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

THE BATTLE. 265
And forth again the warriors bore
Their shivered spears, with brave intent,
To fight the fearful battle o'er.
For hunger fierce new courage lent.
But all in vain each valiant hand
Assailed the brute with thrust and throw ;
And never braver warrior-band
Did battle give more desperate foe.
Some frantic made with fear and pain,
Rushed mad to pile the savage feast ;
Though swift devoured, such pittance vain
But hungered more the insatiate beast.
And some in terror thought
The dragon's flinty side to climb ;
to flee
But swaying like an angry sea,
He crushed them in the ooze and slime.
Still shrieking ran the maniac din,
Still clashed his frightful jaw amain,
Till last of all those noble men
Had the devouring monster slain.