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THE BARD
49
Fell Thirst and Famine scowl
A baleful smile[V 1] upon their baffled guest.[N 1]
Heard ye the din of battle bray,[N 2][N 3]
Lance to lance, and horse to horse?[N 4] 84
Long years of havock urge their destined course,
And thro' the kindred squadrons mow their way.[N 5]



[N 6]


[N 7]


Variants

  1. Var. V. 82. A baleful smile] A smile of horror. Ms..

Notes

    Dr. Berdmore compares this passage to the following lines of Virgil, Æn, vi. 603:

    "Lucent genialibus altis
    Aurea fulera toris, epulæque ante ora paratæ
    Regifico luxu: Furiarum maxima juxta
    Adcubat, et manibus prohibet contingere mensas,
    Exsurgitque facem adtollens, atque intonat ore."

  1. V. 82.
    "He ceas'd: for both seem'd highly pleas'd; and Death Grinn'd horrible a ghastly smile." Par. L. ii. 845. W. So Hom. Il. E. 212: Μειδιόων βλοσυροῖσι προσώπασε. And other examples cited in the note of Newton to the Par. Lost.
  2. V. 83. Ruinous wars of York and Lancaster. Gray.
  3. V. 83."Arms on armour clashing brayed."
    Milt. Par. L. vi. 209.Luke.
  4. V. 84. "Harry to Harry shall, not horse to horse." Shakes. Hen. IV. pt. i. act iv. sc. i. "Man to man, and horse to horse." Massing. M. of Honor.Rogers.
  5. V. 86. "Cognatasque acies," Lucan. i. 4. W.—And so in Sidon. Apollin. xv. 28: "Cognatam portans aciem." In Dryden. All for Love, act i. we find an expression similar to the text,
    "Mow them out a passage,
    And entering where the foremost squadrons yield."

  6. V. 79."Such is the robe that kings must wear,
    When death has reft their crown."
    Mallet. Will, and Marg. st. 3. W.
  7. V. 80. "Regales inter mensas." Virg. Æn. i. 686. "Sate Matilda in the regal chair." Davenport. K. John and Matilda, p. 25, 4to.