XXVI.

To left, to right, below the height, Below the wood by wave and stream, Plumed pampas grasses grew to gleam And bend their lordly plumes, and run And shake, as if in very fright Before sharp lances of the sun.

They saw the tide-bound battered ship Creep close below against the bank; They saw it cringe and shrink; it shrank As shrinks some huge black beast with fear When some uncommon dread is near. They heard the melting resin drip, As drip the last brave blood-drops when Life's battle waxes hot with men.