The Siege of Jerusalem, a Poem [Followed By] Lines Upon the Interment of Princess Charlotte (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1823. Excerpt: ... SIEGE OF JERUSALEM. BOOK THE FIFTH. Oh full of lustre, bright to every eye But the besieged, arose the orb of day, When Rome's dread legions, at the signal flown 1 From the Imperial station, throng'd in arms, As their great chief resolved to range his powers In martial muster 'neath the city walls; If chance such fearful numbers and array Might shake her courage, and confound her pride. Glorious th' embattled field reflected round Their steely splendour: each of humbler rank In polish' d armouE; every chief, to vie With his compeers in chivalry, complete In choicest panoply, refulgent mail, Shields boss' d with gold, and helms with plumed crests O, ershadow, d; spoils of battle, or bestow'd For gallant bearing. The proud cavalry, No less caparison' d for pomp or war, Trail'd their long housings, champing burnisli'd bits; While every quivering sinew seem'd to beat Eager of battle, every steed uptore The sod, impetuous, as the trumpet clang Swell'd his big heart--the signal breathed, they wheel'd By troop or cohort, as might best display Their gorgeous pageant. Ranged beneath their chiefs, Th' auxiliar squadrons first, with banner'd staves To guide their march, moved onward--symphonies Of martial measure pealing clear and loud, Such as might kindle valour e'en in breasts Unmoved of glory; how much more of these, Beating with emulous courage, and exulting. In every hazard of heroic war? And first, a thousand horsemen from the realm Of Vologeses, reconciled to Rome,2 Since the new terrors of a name that awed The subject earth, from his reluctant grasp Redeem'd the spoils of Haran's fatal field, . To deck the temple of the avenging Mars; And with the warlike pledge secured once more His fierce submission, and capricious faith. Anon a race whose aboriginal names ...