140
Bright is the forked lightning's stream!
As bright, as fatal too, my beam!
From me the bravest warriour flies,
Or pausing bleeds, and sinks, and dies.
And as the dews of Heav'n that fall
On vines that clothe the cottage wall,
Send life through ev'ry drooping cell,
The tendrils curl, the clusters swell;
So baths of blood my pow'rs restore,
My nourishment the hero's gore!
From me the lion's princely whelp
Expects and finds his only help;
Her prey from me the vulture seeks,
And pays me with her dismal shrieks;
And with the wild wolfs deepen'd howl,
Makes music for ray restless soul;
Fear not! whilst I exist ye ne'er
Shall pangs of thirst and hunger share;
Still be the warriour's flesh your food!
Still be your drink the hero's blood!
As bright, as fatal too, my beam!
From me the bravest warriour flies,
Or pausing bleeds, and sinks, and dies.
And as the dews of Heav'n that fall
On vines that clothe the cottage wall,
Send life through ev'ry drooping cell,
The tendrils curl, the clusters swell;
So baths of blood my pow'rs restore,
My nourishment the hero's gore!
From me the lion's princely whelp
Expects and finds his only help;
Her prey from me the vulture seeks,
And pays me with her dismal shrieks;
And with the wild wolfs deepen'd howl,
Makes music for ray restless soul;
Fear not! whilst I exist ye ne'er
Shall pangs of thirst and hunger share;
Still be the warriour's flesh your food!
Still be your drink the hero's blood!
