Page:Moyarra- An Australian Legend in Two Cantos, 1891.djvu/87

 His polished scales with livid lustre glow As varied lights the mutable colours show, His lambent tongue protruded licks the air, With ardour vibrating—he keeps his lair But till arrives the fitting time to spring And crush the victim with its futile wing. "Koreungat! now our track they near That seen, for us is no regress: My life I value not, nor fear But for our enterprise' success:— And see! Muntookan swerves; do thou Retreat—I lay the spoiler low." He spoke, and heedless of his friend's appeal, Unerring as a beam of light, departed; His soul was but one passion strung to feel, With eagerness of Hope his lips were parted: Muntookan, startled, turned, and shrunk to see The rapid death approaching: time was none His swift assailant to repel or flee: A fearful commune shook his breast alone Whose craven judgment owned his race was run. One effort yet is prompted by despair; The fatal axe which laid dark Mytah low