Reliques of ancient English poetry: consisting of old heroic ballads ...

U ANCIENT SONGS
Soon as fir Valentine approach'd,
He ftarts with fudden fpring;
And yelling forth a hideous howl,
; He made the forefts ring.
As when a tyger fierce and fell 105
Hath fpyed a patting roe,
And leaps at once upon his throat
So fprung the favage foe ;
So lightly leap'd with furious force
The gentle knight to feize : 1 10
But met his tall uplifted fpear,
Which funk him on his knees.
A fecond flroke fo fliir and ftern
Had laid the favage low
But fpringing up, he rais'd his club, 1 15
And aim'd a dreadful blow.
The watchful warrior bent his head,
And fhun'd the coming flroke ;
Upon his taper fpear it fell,
And all to fhivers broke. 1 20
Then lighting nimbly from his fleed,
He drew his burnifht brand :
The favage quick as lightning flew
To wreft it from his hand.
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Three