.
The recreant falls, with blood and brains defiled,
While o'er him hangs his foe unreconciled.
Yet fell he not unmarked: his scattered friends
To the fierce victor throng, with bearing wild,
Who heeded not their coming; nor, when flew
Th' unerring javelins which his life-blood drew.
Did once retract his gaze from his slain foe,
But glared upon him when himself laid low.


XIII

But thou, Koreungat! who thy grief can tell
When thus, so near to thee, thy comrade fell?
Not ineffectual was thy rage: thy spear
A victim adds to grace the warrior's bier,
Ere rushing from the covert of the shade,