Page:Tale of Paraguay - Southey.djvu/101

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That prayer perform'd, around the fire reclined Beneath the leafy canopy they lay Their limbs: the Indians soon to sleep resign'd; And the good Father with that toilsome day Fatigued, full fain to sleep,—if sleep he may, Whom all tormenting insects there assail; More to be dreaded these than beasts of prey Against whom strength may cope, or skill prevail, But art of man against these enemies must fail.

Patience itself that should the sovereign cure For ills that touch ourselves alone, supply, Lends little aid to one who must endure This plague: the small tormentors fill the sky, And swarm about their prey: there he must lie And suffer while the hours of darkness wear; At times he utters with a deep drawn sigh Some name adored, in accents of despair Breathed sorrowfully forth, half murmur and half prayer.