XX.

XX.

Brightly the chieftain smil’d! a gladdening beam Shot o’er his brow, his bloodshot eye-balls gleam; Backwards his view, with haughty joy he cast Towards the bounds his fiery steed had past;-- One sole, one fond, one faithful friend was there,-- A brother’s love had join’d the godlike pair; From youth to manhood, grew that love sublime, Began by virtue, and matur’d by time. 320 When peace and plenty held their golden reign, And crown’d the efforts of the lab’ring swain, Th’ unmeasurable space they wander’d o’er Of wisdom’s paths, of learning’s sacred lore: But, when Bellona yok’d her iron car, And honour call’d them to the paths of war, Still, side by side, the youthful heroes led Their hardy warriors to their country’s aid; The aim of each, amidst the bloody strife, 330 To scorn his own, to guard his comrade’s life. If ’gainst the chieftain’s bosom gleam’d the spear, The other’s arm would ward the danger near; And, if th’ uplifted sabre of the foe Should rise, to lay his lov’d companion low, The mighty Ponsonby’s avenging hand, Would smite the threat’ner lifeless on the strand.