When Orpheus played a lesson to the brutes, The listening savages; the speckled pard Dandled the kid, and with the bounding roe The lion gambolled.

GANDERETTA'S DANCING; ITS MAGNIFICENT EFFECT ON
HOBBINOL.

But what heavenly muse
With equal lays shall Ganderetta sing,
When, goddess-like, she skims the verdant plain,
Gracefully gliding? every ravished eye

The nymph attracts, and every heart she wounds,-
Thee most, transported Hobbinol! Lo, now,
Now to thy opening arms she scuds along,
With yielding blushes glowing on her cheeks,
And eyes that sweetly languish ; but too soon,
Too soon, alas! she flies thy vain embrace,
But flies to be pursued; nimbly she trips,
And darts a glance so tender as she turns,
That, with new hopes relieved, thy joys revive,
Thy stature 's raised, and thou art more than man!
Thy stately port, and more majestic air,
And every sprightly motion speaks thy love.

THE GAMES. THE BAGPIPES. THE MASTER OF THE RING.

To the loud bagpipe's solemn voice attend,
Whose rising winds proclaim a storm is nigh.
Harmonious blasts! that warm the frozen blood
Of Caledonia's sons to love or war,

And cheer their drooping hearts, robbed of the sun's
Enlivening ray, that o'er the snowy Alps
Reluctant peeps, and speeds to better climes.

Forthwith, in hoary majesty appears

One of gigantic size, but visage wan,
Milonides the strong, renowned of old

For feats of arms, but bending now with years.
His trunk unwieldy from the verdant turf
He rears deliberate, and with his plant
Of toughest, virgin oak, in rising aids
His trembling limbs; his bald and wrinkled front,
Entrenched with many a glorious scar, bespeaks
Submissive reverence. He with countenance grim
Boasts his past deeds, and with redoubled strokes
Marshals the crowd, and forms the circle wide.
Stern arbiter! like some huge rock he stands,
That breaks the incumbent waves; they thronging
press

In troops confused, and rear their foaming heads
Each above each, but from superior force
Shrinking repelled, compose of stateliest view
A liquid theatre.

THE PRIZES PROCLAIMED BY MILONIDES.

With hands uplift And voice stentorian, he proclaims aloud Each rural prize. To him whose active foot Foils his bold foe, and rivets him to earth, This pair of gloves, by curious virgin hands [gold. Embroidered, seamed with silk, and fringed with To him, who best the stubborn hilts can wield, And bloody marks of his displeasure leave

On his opponent's head, this beaver white,
With silver edging graced and scarlet plume.
Ye taper maidens! whose impetuous speed
Outflies the roe, nor bends the tender grass,
See here this prize, this rich-laced smock behold,
White as your bosoms, as your kisses soft. [grace
Blest nymph! whom bounteous [Fate's] peculiar
Allots this pompous vest, and worthy deems
To win a virgin and to wear a bride.'

THE MOUNTAIN CHAMPION, PASTOREL.

The gifts refulgent dazzle all the crowd. In speechless admiration fixed, unmoved; E'en he who now each glorious palm displays In sullen silence views his battered limbs, And sighs his vigor spent. Not so appalled Young Pastorel, for active strength renowned : Him Ida bore, a mountain shepherdess ; On the bleak wold the new-born infant lay Exposed to winter snows and northern blasts Severe. As heroes old, who from great Jove Derive their proud descent, so might he boast His line paternal: but be thou, my muse! No leaky blab, nor painful umbrage give To wealthy squire, or doughty knight, or peer Of high degree. Him every shouting ring In triumph crowned, him every champion feared From Kiftsgate to remotest Henbury.1 High in the midst the brawny wrestler stands, A stately-towering object; the tough belt Measures his ample breast, and shades around His shoulders broad; proudly secure he kens The tempting prize, in his presumptuous thought Already gained; with partial look the crowd Approve his claim.

THE VALLEY CHAMPION, HOBBINOL. But Hobbinol, enraged, To see the important gifts so cheaply won, And uncontested honors tamely lost, With lowly reverence thus accosts his queen. 'Fair goddess! be propitious to my vows, Smile on thy slave, nor Hercules himself Shall rob us of this palm; that boaster vain Far other port shall learn.' She, with a look That pierced his inmost soul, smiling, applauds His generous ardor, with aspiring hope Distends his breast, and stirs the man within : Yet much, alas! she fears, for much she loves. So from her arms the Paphian queen dismissed The warrior god, on glorious slaughter bent, Provoked his rage, and with her eye inflamed Her haughty paramour. Swift as the winds Dispel the fleeting mists, at once he strips His royal robes; and with a frown that chilled The blood of the proud youth, active he bounds High o'er the heads of multitudes reclined: But, as beseemed one, whose plain honest heart,

1 The names of two hundreds in Gloucestershire.

Nor passion foul, nor malice dark as hell,
But honor pure and love['s fond flame] had fired,

His hand presenting, on his sturdy foe
Disdainfully he smiles;

THE WRESTLING.

Then, quick as thought,

With his left hand the belt, and with his right
His shoulder seized, fast griping; his right foot
essayed

The champion's strength; but firm he stood,
Fixed as a mountain ash, and in his turn
Repaid the bold affront; his horny fist
Fast on his back he closed, and shook in air
The cumb'rous load. Nor rest nor pause allowed,
Their watchful eyes instruct their busy feet;
They pant, they heave; each nerve, each sinew
strained,

Grasping they close, beneath each painful gripe
The livid tumors rise, in briny streams

The sweat distils, and from their battered shins
The clotted gore distains the beaten ground.
Each swain his wish, each trembling nymph conceals
Her secret dread; while every panting breast
Alternate fears and hopes depress or raise.

CRISIS OF THE WRESTLING-MATCH. THE ROPE-DANCER.

Thus long in dubious scale the contest hung, Till Pastorel, impatient of delay, Collecting all his force, a furious stroke At his left ankle aimed; 't was death to fall, To stand impossible. O, Ganderetta! What horrors seize thy soul! On thy pale cheeks The roses fade. But wavering long in air, Nor firm on foot, nor as yet wholly fallen, On his right knee he slipped, and nimbly scaped The foul disgrace. Thus on the slackened rope The wingy-footed artist, frail support! Stands tottering; now, in dreadful shrieks, the crowd Lament his fate, and yield him lost : He on his hams, or on his brawny rump, Sliding secure, derides their vain distress.

THE VICTORY.-HOBBINOL THROWS PASTOREL; THE MOUNTAIN SUCCUMBS TO THE VALE.

Up starts the vigorous Hobbinol undismayed, From mother earth, like old Anteus, raised With might redoubled. Clamor and applause Shake all the neighboring hills; Avona's banks Return him loud acclaim: with ardent eyes, Fierce as a tiger rushing from his lair, He grasped the wrist of his insulting foe. Then with quick wheel oblique his shoulder point Beneath his breast he fixed, and whirled aloft High o'er his head the sprawling youth he flung: The hollow ground rebellowed as he fell. The crowd press forward with tumultuous din ; Those to relieve their faint, expiring friend, With gratulations these. Hands, tongues, and caps, Outrageous joy proclaim, shrill fiddles squeak, Hoarse bag-pipes roar, and Ganderetta smiles.

CANTO II.

ARGUMENT.

The fray. Tonsorio, Colin, Hildebrand, Cuddy, Cindaraxa, Talgol, Avaro, Cubbin, Collakin, Mundungo. Sir Rhadamanth, the justice, attended with his guards, comes to quell the fray. Rhadamanth's speech; tumult appeased. Gorgonius, the butcher, takes up the hilts; his character. The Kiftsgatians' consternation; they look wistfully on Hobbinol; his speech. The cudgel-playing. Gorgonius knocked down; falls upon Twangdillo; the fiddler's distress; his lamentation over his broken fiddle.

THE TRIUMPH; INSOLENT TAUNTS; EFFECTS. Long while an universal hubbub loud, Deafening each ear, had drowned each accent mild; Till biting taunts, and harsh, opprobrious words Vile utterance found. How weak are human minds! How impotent to stem the swelling tide, And without insolence enjoy success! The vale-inhabitants, proud, and elate With victory, know no restraint, but give A loose to joy. Their champion, Hobbinol, Vaunting they raise above that earth-born race Of giants old, who, piling hills on hills, Pelion on Ossa, with rebellious aim Made war on Jove. The sturdy mountaineers, Who saw their mightiest fallen, and in his fall Their honors past impaired, their trophies, won By their proud fathers, who with scorn looked down Upon the subject vale, sullied, despoiled, And levelled with the dust, The keen reproach.

-no longer bear

THE FRAY; THE WEAPONS.

But as when sudden fire Seizes the ripened grain, whose bending ears Invite the reaper's hand, the furious god In sooty triumph dreadful rides, upborne On wings of wind, that with destructive breath Feed the fierce flames; from ridge to ridge he bounds Wide wasting, and pernicious ruin spreads: So through the crowd from breast to breast swift flew The propagated rage; loud, volleyed oaths, Like thunder bursting from a cloud, gave signs Of wrath awaked. Prompt fury soon supplied With arms uncouth; and tough, well-seasoned plants Weighty with lead infused, on either host Fall thick and heavy; stools in pieces rent, And chairs, and forms, and battered bowls, are hurled With fell intent; like bombs the bottles fly Hissing in air, their sharp-edged fragments drenched In the warm spouting gore; heaps driven on heaps Promiscuous lie.

Hung on their rear. Colin, a merry swain
Blithe as the soaring lark, - -as sweet the strains
Of his soft warbling lips, that whistling cheer
His laboring team, who toss their heads well pleased,
In gaudy plumage decked, with stern disdain
Beheld this victor proud; his generous soul
Brooked not the foul disgrace. High o'er his head
His ponderous ploughstaff in both hands he raised;
Erect he stood, and stretching every nerve,
As from a forceful engine, down it fell
Upon his hollowed helm, that yielding sunk
Beneath the blow, and with its sharpened edge
Sheared both his ears, they on his shoulders broad
Hung ragged. Quick as thought, the vigorous youth
Shortening his staff, the other end he darts
Into his gaping jaws. Tonsorio fled

Sore maimed; with pounded teeth and clotted gore
Half-choked, he fled; with him the host retired,
Companions of his shame; all but the stout,
And erst unconquered Hildebrand, brave man!
HILDEBRAND, THE HILL-CHAMPION, MAKES HAVOC ; UNDER-
MINED BY CUDDY. SIMILE OF THE AGED OAK.

Bold champion of the hills! thy weighty blows
Our fathers felt dismayed; to keep thy post
Unmoved, whilom thy valor's choice, now sad
Necessity compels; decrepit now with age
And stiff with honorable wounds,

He stands unterrified: one crutch sustains
His frame majestic, the other in his hand
He wields tremendous; like a mountain boar
In toils enclosed, he dares his circling foes.
They shrink aloof, or soon with shame repent
The rash assault; the rustic heroes fall
In heaps around. Cuddy, a dexterous youth,
When force was vain, on fraudful art relied:
Close to the ground low-cowering, unperceived,
Cautious he crept, and with his crooked bill
Cut sheer the frail support, prop of his age:
Reeling a while he stood, and menaced fierce
The insidious swain; reluctant now at length
Fell prone, and ploughed the dust. So the tall oak,
Old monarch of the groves, that long had stood
The shock of warring winds, and the red bolts
Of angry Jove, -shorn of his leafy shade
At last, and inwardly decayed, if chance
The cruel woodman spy the friendly spur,
His only hold that severed, soon he nods,
And shakes the incumbered mountain as he falls.

CINDARAXA'S FIERY ONSET, AND DISASTER. When manly valor failed, a female arm Restored the fight. As in the adjacent booth Black Cindaraxa's busy hand prepared The smoky viands, she beheld, abashed, The routed host, and all her dastard friends Far scattered o'er the plain; their shameful flight Grieved her proud heart, for hurried with the stream Even Talgol too had fled, her darling boy. A flaming brand from off the glowing hearth The greasy heroine snatched; o'er her pale foes

The threatening meteor shone, brandished in air,
Or round their heads in ruddy circles played.
Across the prostrate Hildebrand she strode
Dreadfully bright; the multitude appalled
Fled different ways, their beards, their hair in flames.
Imprudent she pursued, till on the brink
Of the next pool, with force united pressed,
And waving round with huge, two-handed sway
Her blazing arms, into the muddy lake
The bold virago fell. Dire was the fray
Between the warring elements; of old
Thus Mulciber and Xanthus, Dardan stream,
In hideous battle joined. Just sinking now
Into the boiling deep, with suppliant hands
She begged for life; black-ouse and filth obscene
Hung in her matted hair; the shouting crowd
Insult her woes, and proud of their success
The dripping Amazon in triumph lead.

THE RALLY; TALGOL RAGES UPON AVARO, CUBBIN AND COLLAKIN SINKS, UNNERVED, AT SIGHT OF HIS FALLEN HEROINE.

Now like a gathering storm, the rallied troops Blackened the plain. Young Talgol from the front, With a fond lover's haste, swift as the hind That by the huntsman's voice alarmed had fled, Panting returns, and seeks the gloomy brake, Where her dear fawn lay hid, -into the booth Impatient rushed. But when the fatal tale He heard, the dearest treasure of his soul Purloined, his Cindy lost; stiffened and pale A while he stood; his kindling ire at length Burst forth implacable, and injured love Shot lightning from his eyes; a spit he seized, Just reeking from the fat sirloin, a long, Unwieldy spear; then with impetuous rage Pressed forward on the embattled host, that shrunk At his approach. The rich Avaro first, His fleshy rump bored with dishonest wounds, Fled bellowing: nor could his numerous flocks, Nor all the aspiring pyramids that grace His yard well stored, save the penurious clown. Here Cubbin fell, and there young Collakin, Nor his fond mother's prayers, nor ardent vows Of love-sick maids, could move relentless Fate. Where'er he raged with his far-beaming lance He thinned their ranks, and their battle swerved With many an inroad gored. Then cast around His furious eyes, if haply he might find The captive fair; her in the dust he spied Grovelling, disconsolate; those locks, that erst, So bright, shone like the polished jet, defiled With mire impure; thither with eager haste He ran, he flew. But when the wretched maid Prostrate he viewed, deformed with gaping wounds And weltering in her blood, his trembling hand Soon dropped the dreaded lance; on her pale cheeks Ghastly he gazed, nor felt the pealing storm, That on his bare defenceless brow fell thick From every arm: o'erpowered at last, down sunk His drooping head, on her cold breast reclined.

Hail, faithful pair! if aught my verse avail,
Nor envy's spite, nor time shall e'er efface
The records of your fame; blind British bards,
In ages yet to come, on festal days

Shall chant this mournful tale, while listening nymphs
Lament around, and every generous heart
With active valor glows, and virtuous love.

RECKLESS INJUSTICE OF MOBS; QUIET MUNDUNGO'S FATE. —
REIGN OF RIOT.

How blind is popular fury! how perverse,
When broils intestine rage, and force controls
Reason and law! As the torn vessel sinks
Between the burst of adverse waves o'erwhelmed :
So fares it with the neutral head, between
Contending parties bruised, incessant peeled
With random strokes that undiscerning fall;
Guiltless he suffers most who leasts offends.
Mundungo, from the bloody field retired,
Close in a corner plied the peaceful bowl;
Incurious he, and thoughtless of events,

Now deemed himself concealed, wrapped in the cloud
That issued from his mouth, and the thick fogs
That hung upon his brows; but hostile rage
Inquisitive found out the rusty swain.

His short black tube down his furred throat impelled,
Staggering he reeled, and with tenacious gripe
The bulky jordan that before him stood
Seized falling; that its liquid freight disgorged
Upon the prostrate clown; floundering he lay
Beneath the muddy beverage whelmed, so late
His prime delight. Thus the luxurious wasp,
Voracious insect, by the fragrant dregs
Allured, and in the viscous nectar plunged,
His filmy pennons struggling, flaps in vain,
Lost in a flood of sweets. Still o'er the plain
Fierce onset and tumultuous battle spread ;
And now they fall, and now they rise, incensed
With animated rage, while naught around
Is heard but clamor, shout, and female cries,
And curses mixed with groans.
Discord on high
Shook her infernal scourge, and o'er their heads
Screamed with malignant joy;

RHADAMANTH, THE MAGISTRATE, AND HIS OFFICIALS.
When, lo! between
The warring hosts appeared sage Rhadamanth,
A knight of high renown. Nor Quixote bold,
Nor Amadis of Gaul, nor Hudibras,
Mirror of knighthood, 'ere could vie with thee,
Great sultan of the vale! thy front severe,
As humble Indians to their pagods bow,
The clowns submiss approach. Themis to thee
Commits her golden balance, when she weighs
The abandoned orphan's sighs, the widow's tears;
By thee gives sure redress, comforts the heart
Oppressed with woe, and rears the suppliant knee.
Each bold offender hides his guilty head,
Astonished, when thy delegated arm
Draws her vindictive sword; at thy command,
Stern minister of power supreme! each ward

Sends forth her brawny myrmidons, their clubs
Blazoned with royal arms; dispatchful haste
Sits earnest on each brow, and public care.
Encompassed round with these his dreadful guards,
He spurred his sober steed, grizzled with age
And venerably dull; his stirrups stretched
Beneath the knightly load; one hand he fixed
Upon his saddle-bow, the other palm
Before him spread, like some grave orator
In Athens, or free Rome, when eloquence
Subdued mankind, and all the listening crowd
Hung by their ears on his persuasive tongue.
He thus the jarring multitude addressed :

SPEECH OF JUSTICE RHADAMANTH; ITS EFFECT.

"Neighbors and friends and countrymen, the flower
Of Kiftsgate! ah! what means this impious broil?
Is then the haughty Gaul no more your care?
Are Landen's plains so soon forgot, that thus
Ye spill that blood inglorious, waste that strength,
Which, well employed, once more might have com-
The stripling Anjou to a shameful flight? [pelled
Or by your great forefathers taught, have fixed
The British standard on Lutetian towers!
O sight odious, detestable! O, times,
Degenerate, of ancient honor void!
This fact so foul, so riotous, insults

All law, all sovereign power, and calls aloud
For vengeance; but, my friends! too well ye
How slow this arm to punish, and how bleeds
This heart, when forced on rigorous extremes.
O countrymen! all, all can testify
My vigilance, my care for public good.
I am the man, who by your own free choice
Select from all the tribes, in senates ruled
Each warm debate, and emptied all my stores
Of ancient science in my country's cause.
Wise Tacitus, of penetration deep,

know

Each secret spring revealed; Thuanus bold
Breathed liberty, and all the mighty dead,
Raised at my call, the British rights confirmed;
While Musgrave, How, and Seymour sneered in vain.
I am the man, who from the bench exalt
This voice, still grateful to your ears, this voice
Which breathes for you alone. Where is the wretch
Distressed, who in the cobwebs of the law
Entangled, and in subtle problems lost,
Seeks not to me for aid! In shoals they come
Neglected, feeless clients, nor return
Unedified; scarce greater multitudes
At Delphi sought the god, to learn their fate
From his dark oracles. I am the man
Whose watchful providence beyond the date
Of this frail life extends, to future times
Beneficent; my useful schemes shall steer
The common-weal in ages yet to come.
Your children's children, taught by me, shall keep
Their rights inviolable: and as Rome
The Sibyl's sacred books, though wrote on leaves,
And scattered o'er the ground, with pious awe
Collected; so your sons shall glean with care

My hallowed fragments, every script divine
Consult intent, of more intrinsic worth

Than half a Vatican. Hear me, my friends!
Hear me, my countrymen! O suffer not
This hoary head, employed for you alone,
To sink with sorrow to the grave.' He spake
And veiled his bonnet to the crowd. As when
The sovereign of the floods o'er the rough deep
His awful trident shakes, its fury falls,
The warring billows on each hand retire,
And foam and rage no more, all now is hushed;
The multitude appeased; a cheerful dawn
Smiles on the fields, the waving throng subsides,
And the loud tempest sinks, becalmed in peace.

GORGONIUS. THE CUDGEL PLAYING. THE CHALLENGE.

Gorgonius now with haughty strides advanced, A gauntlet seized, firm on his guard he stood, A formidable foe, and dealt in air His empty blows, a prelude to the fight. Slaughter his trade; full many a pampered ox Fell by his fatal hand, the bulky beast Dragged by his horns; oft, at one deadly blow, His iron fist descending crushed his skull, And left him spurning on the bloody floor, While at his feet the guiltless axe was laid. Sternly he gazed around with many a frown, Fierce menacing provoked the tardy foe; For now each combatant, that erst so bold, Vaunted his manly deeds, in pensive mood Hung down his head, and fixed on earth his eyes Pale and dismayed. On Hobbinol, at last, Intent they gaze, on him alone their hope. Each eye solicits him, each panting heart Joins in the silent suit. Soon he perceived Their secret wish, and eased their doubting minds. HOBBINOL'S SPEECH; HE ACCEPTS THE CHALLENGE; HIS PARTING WITH GANDERETTA.

'Ye men of Kiftsgate ! whose wide-spreading fame
In ancient days was sung from shore to shore,
To British bards of old a copious theme;
Too well, alas! in your pale cheeks I view
Your dastard souls; O mean, degenerate race!
But since ye call, [and every] suppliant eye
Invites my sovereign aid, lo! here I come,
The bulwark of your fame, though scarce my brows
Are dry from glorious toils, just now achieved,
To vindicate your worth. Lo! here I swear
By all my great forefathers' fair renown,
By that illustrious wicker where they sat
In comely pride, and in triumphant sloth
Gave law to passive clowns; or on this spot,
In glory's prime, young Hobbinol expires,
And from his dearest Ganderetta's arms

Sinks to death's cold embrace; -or by this hand
That stranger big with insolence shall fall
Prone on the ground, and do your honor right.'
Forthwith the hilts he seized; but on his arm
Fond Ganderetta hung, and round his neck
Curled in a soft embrace. Honor and love

A doubtful contest urged, but from her soon
He sprung relentless, all her tears are vain ;
Yet oft he turned, oft sighed, thus pleading mild :
'Ill should I merit these imperial robes,
Ensigns of majesty, by general voice
Conferred, should pain, or death itself, avail
To shake the steady purpose of my soul.
Peace, fair one! peace! Heaven will protect the
By thee held dear, and crown thy generous love.'
Her from the listed field the matrons sage
Reluctant drew, and with fair speeches soothed.

[man

THE BOUT WITH CUDGELS. HOBBINOL BATTERS THE SHINS AND SIDES OF GORGONIUS, WHO GETS A FALL, BUT RISES IN GREAT WRATH.

Now front to front the fearless champions meet ; Gorgonius, like a tower, whose cloudy top Invades the skies, stood lowering; far beneath The stripling Hobbinol with careful eye Each opening scans, and each unguarded space Measures intent. While, negligently bold, The bulky combatant, whose heart elate Disdained his puny foe, now fondly deemed At one decisive stroke to win, unhurt, An easy victory; down came at once The ponderous plant, with fell malicious rage, Aimed at his head direct; but the tough hilts, Swift interposed, elude his effort vain. The cautious Hobbinol, with ready feet, Now shifts his ground, retreating; then again Advances bold, and his unguarded shins Batters secure. Each well-directed blow Bites to the quick; thick as the falling hail The strokes redoubled peal his hollow sides. The multitude, amazed, with horror view The rattling storm, shrink back at every blow, And seem to feel his wounds; inly he groaned, And gnashed his teeth, and from his blood-shot eye Red lightning flashed; the fierce tumultuous rage Shook all his mighty fabric; once again Erect he stands, collected, and resolved To conquer or to die: swift as the bolt Of angry Jove, the weighty plant descends. But wary Hobbinol, whose watchful eye Perceived his kind intent, slipped on one side Declining; the vain stroke from such an height, With such a force impelled, headlong drew down The unwieldy champion: on the solid ground He fell, rebounding breathless and astunned, His trunk extended lay; sore maimed, from out His heaving breast he belched a crimson flood. Full leisurely he rose, but conscious shame Of honor lost his failing strength renewed.

THE CRISIS.-HOBBINOL HIT, BUT UNCONQUERED; SIMILE OF THE WOUNDED SNAKE. — HOBBINOL'S VICTORY.

Rage and revenge, and ever-during hate, Blackened his stormy front; rash, furious, blind, And lavish of his blood, of random strokes He laid on load; without design or art Onward he pressed outrageous, while his foe Encircling wheels, or inch by inch retires,