Page:Mistral - Mirèio. A Provençal poem.djvu/110

84 White-spotted and with horns magnificent, The fourth beast grazed the green in all content. "Now, man, enough!" in vain the neatherds shouted; Couched is the trident and the caution flouted; With perspiration streaming, bosom bare, Ourrias the spotted bull charged then and there!

He meets his enemy, a blow delivers Full in the face; but ah! the trident shivers. The beast becomes a demon with the wound: The brander grasps his horns, is whirled around,— They start together, and are borne amain, Crushing the salicornes along the plain.

The mounted herdsmen, on their long goads leaning, Regard the mortal fray; for each is meaning Dire vengeance now. The man the brute would crush, The brute bears off the man with furious rush; The while with heavy, frothy tongue he clears The blood that to his hanging lip adheres.

The brute prevailed. The man fell dazed, and lay Like a vile rakeful in the monster's way. "Sham dead!" went up a cry of agony. Vain words! The beast his victim lifted high On cruel horns and savage head inclined, And flung him six and forty feet behind!