Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/149

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127
SNAKE-HUNTER'S SONG.
127

"Smoothly and gaily the monster trails,
With his shining spots and golden scales;
Till charm'd with his dazzling-brilliancy,
The victims gaze, and gaze till they die.
Up brothers, on! his pathway trace,
For death lies hid in his vile embrace!

"The forest flowers will more gaily spring,
And the birds aloft the sweeter sing.
And ev'ry beast of the field be glad.
When the foes of all on the earth are laid;
For the birds and beasts, and the flowers fear
The wily serpents who ambush there!

"Soon our hunting-poles shall quickly chase
Their enemy from his lurking-place;
And our trusty knives and steel wands true,
Shall drink the blood of the reptile crew.
Death to the serpent! Brothers, I say,
On with me! come away! come away!"