Page:Tale of Paraguay - Southey.djvu/40

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And how to macerate the bark she knew, And draw apart its beaten fibres fine, And bleaching them in sun, and air, and dew; From dry and glossy filaments entwine With rapid twirl of hand the lengthening line; Next interknitting well the twisted thread, In many an even mesh its knots combine, And shape in tapering length the pensile bed, Light hammock there to hang beneath the leafy shed.

Time had been when expert in works of clay She lent her hands the swelling urn to mould, And fill'd it for the appointed festal day With the beloved beverage which the bold Quaff'd in their triumph and their joy of old: The fruitful cause of many an uproar rude, When in their drunken bravery uncontroll'd, Some bitter jest awoke the dormant feud, And wrath and rage and strife and wounds and death ensued.