The league of the Iroquois and other legends : from the Indian muse

Ill
THE BATTLE,
ALAKMED, the People of the Hill
Gazed on that dragon form with dread ;
And questioned now how they might kill
The ugly beast their hand had fed.
And still the danger heightened more ;
More near the monstrous thing they saw :
More frightful woke his hiss and roar,
More wicked clashed his hungry jaw.
And still more wroth the reptile grew,
Still more the growing fear appalled ;
Till, dark in doubt what they might do,
The warrior-braves a Council called.
Some weakly urged to spare the beast,
It, angered more, might them consume ;
And oh, what shade might peaceful rest,
If buried in such awful tomb !