Th' avenging hour arrives—in dreadful din
The troops of wan Disease their march begin.
With fervid eye they trace the fatal road
Their agent Cruelty had mark'd with blood.
Now droops the head in faint dejection hung,
Now raging thirst enflames the dry-parch'd tongue;
In yellow films the rayless eye is set,
With chilling dews the loaded brow is wet;
Fierce thro' the burning roads of purple life,
The acrid venoms rush with mortal strife,