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With a joyous whirl from the summit thrown— —Oh! the herdsman's arm is strong! They came, like lauwine* hurl'd           From Alp to Alp in play, When the echoes shout through the snowy world, And the pines are borne away.

The fir-woods crash'd on the mountain-side, And the Switzers rush'd from high, With a sudden charge, on the flower and pride Of the Austrian chivalry: Like hunters of the deer, They storm'd the narrow dell, And first in the shock, with Uri's spear, Was the arm of William Tell†

There was tumult in the crowded strait, And a cry of wild dismay, And many a warrior met his fate From a peasant's hand that day!