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THE BARD
49
Fell Thirst and Famine scowlA 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] 84Long 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.
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