133
"Tho' hungry Tygers howl, and beasts of prey,
"And pois'nous Basilisks infest thy way;
"Ev'n in the vale of Death, where Silence dwells,
"And Horror glides through all her gloomy cells!
"Oh! fear not, tim'rous youth! the task is mine,
"To guard thy weakness with an Arm Divine,
"And lead thee safely to that blissful shore,
"Where bright enfranchis'd Virtue droops no more."
"And pois'nous Basilisks infest thy way;
"Ev'n in the vale of Death, where Silence dwells,
"And Horror glides through all her gloomy cells!
"Oh! fear not, tim'rous youth! the task is mine,
"To guard thy weakness with an Arm Divine,
"And lead thee safely to that blissful shore,
"Where bright enfranchis'd Virtue droops no more."
Thus spoke the gracious Chief—nor spoke in vain;
Her words re-echo thro' the vast domain!
Reviving Innocence, her pow'r confest,
And all the Hero glow'd within his breast!
No longer weak-he felt a potent charm
Inspire his soul, and nerve his feeble arm;
Her words re-echo thro' the vast domain!
Reviving Innocence, her pow'r confest,
And all the Hero glow'd within his breast!
No longer weak-he felt a potent charm
Inspire his soul, and nerve his feeble arm;