His unassisted strength awhile withstood,

With desperate energy, th' invading flood,

As the pale victim of all-conquering death

With one faint effort struggles yet for breath.

His courage soon beneath th' encounter bent,

Languid before, and now by efforts spent;

He yielded—his brave chief to death betray'd,

And Stenon's blood dyed treachery's reeking blade.

'Twas done; and peace the traitor's bosom left,

Of every comfort, every joy bereft.

Rack'd by despair, in vain he sought repose:

Round all his steps a cloud of horror rose,

From keen reflection's maddening sting he fled,

And rush'd on further crimes devoid of dread;

Touch'd the abyss, and lest his eye might view

Th' abandon'd shore, into its depths withdrew.

'Twas night; the cheerless moon's o'erclouded ray

Shone dim; the breeze's murmurs died away:

[Pg 19]

On his wan brow unwonted slumbers creep,

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