VIII.

Dire straits of War! The crystal stream of Life Is now cut off from San Sebastian’s ground; Where water flowed, an aliment of strife The withering Genius of Destruction found. Oh, fatal skill! Sulphureous heaps abound Within the tube that from Ernani’s hills Brought Life, yet soon will scatter Death around. Though lymph, Pyrene, all thy crags distil, For San Sebastian vain is every mountain rill.