The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott ... Notes & life of the author.

THEn VISION OF DON RODERIO.I 3i3
IL
"Else, ne'er to stoop, till high on Lisbon's towers
They close their wings, the symbol of our yoke,
And their own sea hath whelm'd yon red-crossPowcr ---
IThus, on the summit of Alverca's rock,
To Marshal, Duke, and Peer, Gaul's leader spoke.
W hile downward on the land his legions press
Befbre them it was rich with vine and flock,
And smiled like Eden in her summer dress; —
Behind their wasteful march, a reeking wilderness.
IIL
And shall the boastful Chief maintain his word,'1 bllough Heaven hath heard the wailings of the land,
Though Lusitania whet her vengeful sword,
Though Britons arm, and Wellington commanda
No: grimJBusaco's iron ridge shall stand
An adamantine barrier to his forcel
And from its base shall wheel his shatter'd band,
As fiom the unshaken rock the torrent hoarse
Bears off its broken waves, and seeks a devious course.
IV.
Yet not because Alcoba's mountain-hawk
i ath on his best' and bravest made her food,
In numbers confident, yon Chief shall baulk
lHis Lord's imperial thirst for spoil and blood:
For full in view the promised conquest stood,
And Lisbon's matrons, from their walls, might sum
The myriads that had half the world subdued,
And hear the distant thunders of the drum,
That bids the band of EJrance to storm and havoc comr.
V.
Four moons have heard these thunders idly roll'd,
Hlave seen these wistful myriads eye their prey,
As famish'd wolves survey a guarded fold —
But in the middle path, a Lion lay!
At length they move-hbut not to battle-fray,
Nor blaze yon fires where meets the manly fight;
Beacons of infamy, they light the way,
Where cowardice and cruelty unite,
To damn with double shame their ignominious flight,