Page:The Siege of Valencia.pdf/263

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With a measured pace, as the pace of one, Was the still death-march of the host begun; With a silent step went the cuirass'd bands, Like a lion's tread on the burning sands; —And they gave no battle-shout.

But the deep hills peal'd with a cry ere long, When the Christians burst on the Paynim throng! —With a sudden flash of the lance and spear, And a charge of the war-steed in full career, It was Alvar Fañez came!7

He that was wrapt with no funeral shroud, Had pass'd before, like a threatening cloud! And the storm rush'd down on the tented plain, And the Archer-Queen,8 with her bands lay slain, For the Cid upheld his fame.

Then a terror fell on the King Bucar, And the Lybian kings who had join'd his war; And their hearts grew heavy, and died away, And their hands could not wield an assagay, For the dreadful things they saw!