Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/203

Rh Full foes enough, to-night, have breath'd their last:

Soon will the Day those Eastern clouds adorn;

Now let us speed, nor tempt the rising morn."

What silver arms, with various art emboss'd,

What bowls and mantles, in confusion toss'd,

They leave regardless! yet one glittering prize

Attracts the younger Hero's wandering eyes;

The gilded harness Rhamnes' coursers felt,

The gems which stud the monarch's golden belt:

This from the pallid corse was quickly torn,

Once by a line of former chieftains worn.

Th' exulting boy the studded girdle wears,

Messapus' helm his head, in triumph, bears;

Then from the tents their cautious steps they bend,

To seek the vale, where safer paths extend.

Just at this hour, a band of Latian horse

To Turnus' camp pursue their destin'd course:

While the slow foot their tardy march delay,

The knights, impatient, spur along the way:

Three hundred mail-clad men, by Volscens led,

To Turnus with their master's promise sped:

Now they approach the trench, and view the walls,

When, on the left, a light reflection falls;

The plunder'd helmet, through the waning night,

Sheds forth a silver radiance, glancing bright;

Volscens, with question loud, the pair alarms:—