LXX. Some o'er thy Thamis row the ribboned fair, Some Richmond-hill ascend, some scud to Ware, Grasped in the holy hand of Mystery, In whose dread name both men and maids are sworn, And consecrate the oath with draught, and dance till morn. LXXI. All have their fooleries-not alike are thine; Fair Cadiz, rising o'er the dark blue sea! Much is the VIRGIN teazed to shrive them free From crimes as numerous as her beadsmen be; Then to the crowded circus forth they fare, Young, old, high, lów, at once the same diversion share. LXXII. The lists are op'd, the spacious area cleared, Yet ever well inclined to heal the wound; None through their cold disdain are doomed to die, As moon-struck bards complain, by Love's sad archery. LXXIII. Hushed is the din of tongues-on gallant steeds, 'With milk-white crest, gold spur, and lightpoised lance, Four cavaliers prepare for venturous deeds, And all that kings or chiefs e'er gain their toils repay. LXXIV. In costly sheen and gaudy cloak arrayed, The lord of lowing herds; but not before The ground, with cautious tread, is traversed o'er, Lest aught unseen should lurk to thwart his speed: His arms a dart, he fights aloof, nor more Can man achieve without the friendly steed, Alas! too oft condemned for him to bear and bleed. LXXV. Thrice sounds the clarion; lo! the signal falls, Here, there, he points his threatening front, to suit His first attack, wide waving to and fro Ilis angry tail; red rolls his eye's dilated glow. LXXVI. Sudden he stops; his eye is fixed: away, The skill that yet may check his mad career. LXXVII. Again he comes; nor dart nor lance avail, rears, Staggering, but stemming all, his lord unharmed he bears. LXXVIII. Foiled, bleeding, breathless, furious to the last, Full in the centre stands the bull at bay, Mid wounds, and clinging darts, and lances brast, And foes disabled in the brutal fray : And now the Matadores around him play, Shake the red cloak, and poise the ready brand: Once more through all he bursts his thundering way Vain rage! the mantle quits the conynge hand, he sinks upon Wraps his fierce eye 'tis past the sand! LXXIX. Where his vast neck just mingles with the spine, Sheathed in his form the deadly weapon lies. Slowly he falls, amidst triumphant cries, Without a groan, without a struggle dies. The decorated car appears on high The corse is piled-sweet sight for vulgar eyes.— Four steeds that spurn the rein, as swift as shy, Hurl the dark bulk along, scarce seen in dashing by. VOL. I. D |