Page:Poems, Consisting Chiefly of Translations from the Asiatick Languages.djvu/160

 Here furious knights on fiery coursers prance, but see! the white-rob'd Amazon beholds Where the dark host its opening van unfolds: Soon as her eye discerns the hostile maid, By ebon shield, and ebon helm betray'd; Seven squares she passed with majestic mien, And stands triumphant o'er the falling queen. Perplex'd, and sorrowing at his consort's fate, The monarch burn'd with rage, despair, and hate: Swift from his zone th' avenging blade he drew, And, mad with ire, the proud virago slew. Meanwhile sweet smiling Delia's wary king Retir'd from fight behind the circling wing.


 * Long time the war in equal balance hung;

Till, unforseen, an ivory courser sprung, And, wildly prancing in an evil hour, Attack'd at once the monarch and the tower: Sirena blush'd; for, as the rules requir'd, Her injur'd sovereign to his tent retir'd; Whilst her lost castle leaves his threatening height, And adds new glory to th' exulting knight.