A signal the Castilian trumpet blew,
Horribly thundering, wild, and full of dread.
Ortegal heard. Guidiana’s waves withdrew,
For very fear, back toward their fountainhead.
Douro and Transtagana the sound knew.
And to the sea bewildered Tagus fled.
And mothers, who the ghastly sound might hear,
Clutched to their bosoms little children dear.
And many a blanched face, whence kind blood had flown
The heart to succor, there a man might see!
For fear when faced with perils overgrown
Is greater oft than peril e’er can be.
And if not, so it seems. For rage alone
To smite and beat some stubborn enemy
Prevents our feeling loss, howe’er severe,
Of bodily limbs or life that is so dear.