301
CHORUS.
TRANSLATED FROM MANZONl'S 'CONTE DI CARMOGNOLA.'
Hark! from the right bursts forth a trumpet's sound!
A loud shrill trumpet from the left replies!
On every side, hoarse echoes from the ground,
To the quick tramp of steeds and warriors rise,
Hollow and deep:—and banners all around,
Meet hostile banners waving through the skies.
Here steel-clad bands in marshall'd order shine,
And there a host confronts their glittering line.
Lo! half the field, already from the sight
Hath vanish'd, hid by closing groups of foes!
Swords crossing swords, flash lightning o'er the fight,
And the strife deepens, and the life-blood flows!
—Oh! who are these?—What stranger in his might
Comes bursting on the lovely land's repose?
What patriot hearts have nobly vow'd to save
Their native soil, and make its dust their grave?
