And trail’d behind a broken thread,

A remnant of the snare, when lo!

A vulture sees me, dreadful foe!

Just as he stoop’d to snatch the prey,

From heav’n an eagle wing’d his way;

I, while the sons of rapine fight,

Improv’d the lucky hour in flight

The ruins of a cot were near,

I thought my dangers ended here;

Deceitful thought! a playful boy