The ponderous mace, and couch the winged spear,
That arm, by some superior force unsteel'd,
Shook, and the sword dropp'd idly on the field.
Again he raised the point; again essay'd
To bury in his heart the reeking blade,
When lo! a sudden whirlwind scour'd the sky,
Seiz'd the descending falchion, and on high
In whirling eddies bore it, while around
Low thunders rattled thro' the heavens profound.
Awhile in dumb suspense the hero stood;
Then sought the falchion thro' the dusky wood,
Resolved the seeming wonder to explore,
And search the depths of fate's mysterious lore.

His changing mien the youth intent survey'd,
And slowly follow'd thro' the winding shade.




BOOK IV.




BOOK IV.


[_The Argument to the Fourth Book, of which this is only the
commencement, will be found in the Notes._]