SPANISH GUERILLAS, 1811

They seek, are sought; to daily battle led,

Shrink not, though far outnumbered by their Foes,

For they have learnt to open and to close

The ridges of grim war; and at their head

Are captains such as erst their country bred

Or fostered, self-supported chiefs,— like those

Whom hardy Rome was fearful to oppose;

Whose desperate shock the Carthaginian fled.

In One who lived unknown a shepherd's life

Redoubted Viriatus breathes again;

And Mina, nourished in the studious shade,

With that great Leader vies, who, sick of strife

And bloodshed, longed in quiet to be laid

In some green island of the western main.