Page:Cyder - a poem in two books (1708).djvu/21

14 Forc'd by the sudden Shock, her wonted Track Forsook, and drew her humid Train aslope, Crankling her Banks: And now the low'ring Sky, And baleful Lightning, and the Thunder, Voice Of angry Gods, that rattled solemn, dismaid The sinking Hearts of Men. Where shou'd they turn Distress'd? Whence seek for Aid? when from below Hell threatens, and ev'n Fate supreme gives Signs Of Wrath and Desolation? Vain were Vows, And Plaints, and suppliant Hands, to Heav'n erect! Yet some to Fanes repair'd, and humble Rites Perform'd to Thor, and Woden, fabled Gods, Who with their Vot'ries in one Ruin shar'd, Crush'd, and o'erwhelm'd. Others, in frantick Mood, Run howling thro' the Streets, their hideous Yells Rend the dark Welkin; Horror stalks around, Wild-staring, and, his sad Concomitant, Despair, of abject Look: At ev'ry Gate Rh