VII.

Write on the sacred bark such votive prayer, As the mild Power may grant in coming years, Some word to make thy memory gentle there;-- More than renown, kind thought for men endears A Hero to Mankind.

Slow moved the mighty hand--a tremour shook The leaves, and hoarse winds groan'd along the wood; The Pythian tree the damning sentence took, And to the sun the battle-word of blood Glared from the gashing rind.