XXIV.

They link’d their hands, they pledged their stainless faith In the dread presence of attesting Heaven, They bound their hearts to suffering and to death, With the severe and solemn transport given To bless such vows. How nobly man had striven, How man _might_ strive, and vainly strive, they knew, And call’d upon their God, whose arm had riven The crest of many a tyrant, since He blew The foaming sea-wave on, and Egypt’s might o’erthrew.