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EAGLES
93
When sudden-swooping talons grazed
The pale man face,
As the fierce earn, there, mid the skies
Struck with blind fury at his rival's eyes.
Up-fluttering, the feathered king
Plunged down again.
His rushing anger seemed to bring
Fate nearer; then
The man-bird knew the moment's strife
Not for supremacy alone, but life!
With nerve that grows, in peril, great,
He toward him drew
A thing to strengthen him with Fate;
Whence instant flew
A wingéd death, and far behind
Headlong the Eagle fell, the abyss to find.
········
Thy fight was over, glorious bird!—
Thy scornful strength,
Which the sky's sovereignty conferred,
Subdued at length,—
An autumn leaf against the wind,
In conflict with a greater power—called Mind!
